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52 "I have come an hour beforehand because I wish to find out what there is likely to be to eat at dinner. As a rule you provide such rubbishy stuff."

"You had better go into the kitchen and inquire." Tarantiev departed for the purpose.

"We are to have beef and veal," he remarked, on returning". "Ah, friend Oblomov, though a landowner, you haven't the smallest notion how to live. Your ménage is the ménage of a tradesman. Have you bought that Madeira yet?"

"I don't know," replied Oblomov, scarcely noticing what had been said. "You had better inquire of Zakhar. At all events there will be some sort of wine."

"What? The rubbishy old stuff which you bought of a German dealer? You ought to go to the English Store for your wines."

"Very well. Please send to the Store for some."

"Money first, please!"

Oblomov fumbled in a cashbox, and produced therefrom a ten-rouble note.

"Madeira costs seven roubles the bottle," he said. "Here are ten roubles. You will be given change at the Store."