Page:Five Russian plays and one Ukrainian.pdf/145

 (breaking in): Yes! Yes! And all this has to be remembered. For instance, halliard-royals, tops’l gallants

(offended): What’s he interrupting for? We can’t say a single word.


 * We ignorant people, your excellency, do not understand anything of this. But tell us instead something to please

(misunderstanding): I’ve just eaten some, thank you. You said “cheese,” did you not? Thank you. Yes! I was recalling old times. But certainly it’s fine, young man. “If you sail on the sea, you’ll know no care.” (With a trembling voice.) You recollect the delight of tacking in a gale? What seaman does not light up at the recollection of this manœuvre? The very moment the command resounds, “Pipe all hands aloft,” an electric spark seems to fly over everybody. From the commander to the lowest sailor—all tremble with excitement


 * O, how dull! How dull! (General murmur.)

(misunderstanding): Thank you, I have had some. (With rapture.) Everyone gets ready and turns his eyes on the first officer.