“You’re very kind, Senya, only I don’t want to. I’m full.”
Then Horizon would reach out of a travelling hamper a chicken, boiled meat, cucumbers, and a bottle of Palestine wine; have a snack, without hurrying, with appetite; regale his wife, who ate very genteelly, sticking out the little fingers of her magnificent white hands; then painstakingly wrap up the remnants in paper and, without hurrying, lay them away accurately in the hamper.
In the distance, far ahead of the locomotive, the cupolas and belfries were already beginning to sparkle with fires of gold. Through the COUPE passed the conductor and made some imperceptible sign to Horizon. He immediately followed the conductor out to the platform.
“The inspector will pass through right away,” said the conductor, “so you’ll please be so kind as to stand for a while here on the platform of the third class with your spouse.”
“NU, NU, NU!” concurred Horizon.
“And the money as agreed, if you please.”
“How much is coming to you, then?”
“Well, just as we agreed; half the extra charge, two roubles eighty kopecks.”
“What?” Horizon suddenly boiled over. “Two roubles eighty kopecks? You think you got it a crazy one in me, what? Here’s a rouble for you and thank God for that!”
“Pardon me, sir. This is even absurd—didn’t you and I agree?”