"Yes, we know what sort of an idea you have about it," answered Peredonov. "But we're not going to give Poland back to you. We have conquered you. We have conferred many benefits on you and yet it's true that however well you feed a wolf he always looks towards the wood."
Marta said nothing.
After a short silence Peredonov said abruptly:
"The Poles have no brains."
Marta flushed.
"There are all kinds of people among both Russians and Poles," she said.
"No, what I say is true," persisted Peredonov, "the Poles are stupid. They only submit to force. Take the Jews—they're clever."
"The Jews are cheats—they're not clever at all," said Vladya.
"No, the Jews are a very clever people. The Jew always gets the best of a Russian, but a Russian never gets the best of a Jew."
"It isn't a great thing to get the best of other people," said Vladya. "Is mind only to be used for cheating?"