“That’s why I covered it…. Why don’t you come on in, comrade? It’s most unhandy to talk this way otherwise.”
“Thank you,” said the voice.
Right in front of me, a most assiduously dressed, pale man in a gray suit of superb cut slowly took shape. His head bent slightly aside, he inquired with exquisite politeness, “Dare I hope that I did not unduly disturb you?”
“Not at all,” I said, rising. “Please be seated and feel at home. Would you like some tea?”
“Thank you,” said the stranger and sat down opposite me, hitching his trousers with a decorous gesture. “As for tea, please let me beg off, Alexander Ivanovich; I just had supper.”
He looked me in the eye a while, wearing a drawing-room smile. I smiled back.
“You are after the sofa, right?” I said. “Alas, the sofa is not here. I am very
