Page:Diamonds To Sit On.pdf/163

 ABSALOM VLADIMIROVICH IZNURENKOV 151 ' It’s ridiculous,’ he would say. ‘ Of course I can’t sign my name. How do you want me to sign ? Under two lines ? ’ And he continued to fight against the enemies of society, bad workmen as well as bureaucrats; with his wit he could kill profiteers and hooligans, dishonest servants of the Republic and scores of others. His witticisms were repeated at the circus and reappeared in the evening papers. The marvel of it was that he always managed to say something funny when every­ body else felt there was nothing left to be furmy about. As soon as he reahzed there was a stranger in his room who was taking one of his chairs away Iznurenkov waved his trousers in the air and began to shout: ‘ What do you think you’re doing ? You can’t ! You’ve no right ! After all, there is such a thing as the law. It may be an unwritten law, but you ought to know about it. You know perfectly well the furniture can stay here for another two weeks. I’ll complain about this. Dash it all. I’d rather pay ! ’ Hippolyte stood still while Iznurenkov put his trousers on. Hippolyte felt that in two minutes he would be seized and dragged off to the militia, and he was therefore most surprised when the other man suddenly became quite calm. ‘ You know,’ he said quietly, ‘ I simply cannot agree to this^—■—’ If Hippolyte had been in his place he too would never have agreed to having his chair stolen in broad daylight, but he could not think of anything appro­ priate to say, and was therefore silent. ' It isn’t my fault—really it isn’t. I admit I did not pay for the piano I hired, but after all, I did not sell it, although I had every chance of doing so. I acted honestly and not like a thief. They’ve taken the piano and apart from that they are suing me and have seized my furniture. But they’ve no right to take anything from me.’