On reaching the offices of the board, Stepan Arkadyevitch, escorted by a deferential porter with a portfolio, went into his little private room, put on his uniform, and went into the boardroom.

The clerks and copyists all rose, greeting him with good-humored deference.

Stepan Arkadyevitch moved quickly, as ever, to his place, shook hands with his colleagues, and sat down.

He made a joke or two, and talked just as much as was consistent with due decorum, and began work.

No one knew better than Stepan Arkadyevitch how to hit on the exact line between freedom, simplicity, and official stiffness necessary for the agreeable conduct of business.