Shabelski. [Nodding at Borkin] He wants me to marry her.
Lebedieff. Wants you to marry her! How old are you?
Shabelski. Sixty-two.
Lebedieff. Really, you are just the age to marry, aren’t you? And Martha is just suited to you!
Borkin. This is not a question of Martha, but of Martha’s money.
Lebedieff. Aren’t you moonstruck, and don’t you want the moon too?
Shabelski. Borkin here is quite in earnest about it; the clever fellow is sure I shall obey orders, and marry Martha.
Borkin. What do you mean? Aren’t you sure yourself?
Shabelski. Are you mad? I never was sure of anything. Bah!
Borkin. Many thanks! I am much obliged to you for the information. So you are trying to fool me, are you? First you say you will marry Martha and then you say you won’t; the devil only knows which you really mean, but I have given her my word of honour that you will. So you have changed your mind, have you?
Shabelski. He is actually in earnest; what an extraordinary man!
Borkin. [Losing his temper] If that is how you feel about it, why have you turned an honest woman’s head? Her heart is set on your title, and she can neither eat nor sleep for thinking of it. How can you make a jest of such things? Do you think such behaviour is honourable?
Shabelski. [Snapping his fingers] Well, why not play her this shabby trick, after all? Eh? Just out of spite? I shall certainly do it, upon my word I shall! What a joke it will be!
Enter Lvoff.
