The small boys crowded at the shop door, roaring with laughter and making faces. The hairdresser felt offended and grew red. He said in a slightly trembling voice:
"I beg your pardon, sir, we don't undertake such jobs. And who ever heard of a shaved cat? It must be the very latest fashion which hasn't reached us yet."
Peredonov listened to him with stupefied disappointment. He shouted:
"You'd better admit that you can't do it, incompetent!"
And he walked away, dragging after him the cat, which mewed continuously. On the way he thought dejectedly that everywhere and always everyone laughed at him and no one wanted to help him. His sadness oppressed his heart.
Peredonov went with Volodin and Routilov to the Summer-garden to play billiards. The marker said to them with embarrassment:
"I'm sorry, gentlemen, you can't play to-day."
"Why not?" asked Peredonov irritatedly.
"Well, I'm sorry to say there are no billiard balls," replied the marker.
"Someone pinched them when he wasn't looking," said the bar-tender sternly, leaning across the counter.