Page:The Kiss and Other Stories by Anton Tchekhoff, 1908.pdf/104

 with him. . . . You made the poor man uncomfortable! Such things are impossible. I swear to God! . . . And then this dinner? For instance, what on earth was that fourth course?"

"It was duck with sweet sauce," answered my mother softly.

"Duck! . . . Forgive me, sister, but . . . I have got heartburn . . . I am unwell!"

My uncle made a sour and lachrymose grimace, and continued—

"The devil brought us this governor! A lot I wanted his visit! . . . Heartburn! I can't sleep and I can't work. . . . I am altogether out of sorts. . . . I cannot understand how you exist without work . . . in this tiresome place! And I have got a pain beginning in the lower part of my chest!"

My uncle frowned, and walked still more quickly.

"Brother," asked my mother timidly, "how much would it cost you to go abroad?"

"At least three thousand," answered my uncle tearfully. "I should have gone, but where can I get the money? I have not a kopeck. . . . Heartburn!"

My uncle stopped, looked with disgust at the big, dull window, and resumed his walk. My mother looked earnestly at the ikon, broke out into tears, and said with an effort—

"I will let you have the three thousand, brother!"