Page:The Novels of Ivan Turgenev (volume X).djvu/27

Rh recite the letter from Yevgeny Oniegin. Well; will you take a ticket?'

'And when will it be?'

'To-morrow. . . to-morrow, at half-past one, in a private rawing-room, in Ostozhonka. . . . I will come for you. A five-rouble ticket ? . . . Here it is. . . no, that 's a three-rouble one. Here. . . and here 's the programme. . . . I 'm one of the stewards.'

Aratov sank into thought. Platonida Ivanovna came in at that instant, and glancing at his face, was in a flutter of agitation at once. 'Yasha,' she cried, 'what's the matter with you? Why are you so upset? Fyodor Fedoritch, what is it you've been telling him?'

Aratov did not let his friend answer his aunt's question, but hurriedly snatching the ticket held out to him, told Platonida Ivanovna to give Kupfer five roubles at once.

She blinked in amazement. . . . However, she handed Kupfer the money in silence. Her darling Yasha had ejaculated his commands in a very imperative manner.

'I tell you, a wonder of wonders!' cried Kupfer, hurrying to the door. 'Wait till tomorrow.'

'Has she black eyes ?' Aratov called after him.

'Black as coal!' Kupfer shouted cheerily, as he vanished.