Page:Five Russian plays and one Ukrainian.pdf/156

 : No allusions, if you please!


 * Oh, nobody’s making allusions. What an impossible character you’ve got! This is what I’m saying—at home I can be an ordinary person, a parvenu, a slave to habits, but here everything must be “en grand!” This is the bank! Here every detail must, so to speak, be imposing and have a dignified appearance. (Picks up a piece of paper and throws it in the grate.) It is my particular pride that I have raised high the reputation of the bank. It’s a big thing, tone, a big thing, or I’m not Shipuchin! (Looks at Hirin.) My dear fellow, at any moment the deputation of the managers may arrive, and you’re in felt slippers, in that scarf, in that wild-coloured jacket; you might have put on a frock-coat, well, anyhow, a black coat


 * My health is more to me than your bank-managers. My whole body’s inflamed.

(disturbed) : But agree with me that it’s untidy! You spoil the ensemble.


 * When the deputation comes, I can hide—that’s not a great misfortune. (Writes.) Seven, one, seven, two, one, five, nought. I too don’t like untidiness. Seven, two, nine. (Taps the