"You can't stop up my mouth now with flattery and caresses!" said
he, firmly and threateningly, "Whether you will listen or not, I
am going to speak all the same. You cannot drive me away from
here."
He shook his head, and, raising his shoulders, announced calmly:
"But if any one of you dare to touch me, even with a finger, I'll
kill him! I swear it by the Lord. I'll kill as many as I can!"
The crowd of people that stood opposite him swayed back, even as
bushes rocked by the wind. They began to talk in agitated
whispers. Foma's face grew darker, his eyes became round.
"Well, it has been said here that you have built up life, and
that you have done the most genuine and proper things."
Foma heaved a deep sigh, and with inexpressible aversion
scrutinized his listeners' faces, which suddenly became strangely
puffed up, as though they were swollen. The merchants were
silent, pressing closer and closer to one another. Some one in
the back rows muttered:
"What is he talking about? Ah! From a paper, or by heart?"
"Oh, you rascals!" exclaimed Gordyeeff, shaking his head.
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