240
DIAMONDS TO SIT ON
Hippolyte’s face changed in the twinkling of an eye. He drew himself up to his full height and his eyes flashed, so that Bender almost expected fire would come out of his nostrils. Now, now, now! ’ said the great schemer, not in the least afraid. ' Just look at him ! ’ ‘ Never ! ’ cried Hippolyte with great determination, ‘ never has a Vorobianinov stretched out his hand for charity ! ’ ‘ One day you’ll have to stretch your legs out for good, you old fool! ’ shouted Bender. ‘ Do you mean to teU me that you’ve never stretched out vour hand ? ’ ‘ Never ! ’ shouted Hippolyte. ‘ Well, I like that ! He’s been living on me for three months. Here have I been feeding him, nursing him, and educating him for nothing. And now, this goodfor-nothing dares to stand there and pretend----- Well well, that’ll do, that’ll do ! You will do one of two things : either you go to the gardens at once and bring me ten roubles this evening, or you refuse, and I shall automatically exclude you from the partnership. I shall count five. Now, yes or no ? One . . . Two . . . Three . . .’ ‘ Yes,’ murmured Hippolyte. ‘ In that case, repeat the formula. Monsieur, je ne mange pas six jours, Geben sie mir bitte etwas Copeck auf dem Stuck Brot, and Please give something to a former deputy of the State Duma. Now say it, and in a plaintive voice. Come on—quick ! ’ Hippolyte repeated the phrases. Yes, that’ll do,’ said Bender. ‘ You’ve had a Ulent for begging ever since you were an infant. You re a born beggar. Now be off ! I’U meet you at the springs at midnight. Not for the sake of anythmg romantic, remember, but simply because people are more generous in the evening.’ ' And what are you going to do ? ’
