"Of course you already know me, and I presume you guess what I am going to say to you," began Petunikoff.
"About the lawsuit? . . . I presume?" remarked the ex-sergeant respectfully.
"Exactly! I am glad to see that you are not beating about the bush, but going straight to the point like a business man," said Petunikoff encouragingly.
"I am a soldier," answered Vaviloff, with a modest air.
"That is easily seen, and I am sure we shall be able to finish this job without much trouble."
"Just so."
"Good! You have the law on your side, and will, of course, win your case.
I want to tell you this at the very beginning."
"I thank you most humbly," said the sergeant, rubbing his eyes in order to hide the smile in them.
"But tell me, why did you make the acquaintance of your future neighbors like this through the law courts?"
Vaviloff shrugged his shoulders and did not answer.