Page:Complete Works of Count Tolstoy - 18.djvu/291

. Your coat? No, no, keep it on! (Exit.)

. She told me to do the same again, and she will hurl around things as then. I wonder how it is she is not afraid.

. Hush! They will hear us! Rub some matches on your fingers as you did the last time. (Rubs them on.) Well, do you remember everything?

(bending his fingers). First, to moisten the matches. Wave the hands,—that is one thing. Then to gnash my teeth,—that is the second. I have forgotten the third.

. The third thing is the most important. Listen: when the paper falls on the table, and I ring a bell, you stretch out your arms like this. Stretch them out as far as you can and catch a person. Catch anybody that is sitting nearest to you. And when you get hold of some one, press as hard as you can. (Laughs.) Whether it be a lady or a gentleman, press as hard as you can, and don't let the person get away! Do it, as though you were asleep, and gnash your teeth, or bellow, like this— (Bellows.) When I begin to play on the guitar, act as though you were waking up! Stretch yourself, and wake up! Do you remember everything?

. I do, but it is too funny.

. Don't laugh! If you do, that will not be so bad. They will think you are doing it in your sleep. Only don't fall asleep for good, when they put out the lights.

. Don't be afraid! I will be pinching my ears.