There had been a slight strain during dinner, because Marie, a very nervous woman, was anxious about the derangement of Gógo’s stomach (as is the custom among well-bred people, the name “Gógo” was given to their youngest son, Nicholas), and also because, as soon as a political subject was started by Nicholas Semyónovitch and the visitors, the desperate student⁠—in his eagerness to show that he was not afraid of expressing his opinions to anyone⁠—broke into the conversation. Then the visitor would cease talking, and Nicholas Semyónovitch would try to soothe the student.

They had dined at seven; and after dinner the friends sat on the veranda, refreshing themselves by sipping iced narzán 311 with white wine, and conversing.