red face, and his herculean figure seemed as if it were cast-iron. The exertion caused him to gasp for breath, and it was with the greatest difficulty that he succeeded in freeing himself from his great-coat, after which he seated himself on the bench.
Looking toward the two men, he asked: "Which of you is the expert shoemaker of whom I have heard so much?"
Simeon, stepping forward, said: "I am he, your high nobility."
Being thus informed, the nobleman called to his servant: "Ho, Fedka [diminutive of Theodore], bring that bundle here!"
The servant brought the package, and his master, taking it from him, placed it on the table and ordered him to open it.
The nobleman took out some leather, over which he passed his hand caressingly, at the same time saying to Simeon:
"Hear me, you shoemaker! Do you see these goods?"
