Lawrence's confirmation of the impromptu visit of Cécile Moulière, the famous ecologist, had plunged Professor Kantagan for a few moments into deep astonishment, which he quickly abandoned, however, when trays loaded with glasses of alcohol and Sami zakouskis arrived.

After the first round of vodka, Roxanne and Lawrence handed the old man, with eternal gratitude in their eyes, the gifts prepared by the two scholars and Sergei. The noijd accepted them with a laugh and gave the signal for a new round. The women were busy so that no one lacked anything, while singing songs that everyone took up. Even those who didn't understand the lyrics. At three o'clock in...