PODKHALYUZIN.  But, Ustinya Naumovna, you’re doing this of your own free will; don’t back out.

USTINYA NAUMOVNA.  Back out, what for?  Just look:  two thousand rubles, and a sable cloak!

PODKHALYUZIN.  I tell you, we’ll make it out of live sables.  There’s nothing more to be said.

USTINYA NAUMOVNA.  Well, good-by, my emerald!  I’ll run off now to the suitor.  We’ll see each other to-morrow, and then I’ll report to you.

PODKHALYUZIN.  Wait a minute!  Where’re you going!  Just follow me—­we’ll just take a drink of vodka, ma’am.  Tishka!  Tishka! [Enter TISHKA] You keep a lookout, and if you see the boss coming, run for me straight off.

[They go out.

SCENE VIII

TISHKA alone.

TISHKA. [Sits down beside the table and takes some money out of his pocket] Half a ruble in silver—­that’s what Lazar gave me to-day.  And the other day, when I fell from the steeple, Agrafena Kondratyevna gave me ten kopeks; I won twenty-five kopeks at heads and tails; and day before yesterday the boss forgot and left one whole ruble on the counter.  Gee, here’s money for you! [He counts to himself.  The voice of FOMINISHNA is heard behind the scene: “Tishka, oh, Tishka!  How long have I got to call you?”] Now what’s the matter there? ["Is Lazar at home?"]—­He was, but he’s sure gone now! ["Well, where has he sneaked to?”] How in the world should I know?  He doesn’t ask my leave.  If he had, I’d know.

FOMINISHNA comes down the stairs.

FOMINISHNA.  You see Samson Silych has come, and seems to be tipsy.

TISHKA.  Phew!  We’re goners!

FOMINISHNA.  Run for Lazar, Tishka; there’s a dear; run quick!

AGRAFENA KONDRATYEVNA. [Appearing at the head of the stairs] What’s this,
Fominishna dear, where’s he bound for?

FOMINISHNA.  This way, I guess, my dear!  Ah, I’ll close the doors, good heavens, I’ll close them; let him go up-stairs, but you stay here, my dear.

A knock at the door, and the voice of SAMSON SILYCH: 
“Hey! open up; who’s there?” AGRAFENA
KONDRATYEVNA disappears.

FOMINISHNA.  Come in, honey, come in and go to sleep; God bless you!

BOLSHOV. [Behind the door] What’s the matter with you, you old cripple; have you lost your wits?

FOMINISHNA.  Ah, my dear boy!  Ah, I’m a blind old granny.  But, you see, I was fool enough, somehow, to think you’d come home tipsy.  Forgive me, I’ve gotten deaf in my old age.

SAMSON SILYCH comes in.

SCENE IX

FOMINISHNA and BOLSHOV

BOLSHOV.  Has that shyster been cooking up any deviltry here?

FOMINISHNA.  They’ve cooked cabbage soup with corned beef, and roast goose.

BOLSHOV.  Are you gone daft, you old fool?