"You ain't supposed to be here without a permit for your
residence," said an enormous, stout doorkeeper, looking down upon
him from above and preserving on his face a sleepy and immovably-
frigid expression.
"Ach, Zachar! Again 'you ain't supposed to!'" merrily exclaimed
Horizon, and patted the giant on his shoulder. "What does it mean,
'you ain't supposed to'? Every time you shove this same 'you ain't
supposed to' at me. I must be here for three days in all. Soon as
I conclude the rent agreement with Count Ipatiev, right away I go
away. God be with you! Live even all by yourself in all your
rooms. But you just give a look, Zachar, what a toy I brought you
from Odessa! You'll be just tickled with it!"
With a careful, deft, accustomed movement he thrust a gold piece
into the doorkeeper's hand, who was already holding it behind his
back, ready and folded in the form of a little boat.
The first thing that Horizon did upon installing himself in the
large, spacious room with an alcove, was to put out into the
corridor at the door of the room six pairs of magnificent shoes,
saying to the bell-hop who ran up in answer to the bell:
"Immediately all should be cleaned! So it should shine like a
mirror! They call you Timothy, I think? Then you should know me--
if you work by me it will never go for nothing.
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