The dinner is a disaster for the author. He arrives at five o'clock and waits for more than an hour only to discover that the time was changed to six o'clock and that Simonov forgot to tell him. Almost immediately, Zverkov asks him a question and the author perceives derision that might or might not have been there. Zverkov asks about his salary and the author asks what's the point of the "interrogation", but does tell his salary and then blushes. Both the other former classmates make negative comments about the low salary. Zverkov notes that the author has gotten thin and looks him over. The author is acutely aware of his shabby clothing and his stained trousers.
As the night lengthens, the author begins to drink and.....
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