The company's laughter was now like the rattling of thunder.

Ignat could not make the priest abuse him.

Then he asked him: "Shall I give you money ?" "Yes," quickly answered the priest.
"And what do you need it for ?" He did not care to answer.

Then Ignat seized him by the collar, and shook out of his dirty lips the following speech, which he spoke almost in a whisper, trembling with fear: "I have a daughter sixteen years old in the seminary.

I save for her, because when she comes out there won't be anything with which to cover her nakedness." "Ah," said Ignat, and let go the priest's collar.