Pavel
smiled kindly; Andrey also, showing his teeth as he nodded to her.
The hall, as it were, became lighter and simpler from their smile;
the strained, unnatural silence was enlivened by their faces and
movements. The greasy glitter of gold on the uniforms dimmed and
softened. A waft of bold assurance, the breath of living power,
reached the mother's heart and roused it. On the benches behind
her, where up to that time the people had been waiting in crushed
silence, a responsive, subdued hum was audible.
"They're not trembling!" she heard Sizov whisper; and at her right
side Samoylov's mother burst into soft sobs.
"Silence!" came a stern shout.
"I warn you beforehand," said the old man, "I shall have to----"
CHAPTER XV
Pavel and Andrey sat side by side; along with them on the first
bench were Mazin, Samoylov, and the Gusevs. Andrey had shaved his
beard, but his mustache had grown and hung down, and gave his round
head the appearance of a seacow or walrus. Something new lay on his
face; something sharp and biting in the folds about his mouth;
something black in his eyes. On Mazin's upper lip two black streaks
were limned, his face was fuller.
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