"You know me, of course, and can guess my errand," began Petounnikoff.
"About the summons, I guess," replied the old soldier respectfully.
"Just so! I'm glad to see that you are straightforward, and attack the matter like an open-hearted man," continued Petounnikoff encouragingly.
"You see I'm a soldier," modestly suggested the other.
"I can see that. Let us tackle this business as quickly and as straightforwardly as possible, and get it over."
"By all means!"
"Your complaint is quite in order, and there is no doubt but that you have right on your side. I think it better to tell you that at once."
"Much obliged to you," said the soldier, blinking his eyes to conceal a smile.
"But I should like to know why you thought it best to begin an acquaintance with us, your future neighbours, so unpleasantly—with a lawsuit?" Vaviloff shrugged his shoulders, and was silent.
"It would have been better for you to have come to us, and we could have arranged matters between us. Don't you think so?"