"They say revolutionists are everywhere nowadays."
"From smartness or stupidity?" asked Liza.
Unable to withstand the hard searching look of the joiner, Klimkov slowly bowed his head, though he followed the workingman with a sidelong glance.
"Why does that interest you?" Zimin inquired politely but sternly.
"I have no interest in it," Yevsey answered lazily.
"Ah! Then why do you ask?"
"Just so," said Yevsey; and in a few seconds added, "Out of politeness."
The joiner smiled.
It seemed to Yevsey that three pairs of eyes were looking at him suspiciously and severely. He felt awkward, and something bitter nipped his throat. Masha came out of the cook's room, smiling guiltily. When she looked at the others' faces, the smile disappeared.
"What's the matter?"