"You lie," said the Smokestack. "Say, Klimkov, don't give in to him, do you hear?"
"I do," said Yevsey rising before him.
A feeling of reverent curiosity drew him to the man. Once, as usual unexpectedly to himself, he took courage to speak to the Smokestack.
"Kapiton Ivanovich."
"What is it?"
"I want to ask you, if you please—"
Without looking at him, the Smokestack said:
"Get up some spunk! Get up some spunk!"
"Why do people live so badly?" Yevsey brought out with a great effort.
The old man raised his heavy brows.