like a teacher of the middle ages. But, like him,
I have pupils who want to learn."

"In another three years," said some one else at
the table, "we shall be living in ruins. Houses
in Moscow were always kept well warmed. Lack
of transport has brought with it lack of fuel, and
water-pipes have burst in thousands of houses.
We cannot get what is needed to mend them. In
the same way we cannot get paints for the walls,
which are accordingly rotting. In another three
years we shall have all the buildings of Moscow
tumbling about our ears."

Some one else joined in with a laugh: "In
ten years we shall be running about on all fours."

"And in twenty we shall begin sprouting tails."

Meshtcheriakov finished his soup and laid down
his wooden spoon.

"There is another side to all these things," he
said. "In Russia, even if the blockade lasts, we
shall get things established again sooner than any-
where else, because we have all the raw materials
in our own country. With us it is a question of
transport only, and of transport within our own
borders. In a few years, I am convinced, in spite

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