Glances were exchanged, and in an instant the pair had arrived at an instinctive understanding--an understanding to the effect that the barin was sound asleep, and that therefore one might consider one's own pleasure a little.

Accordingly Petrushka proceeded to restore the coat and trousers to their appointed places, and then descended the stairs; whereafter he and Selifan left the house together.

Not a word passed between them as to the object of their expedition.

On the contrary, they talked solely of extraneous subjects.

Yet their walk did not take them far; it took them only to the other side of the street, and thence into an establishment which immediately confronted the inn.