A young man, in the uniform of a corporal, immediately ran up to Pougatcheff.
“Read it aloud,” said the usurper, giving him the paper.
I was exceedingly curious to know what my follower could have written to Pougatcheff about. The chief secretary, in a loud voice, began to spell out as follows:
“Two dressing-gowns, one of linen and one of striped silk, six roubles.”
“What does this mean?” said Pougatcheff, frowning.
“Order him to read on,” replied Savelitch coolly.
The chief secretary continued:
“One uniform coat of fine green cloth, seven roubles.
“One pair of white cloth breeches, five roubles.
“Twelve Holland linen shirts with ruffles, ten roubles.