almost dancing with joy. Marya Alekséyevna will be back after something if you don't look out."
"Well, you are a fine fellow! You came in so radiant that mámenka looked at you a long time."
"At any rate, I told her why I was happy; I saw that it was necessary to tell her, and so I said that I have found a splendid place."
"You horrid, horrid man! here you keep cautioning me, and you have not told me, as yet, a single thing. What is it? Do tell me at last!"
"This morning Kirsánof—you know, my dear, that my chum's name is Kirsánof—"
"I know, you horrid, horrid man, I know! Now, speak quick, without any more nonsense."
"You, yourself, are hindering me, my friend."
"Akh, bozhe moï! and all these digressions without ever once coming to the point. I don't know how I could punish you. I will get you down on your knees yet; it cannot be done here. I command you to get down on your knees in your room, as soon as you get home, and I want your Kirsánof to look on, and then send me a note, saying that you were down on your knees. Do you hear what I am going to do with you?"
"Very good; I will get down on my knees; and now I shall hold my peace. After I have undergone my punishment and am forgiven, I will speak."
"I forgive you; only speak, you horrid man!"
"Thank you; you grant forgiveness when you yourself are to blame. You, yourself, have made all the interruptions."
"Viéra Pavlovna, why do you call me so? I thought you were going to call me my friend?"
"Yes, I meant it as a reproach, my friend! I am a man easily offended, and very severe!"
"A reproach? How dare you make me reproaches? I do not want to hear you!"
"You don't?"
"Certainly I don't. What is there for me to hear? You have told me everything already,—that the matter will be arranged, that it will be decided to-morrow; you see, my friend, you yourself don't know anything more to-day. What is there to hear? Good by, my dear (Dō svidánya, moï drūg)!"
