Page:Five Russian plays and one Ukrainian.pdf/154

 Please, dear old chap; give me the first half, and I’ll study it. Give it me quick. (Takes the report.) I base gigantic hopes on this report. It’s my “profession de foi,” or, to put it better, my firework—my firework, or I’m not Shipuchin! (Sits down and reads the report to himself.) But I’m devilish tired. Last night I had an attack of gout, all the morning I’ve been busy with little affairs and running about, then these commotions and ovations and agitations—I’m tired.


 * Two, nought, nought, three, nine, two, nought—It’s all green before my eyes with figures. Three, one, six, four, one, five. (Taps the machine.)


 * And another bother—This morning your wife called on me and complained about you again. She said, last night you ran after her and your sister-in-law with a knife. What does that look like, Hirin? Come, come!

(roughly): I take the liberty, Mr. Shipuchin, on the occasion of the jubilee, to make a request to you. I beg you, if only out of consideration for my working like a nigger, not to interfere with my family life. Please don’t!

(sighs): You’ve got an impossible character, Hirin. You’re an excellent fellow and