Of course, if the practical people, the merchants themselves, take to writing for it--""The publication of a newspaper," began Smolin, instructively, interrupting the old man, "looked at merely from the commercial point of view, may be a very profitable enterprise. But aside from this, a newspaper has another more important aim--that is, to protect the right of the individual and the interests of industry and commerce.""That's just what I say, if the merchant himself will manage the newspaper, then it will be useful.""Excuse me, papa," said Lubov.
She began to feel the need of expressing herself before Smolin;she wanted to assure him that she understood the meaning of his words, that she was not an ordinary merchant-daughter, interested in dresses and balls only. Smolin pleased her. This was the first time she had seen a merchant who had lived abroad for a long time, who reasoned so impressively, who bore himself so properly, who was so well dressed, and who spoke to her father, the cleverest man in town, with the condescending tone of an adult towards a minor.
"After the wedding I'll persuade him to take me abroad," thought Lubov, suddenly, and, confused at this thought she forgot what she was about to say to her father. Blushing deeply, she was silent for a few seconds, seized with fear lest Smolin might interpret this silence in a way unflattering to her.
"On account of your conversation, you have forgotten to offer some wine to our guest," she said at last, after a few seconds of painful silence.
"That's your business. You are hostess," retorted the old man.
"0h, don't disturb yourself!" exclaimed Smolin, with animation.
"I hardly drink at all."
"Really?" asked Mayakin.
"I assure you! Sometimes I drink a wine glass or two in case of fatigue or illness. But to drink wine for pleasure's sake is incomprehensible to me. There are other pleasures more worthy of a man of culture.""You mean ladies, I suppose?" asked the old man with a wink.
Smolin's cheeks and neck became red with the colour which leaped to his face. With apologetic eyes he glanced at Lubov, and said to her father drily:
"I mean the theatre, books, music."
Lubov became radiant with joy at his words.
The old man looked askance at the worthy young man, smiled keenly and suddenly blurted out:
"Eh, life is going onward! Formerly the dog used to relish a crust, now the pug dog finds the cream too thin; pardon me for my sour remark, but it is very much to the point. It does not exactly refer to yourself, but in general."Lubov turned pale and looked at Smolin with fright. He was calm, scrutinising an ancient salt box, decorated with enamel; he twisted his moustache and looked as though he had not heard the old man's words. But his eyes grew darker, and his lips were compressed very tightly, and his clean-shaven chin obstinately projected forward.
"And so, my future leading manufacturer," said Mayakin, as though nothing had happened, "three hundred thousand roubles, and your business will flash up like a fire?""And within a year and a half I shall send out the first lot of goods, which will be eagerly sought for," said Smolin, simply, with unshakable confidence, and he eyed the old man with a cold and firm look.
"So be it; the firm of Smolin and Mayakin, and that's all? So.
Only it seems rather late for me to start a new business, doesn't it? I presume the grave has long been prepared for me; what do you think of it?"Instead of an answer Smolin burst into a rich, but indifferent and cold laughter, and then said:
"Oh, don't say that."
The old man shuddered at his laughter, and started back with fright, with a scarcely perceptible movement of his body. After Smolin's words all three maintained silence for about a minute.
"Yes," said Mayakin, without lifting his head, which was bent low. "It is necessary to think of that. I must think of it."Then, raising his head, he closely scrutinised his daughter and the bridegroom, and, rising from his chair, he said sternly and brusquely: "I am going away for awhile to my little cabinet. You surely won't feel lonesome without me."And he went out with bent back and drooping head, heavily scraping with his feet.
The young people, thus left alone, exchanged a few empty phrases, and, evidently conscious that these only helped to remove them further from each other, they maintained a painful, awkward and expectant silence. Taking an orange, Lubov began to peel it with exaggerated attention, while Smolin, lowering his eyes, examined his moustaches, which he carefully stroked with his left hand, toyed with a knife and suddenly asked the girl in a lowered voice:
"Pardon me for my indiscretion. It is evidently really difficult for you, Lubov Yakovlevna, to live with your father. He's a man with old-fashioned views and, pardon me, he's rather hard-hearted!"
Lubov shuddered, and, casting at the red-headed man a grateful look, said:
"It isn't easy, but I have grown accustomed to it. He also has his good qualities.""Oh, undoubtedly! But to you who are so young, beautiful and educated, to you with your views... You see, I have heard something about you."He smiled so kindly and sympathetically, and his voice was so soft, a breath of soul-cheering warmth filled the room. And in the heart of the girl there blazed up more and more brightly the timid hope of finding happiness, of being freed from the close captivity of solitude.
