Ivanoff. I am reading now. I shall attend to you later.
Borkin. No, seriously, would you be sorry if I died? Nicholas, would you be sorry if I died?
Ivanoff. Leave me alone!
Borkin. Come, tell me if you would be sorry or not.
Ivanoff. I am sorry that you smell so of vodka, Misha, it is disgusting.
Borkin. Do I smell of vodka? How strange! And yet, it is not so strange after all. I met the magistrate on the road, and I must admit that we did drink about eight glasses together. Strictly speaking, of course, drinking is very harmful. Listen, it is harmful, isn’t it? Is it? Is it?
Ivanoff. This is unendurable! Let me warn you, Misha, that you are going too far.
Borkin. Well, well, excuse me. Sit here by yourself then, for heaven’s sake, if it amuses you. [Gets up and goes away] What extraordinary people one meets in the world. They won’t even allow themselves to be spoken to. [He comes back] Oh, yes, I nearly forgot. Please let me have eighty-two roubles.
Ivanoff. Why do you want eighty-two roubles?
Borkin. To pay the workmen to-morrow.
Ivanoff. I haven’t the money.
Borkin. Many thanks. [Angrily] So you haven’t the money! And yet the workmen must be paid, mustn’t they?
Ivanoff. I don’t know. Wait till my salary comes in on the first of the month.
Borkin. How is it possible to discuss anything with a man like you? Can’t you understand that the workmen are coming to-morrow morning and not on the first of the month?
