"Russians?"
"A couple of Jews too—fine fellows! I tell you, my lad, they knew their way about. Stripped everyone that they got a hand on—properly. Got caught in the end, and now going to Siberia!"
"But how did you learn things there?"
"Oh! I just said 'teach me to read,' and they did."
"Have you learnt to write too?"
"Writing I'm not so good at, but I'll read as much as you like. I've read lots of books already."
Ilya became excited now the conversation turned on books.
"I read with Jakov, too," he said, "and such books!"
Both began to name all the books they had read, in rivalry. Pashka had to admit with a sigh:
"I see, you've read the most, you lucky devil, and your books are nicer too. I've read mostly poetry. They had a lot of books there, but nearly all verses."