He was listening with a smile to the hollow- chested youth, and occasionally pulling him up.

The third, in an artillery uniform, was sitting on a box beside them.

A fourth was asleep.

Entering into conversation with the youth, Katavasov learned that he was a wealthy Moscow merchant who had run through a large fortune before he was two-and-twenty.

Katavasov did not like him, because he was unmanly and effeminate and sickly.