"Well, here's a bath for you."[2]
Those near laughed gleefully. There was a shower of cards into the pail.
Peredonov looked at the besom wavering above the crowd. He thought it was the nedotikomka.
"She's gone green, the beast!" he thought in horror.
[1] Masquerade. This word is used in Russia to mean either a ball or a bath, owing to the fact that clothes are taken off on both occasions.
[2] Referring to the fact that a besom is used in Russian and Turkish baths.
[CHAPTER XXX]
At last the counting of the cards began. The stewards of the Club composed the committee. A tensely expectant crowd gathered at the door of the judges' room. For a short time in the dancing-hall everything became quiet and dull. The music ceased. The company grew silent. Peredonov felt sad. But soon an impatient hum of conversation began in the crowd. Someone said in an assured tone that both prizes would go to actors.
"You'll see," someone's irritated, hissing voice could be heard saying. The crowd was restless. Those who had received only a few cards were vexed at this. Those who had a larger number of cards were disturbed by the expectation of a possible injustice.