Vladimir Nabokov. Lik
Vladimir Nabokov. LIK
The large features of that sallow face with a rough shadow on its cheeks and upper lip, that glimpse of bad teeth, that large, insolent Roman nose, that bleary, questioning gaze—all of it was Koldunovian, indisputably so, even if dimmed by time. But, as Lik looked, this resemblance noiselessly disintegrated, and before him stood a disrep utable stranger with the massive face of a Caesar, though a very shabby one.
"Let's kiss like good Russians," Koldunov said grimly, and pressed his cold, salty cheek for an instant against Lik's childish lips.
"I recognized you immediately," babbled Lik. "Just yesterday 1 heard about