He took his seat at the table which the boy had prepared and looked sadly at the water bottle.
"Why do you always give me a bottle of water, Gustav?"
"So that you won't be burned to death, sir."
"What does it matter to you whether I am or not? Can't I burn if I like?"
"Don't be a nihilist to-day, sir."
"Nihilist? Who talked to you of nihilists? When did you hear that word? Are you mad, boy? Speak!"
He rose to his feet and fired a few shots from his dark revolvers.
Fear and consternation at the expression in the actor's face kept Gustav tongue tied.
"Answer, boy, when did you hear this word?"
"Mr. Montanus said it a few days ago, when he came here from his church," answered the boy timidly.