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the chief thingwe all regarded her as something of our own；
something existing as it were only by virtue of our kringels。
We took on ourselves in turns the duty of providing her with
hot kringels； and this became for us like a daily sacrifice
to our idol； it became almost a sacred rite； and every day
it bound us more closely to her。 Besides kringels； we gave
Tanya a great deal of advice to wear warmer clothes； not to
run upstairs too quickly； not to carry heavy bundles of wood。
She listened to all our counsels with a smile； answered them
by a laugh； and never took our advice； but we were not
offended at that； all we wanted was to show how much care we
bestowed upon her。
Often she would apply to us with different requests； she asked
us； for instance； to open the heavy door into the store…cellar；
and to chop wood： with delight and a sort of pride； we did this
for her； and everything else she wanted。
But when one of us asked her to mend his solitary shirt for
him； she said； with a laugh of contempt：
〃What next！ A likely idea！〃
We made great fun of the queer fellow who could entertain such
an idea； andnever asked her to do anything else。 We loved
herall is said in that。
111 TWENTY…SIX MEN AND A GIRL
Man always wants to lay his love on someone； though sometimes
he crushes； sometimes he sullies； with it； he may poison
another life because he loves without respecting the beloved。
We were bound to love Tanya； for we had no one else to love。
At times one of us would suddenly begin to reason like this：
〃And why do we make so much of the wench？ What is there in
her？ eh？ What a to…do we make about her！〃
The man who dared to utter such words we promptly and
coarsely cut shortwe wanted something to love： we had
found it and loved it； and what we twenty…six loved must be
for each of us unalterable； as a holy thing； and anyone who
acted against us in this was our enemy。 We loved； maybe； not
what was really good； but you see there were twenty…six of us；
and so we always wanted to see what was precious to us held
sacred by the rest。
Our love is not less burdensome than hate； and maybe that is
just why some proud souls maintain that our hate is more
flattering than our love。 But why do they not run away from
us； if it is so？
* * * * * * * * * *
Besides our department； our employer had also a bread…bakery；
it was in the same house； separated from our hole only by a
wall； but the bakersthere were four of themheld aloof from
us； considering their work superior to ours； and therefore
themselves better than us； they never used to come into our
workroom； and laughed contemptuously at us when they met us
in the yard。 We； too； did not go to see them； this was
forbidden by our employer； from fear that we should steal
the fancy bread。
112 TWENTY…SIX MEN AND A GIRL
We did not like the bakers； because we envied them； their work
was lighter than ours； they were paid more； and were better
fed； they had a light； spacious workroom； and they were all so
clean and healthyand that made them hateful to us。 We all
looked gray and yellow； three of us had syphilis； several
suffered from skin diseases； one was completely crippled by
rheumatism。 On holidays and in their leisure time the bakers
wore pea…jackets and creaking boots； two of them had accordions；
and they all used to go for strolls in the town gardenwe wore
filthy rags and leather clogs or plaited shoes on our feet； the
police would not let us into the town gardenscould we possibly
like the bakers？
And one day we learned that their chief baker had been drunk；
the master had sacked him and had already taken on another； and
that this other was a soldier； wore a satin waistcoat and a
watch and gold chain。 We were inquisitive to get a sight of
such a dandy； and in the hope of catching a glimpse of him we
kept running one after another out into the yard。
But he came of his own accord into our room。 Kicking at the
door； he pushed it open； and leaving it ajar； stood in the
doorway smiling； and said to us：
〃God help the work！ Good…morning； mates！〃
The ice…cold air； which streamed in through the open door；
curled in streaks of vapor round his feet。 He stood on the
threshold； looked us up and down； and under his fair； twisted
mustache gleamed big yellow teeth。 His waistcoat was really
something quite out of the common； blue…flowered； brilliant
with shining little buttons of red stones。 He also wore a watch
chain。
113 TWENTY…SIX MEN AND A GIRL
He was a fine fellow； this soldier； tall； healthy； rosy…cheeked；
and his big； clear eyes had a friendly； cheerful glance。 He wore
on his head a white starched cap； and from under his spotlessly
clean apron peeped the pointed toes of fashionable； well…blacked
boots。
Our baker asked him politely to shut the door。 The soldier did
so without hurrying himself； and began to question us about the
master。 We explained to him； all speaking together； that our
employer was a thorough…going brute； a rogue； a knave； and a
slave…driver； in a word； we repeated to him all that can and
must be said about an employer； but cannot be repeated here。
The soldier listened to us； twisted his mustache； and watched
us with a friendly； open…hearted look。
〃But haven't you got a lot of girls here？〃 he asked suddenly。
Some of us began to laugh deferentially； others put on a meaning
expression； and one of us explained to the soldier that there
were nine girls here。
〃You make the most of them？〃 asked the soldier； with a wink。
We laughed； but not so loudly； and with some embarrassment。
Many of us would have liked to have shown the soldier that we
also were tremendous fellows with the girls； but not one of us
could do so； and one of our number confessed as much； when he
said in a low voice：
〃That sort of thing is not in our line。〃
〃Well； no； it wouldn't quite do for you；〃 said the soldier with
conviction； after having looked us over。
114 TWENTY…SIX MEN AND A GIRL
〃There is something wanting about you all you don't look the
right sort。 You've no sort of appearance； and the women； you
see； they like a bold appearance； they will have a well set…up
body。 Everything has to be tip…top for them。 That's why they
respect strength。 They want an arm like that！〃
The soldier drew his right hand； with its turned…up shirt sleeve；
out of his pocket； and showed us his bare arm。 It was white and
strong； and covered with shining yellow hairs。
〃Leg and chest； all must be strong。 And then a man must be
dressed in the latest fashion； so as to show off his looks to
advantage。 Yes； all the women take to me。 Whether I call to
them； or whether I beckon them； t