“Poor Misha, there was something strange about him before he killed himself,” she said.  “I never asked him for any fruit.  He was very nervous, the poor boy, I see it!  And to think that almost in his last hour he thought of us!...”

Fruit from the south....  I see Misha’s dead hand pointing to us the way out of Petrograd.  It is a warning, a cipher warning from the other side of the grave; one more inducement to leave this filthy place.

13.

I again hear that something is growing amongst the bolsheviki.  There are indications that if everything passes well for them—­Kerensky will join the movement, passing from the left social revolutionary party to the commune.  Both parties deal with internationalism, and finally the only difference is that the bolsheviki act more energetically.

The country will then become an ideal state:  people would not know any laws, would not pay taxes, would not marry, or sell or buy....  Fine!  About the last, however, I have my doubts.  There will be always somebody to be bought in Petrograd.  It is in the climate, I guess.

The Allies!  Our Allies who were ready to fight Germany to the last Russian soldier....  Do they understand that the fraternization at the present time is so intense, that pretty soon the boches will get the foodstuffs from the very hands of their Russian comrades?  They must know that at present there are only few men to be hanged.  The war will be won in a month.  Tomorrow their number will be so big, that not enough hangmen could be found in the world to clean up Russia,—­unless some Powers wish to see Russia amputated.  This looks probable.

Today saw the British Major.  He expressed his condolence for our grief.  I received the impression (or perhaps I am getting too nervous and suspicious?) that he knows more than I.

14.

Quite unexpectedly the Baroness B. came today to the office.  At first I did not want to see her, but then thought that it would be better not to make these dangerous people angry, as heaven knows what they are liable to do if irritated, and besides—­she is so fascinating.  So she was shown in.  She was veiled as much as only she could be, for mystery and to conceal the slight and ingenious coat of rouge, I guess.  The usual feathers, rings and perfumes; and I had thought that I would see an ascetic face tired out by seclusion!  She said that she had nothing serious to tell me, but had just run in to say good-bye and calm me; she was not going to call on Maroossia:  “too busy and other reasons.”

“I appreciate your other reasons,” I said.  “You have already shown what a friend you are.  Why did you drag Maroossia into your business?  You probably are well protected against any disagreeable event, but we are not.  So next time please, use your other reasons....”

“There was no dragging your wife into my business.  The package of laces she took to Madame van der Huechts is not a crime.  Besides everything is over; so, as if nothing had happened.”