"Is that so?" he said, swinging his head. "I think not. That you are not the judges, but only the defendants——"
"I request you to adhere to what directly pertains to the case," remarked the old man dryly.
"To what directly pertains to the case? Very well! I've already compelled myself to think that you are in reality judges, independent people, honest——"
"The court has no need of your characterization."
"It has no need of such a characterization? Hey? Well, but after all I'm going to continue. You are men who make no distinction between your own and strangers. You are free people. Now, here two parties stand before you; one complains, 'He robbed me and did me up completely'; and the other answers, 'I have a right to rob and to do up because I have arms'——"
"Please don't tell anecdotes."
"Why, I've heard that old people like anecdotes—naughty ones in particular."
"I'll prohibit you from speaking. You may say something about what directly pertains to the case. Speak, but without buffoonery, without unbecoming sallies."
The Little Russian looked at the judges, silently rubbing his head.
"About what directly pertains to the case?" he asked seriously. "Yes; but why should I speak to you about what directly pertains to the case? What you need to know my comrade has told you. The rest will be told you; the time will come, by others——"