Page:Five Russian plays and one Ukrainian.pdf/120

 : What has happened to him?


 * I will solve the riddle for you. That empty-headed Frenchman was a nurse’s assistant in an almshouse in France; he can draw teeth and cut corns—nothing else. He came to Russia, and I found him in another neighbourhood, where I have an estate, among the teachers of young noblemen. I considered it my duty to inform the Governor of this, and he, thinking such vagabonds harmful to the country, cleared him out n my representation, and therefore, when he saw me here, he ran away, fearing evidently that I shall clear him out by the neck again. However that may be, I shall see the Governor tomorrow and endeavour to remove him from our district in twenty-four hours.


 * Marshal, moderate your strictness at our request.


 * Countess, you are free to follow or not follow my advice as to the education of your son by the person I have introduced to you; but I, as marshal of the nobility, cannot endure that such a rascal should be in our midst to corrupt the hearts and heads of young noblemen.

(to herself): If I had thought, by sending