"I've done a lot of sitting," answered Kiril in an artificial bass
voice.

He continued to smile, but sat down on the edge of the bench, so that
he nearly fell over; his arms shot up into the air, and one of his
hands brushed against Elisaveta. He felt vexed with himself, and he
flushed. As he moved away from the edge he remarked:

"I've sat two months in administrative order."[5]

[Footnote 5: This phrase signifies punishment inflicted by the
authorities without a trial.]

Every one understood these strange words. Piotr asked:

"For what?"

Kiril seemed embarrassed. He answered with a morose uneasiness:

"It's all a very simple affair with us--you do the slightest thing,
and they try at once the most murderous measures."

At this moment Stchemilov said very quietly to Elisaveta:

"Not a bad chap. He wants to become acquainted with you, comrade."

Elisaveta silently inclined her head, smiled amiably at Kiril, and
pressed his hand. His face brightened.

Rameyev came up to them. He greeted his visitors pleasantly but