When Hirst had seated himself comfortably, he said:

The only conception that can explain the movement of the peoples is that of some force commensurate with the whole movement of the peoples.

The Englishman nodded, but gave no indication whether he intended to accept this challenge or not. Anatole did not release him, and though he kept nodding to show that he understood, Anatole went on translating Dolokhov`s words into English. A thin young lad, an hussar of the Life Guards, who had been losing that evening, climbed on the window sill, leaned over, and looked down.