Then, turning to Sanine, she said “Au revoir!”
For a moment their eyes met. Sina felt pleasurably alarmed.
“Alas!” cried Dubova, as she went out, “our little club has collapsed before it has even been properly started.”
“But why is that?” said a mournful voice, as Soloveitchik, who was getting in every one’s way, stumbled forward.
Until this moment his existence had been ignored, and many were struck by the forlorn expression of his countenance.
“I say, Soloveitchik,” said Sanine pensively, “one day I must come and see you, and we’ll have a chat,”
“By all means! Pray do so!” said Soloveitchik, bowing effusively.
On coming out of the lighted room, the darkness seemed so intense that nobody was able to see anybody else, and only voices were recognizable. The two workmen kept aloof from the others, and, when they were at some distance, Pistzoff laughed and said:
“It’s always like that, with them. They meet together, and are going to do such wonders, and then each wants to have it his own way. That big chap was the only one I liked.”
“A lot you understand when clever folk of that sort talk together!” replied Koudriavji testily, twisting his neck about as if he were being throttled.