"Why?" asked Volodin, his voice trembling with indignation.
"Because it's nasty stuff."
"As you like, Ardalyon Borisitch," said Volodin, shrugging his shoulders. "I only wanted to please you, and if you don't want it, you don't want it."
"Now tell us about the reprimand the General gave you," said Peredonov.
"What General?" asked Volodin, and flushed violently as he protruded an offended lower lip.
"It's no use pretending. We've heard it," said Peredonov.
Varvara grinned.
"Excuse me, Ardalyon Borisitch," said Volodin, hotly. "Likely enough you've heard about it, but you haven't heard the right story. Now I'll tell you exactly what happened."
"Fire away," said Peredonov.
"It happened three days ago, about this time," began Volodin. "In our school, as you know, repairs are going on in the workroom. And here, if you please, comes in Veriga with our inspector to look around, and we are working in the back room. So far, good. It doesn't matter what Veriga wanted or why he came—that's no concern of mine. Suppose he is a nobleman? Still he's no connection with our school. But that's no concern of mine. He comes in, and we don't take any notice of him and go on working. When suddenly they come into our room, and Veriga, if you please, has his hat on."