And in each one was
the yearning to bring himself through intoxication to that misty
and rainbow condition when nothing makes any difference, and when
the head does not know what the arms and legs are doing, and what
the tongue is babbling. And, probably, not the students alone, but
all the casual and constant visitors of Yama experienced in
greater or lesser degree the friction of this inner psychic heart-
sore, because Doroshenko did business only late in the evening and
night, and no one lingered long in his place but only turned in in
passing, half-way on the journey.
While the students were drinking cognac, beer and vodka, Ramses
was constantly and intently looking into the farthest corner of
the restaurant hall, where two men were sitting--a tattered, gray,
big old man, and, opposite him, his back to the bar, with his
elbows spread out upon the table and his chin resting on the fists
folded upon each other, some hunched up, stout, closely-propped
gentleman in a gray suit. The old man was picking upon a dulcimer
lying before him and quietly singing, in a hoarse but pleasing
voice:
"Oh my valley, my little valley,
Bro-o-o-o-o-oad land of plenty.
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