“Who is this Melnikoff?” asked Volodia.
“He is, your Excellency, an animal who is afraid of nothing. He is walking about outside. Please examine him; he looks like a bear.”
“He practises witchcraft,” added Vassina, in his calm voice.
Melnikoff, a very corpulent soldier (a rare thing), with red hair, a tremendously bulging forehead, and light blue projecting eyes, came in just at this moment.
“Are you afraid of bomb-shells?” Volodia asked him.
“Why should I be afraid of them?” repeated Melnikoff, scratching his neck. “No bomb-shell will kill me, I know.”
“Do you like to live here?”
“To be sure I do; it is very entertaining,” and he burst out laughing.
“Then you must be sent out in a sortie. Would you like to? I will speak to the general,” said Volodia, although he knew no general.
“Why not like to? I should like to very much!” and Melnikoff disappeared behind his comrades.