"Look out, you rogue!" at length exclaimed Petounnikoff, exasperated by these jibes. "If you don't mind I'll have you up before the magistrate."
"It's of no use without witnesses, and a son can't give evidence for a father," the captain reminded him.
"All right; we shall see! Though you seem such a bold leader, you may find your match some day."
And Petounnikoff shook his forefinger at him. The son, quiet and deeply interested in his calculations, paid no heed to this group of squalid figures, who were cruelly mocking his father. He never looked once towards them.
"The young spider is well trained!" remarked "Scraps," who was following the actions and the movements of the younger Petounnikoff.
Having taken all the necessary measurements, Ivan Andreevitch frowned, climbed silently into his cart, and drove off, whilst his son, with firm, decided steps, entered Vaviloff's vodka shop, and disappeared.
"He's a precious young thief! that he is. We shall see what comes of it!" said Kouvalda.
"What will come of it? Why, Petounnikoff junior will square Jegor Vaviloff!" remarked "Scraps," with great assurance, smacking his lips, and with a look of keen satisfaction on his cunning face.
"That would please you, perhaps?" asked Kouvalda severely.
"It pleases me to see human calculations go wrong!" explained "Scraps," blinking his eyes and rubbing his hands.