II2
DIAMONDS TO SIT ON
‘ But there are other rooms here,’ the elderly gentle man replied. ‘ We must examine everything system atically.’ ‘ How do you do ? ’ said Liza cheerfully. Both men turned round quickly and they both frowned. ‘ How do you do, Comrade Bender ? I’m so glad I’ve found you, it’s very dull being alone here. Shall we all look at the furniture together ? ’ The two men exchanged glances. Hippolyte tried to look amiable although he was annoyed, for Liza might disturb them in their important search for the diamonds.
- We are typical provincials,’ said Bender impatiently,
‘ but you are a Moscow woman. What are you doing here ? ’ ‘ Oh ! I’ve come quite by chance. I’ve had a row with Nicky.’ ' Well, come on,’ said Bender. ‘ We can leave this room.’ ‘ Oh ! but it’s so nice, and I haven’t seen it yet.’ Bender turned to Liza and told her there was nothing in it worth looking at, for it was furniture belonging to the Kerensky period. ‘ I’ve been told that there is some furniture here made by Gambs. Let’s go and look at that.’ Liza readily agreed, and taking Hippolyte’s arm went towards the door. Bender walked behind the couple, smiling to himself. Liza was a dreadful nuisance to them, for while they could see at a glance that a room did not contain the furniture they were looking for and were ready to go on to the next, she wanted to linger in each section. She read out the inscriptions on each piece of furniture and made pointed remarks about the other visitors. She was enjoying herself, and she did not notice the bored faces of her companions, who were too polite to hurry off to the Gambs room.
