210
DIAMONDS TO SIT ON
The great schemer was right, as usual, and Hippolyte only recovered from his confusion as he heard the sounds of an overture being played on deck. The financial transactions were over for the day, and the spectators on the river-bank were noisily showing their approval of the jazz band. The ‘ Five Noises ’—Malkin, Galkin, Palkin, Chaikin, and Zalkind were as proud as could be, and the expression on their faces seemed to be saying ; ‘ You see ! You tried to make out that the masses would not understand or appreciate, but Art always penetrates ! ’ Then on an improvised stage the Columbus Theatre company gave a light vaudeville performance of song and dance. A story was centred round a certain Vavila, who had won fifty thousand roubles in a lottery, and his subsequent adventures. The actors enjoyed themselves, they danced energetically and sang pleasantly, and the audience on the river-bank was satisfied. The second number on the programme was a balalaika virtuoso during which the faces of the audience were wreathed in smiles. This item was followed by the acrobatic antics of Georgette Tiraspolskikh, and the entertainment closed with a number of Russian dances. The Scriabin was getting ready to leave Barminov. The captain yelled instructions down the speakingtube to the engine-room. While the stokers were busy with the furnaces, the brass band went on shore again and to the delight of the crowd began to play dance music. The people danced and the cinema operator took pictures. Once again the siren began to scream and again ^e sun began to set. A second night was falling. The steamer was ready to leave. Bender was very anxious about the next day, for he had to cut out of cardboard the figure of a sower scattering loan certificates, and he had not the shghtest
