However, we opened a conversation.  I learned that his name was Ivan Zourine; that he was a chief of a squadron of Hussars stationed then at Simbirsk recruiting soldiers, and that his quarters were at my inn.  He invited me to mess with him, soldier-fashion, pot-luck.  I accepted with pleasure, and we sat down to dinner.  Zourine drank deeply, and invited me to drink also, saying that I must become accustomed to the service.  He told stories of garrison life which made me laugh till I held my sides, and we rose from the table intimate friends.  He then proposed to teach me how to play billiards.  “It is,” said he, “indispensable for soldiers like ourselves.  For example, suppose we arrive in a town, what’s to be done?  We can not always make sport of the Jews.  As a last resort there is the inn and the billiard-room; but to play billiards, one must know how.”  These reasons convinced me, and I set about learning with enthusiasm.

Zourine encouraged me in a loud tone; he was astonished at my rapid progress, and after a few lesson he proposed to play for money, were it only two kopecks, not for the gain, merely to avoid playing for nothing, which was, according to him, a very bad habit.  I agreed.  Zourine ordered punch, which he advised me to taste in order to become used to the service, “for,” said he, “what kind of service would that be without punch?”

I took his advice, and we continued to play; the more I tasted of my glass the bolder I grew.  I made the balls fly over the cushions; I was angry with the marker who was counting.  Heaven knows why.  I increased the stake, and behaved, altogether, like a boy just cut free, for the first time, from his mother’s apron-strings.  The time passed quickly.  At last, Zourine glanced at the clock, laid down his cue, and said that I had lost a hundred roubles to him.

I was in great confusion, because my money was all in the hands of Saveliitch.  I began to mumble excuses, when Zourine exclaimed, “Oh! well!  Good God!  I can wait till morning; don’t be distressed about it.  Now let us go to supper.”  What could I do?  I finished the day as foolishly as I began it.

Zourine never ceased pouring out drinks for me; advising me to become accustomed to the service.  Rising from table, I could scarcely stand.  At midnight Zourine brought me back to the inn.

Saveliitch met us at the door, and uttered a cry of horror when he saw the unmistakable signs of my “zeal for the service.”

“What has happened to thee?” said he, in heart-broken accents; “where have you been filling yourself like a sack?  Oh! heavenly father! a misfortune like this never came before.”

“Silence! old owl,” said I, stammering, “I am sure you are drunk yourself; go to bed, but first put me there.”

I awoke next morning with a severe headache; the events of the evening I recalled vaguely, but my recollections became vivid at the sight of Saveliitch who came to me with a cup of tea.