Page:Complete Works of Count Tolstoy - 18.djvu/232



. Is the carriage ready?

. It is driving up.

(to Márya Konstantínovna). Come, come! I saw that it was he!

. What he?

. You know very well that it is Petríshchev.

. Where is he?

. He is sitting in Vovó's room. You will see yourself.

. But suppose it is not he? (The peasants and the messenger bow.)

(to the messenger). Ah, you are from Bourdier, with the dress?

. Yes, madam. May I go now?

. I do not know. This is for mamma.

. I do not know for whom. I was ordered to bring it here and get the money for it.

. Well, then wait!

. Is this the same costume for the charade?

. Yes, a superb costume! But mamma does not take it, and does not wish to pay for it.

. Why?

. You ask mamma. For Vovo's dogs it is not too much to pay five hundred roubles, but for a dress one hundred is too much. I certainly can't play as a scarecrow! (To the peasants.) Who are these?

. Peasants. They have come to buy some land.

. I thought they were hunters. Are you not hunters?

. Not by any means, madam. We are here in regard to the accomplishment of the sale