Page:Diamonds To Sit On.pdf/202

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DIAMONDS TO SIT ON

Instead, he brought a friend of his who asked the poet why he did not find something more sensible to do with his time than scribbling poetry. ‘ Why don’t you learn a trade ? ’ ‘ Because I need money,’ said Lyapis. ‘ But you never have any. You’re always borrowing roubles.’ ‘ I’ve just bought some furniture and I’m out of pocket.’ ‘ What ? You’ve been buying furniture ? What can you buy with the few miserable coppers you earn ? ’ ‘ Coppers ? I’ve bought such a chair at an auction that'- ’ ‘ I say, what’s it hke ? ’ ‘ It was from the Palace, but I’ve had a terrible misfortune. Last night when I went to my room I found the window open and I knew at once that some­ thing was wrong. Some rogue must have climbed into my room, for the chair had been ripped up. And that’s why I want five roubles. It’s to mend my chair.’ Oh, we can’t give you money for mending chairs. You’ll have to compose a new poem about Gavrila and a wondrous chair ! ’ After so much teasing Lyapis walked disconsolately out of the office and immediately began to compose another poem about Gavrila.