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 THE AUCTION

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malevolently, but Bender did not move. He had not experienced such a blow for a long time. ‘ I must ask you to leave the auction-room,’ said the auctioneer more firmly. The tittering became louder and louder. Bender and Hippolyte went slowly out of the room. Hippolyte went first, and with his bent shoulders and short coat he looked exactly like a dejected stork. They stopped in the next room, and from there they watched the proceedings in the auction-room through a glass door. Bender was silent. ‘ What revolting regulations ! ’ said Hippolyte timidly. ‘ It is absolutely disgusting ! They should be reported to the mUitia.’ Bender was silent. ‘ The devil only knows what they meant by it,’ con­ tinued Hippolyte heatedly. ‘ They are plunderers ! Two hundred and thirty roubles for ten old chairs ! It is abominable ! ’ ‘ Yes,’ said Bender heavily. ‘ It is abominable, isn’t it ? ’ ‘ It is.’ Bender went close up to Hippolyte, and after looking round gave him a quick and painful dig in the ribs. ‘ Take that, you old fool! ’ Hippolyte did not utter a sound. ‘ Now,’ said Bender, ' you can clear out! ’ And he turned his back on Hippolyte and continued to watch the auction. A minute later he looked round, but Hippolyte was still standing behind him. ‘ What, are you still here ? Go on ! Clear out I D’you hear ? ’ ‘ Comrade Bender! ’ pleaded Hippolyte. ‘ Comrade Bender ! ’ ‘ Be off 1 Be off ! And don’t you come to Ivanopulo’s room either or I’ll run you out I ’ ' Comrade Bender- ’ Bender took no notice. Something so interesting