KONDRATY

You are too young.  As to the money—­when shall it be, before or after?

SAVVA

Judas got his before.

KONDRATY (offended)

There now, when you should be doing your best to persuade me, you call me Judas.  It isn’t pleasant.  The idea of calling a living man Judas!

SAVVA

Judas was a fool.  He hanged himself.  You are going to start an inn.

KONDRATY

Again?  If that’s what you think of me—­

SAVVA (slapping his shoulders)

Well, well, uncle, don’t you see I’m joking?  Judas betrayed a man, and you are not going to betray anything but lumber.  Is that right, old man? Speransky and Tony appear, the latter walking very unsteadily.

KONDRATY

There—­brought by the devil!  With us carrying on this kind of conversation, and they—­

SAVVA

It’s agreed then?

KONDRATY

Oh, you’re too much for me.

SPERANSKY (bowing)

Good evening once more, Mr. Savva Tropinin.  Mr. Anthony and myself have just been at the other end, in the cemetery.  A woman was buried there to-day, so we wanted to have a look.

SAVVA

To see if she hadn’t crawled out of her grave?  What are you dragging him along with you for?  Tony, go to bed, you can’t stand on your feet.

TONY

I won’t go.

SPERANSKY

Tony is very excited to-day.  He sees all kinds of faces.

SAVVA

Funny faces?

TONY

Yes, funny.  What else can you expect? (Sadly) Your face, Savva, is very, very funny.

SAVVA

All right, go along with you!  Take him home.  What are you dragging him about with you for?

SPERANSKY

Good-bye.  Come along, Mr. Anthony.

[Speransky goes out.  Tony follows him, looking back at Savva, and stumbling as he goes along.  They disappear in the dark.

KONDRATY

It’s time for us also to be going.  Have you got that money at hand?

SAVVA

Yes, I have.  Now listen.  Sunday is the feast-day.  You are to take the machine Saturday morning and plant it at night at half past eleven, four days from now.  I’ll show you how to do it and everything else that’s necessary.  Four days more.  I am sick of staying in this place.