No More Learning

"Aie! aie! aie! " said the General. "That's bad! very bad; it is quite
impossible to count on the discipline of robbers. "

I drew his attention to the fact that Fort Belogorsk was not very far
away, and that probably his excellency would not delay dispatching a
detachment of troops to deliver the poor inhabitants.

The General shook his head with an air of indecision--

"We shall see! we shall see! " said he, "we have plenty of time to talk
about it. I beg you will come and take tea with me. This evening there
will be a council of war; you can give us exact information about that
rascal Pugatchef and his army. Now in the meantime go and rest. "

I went away to the lodging that had been assigned me, and where
Saveliitch was already installed. There I impatiently awaited the hour
fixed.
The reader may well believe I was anxious not to miss this council of
war, which was to have so great an influence on my life. I went at the
appointed hour to the General's, where I found one of the civil
officials of Orenburg, the head of the Customs, if I recollect right, a
little old man, fat and red-faced, dressed in a coat of watered silk.

He began questioning me on the fate of Ivan Kouzmitch, whom he called
his gossip, and he often interrupted me by many questions and
sententious remarks, which if they did not show a man versed in the
conduct of war, yet showed that he was possessed of natural wit, and of
intelligence. During this time the other guests had assembled. When all
were seated, and each one had been offered a cup of tea, the General
explained lengthily and minutely what was the affair in hand.

"Now, gentlemen, we must decide how we mean to act against the rebels.
Shall it be offensively or defensively? Each way has its disadvantages
and its advantages. Offensive warfare offers more hope of the enemy
being speedily crushed; but a defensive war is surer and less dangerous.
Consequently we will collect the votes according to the proper order,
that is to say, begin first consulting the juniors in respect of rank.
Now, Mr. Ensign," continued he, addressing me, "be so good as to give us
your opinion. "

I rose, and after having depicted in a few words Pugatchef and his band,
I declared that the usurper was not in a state to resist disciplined
troops. My opinion was received by the civil officials with visible
discontent.

They saw in it the headstrong impertinence of youth.

A murmur arose, and I distinctly heard said, half-aloud, the words,
"Beardless boy.