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DIAMONDS TO SIT ON

It looked as though Stepan were going to push Podkolesin into the background, while he became the central character of the play. Is that tailor getting the suit ready for me ? ’ Podkolesin asked, and gave another leap into the air. The orchestra thundered a few bars of music and Stepan struck a curious pose and answered: ‘ Yes, he is getting it ready.’ The orchestra then played a potpourri while Stepan stood on his hands until the blood rushed to his head. Did the tailor ask you why your master had ordered such good cloth ? ’ said Podkolesin. Stepan jumped over the footlights and down into the orchestra. He put his arms round the conductor and replied : ' No. He’s not an English M.P. ! ’ And did he ask you if your master intended getting married ? ’ He did not. He asked whether you would pay up.’ At this the hghts went out and the audience began to stamp their feet. They went on stamping their feet until Podkolesin’s voice was to be heard from the stage ; ' Don’t worry, friends,’ he shouted, ‘ the lights have been put out on purpose. It is aU part of the play. It is necessary.’ The au^ence understood what he meant and became quiet again, but the lights did not go up again until the end of the act. The drums thundered away in pitch darkness, and a number of soldiers dressed like hotel ^rters walked across the stage carrying lanterns. Then Kochkorey arrived on a camel. This was deduced from the following dialogue : ‘ Good heavens! What a fright you gave me! hancy arriving like that on a camel! ’ T in spite of the darkness ? wanted to give you a surprise/ Then came Uie interval during which Hippolyte and Bender read the programme.