If you wish to show me your confidence, gentlemen, I ask you to hold a ballot."
Pieces of paper poured into the empty sugar-bowl.
"Six votes in favour and one abstention."
"Congratulations, Mr. Mayor," said Kislarsky, whose face gave away that he had abstained this time, too. "Congratulations !'
Charushnikov swelled with pride.
"And now it only remains to take some refreshment, Your Excellency," he said to Dyadyev. "Polesov, nip down to the October beer-hall.
Do you have any money?"
Polesov made a mysterious gesture with his hand and ran off.
The elections were temporarily adjourned and resumed after supper.
As ward of the educational region they appointed Raspopov, former headmaster of a private school, and now a second-hand book dealer.
He was greatly praised.
R was only Vladya who protested suddenly, after his third glass of vodka.
"We mustn't elect him.
He gave me bad marks in logic at the school-leaving exams."
They all went for Vladya.
"At such a decisive hour, you must not think of your own good.
Think of the fatherland."
They brainwashed Vladya so quickly that he even voted in favour of his tormentor.
Raspopov was elected by six votes with one abstention.
Kislarsky was offered the post of chairman of the stock-exchange committee.
He did not object, but abstained during the voting just in case.
Drawing from among friends and relations, they elected a chief of police, a head of the assay office, and a customs and excise inspector; they filled the vacancies of regional public prosecutor, judge, clerk of the court, and other law court officials; they appointed chairmen for the Zemstvo and merchants' council, the children's welfare committee, and, finally, the shop-owners' council.
Elena Stanislavovna was elected ward of the Drop-of-Milk and White-Flower societies.
On account of their youth, Nikesha and Vladya were appointed special-duty clerks attached to the governor.
"Wait a minute," exclaimed Charushnikov suddenly. "The governor has two clerks, and what about me?"
"A mayor is not entitled to special-duty clerks."
"Then give me a secretary."
Dyadyev consented.
Elena Stanislavovna also had something to say.
"Would it be possible," she said, faltering, "I know a young man, a nice and well-brought-up boy.
Madame Cherkesov's son. He's a very, very nice and clever boy.
He hasn't a job at present and has to keep going to the employment office.
He's even a trade-union member.
They promised to find work for him in the union. Couldn't you take him?
His mother would be very grateful."
"It might be possible," said Charushnikov graciously. "What do you think, gentlemen?
All right. I think that could be arranged."
"Right, then-that seems to be about all," Dyadyev observed.
"What about me?" a high-pitched, nervous voice suddenly said.
They all turned around.
A very upset Victor Polesov was standing in the corner next to the parrot.
Tears were bubbling on his black eyelids.
The guests all felt very ashamed, remembering that they had been drinking Polesov's vodka and that he was basically one of the organizers of the Stargorod branch of the Sword and Ploughshare.
Elena Stanislavovna seized her head and gave a horrified screech.
"Victor Mikhailovich!" they all gasped.
"Pal!
Shame on you!
What are you doing in the corner?
Come out at once."
Polesov came near.