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to heat the samovar (tea-urn). From that town vessels are allowed to pass only according to instructions, and we were not permitted to drive on. But although for such persons as ourselves it was more convenient to exercise thereby some economy, yet it was not quite safe. In the harbour, as you know, policemen are stationed, and the “friend” (gendarme) is always ready to lay some intrigue.
And now our young lady said: “I will not drive with a post-chaise any longer; if you wish,” she added, “then drive me to a vessel.” And my Ivanoff, rubbing his eyes after his drunken fit, became ill-humoured and furious….
“You,” he said to the girl, “are not allowed to reason about it, they will drive you where they like; you must go this way.”
She answered nothing, but to me she said thus: “Did you hear what I said? I will not drive in a post-chaise.”
I took Ivanoff aside.
