"Though what such a trifle can matter I fail to see. Yes, go
and report every mother's son of them."

And to the men themselves he shouted:

"Hi, boobies! Each of you now stands docked for some mandrels
and bolts."

"Why?" was the old soldier's grim inquiry.

"Because you DO so stand," carelessly retorted the other.

With snarls thereafter, the men eyed me covertly, until I began
to feel that very likely I should not do as I had threatened,
and even that so to do might not be expedient.

"But look here," said I to Ossip. "I am going to give the
contractor notice, and let all of you go to the devil. For if I
were to remain with you much longer I too should become a thief."

Ossip stroked his beard awhile, and pondered. Then he seated
himself beside me, and said in an undertone:

"That is true."

"Well?"

"But things are always so. The truth is that it's time you
departed. What sort of a watchman, of a checker, are you? In
jobs of this kind what a man needs to know is the meaning of