"Yes, very plain; you might as well have no brain." Sereja continued in a mocking tone—
"And you, who are so intelligent!... How many times have you been beaten with birch-rods in the village?"
Vassili glanced at him and remained silent "Very often I should think.... And it's a capital idea of your village authorities to drive wisdom upwards, from down below.... And you, what can you do with your brain? Where would you go? What would you invent? Say! Whereas I, without bothering myself about anything, I go straight ahead, and there's an end of it. And I believe I shall go further than you."
"It's possible," Vassili agreed. "Perhaps you will even go as far as Siberia...."
"Ah! no fear!"
And Sereja burst into a frank laugh.
In spite of Vassili's hope, Sereja did not lose his head; and that vexed the elder man, who would not offer him a second glass; but Sereja himself solved the difficulty.
"Why don't you ask me news of Malva?"
"What can it matter to me?" said Vassili indifferently, although he felt a secret presentiment. "As she did not come here on Sunday, you ought to inquire what she was up to. I know you are jealous, you old devil!"
"There are plenty like her," said Vassili carelessly.