“Ah, what’s the good of talking,” again began the Lieutenant-Captain: “don’t be in a hurry to judge, but live and serve.”
Volodya felt horribly confused and ashamed of what he had so thoughtlessly said; he muttered something, and then listened in silence while Dyadenko began, very irritably, disputing and proving the contrary of what had been said. The dispute was interrupted by the Colonel’s orderly, who came to say that dinner was served.
“Ask Apollon Sergeitch to give us some wine today,” said Tchernovítsky to the Captain, buttoning his uniform. “Why is he so stingy? If we get killed it will all be wasted.”
“Well, ask him yourself.”
“Oh no; you are the senior officer: we must observe order in all things.”
* * *
The table had been moved away from the wall and covered with a dirty t
