peasants; the latter, in memory of the days of serfdom, hung
around the tables in front of the house, spread out with pies and
small bottles of vodka. The happy boy was shy and pleased and
proud, all at the same time; he caressed his parents and ran out
of the room. At dinner Sipiagin ordered champagne, and before
drinking his son's health made a speech. He spoke of the
significance of "serving the land," and indicated the road he
wished his Nikolai to follow (he did not use the diminutive of
the boy's name), of the duty he owed, first to his family;
secondly to his class, to society; thirdly to the people--" Yes,
my dear ladies and gentlemen, to the people; and fourthly, to the
government!" By degrees Sipiagin became quite eloquent, with his
hand under the tail of his coat in imitation of Robert Peel. He
pronounced the word "science " with emotion, and finished his
speech by the Latin exclamation, laboremus! which he instantly
translated into Russian. Kolia, with a glass in his hand, went
over to thank his father and to be kissed by the others.

Nejdanov exchanged glances with Mariana again. . .

They no doubt felt the same, but they did not speak to each
other.

However, Nejdanov was more amused than annoyed with the whole
proceeding, and the amiable hostess, Valentina Mihailovna, seemed
to him to be an intelligent woman, who was aware that she was
playing a part, but pleased to think that there was someone else
intelligent enough to understand her. Nejdanov probably had no
suspicion of the degree in which he was flattered by her attitude
towards him.