"Of course I mean it!" cried Markovitch. "Do I not sound as though I
did?"
"I will remind you of it one day," said Semyonov.
I saw that Markovitch was trembling with excitement from head to foot.
He sat down at the table near Vera and put one hand on the tablecloth to
steady himself. Vera suddenly covered his hand with hers as though she
were protecting him. His excitement seemed to stream away from him, as
though Semyonov were drawing it out of him.
He suddenly said:
"You'd like to take my happiness away from me if you could, Alexei. You
don't want me to be happy."
"What nonsense!" Semyonov said, laughing. "Only I like the truth--I
simply don't see the thing as you do. I have my view of us Russians. I
have watched since the beginning of the war. I think our people lazy and
selfish--think you must drive them with a whip to make them do anything.
I think they would be ideal under German rule, which is what they'll get
if their Revolution lasts long enough... that's all."
I saw that Markovitch wanted to reply, but he was trembling so that he
could not.
He said at last: "You leave me alone, Alexei; let me go my own way.
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