THE VIEW ON TO THE MALACHITE POOL 243
Brahms, and Grieg, and a gay, chattering crowd walked up and down past the former marshal of nobility. ' Help a former member of the State Duma,’ Hippolyte mumbled. ‘ Do tell me, were you really a member of the State Duma ? ’ a voice whispered into his ear. ‘ And were you really present at sittings ? Oh, how won derful ! ’ Hippolyte looked up and turned pale, for hopping about in front of him like a sparrow was none other than Absalom Vladimirovich Iznurenkov. He was dressed in a white coat and grey trousers. He was amazingly lively and every now and then seemed to leap as much as five inches from the ground. Iznuren kov had not recognized Hippolyte, and continued to plague him with questions. ‘ Tell me,’ he said, ‘ have you actually seen Rodzianko? And is it true that Purishkevich was bald ? Oh, how wonderful! ’ And continuing to twist and twirl, he managed to thrust a three-rouble note into Hippolyte’s hand and then darted into the crowd again. Hippolyte remained standing under the acacia-tree, his eyes glued to the ground. It was a pity he stood like that, for he might have seen much that was beautiful around him. At last, the band packed up their music-stands and Hippolyte moved towards the springs. Gradually the holiday crowd dispersed and left some loving couples sitting on benches in the gardens. ■ How much did you get ? ’ asked Bender as he came up to Hippolyte. ‘ Seven roubles and twenty-nine copecks. One three-rouble note, some silver, and the rest in coppers.’ ‘ Not at aU bad for a first appearance,’ said Bender. ‘ You’ve earned your money well. Really, Pussy, I’m touched to the quick. But who was the fool who gave you three roubles ? Or did you have to give him change ? ’
