Throwing away the cloak which covers him, he rises. The Turk was not asleep; he was sitting at table with the Colonel.
"Well, Major, it seems to me that you have had a good sleep for the New Year."
"Yes ... and I have had a dream."
"You too?" said the Colonel in an embarrassed tone.
"Why do you say, 'You too'?"
"Yes. You can't imagine what absurd dreams I have been having. I had never believed myself so sentimental."
"Had your dream anything to do with the prisoner?"
"Naturally. You remember my Volodia?"
"A curious question, as I am his godfather."
"Indeed you are right. My head is decidedly queer. Well, I have had that rascal at my heels the whole night. He insisted obstinately that I should give the Turk up to him. 'Why?' I asked. And he answered, 'He also has little Volodia's, and I will let him free to go and find them.' Yet, my friend, I don't think we drank more than usual last night."