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A stifled bark was audible, but there was no answer

'Open the door, I tell you,' he repeated

'But, Gavrila Andreitch,' Stepan observed from below, 'he's deaf, you know--he doesn't hear'

They all laughed

'What are we to do?' Gavrila rejoined from above

'Why, there's a hole there in the door,' answered Stepan, 'so you shake the stick in there'

Gavrila bent down

'He's stuffed it up with a coat or so'

'Well, you just push the coat in'

At this ain

'See, see--she speaks for herself,' was rehed