"There, you see, it's for you to take advantage of the moment," said Routilov persuasively.
"The chief thing is that she mustn't be lean," said Peredonov with anxiety in his voice. "I prefer a fat one."
"Don't you worry on that account," said Routilov warmly. "Even now they are plump enough girls, but they have far from reached their full growth; all this will come in good time. As soon as they marry, they'll improve, like the oldest—well, you've seen our Larissa, a regular fishpie!"
"I'd marry," said Peredonov, "but I'm afraid that Vara will make a row."
"If you're afraid of a row—I'll tell you what you ought to do," said Routilov with a sly smile. "You ought to make quick work of it; marry, say, to-day or to-morrow, and suddenly show up at home with your young wife. Say the word, and I'll arrange it for to-morrow evening? Which one do you want?"
Peredonov suddenly burst into loud, cackling laughter.
"Well, I see you like the idea—it's all settled then?" asked Routilov.
Peredonov stopped laughing quite as suddenly, and said gravely, quietly, almost in a whisper:
"She'll inform against me—that miserable jade!"
"She'll do nothing of the sort," said Routilov persuasively.