He seemed to try to forget that old life and was only interested in the affair with the commissariat officers.

On Rostov's inquiry as to how the matter stood, he at once produced from under his pillow a paper he had received from the commission and the rough draft of his answer to it.

He became animated when he began reading his paper and specially drew Rostov's attention to the stinging rejoinders he made to his enemies.

His hospital companions, who had gathered round Rostov--a fresh arrival from the world outside--gradually began to disperse as soon as Denisov began reading his answer.