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help you. I d be able to send the addresses to you in about SIX months’ time, shouldn’t I ? ’ And then dropping his sarcastic tone he continued : ‘ I’m very busy, citizen.’ But the widow, who had listened to Persitsky with great respect, bustled out of the room and down the corridor after him repeating her request: ‘ The address comrade. The address.’ . Stepan is ! ’ thought Persitsky 1 U pay him out for this.’ He turned round and faced the widow.
What d’you think I can do ? ’ he asked in an
irntat<;(I voice. ‘ Where do you think I can get Ostap Bender’s address from ? Do you think I’m the horse that knocked him down ? Or the cabman he punched ? ’ But the widow persisted : ‘Comrade, . . . limplore The day’s work was over and the offices and corridors in the building were rapidly becoming empty. Some where or other the last page of a letter was being tapped out on a typewriter. ° ‘ You must excuse me, madam,’ said Persitsky ‘ but you can see I am busy.’ With these words he disappeared into a room, and after wasting ten minutes or so he came out again The widow was bustling up and down the corridor^ As soon as she saw him, she began all over again about Bender s address until Persitsky was furious ‘ Confound you ! ’ he shouted. ' I’U tell you where you’ll find your Bender. Go straight down the corri dor, turn to the right, and then straight on until you KI f*”' Cherepennikov. He 11 be able to help you.’ And, delighted with his trick, Persitsky disappeared so rapidly that the widow had not even time to ask him anything else. Madam Gritsatsuev sailed down the corridor and after turning to the right she began to hurry. A man in
