They had all heard these words, but no one moved; and for a moment the
sorrowful expression vanished from the priest's fat, moist face. He
looked about him anxiously, but encountered no one's glance. Only
Sanine smiled.
Semenoff again moved his lips, yet no sound escaped from them, while
one side drooped of his thin, fair moustache. Once more he stretched
his limbs, and became longer and more terrible. There was no sound, nor
the slightest movement whatever. Nobody wept now. The approach of death
had been more grievous, more appalling than its actual advent; and it
seemed strange that so harrowing a scene should have ended so simply
and swiftly. For a few moments they stood beside the bed and looked at
the dead, peaked features, as if they expected something else to
happen. Wishful to rouse within themselves a sense of horror and pity,
they watched Novikoff intently as he closed the dead man's eyes and
crossed his hands on his breast. Then they went out quietly and
cautiously. In the passages lamps were now lighted, and all seemed so
familiar and simple that every one breathed more freely. The priest
went first, tripping along with short steps. Desiring to say a few
words of consolation to the young people, he sighed, and then began
softly: "Dear, dear! It is very sad. Such a young man, too. Alas! it is plain
that he died unrepentant. But God is merciful, you know--"
"Yes, yes, of course," replied Schafroff, who walked next to him and
wished to be polite.
"Does his family know?" asked the priest.
"I really can't tell you," said Schafroff.
They all looked at each other in astonishment, as it seemed odd and not
altogether decent to be unable to say who Semenoff's people were.
"His sister is at the high school, I believe," observed Sine.
"Ah! I see! Well, good-bye!" said the priest, slightly raising his hat
with his plump fingers.
"Good-bye!" they replied in unison.
On reaching the street, they sighed, as if relieved.
"Where shall we go now?" asked Schafroff.
After brief hesitation, they all took leave of each other, and went
their different ways.