At a train station in the city of Far, an unfamiliar fair-haired man approached Podkovina.
I have the honor to introduce myself Alexander Petrovich Lykov. For the duration of your stay here you are my guest. I carry out the orders of the Inovs. Here is a telegram in which all your signs are described Fight! Take a suitcase!.. Probably need to notify your colleagues? Come on!..
Holding Tikhon under his arm, Lykov led him between the cars to the nondescript station building. There were fragments of bricks, sleepers, beams, barrels of cement lying around. It was hot and dusty. Pushing the passers-by, rickshaws ran up to Lykov.
Allow me. I will walk on foot, said Tikhon, embarrassed, when he saw a half-naked man who obediently stood at attention by the hand-carriage.
Ever and always the same story with the newcomers, Lykov scoffed. Trying to be as courteous as possible, he took the Shoe under his elbow and sat him in the stroller. The crowd respectfully parted. Cab drivers and station workers, people knew Lykov as a rich man of a petty tyrant; tipsy, he did not give way to major local officials.
This is my hut, said Lykov, pointing to the mansion. A decent house, but here Ive become damn cheap. Working hands in abundance.
In the hallway of Lykov and Podkovina, a tall, slender Japanese woman in a rich dress bowed low. She crouched so low that she touched the floor with her knees. Podkovin involuntarily backed away.
Come in, Tikhon Stepanovich. Meet My mistress. Sasha-san.
The Japanese woman bowed once again to Podkovin and, straightening out, extended her hand:
Hello.
The guest looked into the face of the woman it was beautiful. Crouching and backing back, Sasha-san led Tikhon into the living room and sat in a soft armchair.
Smoke?
No, I don not smoke.
Yu ar notes tuxedo do you not smoke? The woman said in surprise. Yes, yes, I forgot, Russian is very much not smoking This is good.
The battle! Prepare the captain of the batts [1 Batts bath.] Lykov shouted and addressed Tikhon: You are my friend, lets speak at once to you. Take a bath and put on what they give you. A uniform hang in the wardrobe. I do not like at home uniforms. You look, it, on it and you think: to chop off, kanalya, came. And you and the buttons of the bailiff
We dined in the dining room in a European way, but in dressing gowns and slippers. Sasha-san was sitting on the spot of the hostess and skillfully mimicry and gestures commanded the servants.
Japanese girl, and even so close, Podkovin saw for the first time. Her narrow face, bordered with thick hair, slightly matte skin and bright black eyes were charming.
Eat, please, soup, and tomorrow we will cook Russian soup. Oh, this is very strong food! Lykov-san always shout: bow, come on!
The Japanese laughed loudly, White teeth, like mother-of-pearl, glittered.
Every nation has beautiful women, thought Tikhon.
Irkutsk big city? asked Sasha-san.
Big and beautiful. There is a rapid river Angara.
An-ga-ra-ah, what a resounding word! Sasha-san said melodiously.
And Baikal. the best lake in the world, put Lykov. You are great, Mother Russia Sasha, you need to drink before fried chicken. Pour our minister cognac,
I do not drink cognac.
Do not drink?.. So it is impossible! We also have a heart-to-heart talk. A drink should be. So why instead of brandy?
Ryabinovki.
Wonderful. Sashas favorite drink. Sasha-san, pour yourself and him more quickly. And I brandy.Lykov, raising his glass, glanced at Tikhon and, slightly screwing up one eye, began to examine it unceremoniously.
Do not drink or smoke This is good, my father would say. Here with whom would you see. Wonderful old man!..
Podkovin looked at the Japanese. She listened intensely to the conversation.
My Sasha wants to learn and know everything, Lykov sneered. Curious nature Drink, and after dinner on the side
Podkovin lay on the sofa, but could not sleep. Soon everything went quiet in the house. Turning from side to side, he got up and went out to the front. The door of the corridor leading to the courtyard was ajar. Carefully stepping on a soft rug, Tikhon approached the exit and looked at the porch. The Chinese man and the little Chinese kept his tunic in the floor and carefully examined the buttons, trying, apparently, to understand the sign that was pressed out on them.
Podkovin backed away, and then, loudly slapping shoes, opened the door. The Chinese began to rub the cloth with a brush, and the old Chinese servant indifferently lit his pipe.
Our departmental buttons are of deep interest. I remember, and Sasha-san very carefully, looked at them, thought Podkovin and said to the little Chinese:
I want to get dressed.
Now, captain
In the city of Dalny were carried out haste. The bay was filled with merchant ships. Only one, the military cruiser stood out among them with its tall pipes and white paint. The city was surrounded by bare yellowish hills. A thin curtain of dust hung over him. The cranes puffed off the embankment, the locomotives whistled, pushing the cars to the pier. Tikhon for a long time could not take his eyes off ocean steamers with green sides and white cabins. From the pipes, smoke lazily was rising. Small boats snooping around the bay and the bay
The city was something noteworthy in architectural terms. Its stone buildings, erected in the Gothic-Chinese style, with fancy facades, were far from the modern architectural ensemble. Observing from the mountain it would seem that before them theatrical scenery. Many-sided gabled roofs with gray tiling, decked out but with all faces with cemented crests and Chinese sculptures, strongly protruding dormer windows, also decorated with images of dragons and other mythical animals, colossal chimneys draped over a Chinese sample, high gable walls all of this carried off into the world of fantasy. The diversity of eyes hurt. It was felt that the builders did not have a serious attitude to the matter that they were assigned. They shunned Russian originality even in cases where domestic architecture techniques, without disturbing the beauty of the streets, could provide significant savings.
Podkovin climbed to the nearest mountain, and his heart beat happily. He saw the picture of the seashore for the first time. Large and small capes went into the blue distance. Mount Samson rested against the clouds. Fishing boats bobbing in the waves. In the distance, on the horizon, three steamboats smoked. Turning to face Port Arthur, Podkovin tried to guess where there is a fortress there, but I saw nothing but a chain of hills.
Captain! he suddenly heard the voice of a little Chinese.
This is Lykov sent for the Horseshoe battle. He himself stood below, under the mountain.
We are slaughtering millionaires, he said to Tikhon, stretching his hand towards the Far. Manchuria is a real treasury. Thousands of possibilities And I like you. I did not fall asleep after dinner, the Russian heart could not restrain myself. Yes, we must admire the new acquisitions and rejoice Your judges, I made inquiries, are going to spend the evening in a restaurant. Well, we are at home. I do not like restaurant sprees. Is it when the case
We are slaughtering millionaires, he said to Tikhon, stretching his hand towards the Far. Manchuria is a real treasury. Thousands of possibilities And I like you. I did not fall asleep after dinner, the Russian heart could not restrain myself. Yes, we must admire the new acquisitions and rejoice Your judges, I made inquiries, are going to spend the evening in a restaurant. Well, we are at home. I do not like restaurant sprees. Is it when the case
Is the money spent on the fortress properly?
Ah, what are you thinking about? Lykov took Tikhon by the hand and looked into his eyes. I will tell you that there is a lot of disorderly and, of course, there are abuses. Eye and eye need. Between us, the fortress is built slowly
Twilight was gathering. In the east the sky darkened. The wind ran. Lights flashed on the ships. A huge cloud caught on Mount Samson, hanging in white gills in a ravine. The Kwangtung Mountains shrouded in a dark yellow haze. The noise in the city subsided.
Tikhon did not recognize the living room. It was decorated with paper lanterns and light Japanese screens. In the middle of the room on the carpet was a table with low legs. Lykov lay down on the pillows. Sasha-san met Podkovina with a low bow:
Sit down. We will eat in Japanese.
Now lets drink as it should. Do not refuse. Ryabinovka invigorates only, you can not get drunk with it, said Lykov.
The rooms were quiet. Podkovin enjoyed eating long noodles, round, like pasta, called udon in Japanese, and skiyaki especially delicious cooked chicken meat.
Japanese women have a subtle treatment. No whims, no requirements. And what cleaners!..
Tikhon looked into the eyes of a Japanese woman. Her eyelids lifted only for a moment.
Frankly, I did not imagine that there are such beauties in Japan.
The owner burst into loud laughter.
They are there to hell and for every taste. When a Japanese commissioner came to me on this womens issue, I told him: first, slender and tall, second, oblong face and small mouth, third, straight and narrow nose, fourth, not to cheekbones Writing down my requirements, the Japanese man said through clenched teeth: good, and ten days later, on the threshold of my house, I saw beautiful Sasha-san. As you can see, the order was executed exactly. Here with the acquisition of the hostess is very simple Stay! We will find the case. And you are under the contract.
Under the contract?
Wonderful custom. Signed a paper for a year or two and live. Sasha-san is very cheap for me: two hundred forty rubles a year. And for ten thousand yen I wont give it up. Isnt it Sasha?
The Japanese woman smiled and slightly ran a hand over her hair.
Prepares tasty, speaks Russian and in English. She draws me all the papers with foreigners, serves as a translator. Plays on Japanese market. A delicate soul!.. Changes in my moods in one instant she catches. Wait for the coffee, Ill explain everything.
Lykov lay back, stretched out and said:
Call another girl. Let him dance
After dinner, he began to drink liquor, pouring it into a cup of Japanese, then in a glass of Tikhon. Lykov smiled and often stroked his kept woman on the cheek.
Economy is a big deal! winking Tikhon, he said. Japan now has only one product for export women. Mosume [2 Mosume women.] Are exported to foreign brothels.
Wildness! exclaimed Podkovin.
At that moment a small Japanese girl with a plump cheek came in and, falling on her knees in the middle of the room, bowed low.
Kon-ban-va, my spring, white cherry blossom, Lykov greeted her. Come here, I will look into your eyes. You are slim and flexible like a young birch Meet me. This is Tikhon-san, our future soldier.
Sordata? the women were surprised.
Yes, soldier He knows the way that it will not be boring to fight in Japan. There are many, many charming mosume.
Why war?
Ha ha ha ha I frightened you? No, this is not a soldier, but the future Minister of Justice. We have to do this soon
While the owner was talking, the guest silently repeated: the Minister of Justice, the Minister of Justice
Sit closer to him, and he will see that you have the most elegant legs and the thinnest fingers in the world.
Japanese crawling close to the feet of Tikhon. He turned away in disgust.
The owner, as if noticing anything, continued:
My Sasha-san is a thrifty person Honestly working, and saving thousands and a half yen he will leave me, go home and become a prolific mother
Youre lying. I do not need your money. I will serve you and your wife all my life. Youre evil!..
Two large tears appeared from under Sasha-sans eyelashes.
What art! Playing out in love!..
Tikhona-san! exclaimed the Japanese. I love him, but he does not believe. My heart hurts, it hurts When they made a contract, I thought he was an old man. They made me They force us to do many things Without him, I will kill myself.
Sasha-san sobbed. The guest, having moved closer to her, embraced her. Podkovin silently examined Japanese women.
How do you look at my home life? Lykov asked inquisitively.
Pampering, Tikhon said through clenched teeth. Sheer hangover from you. After all, you can marry a Russian girl
The point is said!.. Lykov shook his head, There are many brides in Russia. And in my eye they are. For example, Valya Inova.
Tikhon flinched, straightened his legs and pulled the pillow under his side.
Beautiful man, a rare girl, beautiful.
That would have been the matchmaker, said Podkovin, almost with malice.
Dowager! The father is the servant. How much with her? Some thousand, many two.
Podkovin laughed.
Did you forget about the man again? Yes, there is no price!..
The owner approached the guest to pour him liquor.
Stay here. We heap with you business. And in the fall you get married I have a bride. Millionaires daughter. Young, beautiful, interesting, educated. The same musician, as well as Valya. Looking for a husband of a young official, not a merchants son.
In the fall I am called for a call, Tikhon answered evasively.
Ahhhh sorry, Lykov said. His gaze faded, his face showed fatigue.
During the entire conversation, the men Sasha-san vigilantly watched Lykov. Noticing a sharp change in his mood, she crouched down and asked quietly:
you what? Do you have a bad deal? Failed deal?
Yes, dear Sasha. Broke down. I found a man, so it seems that yours is not there, Lykov said in a falling voice. Its a shame Come on, honey, play, and Cherry-san will dance.
Tikhon looked puzzled at the Japanese and Lykov. Sasha-san prepared to rise, her cheeks were covered with a blush. Moist eyes looked softly, and a kind smile lay in the corners of his lips. Tikhon reached for Sasha-san, and she stood beside him full-length, adjusting her kimono.