“No,” replied Sanine, “I’d rather fight when I am sober, but when I’m drunk I’m the most good-natured person imaginable, for I have forgotten so much that is mean and vile.”
“Everybody is not like that,” said Riasantzeff.
“I’m sorry for them, that’s all,” replied Sanine. “Besides, what others are like does not interest me in the least.”
“One can hardly say that,” observed Novikoff.
“Why not, if it is the truth?”
“A fine truth, indeed!” exclaimed Lialia, shaking her head.
“The finest I know, anyhow,” replied Ivanoff for Sanine.
Lida, who had been singing loudly, suddenly stopped, looking vexed.
“They don’t seem in any hurry,” she said.
“Why should they hurry?” replied Ivanoff, “It is a great mistake to do anything in a hurry.”