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He did not dare as yet to visit Trirodov again, but appeared to be in an expectant mood, and remained in town. It was here that Ostrov met his old friend Yakov Poltinin. Yakov Poltinin and two other members of the Black Hundred were sent from the capital at the request of Kerbakh and Zherbenev.
"That's the fellow," said Zherbenev. "I also meant him," said Kerbakh. "Excellent!" exclaimed Zherbenev. "We seem to agree about him. So you see, Glafira Pavlovna, we ought to invite him into our union. He would be a most useful man. Once mention Jews to him and he begins to howl like a dog on a chain." "Of course we ought to have him," decided Glafira Pavlovna.
Trirodov am I right?" "My dear sir, you...." began Kerbakh. The new-comer immediately jumped to his feet and began to apologize profusely. "May I impose upon your good nature to forgive my impertinent curiosity. I am Ostrov, the actor tragedian. You may have heard of me?" "For the first time," said Kerbakh surlily. "I've never heard the name," said Zherbenev.
The honorary overseer, Zherbenev, invited all who attended the examination to his house to dinner. Only Voronok refused the invitation. But Zherbenev invited others to the dinner the general's widow, Glafira Pavlovna, and Kerbakh among them. It was a long and lavish dinner. The guests drank much during and after the meal. Every one got tipsy. Doulebov alone remained sober.
The apparent purpose of this request was to establish a connexion between the local section of the All-Russian Black Hundred union organized by Kerbakh, Zherbenev, and Konopatskaya, the wife of a general with the central office of the organization.
Malignant thoughts about Trirodov again took possession of their minds. Ostrov continued: "I had no suspicion that Trirodov lived here. He is a very old and intimate acquaintance of mine. I might say we are friends." "So-o," said Zherbenev severely, glancing at Ostrov with disapproval. Something in Ostrov's voice and manner aroused their antagonism. His glance was certainly impudent.
Kerbakh and Zherbenev were talking nonsense, and he sat down near them and seemed very interested in you." "Rather flattering," said Trirodov unwillingly. "I cannot say to what an extent it is flattering," said Piotr maliciously. "In my opinion there was little to recommend him. His appearance was rather suspicious that of a ragamuffin, in fact. Though he insists he's an actor, I have my doubts.
Doulebova said: "Frankly, I don't like your poet. I can't understand him. There is something strange about him something disagreeable." "He's altogether suspicious," said Zherbenev with the look of a person who knew a great deal. It was asserted that Trirodov and others were collecting money for an armed revolt. At this they looked significantly at Voronok. Voronok retorted, but he was not heard.
Doulebova sat at the head of the table, between the Vice-Governor and Zherbenev; Doulebov sat next to the Vice-Governor. A pie was brought in; then tea. Zinaida Grigorievna abused the instructors' wives and the instructresses. She loved gossip indeed, who does not? The instructors' wives gossiped to her.
Trirodov's is of comparatively recent origin. I'm quite sure of that. Of recent origin, I assure you," repeated Ostrov, giving a sly wink. "And not of the cleanest?" asked Kerbakh. He winked at Zherbenev. The latter made a grimace and chuckled. Ostrov looked cautiously at Kerbakh. "Why do you assume so?" he asked. "No-o, I shouldn't say that. Quite clean.
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