Peredonov continued to state his conditions:
"Other people through stinginess buy thin wedding rings or silver ones gilt over, but I don't want to do that. I want pure gold ones. And I even prefer wedding bracelets to wedding rings—they are more expensive and more dignified."
Everyone laughed.
"Bracelets are impossible," said Prepolovenskaya smiling slightly. "You must have rings."
"Why impossible?" asked Peredonov in vexation.
"Simply because it's not done."
"But perhaps it is done," said Peredonov increduously. "I will ask the priest. He knows best."
Routilov advised him with a snigger:
"You'd better order wedding belts, Ardalyon Borisitch."
"I haven't got money enough for that," said Peredonov, not noticing the smiles. "I'm not a banker. Only the other day I dreamed that I was being married, and that I wore a velvet frock-coat and that Varvara and I had gold bracelets. And behind us were two head-masters holding the crowns over us, singing 'Hallelujah.'"