Hecomplainedoftheelder，andkeptturningroundtothepeasantsasthoughinvitingthemtobearwitness；hisfaceflushedredandperspired，andhiseyesgrewsharpandangry。
“Idon’tknowwhyyouaresayingallthis，“saidthepoliceinspector。“IamaskingyouIamaskingyouwhyyoudon’tpayyourarrears。Youdon’tpay，anyofyou，andamItoberesponsibleforyou？“
“Ican’tdoit。“
“Hiswordshavenosequel，yourhonour，“saidtheelder。“TheTchikildyeevscertainlyareofadefectiveclass，butifyouwilljustasktheothers，therootofitallisvodka，andtheyareaverybadlot。Withnosortofunderstanding。“
Thepoliceinspectorwrotesomethingdown，andsaidtoOsipquietly，inaneventone，asthoughhewereaskinghimforwater: