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When Sanine first took his friend to see Lida, who now no longer resembled the proud, high-spirited girl of heretofore, neither she nor Novikoff said a word to each other about all that lay nearest to their hearts. He knew that, after having spoken, they would be unhappy, yet doubly so if they kept silence.
Thrusting his fingers through his unkempt black hair, he vehemently retorted: "I never contradict myself. It stands to reason that if, of my own free will, I choose to die " "It's all the same," continued Novikoff obdurately, in the same tone. "All of you want fireworks, applause, and the rest of it. It's nothing else but egoism!" "What if it is? That won't alter matters."
Soloveitchik jumped up as if to run out, but, recollecting himself, pretended to take a cigarette from the table. Goschienko noticed this, and, without replying to Dubova, said: "How fidgety you are, Soloveitchik!" Soloveitchik turned crimson and blinked his eyes ruefully. He felt vaguely conscious that his zeal did not deserve to be so severely rebuked. Then Novikoff noisily entered.
"Here I am!" he exclaimed, with a cheery smile. "So I see," replied Sanine. Novikoff shook the other's hand and whispered hurriedly, as if by way of excuse, "Lidia Petrovna has got visitors." "Oh! yes." "Have we only come here to talk?" asked the Polytechnic student with some irritation. "Do let us make a start." "Then you have not begun yet?" said Novikoff, evidently pleased.
Yourii had got as far as he could go. Novikoff thought it was wonderful, as with open mouth he gazed in childish admiration at the artist. "Well?" said Yourii, stepping backwards. Personally, he thought it the most interesting picture that he had ever seen, though certainly it had defects both obvious and considerable.
The Polytechnic student, Ivanoff, and Novikoff all began to argue at once, and through clouds of tobacco-smoke hot, angry faces could be seen, while words and phrases were hopelessly blent in a bewildering chaos devoid at last of all meaning. Dubova gazed at the lamp, listening and dreaming.
When Sanine passed through the drawing-room he heard voices on the veranda, and he stopped to listen. "But what do you want of me?" he could hear Lida saying. Her peevish, languid tone surprised him. "I want nothing," replied Novikoff irritably, "only it seems strange that you should think you were sacrificing yourself for me, whereas " "Yes, yes, I know," said Lida, struggling with her tears.
Why he was of this opinion he could not tell, but if Novikoff had thought the picture a bad one, he would have felt thoroughly hurt and annoyed. However, Novikoff murmured ecstatically, "Ve ... ry fine indeed!" Yourii felt as if he were a genius despising his own work. He sighed and flung down his brush which stained the edge of the couch, and he moved away without looking at the picture.
Novikoff kept walking up and down the path, as before. He was evidently hurt. At this moment the terrier came running back excitedly and rubbed against Sanine's knees, as if wishful to let every one know how pleased he was. "Good dog!" said Sanine, patting him.
"We are both unhappy," said Novikoff, conscious that these words came from the depth of his heart. "Together perhaps we may find life easier." Lida's eyes were filled with tears of gratitude as she turned towards him and murmured, "Perhaps." Yet her eyes said, God knows I will be a good wife to you, and love and respect you. Novikoff read their message.
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