the earth and went into the house. I felt aggrieved.
Supposing, I thought, David needs the watch to save his future wife or
her father from starvation--for, say what you will, the watch has some
value--ought he not to have come to me and said, "Brother" (in David's
place I should have certainly said "Brother")--"Brother, I'm in need
of money: you have none, I know, but give me leave to make use of the
watch which we both hid beneath the old apple tree. It's of no use to
any one. I shall be so grateful to you, brother," how gladly I should
have agreed! But to act in this secret, treacherous way, to have no
confidence in one's friend--no passion, no necessity could excuse it.

I repeat it, I was aggrieved. I began to show a coolness, to sulk; but
David was not one to notice anything of that sort and be disturbed
by it. I began to make references to it, but David did not seem to
understand them. I said in his presence, "How contemptible in my
eyes is the human being who has a friend, and who comprehends all
the significance of that sacred feeling, friendship, and yet is not
magnanimous enough to hold himself aloof from slyness! As if anything
could be hidden!" As I said these last words I smiled contemptuously.
But David paid no attention. At last I asked him directly whether our
watch had run long after we buried it, or whether it had stopped at
once. He answered, "How the deuce should I know? Shall I think the
matter over?"

I did not know what to think. David doubtless had something on his
mind, but not the theft of the watch. An unexpected incident convinced
me of his innocence.

XVI.

I was once coming home through a narrow little street which I
generally avoided, because on it was the wing of; a building in which
my enemy Trankwillitatin lived, but this time Fate led me that way. As
I was passing beneath the open window of a drinking-house I suddenly
heard the voice of our servant Wassily, a young, careless fellow, a
big good-for-nothing and a rascal, as my father used to call him, but
also a great conqueror of female hearts, which he attacked by his wit,
his skill in dancing and his music.

"Just hear what they planned between them!" said Wassily, whom I
could not see, though I heard him distinctly: he was probably sitting
drinking tea with a friend close by the window, and, as people in
a closed room often do, spoke loud, without thinking that every
passer-by could hear each word. "What did they plan?