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"Very good. It appears to be quite soft."
"
Well," said Simeonovitch, after a pause, "what did they say about me?
Cursed me, I suppose?"
As the elder hesitated somewhat, Michael commanded him to speak and tell
him the whole truth. "Tell me all," said he; "I want to know their exact
words. If you tell me the truth I shall reward you; but if you conceal
anything from me you will be punished. See here, Catherine, pour out a
glass of vodki to give him courage!"
After drinking to the health of his superior, the elder said to himself:
"It is not my fault if they do not praise him. I shall tell him the
truth." Then turning suddenly to the superintendent he said:
"They complain, Michael Simeonovitch! They complain bitterly."
"But what did they say?" demanded Michael. "Tell me!"
"Well, one thing they said was, 'He does not believe in God.'"
Michael laughed. "Who said that?" he asked.
"It seemed to be their unanimous opinion. 'He has been overcome by the
Evil One,' they said."
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