PODKHALYUZIN.  They carry it blamed high!  But won’t they take eight kopeks in five years?

BOLSHOV.  What’s the use, Lazar, we’ll have to give twenty-five; that’s what we proposed at first.

PODKHALYUZIN.  But how, daddy!  You yourself used to say not to give more than ten kopeks, sir.  Just consider yourself:  at the rate of twenty-five kopeks, that’s a lot of money.  Daddy, wouldn’t you like to take a snack of something, sir?  Mamma! order them to bring some vodka, and have them start the samovar; and we, for company’s sake, ’ll just take a thimbleful, sir.—­But twenty-five kopeks’s a lot, sir!

AGRAFENA KONDRATYEVNA.  Right away, my dear, right away! [She goes out.

BOLSHOV.  But what are you talking to me for:  of course, I know it’s a good deal, but how can I help it?  They’ll put you in the pen for a year and a half; they’ll have a soldier lead you through the streets every week, and if you don’t watch out, they’ll even transfer you to prison:  so you’d be glad to give even half a ruble.  You don’t know where to hide yourself from mere shame.

AGRAFENA KONDRATYEVNA enters with vodka; TISHKA brings in relishes, and goes out.

AGRAFENA KONDRATYEVNA.  My own little dove!  Eat, my dear, eat!  I suppose they half starve you there!

PODKHALYUZIN.  Eat, daddy!  Don’t be particular; we’re offering you such as we have.

BOLSHOV.  Thanks, Lazar, thanks! [He drinks] Take a drink yourself.

PODKHALYUZIN.  Your health! [He drinks] Mamma, won’t you have some, ma’am?  Please do!

AGRAFENA KONDRATYEVNA.  Holy saints, what am I to do now?  Such is the will of God!  O Lord, my God!  Ah, my own little dove, you!

PODKHALYUZIN.  Ah, mamma, God is merciful; we’ll get out of it somehow.  Not all at once, ma’am!

AGRAFENA KONDRATYEVNA.  Lord grant we may!  As it is, it makes me pine away simply looking at him.

BOLSHOV.  Well, what about it, Lazar?

PODKHALYUZIN.  Ten kopeks, if you please, I’ll give, sir, as we said.

BOLSHOV.  But where am I going to get fifteen more?  I can’t make ’em out of door-mats.

PODKHALYUZIN.  Daddy, I can’t raise ’em, sir!  God sees that I can’t, sir!

BOLSHOV.  What’s the matter, Lazar?  What’s the matter?  What have you done with the money?

PODKHALYUZIN.  Now you just consider:  here I’m setting up in business—­have fixed up a house.  But do have something to eat, daddy!  You can have some Madeira if you want it, sir!  Mamma, pass daddy something.

AGRAFENA KONDRATYEVNA.  Eat, Samson Silych, dear!  Eat!  I’ll pour out a little punch for you, dear!

BOLSHOV. [Drinks] Rescue me, my children, rescue me!

PODKHALYUZIN.  Here, daddy, you were pleased to ask what I had done with the money?—­How can you ask, sir?  Just consider yourself:  I’m beginning to do business; of course, without capital it’s impossible, sir; there’s nothing to begin on.  Here, I’ve bought a house; we’ve ordered everything that a good house ought to have, horses, and one thing and another.  Just consider yourself!  One has to think about the children.