As she returned again to the wings she again stumbled against Kostromsky, who would not allow her to pass. Yureva looked at him with a terrified glance, and said timidly:
“Please allow me to pass!”
“Be more careful please, young person!” answered he, with malicious haughtiness. “If you are applauded by a crowd of such idiots, it doesn’t mean you can push into people with impunity.” And seeing her silent and frightened, he became still more infuriated, and taking her roughly by the arm he pushed her on one side and cried out:
“Yes, you can pass, devil take you, blockhead that you are!”
VIII
When Kostromsky had quieted down a little after this rude outburst of temper, he at once became weaker, slacker and more drunken than before; he even forgot that the play had not yet finished. He went into his dressing-room, slowly undressed, and began lazily to rub the paint from his face with vaseline.
The manager, puzzled by his long absence, ran into his room at last and stared in amazement.
“Alexander Yevgrafitch! Please! What are you doing? It’s time for you to go on!”
“Go away, go away!” muttered Kostromsky tearfully, speaking through his nose, and wiping his face with the towel. “I’ve finished everything ... go away and leave me in peace!”
“What d’you mean, go away? Have you gone out of your mind? The audience is waiting!”