“I didn’t think much of him. I wouldn’t go across the street to hear him again. I tell you what,” and she straightened up and turned toward me. “We want something besides talk, talk of what a government should be. We want the government itself. We want to act—rise in a body and march upon the grandees, and make them give us our rights! That’s what we want, and mean to have!”
She was flourishing her feathers in one hand and her silk duster in the other, and looked as if she were ready to lead a mob at any time against the Winter Palace and Hermitage and Gatschina and Tsarselo, if necessary.
Just then Mrs. Browne appeared, to see what kept Alex so long, and instantly the feathers moved rapidly across a window stool and mirror, and then the old woman declared the room done, and asked what next she should “fly at.”
I did not see Alex again that day, and for the next few days I was busy taking my friend to different parts of the city. I knew that Alex had her night out, and came in late, with her shoes off. She had been to a nihilist séance, of course; but where? And was Ivan there? And why didn’t Zaidee appear, and report, if she knew anything?
I was getting so nervous that at last I resolved to question Alex, at any risk, and ascertain what she knew. My opportunity came with the dusting process, which took place every day at nearly the same hour.
She was a little more bent than usual that morning; had a “catch in the back,” she said, and, contrary to her usual manner, she grumbled some about hard work and poor pay.
To these complaints I made no reply, but let her talk on, or, rather, mutter to herself, until she was very near me, when I asked: “What do you know of Ivan Scholaskie? Where is he?”
The catch in her back must have left her suddenly, for she straightened herself to her usual position, and answered: “Madame is Ivan’s friend?”
“Yes,” I said; “I knew him as Sophie, his sister. I was present when he was arrested. I know that he is in the city, or was, and is hiding from the police. I am greatly interested in him. Where is he?”
“Safe, quite safe. Madame need have no fear,” she replied. “Zaidee told you he was here?” she continued. “Zaidee talks too much.”