"Just now I'm a busy man," said Peredonov.
"He who's a busy man we praise him all we can," answered Tishkov promptly.
Skouchayev escorted Peredonov to the hall. They embraced and kissed each other at parting. Peredonov was pleased with his visit. "The Mayor's on my side," he thought confidently.
When he returned to Tishkov, Skouchayev said:
"They gossip about that youth."
"They may gossip about that youth, but they don't know the truth," Tishkov caught him up immediately, deftly pouring himself a glass of English bitter.
It was evident that he was not paying attention to what was said to him, but that he only caught up words for the sake of rhyme.
"He's not a bad fellow," said Skouchayev. "He's a hearty chap and he's not a fool at drinking," continued Skouchayev as he poured himself a drink, paying no attention to Tishkov's rhyming.
"If he's not a fool at drinking, then he's not an ass at thinking," shouted Tishkov gaily, swallowing his drink at one gulp.
"That he's fussing around with a Mam'zell—what does that matter!" said Skouchayev.