Pavel Semenovich suddenly stopped as he felt the fixed and cynical gaze of Petr Petrovich.
“Yes, yes!... Excuse me,” he said, “this is really a little unclear....”
“It is a little. You’d better go on. Without philosophy....”
“ ... M. Budnikov woke me up. It happened to be the twentieth. He came as usual, and as usual he drank two cups of tea with rum, but I saw that M. Budnikov was out of humor, and even nervous.... And I involuntarily connected it with the incident of the morning.
“For some time he kept out of sorts and every one around noticed that something secret and hidden had gone wrong between master and servant. Gavrilo wanted to leave.... Budnikov would not let him go, although he often told me that he was disappointed in Gavrilo. As I was walking one day through the garden, I saw them both standing by the gate and talking. Budnikov was excited; Gavrilo, calm. He was standing in an easy position and kept looking at his spade, which was stuck in the ground. He was evidently insisting on something which enraged Budnikov.... But I thought that the subject of conversation created between them a strange equality....
“‘Yes, friend, of course, it’s your business,’ said M. Budnikov. He caught sight of me but did not think it necessary to change the subject. He spoke spitefully and angrily.... ‘Yes.... You’re a free man.... But just remember, Gavrilo Stepanich, if you have any utilitarian object, ... I, of course, can give only a very small sum....’
“M. Budnikov was unable to speak simply, and used foreign words, even when talking to Gavrilo.... Gavrilo looked at him calmly and answered:
“‘We don’t want anything.... We have enough....’
“M. Budnikov glanced cautiously at him and answered:
“‘Fine! Remember! Afterwards.... I’ll go to Petersburg on business.... Do what you want to.’