“A chest and tea-service, two roubles and a half....”
“What is all this nonsense?” exclaimed Pougatcheff. “What are these chests and breeches with ruffles to do with me?”
Savelitch cleared his throat and began to explain.
“This, my father, you will please to understand is a list of my master’s goods that have been stolen by those scoundrels——”
“What scoundrels?” said Pougatcheff, threateningly.
“I beg your pardon, that was a slip on my part,” replied Savelitch. “They were not scoundrels, but your fellows, who have rummaged and plundered everything. Do not be angry: the horse has got four legs, and yet he stumbles. Order him to read to the end.”
“Read on to the end,” said Pougatcheff.
The secretary continued:
“One chintz counterpane, another of taffety quilted with cotton wool, four roubles.
“A fox-skin pelisse, covered with red flannel, forty roubles.