“Hurrah!” Makar’s handkerchief flashed back in answer to his first “hello.” “They know my name. I had some fun with them.”
“It was all right, only for the sake of everything that is noble, don’t aggravate your case. Otherwise everything looks bright. Answer no more of their questions.”
“Crazy to wag my tongue. Have not spoken so long. I am trying to make a convert of my guard. Pastime.”
“Don’t, for God’s sake don’t, or you’ll ruin it all. Promise to keep silent. Do you?”
“Don’t get angry. I can see your handkerchief gnashing its teeth. Only one thing more. May I?”
“Hurry up.”
“Here, in prison I am openly a citizen of the Social Republic, and the Czar is powerless to subdue me. I am in a cell. What more can he do with me? But here, in this cell, where his power is most complete, I openly defy him, all his gendarmes and army notwithstanding.”
Pavel went away, cursing and laughing.