"
"That makes no difference!" retorted Soloviev. "It may be even
grandiloquent, but still that makes no difference! As an elder of
our garret commune, I declare Liuba an honourable member with full
rights!" He got up, made a sweeping gesture with his hand, and
uttered with pathos:
"And into our house, free and fearless,
Its charming mistress walk thou in!"
Lichonin recalled vividly, that to-day at dawn he had spoken the
very same phrase, like an actor; and even blinked his eyes from
shame.
"That's enough of tom-foolery. Let's go, gentlemen. Dress
yourself, Liuba."
CHAPTER XIV.
It was not far to The Sparrows restaurant; some two hundred steps.
On the way Liuba, unnoticed, took Lichonin by the sleeve and
pulled him toward her. In this wise they lagged a few steps behind
Soloviev and Nijeradze, who were walking ahead.
"Then you mean it seriously, my darling Vassil Vassilich?" she
asked, looking up at him with her kindly, dark eyes. "You're not
playing a joke on me?"
"What jokes can there be here, Liubochka! I'd be the lowest of men
if I permitted myself such jokes.
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