Page:Diamonds To Sit On.pdf/143

 FROM PILLAR TO POST

131

that the next item would be folk-songs rendered by a famous Russian singer, Varvara Ivanova Godlevskaya. Hippolyte drank vodka and was silent, and as Liza was not drinking anything and was obviously longing to go home, he began to hurry so as to get to the end of the bottle. By the time the famous singer had finished the folk­ songs Hippolyte was slightly light-headed. He tried to beat time to the music as the accompanist began to play a few passages at the beginning of the next item on the programme. Other people in the restaurant were beginning to notice Hippolyte. With great determination Liza got up from the table. ‘ I’m going,’ she said. ' You can stay here if you like, but I’m going home. I can find my way back.’ ‘ Oh, no ! ’ said Hippolyte. ‘ After all, I’m a gentle­ man. I can’t allow that. Waiter ! The bill, please.’ Hippolyte examined the bill for a long time as he swayed in his chair. ‘ Nine roubles and twenty copecks ! ’ he said incredu­ lously. ‘ Perhaps you’d like me to give you the key of the room where I keep my money ? ’ he remarked, using Bender’s favourite expression. In the end Hippolyte had to be led out of the restaurant. Liza could not run away, because the Stargorod lion had the cloak-room ticket in his pocket. As they turned into a side-street, Hippolyte leaned heavily against Liza and tried to kiss her. Liza avoided his embrace, and without saying a word punched the lady-killer’s nose with her fist. Hippolyte’s glasses fell to the ground and were smashed to pieces. Liza, swallowing her angry tears, ran home down the side-street, while Hippolyte ran in the opposite direc­ tion shouting : ‘ Stop thief ! ’ But no one stopped, so he burst into tears and bought the entire contents of