"Why are you so sharp, Aleksei?" she asked.

"You don't like it, comrade?" he asked in return.

"No, I don't like it," said Elisaveta in simple, unmistakable tones.

Stchemilov did not reply at once. He grew thoughtful, then said:

"The abyss that separates us from your cousin is too broad. And even
between us and your father. It is hard to come together with them.
Their chief concern, as you very well know, is to construct a pyramid
out of people; ours to scatter this pyramid in an even stratum over
the earth. That's how it is, Elizaveta."

Elisaveta showed her annoyance and corrected him:

"_Elisaveta_. How many times have I told you?"

Stchemilov smiled.

"A lordly caprice, comrade Elisaveta. Well, as you like, though it is
a trifle hard to pronounce. Now we would say Lizaveta."

Kiril complained of his failures, of the police, of the detectives, of
the patriots. His complaints were pitiful and depressing. He had been
arrested and had lost his job. It was easy to see that he had
suffered. The gleam of hunger trembled in his eyes.

"The police treated me most horribly," complained Kiril, "and then