CHAPTER XXVII
HUSBAND AND WIFE
he reporter Persitsky was actively preparing
T
for the bicentenary of the great mathematician Isaac Newton. At the height of his work Stepan came in from the ‘ Science and Life ’ section and a fat woman came trailing in after him. ‘ Comrade Persitsky,’ he said, ‘ this citizen has come to see you on business.’ Then he turned to the woman and said; ‘ Come in, citizen, come in. Comrade Persitsky will explain everything to you.’ He grinned at Persitsky and then went out of the room.
- Well,’ said Persitsky, ‘ what can I do for you ? ’
The widow Gritsatsuev, for it was she, looked sadly at the reporter and without saying a word thrust a piece of paper at him. ‘ Yes,’ said Persitsky. ‘" Knocked down by a horse. . . . Escaped with a fright.” . . . Well, what of it ? ’ ‘ The address,’ murmured the widow pleadingly. ‘ Can you tell me what the address is ? ’ ‘ Whose address ? ’ ‘ Ostap Bender’s. ‘ Why should I know what his address is ? ’ ' But the other comrade told me you would know it.’ ' I don’t know anything of the sort. Go and ask at the post office.’ ' But perhaps you’U remember it. He was wearing yellow boots'----- ’ ' But, my dear woman. I’m wearing yellow boots, and there are two hundred thousand other people in Moscow who, for aU I know, are walking about in yellow boots. Perhaps you’d like me to find out their addresses for you ? Of course I can easily stop what I’m doing and i8l
