USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. Give me the earnest-money! Here goes!
PODKHALYÚZIN. But, Ustinya Naúmovna, you're doing this of your own free will; don't back out.
USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. Back out, what for? Just look: two thousand rubles, and a sable cloak!
PODKHALYÚZIN. I tell you, we'll make it out of live sables. There's nothing more to be said.
USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. Well, good-by, my emerald! I'll run off now to the suitor. We'll see each other to-morrow, and then I'll report to you.
PODKHALYÚZIN. Wait a minute! Where're you going! Just follow me—we'll just take a drink of vodka, ma'am. Tishka! Tishka! [Enter TISHKA] You keep a lookout, and if you see the boss coming, run for me straight off.
[They go out.
SCENE VIII
TISHKA alone.
TISHKA. [Sits down beside the table and takes some money out of his pocket] Half a ruble in silver—that's what Lázar gave me to-day. And the other day, when I fell from the steeple, Agraféna Kondrátyevna gave me ten kopeks; I won twenty-five kopeks at heads and tails; and day before yesterday the boss forgot and left one whole ruble on the counter. Gee, here's money for you! [He counts to himself. The voice of FOMÍNISHNA is heard behind the scene: "Tishka, oh, Tishka! How long have I got to call you?">[ Now what's the matter there? ["Is Lázar at home?">[—He was, but he's sure gone now! ["Well, where has he sneaked to?">[ How in the world should I know? He doesn't ask my leave. If he had, I'd know.