Stepan Arkadyevitch was disputing with Alexey Alexandrovitch's servant, and insisting on being announced.
"No matter," thought Alexey Alexandrovitch, "so much the better.
I will inform him at once of my position in regard to his sister, and explain why it is I can't dine with him.
" "Come in!" he said aloud, collecting his papers, and putting them in the blotting-paper.