with gnawed, tiny nails.
"It's fine--your coming into our modest wigwam. This will refresh us
and implant in our midst quiet and decent customs. Alexandra! Be-er!"
he began to call loudly. "We've grown wild, coarse; have become mired
in foul speech, drunkenness, laziness and other vices. And all because
we were deprived of the salutary, pacifying influence of feminine
society. Once again I press your hand. Your charming, little hand.
Beer!"

"Coming," the displeased voice of Alexandra could be heard on the other
side of the door. "I'm coming. What you yelling for? How much do you
want?"

Soloviev went out into the corridor to explain. Lichonin smiled after
him gratefully; while the Georgian on his way slapped him benignly on
the back, between his shoulder blades. Both understood and appreciated
the belated, somewhat coarse delicacy of Soloviev.

"Now," said Soloviev, coming back into the room and sitting down
cautiously upon an ancient chair, "now let's come to the order of the
day. Can I be of service to you in any way? If you'll give me half an
hour's time, I'll run down to the coffee house for a minute and lick
the guts out of the very best chess player there. In a word--I'm at
your disposal!"

"What a funny fellow you are!" said Liubka, ill at ease and laughing.
She did not understand the jocose and unusual style of speech of the
student, but something drew her simple heart to him.

"Well, that's not at all necessary," Lichonin put in. "I am as yet
beastly rich. I think we'll all go together to some little tavern
somewhere. I must have your advice about some things. After all, you're
the people closest to me; and of course not as stupid and inexperienced
as you seem at first glance. After that, I'll go and try to arrange
about her ... about Liuba's passport. You wait for me. That won't take
long ... In a word, you understand what this whole business consists
of, and won't be lavish of any superfluous jokes. I,"--his voice
quivered sentimentally and falsely--"I desire that you take upon
yourselves a part of my care. Is that a go?"

"VA! It's a go!" exclaimed the prince (it sounded like "idiot," when he
said it[20]), and for some reason looked significantly at Liubka and
twirled his moustache. Lichonin gave him a sidelong look. As for
Soloviev, he said simple-heartedly:

[20] The Russian phrase is "Eedet!"--Trans.

"That's the way. You've begun something big and splendid, Lichonin. The
prince told me a