Page:Anthology of Modern Slavonic Literature in Prose and Verse by Paul Selver.djvu/68

44 properly stammered Saranin, "and as for my stature"

"Yes, that's just it."

"But I am not responsible for this misfortune."

"I cannot judge to what extent this strange and unseemly occurrence has come upon you through misfortune, and to what extent you are not responsible for it, but I am bound to tell you, that as far as the department in my charge is concerned, your extraordinary diminution in size bas become positively scandalous. The most equivocal rumours are already circulating in the town. I cannot judge of their accuracy, but I know that these rumours explain your conduct by associating it with agitations for Armenian independence. You will admit that the department cannot be turned into a headquarters for developing Armenian intrigues, directed towards the diminution of the Russian Empire. We cannot keep officials who conduct themselves so strangely."

Saranin leaped up from his chair, and tremblingly whimpered:

"A freak of nature, Your Excellency."

"It is peculiar, but the interests of the service"

And again he repeated the same question:

"Why have you done this?"

"Your Excellency, I myself do not know how it has come to pass."