"I think," he began in his dry, uninteresting voice, "I think that our
programme should be divided into two parts. For the purpose of
intellectual development two elements are undoubtedly necessary: the
study of life from Its earliest stages, and the study of life as it
actually is."
"Schafroff's getting quite eloquent," cried Dubova.
"Knowledge of the former can be gained by reading standard books of
historical and scientific value, and knowledge of the latter, by
belles lettres, which bring us face to face with life."
"If you go on talking to us like this, we shall soon fall fast asleep."
Dubova could not resist making this remark, and in her eyes there was a
roguish twinkle. "I am trying to speak in such a way as to be
understood by all," replied Schafroff gently.
"Very well! Speak as best you can!" said Dubova with a gesture
expressing her resignation.
Sina Karsavina laughed at Schafroff, too, in her pretty way, tossing
back her head and showing her white, shapely throat. Hers was a rich,
musical laugh.
"I have drawn up a programme--but perhaps it would bore you if I read
it out?" said Schafroff, with a furtive glance at Dubova. "I propose to
begin with 'The Origin of the Family' side by side with Darwin's works,
and, in literature, we could take Tolstoi."
"Of course, Tolstoi!" said Von Deitz, looking extremely pleased with
himself as he proceeded to light a cigarette.
Schafroff paused until the cigarette was lighted, and then continued
his list: "Tchekhof, Ibsen, Knut Hamsun--"
"But we've read them all!" exclaimed Sina Karsavina.
Her delightful voice thrilled Yourii, and he said: "Of course! Schafroff forgets that this is not a Sunday school. What a
strange jumble, too! Tolstoi and Knut Hamsun--"
Schafroff blandly adduced certain arguments in support of his
programme, yet in so diffuse a way that no one could understand him.
"No," said Yourii with emphasis, delighted to observe Sina Karsavina
looking at him, "No, I don't agree with you." He then proceeded to
expound his own views on the subject, and the more he spoke, the more
he strove to win Sina's approval, mercilessly attacking Schafroff's
scheme, and even those points with which he himself was in sympathy.
The burly Goschienko now gave his views on the subject. He considered
himself the cleverest, most eloquent and most cultured of them all;
moreover in a little club like this, which he had organized, he
expected to play first fiddle. Yourii's success annoyed him, and he
felt bound to go against him. Being ignorant of Svarogitsch's opinions,
he could not oppose them en bloc, but only fixed upon certain weak
points in his argument with which he stubbornly disagreed.