From the novel CEMENT by Feodor Gladkov

One day, while inspecting the repairs going in in the various dust-
covered buildings, amidst the tramplings and shouts of the work-
men, Gleb encountered' Engineer Kleist. The extraordinarily fixed
look in the technologist's eyes had already more than once surprised
Gleb. They burned with emotion and anxious questioning. Kleist
took him gently by the arm and they walked out on to the viaduct.
Shoulder to shoulder they walked on to the terrace of the tower
where they had met each other on the memorable evening. On their
right, down below, the Diesels were murmuring and the dynamos
hidden in their depths sang softly. On the roofs of the buildings
were crawling the figures of the workmen, small as dolls. Sheet-iron
rang out reverberantly; hammers beat like musketry and drums. The.
windows of the buildings were no longer black and gaping, but were
flashing and colored-reflecting the blue sky and fiery sun.

Gleb patted Kleist on the shoulder and laughed.

"Well, Comrade Technologist! Everything's coming all right.
When a fool says, I have strength, he is already no longer a fool,
but only partly one. Then, if he goes right on, without hesitating,
he's an intelligent fool! We Communists dream like fools; but not
so badly after all, Comrade Technologist. On the anniversary of the
Revolution, we shall start this huge thing shaking with fire and
smoke."

Engineer Kleist smiled strainedly; he preserved his usual air of
dignity and importance. Suddenly he pressed Gleb's hand.

" Chumalov, I beg you to forget the great crime I committed
towards you and the other workmen. The remembrance that I once
gave up people to death and to torture gives me no rest."

And Kleist looked into Gleb's face with fear and hope; he could
not repress the trembling of his hands, nor could he hold his head
straight and still.

Gleb looked him full in the face, his eyes flashing, with sharp
points. His face suddenly became motionless, obstinate and terrible,
like the face of a corpse. But this was for a second only and then his
teeth showed in a smile.

"Comrade Technologist, that was long ago--it's past. In those

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