"Ladies and gentlemen," began Goschienko, raising his voice, "everybody
knows why we have met here to-night, and so we can dispense with any
introductory speech."
"As a matter of fact," said Sanine, "I don't know why I came here,
but," he added, laughing, "it may have been because I was told that
there would be some beer."
Goschienko glanced contemptuously at him over the lamp, and continued:
"Our association is formed for the purpose of self-education by means
of mutual readings, and debates, and independent discussions--"
"Mutual readings? I don't understand," interrupted Dubova in a tone of
voice that might have been thought ironical.
Goschienko blushed slightly.
"I meant to say readings in which all take part. Thus, the aim of our
association is for the development of individual opinion which shall
lead to the formation in town of a league in sympathy with the social
democratic party...."
"Aha!" drawled Ivanoff, as he scratched the back of his head.
"But with that we shall deal later on. At the commencement we shall not
set ourselves to solve such great--"
"Or small .
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