an't be blunt. If
blunt, then it can't be wit."

"All right, all right! We know you are clever!

"Your nerves are out of order," Paklin remarked hesitatingly. "Or has
something really happened?"

"Oh, nothing in particular, only that it is impossible to show one's
nose in this hateful town without knocking against some vulgarity,
stupidity, tittle-tattle, or some horrible injustice. One can't live
here any longer!"

"Is that why your advertisement in the papers says that you want a place
and have no objection to leaving St. Petersburg?" Ostrodumov asked.

"Yes. I would go away from here with the greatest of pleasure, if some
fool could be found who would offer me a place!"

"You should first fulfill your duties here," Mashurina remarked
significantly, her face still turned away.

"What duties?" Nejdanov asked, turning towards her.

Mashurina bit her lip. "Ask Ostrodumov."

Nejdanov turned to Ostrodumov. The latter hummed and hawed, as if to
say, "Wait a minute."

"But seriously," Paklin broke in, "have you heard any unpleasant news?"

Nejdanov bounced up from the bed like an india-rubber ball. "What more
do you want?" he shouted out suddenly, in a ringing voice. "Half of
Russia is dying of hunger! The Moscow News is triumphant! They want
to introduce classicism, the students' benefit clubs have been closed,
spies everywhere, oppression, lies, betrayals, deceit! And it is not
enough for him! He wants some new unpleasantness! He thinks that I am
joking.... Basanov has been arrested," he added, lowering his voice. "I
heard it at the library."

Mashurina and Ostrodumov lifted their heads simultaneously.

"My dear Alexai Dmitritch," Paklin began, "you are upset, and for a very
good reason. But have you forgotten in what times and in what country we
are living? Amongst us a drowning man must himself create the straw to
clutch at. Why be sentimental over it? One must look the devil straight
in the face and not get excited like children--"

"Oh, don't, please!" Nejdanov interrupted him desperately, frowning as
if in pain. "We know you are energetic and not afraid of anything--"

"I--not afraid of anything?" Paklin began.

"I wonder who could have betrayed Basanov?" Nejdanov continued. "I
simply can't understand!"

"A friend no doubt. Friends are great at that. One must look alive! I
once had a friend, who seemed a good fellow; he was always concerned
about me and my reputation. 'I say, what dreadful stories