and, on the contrary, if there's a delay, it will turn so rotten that it will infect us as well, and corrupt all the fresh forces which can still be counted on now, so that we'll all finally go under. I fully agree that babbling liberally and eloquently is extremely pleasant, while acting is a bit rough... Well, anyhow, I'm not a good speaker; I came here with communications, and therefore I ask the whole honorable company not even to vote but to declare directly and simply which is more fun for you: a snail's pace through the swamp, or full steam across it?'
'I'm positively for steaming across!' the high-school boy shouted in rapture.
'Me, too,' echoed Lyamshin.
'There is certainly no doubt about the choice,' one officer muttered, and another after him, and someone else after that one. Above all, everyone was struck that Verkhovensky had 'communications' and had himself promised to speak presently.
'Gentlemen, I see that you almost all decide in the spirit of the tracts,' he said, scanning the company.
'All, all,' came a majority of voices.
'I confess I rather adhere to a humane solution,' the major said, 'but since it's all, I'll be with all the rest.'
'So it turns out that you're not against it either?' Verkhovensky addressed the lame man.
'It's not that I...' the latter seemed to blush somewhat, 'but if I do agree with you all now, it's solely so as not to disrupt...'
'You're all like that! The man is ready to argue for half a year for the sake of liberal eloquence, and then winds up voting with all the rest! Consider, however, gentlemen: is it true that you are all ready?' (Ready for what?—his question was a vague but terribly tempting one.)
'Of course, all...' declarations were heard. They all nevertheless kept glancing at each other.
'And maybe afterwards you'll be offended for having agreed so quickly? Because that's almost always what happens with you.'
There was agitation of various sorts, great agitation. The lame man flew at Verkhovensky.
'Allow me to observe to you, however, that the answers to such questions depend on certain things. Even if we've given a decision, observe all the same that a question asked in such a strange way...'
'What strange way?'
'A way in which such questions are not asked.'
'Teach me, please. And, you know, I was just sure you'd be the first to get offended.'
'You dragged an answer out of us about readiness for immediate action, but what right did you have to do so? On what authority do you ask such questions?'
'You should have thought of asking that earlier! Why did you answer, then? First you consent, and now you repent.'
'And in my opinion the light-minded frankness of your main question gives me the idea that you have no authority or rights, but were just curious for yourself.'
'But what is this, what is this?' Verkhovensky cried, as if he were beginning to be greatly alarmed.
'It's that recruiting, whatever it is, is in any case done in private, and not in an unknown company of twenty people!' the lame man blurted out. He spoke his mind, but he was much too irritated. Verkhovensky quickly turned to the company with a superbly feigned look of alarm.
'Gentlemen, I consider it my duty to announce to you all that this is all foolishness and our talk has gone too far. I have not yet recruited anyone whatsoever, and no one has the right to say of me that I am recruiting, when we were simply talking about opinions. Right? But, whether it's right or not, you alarm me greatly,' he again turned to the lame man. 'I never thought one had to speak of such all but innocent things in private here. Or are you afraid someone will inform on you? Can it be that there's an informer among us?'
Extreme agitation set in; everyone started talking.
'If it were so, gentlemen,' Verkhovensky continued, 'I would be the most compromised of all, and therefore I propose that you answer one question—if you wish, of course. You're all entirely free.'
'What question? what question?' everyone squawked.
'The sort of question after which it will become clear whether we stay together, or silently put on our hats and go our separate ways.'
'The question, the question?'
'If any of us knew of a planned political murder, would he go and inform, foreseeing all the consequences, or would he stay home and await events? Views may differ here. The answer to the question will tell clearly whether we are to separate or stay together, and for much longer than this one evening. Allow me to address you first,' he turned to the lame man.
'Why me first?'
'Because you started it all. Kindly don't evade, dodging won't help here. However, as you wish; you are entirely free.'
'Excuse me, but such a question is even offensive.'
'No, no, be more precise please.'
'I've never been an agent of the secret police, sir,' the man went even more awry.
'Kindly be more precise, don't keep us waiting.'
The lame man was so angry he even stopped answering. Silently, with spiteful eyes, he stared point-blank at his tormentor from behind his spectacles.
