Markelov, without saying a word, began lighting a cigarette; Nejdanov followed his example.
“Have you managed to come in contact with the peasants here?” Markelov asked at last.
“No, I haven’t had time as yet.”
“How long have you been here?”
“About a fortnight.”
“Have you much to do?”
“Not very much.”
Markelov gave a severe cough.
“H’m! The people here are stupid enough. A most ignorant lot. They must be enlightened. They’re wretchedly poor, but one can’t make them understand the cause of their poverty.”
“Your brother-in-law’s old serfs, as far as one can judge, do not seem to be poor,” Nejdanov remarked.