"Whew!" the cobbler whistled after him, "going off again? Good-bye then, my friend."
Ilya, who had witnessed this scene from the door of his room, called Pashka back.
The lad stayed a moment before answering, then went up to Ilya and asked, looking suspiciously round the little room:
The short sulky questions, and the hoarse, harsh voice made a painful impression on Ilya. He wanted to ask Pashka where he had been all the summer and what he had seen. But Pashka, who had found a chair and begun to gnaw his bread, started questioning on his own account.
Ilya approached him and asked, looking respectfully into the thin face, "How long were you in? Was it bad?"
"Oh, not so bad--four months I had of it in several prisons and different towns. I got to know some fine people there, my boy, ladies too--real swells! Spoke different languages and knew everything. I always swept out their cells. Very nice people they were, if they were in gaol."
"No, regular villains," answered Pashka, proudly.
Ilya blinked and his respect for Pashka increased still more.
"A couple of Jews too--fine fellows! I tell you, my lad, they knew their way about. Stripped everyone that they got a hand on--properly. Got caught in the end, and now going to Siberia!"
"Oh! I just said 'teach me to read,' and they did."
"Writing I'm not so good at, but I'll read as much as you like. I've read lots of books already."
Ilya became excited now the conversation turned on books.
"I read with Jakov, too," he said, "and such books!"
Both began to name all the books they had read, in rivalry. Pashka had to admit with a sigh:
"I see, you've read the most, you lucky devil, and your books are nicer too. I've read mostly poetry. They had a lot of books there, but nearly all verses."
Jakov came in at this point, he raised his eyebrows and laughed:
"Now then sheep, what are you laughing at?" Pashka greeted him.
"Just think," put in Ilya, "he's been reading books, too!"
"Really?" said Jakov, and came nearer in a more friendly way.
The three boys sat close together, in lively desultory conversation.
"I've seen such things, I couldn't even tell you!" cried Pashka, proud and excited. "Once I went two days without eating--not a bite! I've spent a night in the forest, alone."