The Little Demon · Chapter
The Masked Ball and the Fire explained
At the masked ball, the Geisha (Sasha in disguise) is attacked by a mob led by the Ear of Corn and others.
What happens
At the masked ball, the Geisha (Sasha in disguise) is attacked by a mob led by the Ear of Corn and others. Bengalsky rescues her, discovers she is a boy, and takes her to the Routilovs. Meanwhile, Peredonov, haunted by the nedotikomka, sets fire to the Club House, which burns down. Sasha escapes unnoticed, and the town buzzes with gossip about the Geisha and the fire.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Falling action.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This excerpt marks the climax because Sasha’s internal conflict—between shame and obsessive desire—peaks into…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Madness and Paranoia
Peredonov's hallucination of the nedotikomka drives him to commit arson, illustrating his descent into madness.
- Hypocrisy and Social Facade
The mob's violent attack on the Geisha contrasts with the supposed civility of the ball, revealing the town's underlying brutality.
- Corruption of Innocence
Sasha, a schoolboy, is drawn into a dangerous masquerade and nearly assaulted, symbolizing the corruption of youth.
Characters to notice
- Peredonov
Haunted by the nedotikomka, he sets fire to the Club House's dining-room curtain, causing the building to burn down.
- Sasha Pilnikov
Disguised as the Geisha, he is attacked at the ball, rescued by Bengalsky, and taken to the Routilovs; later returns home safely.
- Bengalsky
Rescues the Geisha from the mob, discovers she is a boy, and keeps his promise of silence.
- Pavel Volodin
Drunkenly participates in the attack on the Geisha, tearing off a sleeve and dancing wildly.
- Liudmilla
Tries desperately to reach the Geisha during the attack but is unable to push through the crowd.
- Aleksandr Veriga
Stands guard at the dining-room door, holding back the mob to allow Bengalsky to escape with the Geisha.
Key passages
“The flaming nedotikomka, like an active little snake, crept up the curtain, squealing softly and happily.”
The fiery creature, resembling a lively snake, climbed the curtain with quiet, joyful squeaks.
Peredonov's hallucination of the nedotikomka incites him to set the curtain on fire.
“Bengalsky kept his word and told no one that the Geisha was a disguised boy.”
Bengalsky honored his promise and did not reveal that the Geisha was actually a boy in costume.
Bengalsky's discretion protects Sasha's secret after the rescue.
“The Geisha fought them off desperately. A wild tussle began.”
The Geisha struggled fiercely, and a chaotic fight erupted.
Describes the violent mob attack on Sasha during the ball.
