"Why has he got evil intentions against me?" thought Peredonov. "What does he want?"
And Peredonov thought that he would get Volodin on his side.
"Listen, Pavloushka," he said, "if you'll stop trying to injure me, then I'll buy you a pound of the best sugar-candy every week—you can suck it to my good health."
Volodin laughed, but immediately afterwards looked hurt and said:
"Ardalyon Borisitch, I have no idea of injuring you, and I don't want your sugar-candy because I don't like it."
Peredonov became depressed. Varvara said sneeringly:
"You've made a big enough fool of yourself, Ardalyon Borisitch. How can he do you any injury?"
"Any fool can do you harm," said Peredonov dejectedly.
Volodin thrust out an offended lip, shook his head and said:
"If you have such an idea about me, Ardalyon Borisitch, then I can only say one thing: I thank you most humbly. If you think that way about me, what have I to say? What shall I understand by this, in what sense?"