another position. But nowadays, after all the beneficial reforms . . . in our industrial age, why cannot the nobility turn their energies and abilities into such enterprises? Why should they be unable to understand what is understood by the simple, often unlettered, merchant? They don't suffer from lack of education, and one may even claim with confidence that they are in some sense the representatives of enlightenment and progress.'
Boris Andreevitch spoke very well; his fluency would have had great effect in Petersburg—in his department—or even in higher quarters, but on Solomin it produced no impression whatever.
'The gentry cannot manage these things,' he repeated.
'And why not? why?' Kallomyetsev almost shouted.
'Because they will always remain mere officials.'
'Officials?' Kallomyetsev laughed malignantly. 'You don't quite realise what you are saying, I fancy, Mr. Solomin.' Solomin still smiled as before.
'What makes you fancy that, Mr. Kolomentsev?' (Kallomyetsev positively shuddered at such a "mutilation" of his surname.) 'No, I always fully realise what I am saying.'
49
