about him, only he paid attention to nobody but me. So you see, there were good people in the old days too.”
Here came the news of the demand for vodka, light refreshments, and sherry.
“There now, brother, you never do the right thing; you should have ordered supper,” began Anna Fyódorovna. “Lisa, see to it, dear!”
Lisa ran to the larder to get some pickled mushrooms and fresh butter, and the cook was ordered to make rissoles.
“But how about sherry? Have you any left, brother?”
“No, sister, I never had any.”
“How’s that? Why, what do you take with your tea?”
“That’s rum, Anna Fyódorovna.”
“Is it not all the same? Give some of that—it’s all the same. But would it not, after all, be best to ask them in here, brother? You know all about it—I don’t think they would take offence.”