Suddenly he began yawning, even to the point of tears. He took out his Browning and three full clips of cartridges, and savagely blew down the barrel, as into a key. It was all in order ... and he longed insufferably for sleep.
When the wine and fruit were brought in, and Liuba came in after them, he shut the door, only on the latch, and said:
»Well ... all right ... please help yourself, Liuba. Please do.«
»And you ...?« The girl, surprised, looked at him askance.
»I will ... later on. For two nights, you see, I have been having a gay time of it and have had no sleep, and now....« He yawned frightfully, straining his jaws.
»Well...?«
»I will ... later. Just an hour. I will ... soon. And you, please drink and don't spare. And eat the fruit. Why did you get so little?«
»But may I go into the hall? There will be some music.«
This was inconvenient. They might begin talking about him, the strange guest who had gone to sleep, and might start guessing ... and that might be awkward. So, lightly restraining a yawn which was already riving his jaws, he said sedately and earnestly:
»No, Liuba. I shall ask you to stay here. You see, I don't much like sleeping alone in a room. It's a mere whim, but you will excuse me....«