... Perhaps he is doing this
for my benefit.... Anyway he occupies the center of the stage at
present and GOVERNS this greedy and unruly mob by kicking discipline
into a cocked hat and allowing every unshaved Bolshevik his own
unrestricted way!... Under other circumstances I should dearly like to
meet this boasting _Furioso_ in a ten-foot ring when a little exercise
is needed to keep myself in trim.... But NOW I am accepted as a
BOLSHEVIK,--one of the elect, privileged to select my lady and rob and
pillage when I please!... _This suits me very well_ ... but on mature
_reflection_ it seems to me that a FEW in this literally UNGODLY gang
are playing a very cunning part.... If that BE so I am _not_ so sure
how far my own assumed conversion to the doctrine of rapine will
protect my skin.... So far, however, I have adopted the policy of
vindictiveness, and, when asked a question, I merely growl and swear
like a trooper.... _I am making an impression_...."
21. "On the way here the HERO of Gallipoli took quite a fancy to me,
because I could beat him swearing perhaps.... Growing confidential
over his liquor and Turkish cigarettes he asked point-blank: 'Didn't I
see you at the TWELFTH DAY CEREMONY at the Winter Palace the time the
Archbishop lost the golden cross in the river, a few years ago?'...
I thought it better to deny the acquaintance and the incident.... I
could have easily recalled the ceremony on the Neva, the decorated
pavilion on the ice in front of the palace, the procession of church
dignitaries in their stiff Byzantine robes and scintillating mitres
moving slowly across the road followed by the Grand Dukes and the
Emperor, the clear voices of the choir cutting through the frosty
air, the ladies of the Court standing near the window and crossing
themselves as the Czar stood motionless beneath the gilded and fretted
canopy,--_I could have recalled it all_ .
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