Page:Complete Works of Count Tolstoy - 18.djvu/230

. Well, I suppose he is asking the spirit whether to sell the land or not. Ah, what?

. I can't say. I know that he went away in indecision.

. What do you think, Fédor Iványch, has he any money? Ah, what?

. I don't know. Hardly. Why do you want to know? You took a good slice of it last week!

. But I gave that away for the dogs. You know we have a new society: Petríshchev has been elected, and I have taken some money from Petríshchev, so I have to pay now for him and for myself. Ah, what?

. What kind of a new society is it? Of bicyclists?

. No. I will tell you in a minute: it is a new society. Let me tell you, a very serious society. And do you know who is the president of it? Ah, what?

. What does this new society consist in?

. A society for the encouragement of breeding ancient Russian stout-bodied dogs. Ah, what? Let me tell you: to-day is the first meeting and a lunch. And I have no money. I will go to him, and will try. (Exit through the door.)

(to Fédor Iványch). Honourable man, who is this?

(smiling). The young gentleman.

. The heir, let us say. O Lord! (Hides the money.) I had better put it away in time.