The would-be wit, who is always to be found in a crowd, shouted out, "Just wait; he'll cook a broth for you that won't agree with your stomach!" The crowd laughed, but it was a mirthless laugh, a mixture of fear and of distrust. "They don't seem to be afraid of the infection themselves.... That's rather difficult to understand," some one in the crowd remarked, with a meaning look, but in a voice that betrayed hatred. Under the impression of this question the faces in the crowd took on once more threatening expressions, and the conversation fell to low whispers. "Look, they are bringing him out now!" "Orloff is carrying him! Just look what a bold fellow he is!" "It's true, he has plenty of courage." "What does it matter for a sot like him? What has he to be afraid of?" "Carefully, carefully, Orloff! Lift his legs higher ... that's right Ate you ready?... Drive on, Peter!" the student ordered. "Tell the doctor I will follow him directly.... I beg of you, Mr. Orloff, to stay here for a time and help me to disinfect the place.... You might take this opportunity of learning what to do in case of necessity some other time. Is it agreed? Yes?" "We can set about it at once," said Orloff with visible pride, glancing round at the crowd. "I will help too!" cried Tschischik. He had followed the ambulance-van up to the door of the Infirmary, and had already returned in time to offer his services to the medical student The latter looked at him over his spectacles. "Who are you, my little chap?" "I am the apprentice here at the painter's," replied Tschischik. "And you are not afraid of the cholera?" "I ... afraid?" replied Senka, astonished. "I am not afraid of anything in the world." "Is that so?... Well, that's all right.... Just listen now, my friends." The student sat down on a barrel which stood in the yard, and, whilst he rocked himself backwards and forwards on it, he began to explain to Orloff and Tschischik how, before everything else, they must be scrupulously clean in their own persons. A few minutes later Matrona, smiling anxiously, joined the group in the courtyard. The cook followed her, wiping her tear-stained eyes with a damp apron. One by one the crowd followed, approaching the group where sat the student, with furtive steps as a cat might approach a sparrow. After about a dozen people had collected, the student became more enthusiastic and interested, for he observed the increasing attention paid to what he was saying. Standing in their midst, and gesticulating as he spoke, he gave a sort of lecture, raising by turns a laugh, or calling forth an expression of distrust. "The principal thing, gentlemen, in all cases of illness is cleanliness in your own persons, and good fresh air," thus he instructed his listeners. "But those who keep clean manage to die all the same!" remarked one of the audience.