"My flat's quite close here in Gagarinsky. We shall be delighted
to have you."
"You can telephone to your mother, Miss Peredonov," said Burrows. "No
difficulty at all."
It was then that Bohun took me aside.
"Look here!" he said. "I'm worried. Vera and Nina were going to the
Astoria to have tea with Semyonov this afternoon. I should think the
Astoria might be rather a hot spot if this spreads. And I wouldn't trust
Semyonov. Will you come down with me there now?"
"Yes," I said, "of course I'll come."
We said a word to Burrows, put on our Shubas and goloshes, and started
down the stairs. At every door there were anxious faces. Out of one flat
came a very fat Jew.
"Gentlemen, what is this all about?"
"Riots," said Bohun.
"Is there shooting?"
"Yes," said Bohun.
"_Bozhe moi! Bozhe moi!_ And I live over on Vassily Ostrov! What do you
advise, _Gaspoda_? Will the bridges be up?"
"Very likely," I answered. "I should stay here."
"And they are shooting?" he asked again.
"They are," I answered.
"Gentlemen, gentlemen--stay for a moment. Perhaps together we could
think.... I am all alone here except for a lady.
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