"But why twenty-one?" I asked with some agitation, perhaps even with resentment. "Counting me, it will be twenty-eight rubles, not twenty-one."

It seemed to me that this sudden and unexpected offer to join in would be a handsome gesture; it would immediately win them over and raise me in their estimaton.

[...]

"But why? I'd think I'm also an old schoolmate, and, frankly, I resent being left out." I began to boil over again.