United States or British Virgin Islands ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
"Thanks; I would rather have some apartments assigned me." "No need of apartments, stay with me." "I can not; I am not alone." "Bring your comrade with you." "I am not with a comrade; I am with a lady." "A lady! where did you fish her out?" and he whistled in so rollicking a manner, that the rest burst out laughing. "Well," said Zourine, "then you must have a house in the town.
Stay with me." "I cannot. I am not alone." "Well, bring your comrade too." "I am not with a comrade. I am with a lady." "With a lady where did you pick her up, brother?" After saying which words Zourine began to whistle so slyly that all the others began to laugh, and I remained confused. "Well," continued Zourine, "then there is nothing to be done. I'll give you a lodging.
But now I beg of you, do reassure the poor girl, whom your hussars have frightened dreadfully." Zourine directly settled matters. He went out himself into the street to make excuses to Marya for the involuntary misunderstanding, and ordered the Quartermaster to take her to the best lodging in the town. I stayed to sleep at Zourine's house.
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 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.
I accepted with pleasure; we sat down to table; Zourine drank a great deal, and pressed me to drink, telling me I must get accustomed to the service. He told good stories, which made me roar with laughter, and we got up from table the best of friends. Then he proposed to teach me billiards. "It is," said he, "a necessity for soldiers like us.
In my emotion I again began to talk. At first Zourine willingly listened, then his words became fewer and more vague, and at last he replied to one of my questions by a vigorous snore, and I then followed his example. On the morrow, when I told Marya my plans, she saw how reasonable they were, and agreed to them.
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.
What do you say to that?" At that instant a boy entered the room with a note for me from Zourine. I unfolded it and read as follows: "Do me the favor, my dear Peter, to send me by my servant the hundred roubles that you lost to me yesterday. I am horribly in want of money. Your devoted.
It would be months, perhaps, before I could get through the Commission. Zourine bade me an affectionate adieu. I had no doubt that I was arrested for having left the fortress of Orenbourg without leave, and felt sure that I could exculpate myself. Not only were we not forbidden, but on the contrary, we were encouraged to make forays against the enemy.
Word Of The Day