On one occasion Cain happened to come across a group of men assembled round the Bridegroom, who, armed with his spoons, was addressing them in a lively style:

“Honored sirs! Convicts to me! Here is a new song from me; you will get it steaming hot from the pot! I charge a kopeck a head; those who have mugs will pay two instead! I begin:

“We all know that old song!” called out one of the crowd.

“No doubt you have heard it before, but I don’t give the patty gratis before the bread,” was Bridegroom’s answer, as he clacked his spoons one against the other and then went on singing:

“That was a pity!” the public declared.

But people threw the Bridegroom their kopecks, for they knew him to be a conscientious man, and that if he had promised them a new song, he would not fail to produce it.

“Here is a new one,” he said, and there was a brilliant outburst of spoon music.

“Stop! Mister Cain, our greetings! May you have many beatings. Have you deigned, Mister Merchant, to listen to my song? It is not for your ears.…Pass on, if you please!”

Cain smiled at the artist, and went on his way sighing, his heart oppressed with a presentiment of evil.

He prized these days, and he feared for them. Every morning he appeared on the street, sure that no one would dare to rob him of his kopecks. His eyes had grown a little brighter and less restless. He saw Artyom every day, but he did not go near the athlete unless the latter spoke to him.

Artyom did not often notice him; when he did, it was always to ask him how he was getting on.

“Oh! I am getting on, thanks to you,” Cain would answer, his eyes sparkling with joy.

“They don’t touch you?”

“As if they would dare, knowing that you are my protector!” the Jew would exclaim.

“That’s all right! But mind, if anything happens, tell me.”

“I will.”

“Good!”

And then Artyom would look sullenly at the little figure of the Jew, and give him his dismissal.

“Now go—and look after your business.”

And Cain would walk quickly away, catching sight, as he passed along, of the mocking and malicious glances of the onlookers, which had not ceased to fill him with alarm.