"The people."
Yevsey walked a few steps in silence.
"Did they permit them?"
"Why, yes."
"Why did they do it?"
"That's what I say, too. They oughtn't to have permitted them," said Pantaleyev. His glasses moved on his broad nose. "What a situation! The authorities do not think about the people at all."
"Did they release everybody?" asked Klimkov.
"Everybody." Pantaleyev's hoarse voice was stern, his nostrils dilated. "And there have already been a number of unpleasant encounters. Chasin, for instance, had to threaten to shoot off his revolver, because he was hit in the eye. He was quietly standing off on one side, when suddenly a lady comes up, and cries out, 'Here's a spy!' Inasmuch as Chasin cannot imitate animals, he had to defend himself with a weapon; which isn't possible for everybody either. Not everybody carries a revolver about with him."
"It's been decided to give all of us revolvers."
"Even so no good will come of it. I know positively that a revolver begs of itself to be used. It sets your hand itching."