"Go ahead and prove it."
"Just wait, I'll prove it," said Routilov. They walked on silently. Peredonov waited apprehensively and his anger with Routilov tormented him. Suddenly Routilov asked:
"Ardalyon Borisitch, have you got a piatachek?"[1]
"I have, but I won't give it to you," answered Peredonov. Routilov burst out laughing.
"If you have a piatachek, then you are a swine," he exclaimed.
Peredonov in his apprehension grabbed his nose and exclaimed:
"You're lying! I haven't a piatachek—I've got a man's face," he growled.
Routilov was still laughing. Peredonov, angry and rather frightened, looked cautiously at Routilov and said:
"You've led me purposely to-day by the durman[2] and you've durmanised me so as to lure me for one of your sisters. As if one witch wasn't enough for me—you tried to make me marry three at once."
"You are a queer fellow. And why didn't I get durmanised?" asked Routilov.