"Just so."
"Do you believe in God?"
After a moment's thought Yevsey said as if excusing himself:
"I do. Only I am not for God, but for myself. What am I to God?"
"Well, let's drink."
Klimkov bravely gulped down a glass of beer. It was cold and bitter, and sent a shiver through his body. He licked his lips with his tongue, and suddenly asked:
"Do they beat you often?"
"Me? Who?" the spy exclaimed amazed and offended.
"Not you, but all the spies in general."
"You must say 'agents,' not 'spies,'" Maklakov corrected him smiling. "They get beaten, yes, they get beaten. I have never been beaten."