"Nothing . . . Let us be friends!"

"It is nice to see that you have decided so quickly. Look here, I
have already prepared a notification to the court of the
withdrawal of the summons against my father. Here it is; read it,
and sign it."

Vaviloff looked at his companion with his round eyes and
shivered, as if experiencing an unpleasant sensation.

"Pardon me . . . sign it? And why?"

"There is no difficulty about it . . . write your Christian name
and surname and nothing more," explained Petunikoff, pointing
obligingly with his finger to the place for the signature.

"Oh! It is not that . . . I was alluding to the compensation I
was to get for my ground."

"But then this ground is of no use to you," said Petunikoff,
calmly.

"But it is mine!" exclaimed the soldier.

"Of course, and how much do you want for it?"

"Well, say the amount stated in the document," said Vaviloff,
boldly.