And the boy, in confirmation of his oath, ate a small handful of loam. For this Grushina added another three kopecks.
At the hairdresser's Peredonov demanded the barber himself. The barber, a young man who had lately finished a course at the town school and who had read books from the rural library, was just finishing cutting the hair of a landed proprietor. When he had finished, he came up to Peredonov.
"Let him go first," said Peredonov angrily.
The man paid and left. Peredonov sat down in front of the mirror.
"I want my hair trimmed and properly arranged," said he. "I have an important affair on to-day, something special, and so I want my hair arranged in the Spanish style."
The boy apprentice, who stood at the door, snorted with amusement. His master looked sternly at him. He had never had occasion to trim anyone's hair in Spanish style, and did not know what the Spanish style was or even if there were such a style. But if the gentleman demanded such a thing, then it must be assumed that he knew what he wanted. The young hairdresser did not want to betray his ignorance. He said respectfully:
"It's impossible to do it with your hair, sir."
"Why impossible?" said Peredonov taken aback.
"Your hair is badly nourished," explained the hairdresser.
"Do you expect me to pour beer over it?" growled Peredonov.