Volodin stuck out his lower lip and made a significant face, like a man who was conscious of his own value, and bent his head rather like a ram:
"I'm always ready to drink in company," he said, "but not on my lonesome!"
And Peredonov was also always ready to drink. They drank their vodka and ate the jam tarts afterwards.
Suddenly Peredonov splashed the dregs of his coffee-cup on the wall-paper. Volodin goggled his sheepish eyes, and gazed in astonishment. The wall-paper was soiled and torn. Volodin asked:
"What are you doing to your wall-paper?"
Peredonov and Varvara laughed.
"It's to spite the landlady," said Varvara. "We're leaving soon. Only don't you chatter."
"Splendid!" shouted Volodin, and joined in the laughter.
Peredonov walked up to the wall and began to wipe the soles of his boots on it. Volodin followed his example. Peredonov said:
"We always dirty the walls after every meal, so that they'll remember us when we've gone!"