But what do I want?
And who will tell it to me?
Where is such a man ?" The lights of the steamer were reflected in the river, quivering in it; the illumined water rushed away from it with a dull murmur, and the steamer looked like a huge black fish with fins of fire.
A few days elapsed after this painful night, and Foma caroused again.

It came about by accident and against his will.

He had made up his mind to restrain himself from drinking, and so went to dinner in one of the most expensive hotels in town, hoping to find there none of his familiar drinking-companions, who always selected the cheaper and less respectable places for their drinking bouts.

But his calculation proved to be wrong; he at once came into the friendly joyous embrace of the brandy-distiller's son, who had taken Sasha as mistress.
He ran up to Foma, embraced him and burst into merry laughter.
"Here's a meeting! This is the third day I have eaten here, and I am wearied by this terrible lonesomeness.

There is not a decent man in the whole town, so I have had to strike up an acquaintance with newspaper men.