He was utterly sick and tired with the whole business and sat there in silence, puffing out his cheeks.
Elena Stanislavovna became melancholy.
Nikesha and Vladya gazed in devotion at Ostap's sky-blue waistcoat.
The owner of Fastpack was extremely pleased.
Nicely put, he decided. With that sauce I might even contribute some money.
If it's successful, I get the credit.
If it's not, I don't know anything about it.
I just helped the children, and that's all.
Charushnikov exchanged a significant look with Dyadyev and, giving the speaker his due for conspiratorial ability, continued rolling pellets of bread across the table.
Kislarsky was in seventh heaven.
What a brain, he thought.
He felt he had never loved waifs and strays as much as that evening.
"Comrades," Ostap continued, "immediate help is required.
We must tear these children from the clutches of the street, and we will do so.
We will help these children.
Let us remember that they are the flowers of life.
I now invite you to make your contributions and help the children-the children alone and no one else.
Do you understand me? "
Ostap took a receipt book from his side pocket.
"Please make your contributions.
Ippolit Matveyevich will vouch for my authority."
Ippolit Matveyevich puffed out his cheeks and bowed his head.
At this, even the dopey Nikesha and Vladya, and the fidgety mechanic, too, realized the point of Ostap's allusions.
"In order of seniority, gentlemen," said Ostap. "We'll begin with dear Maxim Petrovich."
Maxim Petrovich fidgeted and forced himself to give thirty roubles.
"In better times I'd give more," he declared.
"Better times will soon be coming," said Ostap. "Anyway, that has nothing to do with the children who I am at present representing."
Nikesha and Vladya gave eight roubles.
"That's not much, young men."
The young men reddened.
Polesov ran home and brought back fifty.
"Well done, hussar," said Ostap. "For a car-owning hussar working by himself that's enough for the first time.
What say the merchants?"
Dyadyev and Kislarsky haggled for some time and complained about taxes.
Ostap was unmoved.
"I consider such talk out of place in the presence of Ippolit Matveyevich."
Ippolit Matveyevich bowed his head.
The merchants contributed two hundred roubles each for the benefit of the children.
"Four hundred and eighty-five roubles in all," announced Ostap.
"Hm . . . twelve roubles short of a round figure."
Elena Stanislavovna, who had been trying to stand firm for some time, went into the bedroom and brought back the necessary twelve roubles in a bag.
The remaining part of the meeting was more subdued and less festive in nature.
Ostap began to get frisky.
Elena Stanislavovna drooped completely.
The guests gradually dispersed, respectfully taking leave of the organizers.
"You will be given special notice of the date of our next meeting," said Ostap as they left. "It's strictly secret.
The cause must be kept secret.
It's also in your own interests, by the way."
At these words, Kislarsky felt the urge to give another fifty roubles and not to come to any more meetings.
He only just restrained himself.