Page:Five Russian plays and one Ukrainian.pdf/170

 : Very well. (Takes twenty-five roubles from his pocket-book and gives them to her.) There’s twenty-five roubles for you. Take them and—go away! (Hirin coughs angrily.)


 * I most humbly thank you, your excellency.

(sits beside her husband): It’s time for me to go home. (Looks at her watch.) But I haven’t finished yet; I’ll finish in a moment and go. What do you think happened? What do you think? Well, in the evening we went to Berejnitski’s. It wasn’t anything particular; it was jolly, but not specially. Of course, Kate’s admirer, Grendelevski, was there. I spoke to Kate, and cried, and persuaded her, and in the evening she had an explanation with Grendelevski and refused him. Well, I thought, everything is in order, things couldn’t be better; I had quieted Mama, saved Kate, and now I could be easy. What do you think ? Just before supper we were walking with Kate in the avenue, and suddenly—(Rises)—suddenly we heard a shot! No I can’t speak about it in cold blood! (Fans herself with her handkerchief.) No, I can’t!

(sighs): Ugh!