ty.
One wants to play a striking, independent, noble part; one wants
to make history so that those generations may not have the right
to say of each of us that we were nonentities or worse. . . . I
believe what is going on about us is inevitable and not without a
purpose, but what have I to do with that inevitability? Why should
my ego be lost?"

"Well, there's no help for it," sighed Orlov, getting up and, as
it were, giving me to understand that our conversation was over.

I took my hat.

"We've only been sitting here half an hour, and how many questions
we have settled, when you come to think of it!" said Orlov, seeing
me into the hall. "So I will see to that matter. . . . I will see
Pekarsky to-day. . . . Don't be uneasy."

He stood waiting while I put on my coat, and was obviously relieved
at the feeling that I was going away.

"Georgy Ivanitch, give me back my letter," I said.

"Certainly."

He went to his study, and a minute later returned with the letter.
I thanked him and went away.

The next day I got a letter from him. He congratulated me on the
satisfactory settlement of the question. Pekarsky knew a lady, he
wrote, who kept a school, something like a kindergarten, where she
took quite little children. The lady could be entirely depended
upon, but before concluding anything with her it would be as well
to discuss the matter with Krasnovsky--it was a matter of form.
He advised me to see Pekarsky at once and to take the birth certificate
with me, if I had it. "Rest assured of the sincere respect and
devotion of your humble servant. . . ."

I read this letter, and Sonya sat on the table and gazed at me
attentively without blinking, as though she knew her fate was being
decided.

THE HUSBAND

IN the course of the maneuvres the N---- cavalry regiment halted
for a night at the district town of K----. Such an event as the
visit of officers always has the most exciting and inspiring effect
on the inhabitants of provincial towns. The shopkeepers dream of
getting rid of the rusty sausages and "best brand" sardines that
have been lying for ten years on their shelves; the inns and
restaurants keep open all night; the Military Commandant, his
secretary, and the local garrison put on their best uniforms; the
police flit to and fro like mad, while the effect on the ladies is
beyond all description.

The ladies of K----, hearing the regiment approaching, forsook their
pans of boiling jam and ran into th