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Creatures That Once Were Men | Maxim Gorky | |
Part II |
Page 3 of 28 |
And to-day, as always, the red building stands out before the eyes of Aristid Kuvalda, so plain, so massive, and clinging so strongly to the earth, that it seems to be sucking away all its life. It appears to be laughing coldly at the Captain with its gaping walls. The sun pours its rays on them as generously as it does on the miserable hovels of the main street. "Devil take the thing!" exclaimed the Captain, thoughtfully measuring the walls of the factory with his eyes. "If only . . . ." Trembling with excitement at the thought that had just entered his mind Aristid Kuvalda jumped up and ran to Vaviloff's eating-house muttering to himself all the time. Vaviloff met him at the bar and gave him a friendly welcome. "I wish your honor good health!" He was of middle height and had a bald head, gray hair, and straight mustaches like tooth-brushes. Upright and neat in his clean jacket, he showed by every movement that he was an old soldier. "Egorka, show me the lease and plan of your house," demanded Kuvalda impatiently. "I have shown it you before." Vaviloff looked up suspiciously and closely scanned the Captain's face. "Show it me!" shouted the Captain, striking the bar with his fist and sitting down on a stool close by. "But why?" asked Vaviloff, knowing that it was better to keep his wits about him when Kuvalda got excited. "You fool! Bring it at once." Vaviloff rubbed his forehead, and turned his eyes to the ceiling in a tired way. "Where are those papers of yours?" |
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Creatures That Once Were Men Maxim Gorky |
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