She rocked the child in her arms, and Raisky looked curiously under the straw covering. Suddenly Mark’s tangled hair and beard emerged and the woman vanished into the hut as he cried, “Fool, you don’t know how to receive visitors.” “Good-day! What has brought you here?” cried Mark as he crawled out of the telega and stretched himself. “A visit, perhaps.” “I was taking a walk out of sheer boredom.” “Bored! with two beautiful girls at home. You, an artist, and you are taking a walk out of sheer boredom. Don’t your affections prosper?” he winked. “They are lovely children, especially Vera?” “How do you know my cousins, and in what way do they concern you?” asked Raisky drily. “Don’t be vexed. Come into my drawing-room.” “Tell me rather why you sleep in the telega. Are you playing at Diogenes?” “Yes, because I must.” They entered the hut and went into a boarded compartment, where stood Mark’s bed with a thin old mattress, a thin wadded bed-cover and a tiny pillow. Scattered on a shelf on the wall, and on the table lay books, two guns hung on the wall, linen and clothes were tumbled untidily on the only chair. “This is my salon, sit down on the bed, and I will sit on the chair. Let us take off our coats, for it is infernally hot. No ceremony, as there are no ladies. That’s right. Do you want anything? There is nothing but milk and eggs. If you don’t want any, give me a cigar.” “Many thanks. I have already breakfasted, and it will presently be dinner time.” “Yes! You live with your Aunt. Weren’t you expelled after having harboured me in the night?” “On the contrary, she reproached me with having allowed you to go to bed without any dessert, and for not having demanded pillows.” “And didn’t she rail against me?” “As usual, but....” “I know it is habit and does not come from her heart. She has the best heart one can wish for, better than any here. She is bold, full of character, and with a solid understanding; now indeed her brain is weakening....” “That is your opinion? You have found someone for whom you have sympathy?” “Yes, especially in one respect. She cannot endure the Governor any more than I can. I don’t know what her reasons are; his position is enough for me. We neither of us like the police; we are oppressed by them. The old lady is compelled by them to carry out all sorts of repairs; to me they pay far too much attention, find out where I live, whether I go far from the town, and whom I visit.” Both fell silent. “Now we have nothing more to talk about. Why did you come here?” asked Mark. “Because I was bored.” “Fall in love.” Raisky was silent. “With Vera,” continued Mark. “Splendid girl, and she is related to you. It must be easy for you to begin a romance with her.” Raisky made an angry gesture, to which Mark replied by a burst of laughter.