'The peppermint is dearer.

It's sixteen kopeks.' 'Yes, yes, spend it all,' answered Olenin and sat down by the window, surprised that his heart was thumping as if he were preparing himself for something serious and wicked.
He heard screaming and shrieking in the girls' hut when Beletski went there, and a few moments later saw how he jumped out and ran down the steps, accompanied by shrieks, bustle, and laughter.
'Turned out,' he said.
A little later Ustenka entered and solemnly invited her visitors to come in: announcing that all was ready.
When they came into the room they saw that everything was really ready.
Ustenka was rearranging the cushions along the wall.

On the table, which was covered by a disproportionately small cloth, was a decanter of chikhir and some dried fish.

The room smelt of dough and grapes.
Some half dozen girls in smart tunics, with their heads not covered as usual with kerchiefs, were huddled together in a corner behind the oven, whispering, giggling, and spluttering with laughter.
'I humbly beg you to do honour to my patron saint,' said Ustenka, inviting her guests to the table.
Olenin noticed Maryanka among the group of girls, who without exception were all handsome, and he felt vexed and hurt that he met her in such vulgar and awkward circumstances.

He felt stupid and awkward, and made up his mind to do what Beletski did.