But now Mayakin seized him by the
hand and drew him up to himself.
"There, your Excellency, this is my godson, Foma, the late Ignat's
only son."
"Ah!" said the governor in his basso, "I'm very pleased. I sympathise
with you in your misfortune, young man!" he said, shaking Foma's hand,
and became silent; then he added resolutely and confidently: "To lose
a father, that is a very painful misfortune."
And, having waited about two seconds for Foma's answer, he turned
away from him, addressing Mayakin approvingly:
"I am delighted with the speech you made yesterday in the city hall!
Beautiful, clever, Yakov Tarasovich. Proposing to use the money for
this public club, they do not understand the real needs of the
population."
"And then, your Excellency, a small capital means that the city
will have to add its own money."
"Perfectly true! Perfectly true!"
"Temperance, I say, is good! Would to God that all were sober! I
don't drink, either, but what is the use of these performances,
libraries and all that, since the people cannot even read?"
The governor replied approvingly.
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