WHEN I called on the Governor of Vyatka, he sent a message that I was to call again at ten next morning.
When I returned, I found four men in the drawing-room, the inspectors of the town and country police, and two office clerks. They were all standing up, talking in whispers, and looking uneasily at the door. The door opened, and an elderly man of middle height and broad-shouldered entered the room. The set of his head was like that of a bulldog, and the large jaws with a kind of carnivorous grin increased the canine resemblance; the senile and yet animal expression of the features, the small, restless grey eyes, and thin lank hair made an impression which was repulsive beyond belief.
He began by roughly reproving the country inspector for the state of a road by which His Excellency had travelled on the previous day. The inspector stood with his head bent, in sign of respect and submission, and said from time to time, like servants in former days, “Very good, Your Excellency.”
Having done with the inspector he turned to me. With an insolent look he said:
“I think you have taken your degree at Moscow University?”
“I have.”
“Did you enter the public service afterwards?”
“I was employed in the Kremlin offices.”
“Ha! Ha! Much they do there! Not too busy there to attend parties and sing songs, eh?” Then he called out, “Alenitsin!”
A young man of consumptive appearance came in. “Hark ye, my friend. Here is a graduate of Moscow University who probably knows everything except the business of administration, and His Majesty desires that we should teach it to him. Give him occupation in your office, and let me have special reports about him. You, Sir, will come to the office at nine to-morrow morning. You can go now. By the way, I forgot to ask how you write.”