Avdey Ivanovitch lay without budging on the sofa, staring at the ceiling. Kister lighted a pipe, went to the window, and began drumming on the panes with his fingers.
'So they've been talking about me?' Avdey asked suddenly.
'They have,' Kister responded with meaning.
'What did they say?'
'Oh, they talked. There're very anxious to make your acquaintance.'
'Which of them's that?'
'I say, what curiosity!'
Avdey called his servant, and ordered his horse to be saddled.
'Where are you off to?'
'The riding-school.'