" "What! Why, surely you're a member of the board?" "No, I'm not a member now; I've resigned," answered Levin, "and I no longer attend the meetings.

" "What a pity!" commented Sergey Ivanovitch, frowning.

Levin in self-defense began to describe what took place in the meetings in his district.

"That's how it always is!" Sergey Ivanovitch interrupted him.