"But what is going to happen to him, to Vasily?"
"Keep still. Stop."
The public was jarred by something it did not understand. All blinked in perplexity with blinded eyes, as if dazzled by the sudden blazing up of an object, indistinct in outline, of unknown meaning, but with horrible drawing power. And since the people did not comprehend this great thing dawning on them, they contracted its significance into something small, the meaning of which was evident and clear to them. The elder Bukin, therefore, whispered aloud without constraint:
"Say, please, why don't they permit them to talk? The prosecuting attorney can say everything, and as much as he wants to——"
A functionary stood at the benches, and waving his hands at the people, said in a half voice:
"Quiet, quiet!"
The father of Samoylov threw himself back, and ejaculated broken words behind his wife's ear:
"Of course—let us say they are guilty—but you'll let them explain. What is it they have gone against? Against everything—I wish to understand—I, too, have my interest." And suddenly: "Pavel says the truth, hey? I want to understand. Let them speak."
"Keep still!" exclaimed the functionary, shaking his finger at him.
Sizov nodded his head sullenly.