He popped in on him just when the sufferer was in a most stubborn mood.
II A combination of circumstances had arisen which Mr.von Lembke was quite unable to deal with.

In the very district where Pyotr Stepanovitch had been having a festive time a sub-lieutenant had been called up to be censured by his immediate superior, and the reproof was given in the presence of the whole company.

The sub-lieutenant was a young man fresh from Petersburg, always silent and morose, of dignified appearance though small, stout, and rosy-cheeked.

He resented the reprimand and suddenly, with a startling shriek that astonished the whole company, he charged at his superior officer with his head bent down like a wild beast's, struck him, and bit him on the shoulder with all his might; they had difficulty in getting him off.

There was no doubt that he had gone out of his mind; anyway, it became known that of late he had been observed performing incredibly strange actions.