PROKÓFYEVNA. Well, thank the Lord! May He reward him! What business brought you to our town?
KARP. Oh, those endless legal matters. Petty business, something to bear witness to; but I suppose he'll waste five days over it.
PROKÓFYEVNA. It wouldn't be surprising. Have you called on the judges?
KARP. Yes, we called on them all. Just now they sent us a clerk from court.
PROKÓFYEVNA. They'll probably do it quicker for you than for us. If you need anything, knock on the wall, and I'll come. [Goes out.
BABÁYEV and SHISHGÁLEV enter at the side door.
SCENE II
BABÁYEV, SHISHGÁLEV, and KARP
BABÁYEV. So you say, my dear sir, that it is absolutely impossible?
SHISHGÁLEV. [Bowing and continually blowing his nose and covering his mouth with his hand] But, believe me, sir, if it were at all possible we should have——