“Jacob—Jacob—what? I can’t remember his surname. Jacob—darn it, what is his surname? I thought of it as I was coming along. Wait a minute!”
Ivan raised his eyes to the ceiling, and moved his lips. Buldeeff and his wife waited impatiently for him to remember the name.
“Well then, what is it? Think harder.”
“Just a minute! Jacob—Jacob—I can’t remember it! It’s a common name too, something to do with a horse. Is it Mayres? No it isn’t Mayres—Wait a bit, is it Colt? No, it isn’t Colt. I know perfectly well it’s a horsey name, but it has absolutely gone out of my head!”
“It isn’t Filley?”
“No, no—wait a jiffy. Maresfield, Maresden—Farrier—Harrier——”
“That’s a doggy name, not a horsey one. Is it Foley?”
“No, no, it isn’t Foley. Just a second—Horseman—Horsey—Hackney. No, it isn’t any of those.”
“Then how am I to send that telegram? Think a little harder!”
“One moment! Carter—Coltsford—Shafter——”