ds.
That seemed strange to him. He looked at me with commiseration.

However, we opened a conversation. I learned that his name was Ivan
Zourine; that he was a chief of a squadron of Hussars stationed then at
Simbirsk recruiting soldiers, and that his quarters were at my inn. He
invited me to mess with him, soldier-fashion, pot-luck. I accepted with
pleasure, and we sat down to dinner. Zourine drank deeply, and invited
me to drink also, saying that I must become accustomed to the service.
He told stories of garrison life which made me laugh till I held my
sides, and we rose from the table intimate friends. He then proposed
to teach me how to play billiards. "It is," said he, "indispensable
for soldiers like ourselves. For example, suppose we arrive in a town,
what's to be done? We can not always make sport of the Jews. As a last
resort there is the inn and the billiard-room; but to play billiards,
one must know how." These reasons convinced me, and I set about learning
with enthusiasm.

Zourine encouraged me in a loud tone; he was astonished at my rapid
progress, and after a few lesson he proposed to play for money, were it
only two kopecks, not for the gain, merely to avoid playing for nothing,
which was, according to him, a very bad habit. I agreed. Zourine ordered
punch, which he advised me to taste in order to become used to the
service, "for," said he, "what kind of service would that be without
punch?"

I took his advice, and we continued to play; the more I tasted of my
glass the bolder I grew. I made the balls fly over the cushions; I was
angry with the marker who was counting. Heaven knows why. I increased
the stake, and behaved, altogether, like a boy just cut free, for the
first time, from his mother's apron-strings. The time passed quickly. At
last, Zourine glanced at the clock, laid down his cue, and said that I
had lost a hundred roubles to him.

I was in great confusion, because my money was all in the hands of
Saveliitch. I began to mumble excuses, when Zourine exclaimed, "Oh!
well! Good God! I can wait till morning; don't be distressed about
it. Now let us go to supper." What could I do? I finished the day as
foolishly as I began it.

Zourine never ceased pouring out drinks for me; advising me to become
accustomed to the service. Rising from table, I could scarcely stand. At
midnight Zourine brought me back to the inn.

Saveliitch met us at the door, and uttered a cry of horror when he saw
the u