"Your quiet one is a good boy, I must say," said Peredonov malignantly. Kokovkina was frightened. She quickly walked up to Sasha and sat down at his side--in her agitation she always stumbled--and asked timorously: "What's the matter, Ardalyon Borisitch? What has he done?" "You'd better ask him," replied Peredonov with morose spite. "What is it, Sashenka? What have you done?" asked Kokovkina, touching Sasha's elbow. "I don't know," said Sasha and began to cry. "Well, what's the matter? What is it? Why are you crying?" asked Kokovkina. She laid her hands on the boy's shoulders and pulled him towards her; she did not notice that this disturbed him further. He stood there, stooping, and kept his handkerchief to his eyes. Peredonov explained: "He's being taught nasty words in the _gymnasia_ and he won't say who it is. He oughtn't to conceal things. He not only learns nasty words himself but he shields the other boys." "Oh, Sashenka, Sashenka. How could you do it? Aren't you ashamed?" said Kokovkina in a flustered way, as she released Sasha. "I did nothing," replied Sasha, crying. "I did nothing that was wrong. Indeed, they tease me because I don't use bad words." "Who says bad words?" asked Peredonov again. "No one says them," exclaimed Sasha in despair. "There, you see how he lies?" said Peredonov. "He ought to be well punished. He must tell the truth as to who says these nasty words, because our _gymnasia_ might get a bad name and we could do nothing against it." "You had better let him go, Ardalyon Borisitch," said Kokovkina. "How can he inform against his companions? They'd make his life unbearable if he did." "He's obliged to tell," said Peredonov angrily. "Because it would be very useful. We will take measures to stop it." "But they'll beat him," said Kokovkina irresolutely. "They won't dare. If he's afraid, then let him tell in secret." "Well, Sashenka, tell in secret. No one will know that it's you." Sasha cried silently. Kokovkina drew him to her, embraced him, and for a long time whispered in his ear, but he shook his head negatively. "He doesn't want to," said Kokovkina. "Try a birch on him, then he'll talk," said Peredonov savagely. "Bring me a birch, I'll make him talk." "Olga Vassilyevna! But why?" exclaimed Sasha. Kokovkina rose and embraced him. "That's enough crying," she said gently but sternly, "no one shall touch you." "As you like," said Peredonov. "But I must tell the Head-Master. I thought it might have been better to keep at home. Perhaps your Sashenka really knows more than he'll tell. We don't know yet why he's teased with being a girl--perhaps it's for something else entirely. Perhaps it's not he who's being taught, but he who's corrupting others." Peredonov left the room angrily. Kokovkina followed him. She said reproachfully: "Ardalyon Borisitch, how can you worry a boy for I don't know what? It's as well that he doesn't understand what you say."