"But you must tell us something more definite than that. You can read and write, so you surely can say whether you gain any benefit by it?"
"Benefit, well perhaps. But no, I think there is more; that is, if we look upon it in the right light, those who teach us may gain something by it."
"What can they gain by it? And who do you mean by 'they'?"
"Well, I mean the teachers, or maybe the Zemstvo, or somebody."
"You stupid creature! But I ask you about yourself; for you personally, is it of any use?"
"That is just as you wish, your honour."
"How just as I wish?"
"Why, to be sure, just as you wish. You see, you are our masters."
"Be off with you!"
The ends of the judge's moustache quivered, and his face grew very red.