Immediately after the tea-urn had been removed the door of the room was opened and twelve peasants were ushered in! After the customary salutations with these unexpected visitors, my host informed me to my astonishment that his friends had come to have a talk with me about the faith; and without further ceremony he placed before me a folio Bible in the old Slavonic tongue, in order that I might read passages in support of my arguments.

As I was not at all prepared to open a formal theological discussion, I felt not a little embarrassed, and I could see that my travelling companions, two Russian friends who cared for none of these things, were thoroughly enjoying my discomfiture.

There was, however, no possibility of drawing back.

I had asked for an opportunity of having a talk with some of the brethren, and now I had got it in a way that I certainly did not expect.
My friends withdrew--"leaving me to my fate," as they whispered to me--and the "talk" began.
My fate was by no means so terrible as had been anticipated, but at first the situation was a little awkward.

Neither party had any clear ideas as to what the other desired, and my visitors expected that I was to begin the proceedings.