"No, your Excellency," said Peredonov in confusion, "I never have the time. There's so much work in school. But I will read it."
"Well, that's not altogether necessary," said Veriga with a smile, as if he were forbidding Peredonov's reading it. "Yes, Madame Shteven recounts with distress that two of her pupils, young men of seventeen, were sentenced to be birched by the District Court. You see, they were proud young fellows—let me add that we all suffered while they suffered the execution of the sentence—this penalty was afterwards abolished. And, let me say that if I were in Madame Shteven's place I would like to let all Russia know that this has happened: because, just imagine, they were sentenced for stealing apples. Observe, for stealing! And what's more she writes that they were her very best pupils. Yet they stole the apples! Fine bringing up! It must frankly be admitted that we don't respect the rights of ownership."
Veriga rose from his place in agitation, made two steps forward, but controlled himself and immediately sat down again.
"Now when I am an inspector of National Schools I shall do things differently," said Peredonov.
"Have you that position in prospect?" asked Veriga.
"Yes, Princess Volchanskaya has promised me."
Veriga assumed an expression of pleasure.
"I shall be very glad to congratulate you. I have no doubt that in your hands things will be improved."
"But, your Excellency, in the town they're spreading all sorts of nonsense about me—you can't tell, someone in the district may inform against me and hinder my appointment, and I haven't done anything."
"Whom do you suspect in the spreading of these false rumours?" asked Veriga.