FYODOR LUKITCH SYSOEV the master of the factor y school maintained at the expense of the firm of Kulikin was getting ready for the annual dinner. Ever y year after the school examination the board of managers gave a dinner at which the inspector of elementar y schools all who had conducted the examinations and all the managers and foremen of the factor y were present. In spite of their official character these dinners were always good and lively and the guests sat a long time over them; forgetting distinctions of rank and recalling only their meritorious labours they ate till they were full drank amicably chattered till they were all hoarse and parted late in the evening deafening the whole factor y settlement with their singing and the sound of their kisses. Of such dinners Sysoev had taken part in thirteen as he had been that number of years master of the factor y school.