So that Peredonov had two anxieties: one, to prove his reliableness and the other to secure himself from Volodin—by marrying him to a rich girl.
Peredonov once asked Volodin:
"If you like, I'll get you engaged to the Adamenko girl, or are you still pining for Marta? Isn't a month long enough for you to get consoled?"
"Why should I pine for Marta?" replied Volodin, "I've done her a great honour by proposing to her, and if she doesn't want me, what's that to me? I'll easily find someone else—there are as good fish in the sea as ever came out of it."
"Well, but Marta's pulled your nose for you nicely," said Peredonov tauntingly.
"I've no notion what sort of a husband they're looking for," said Volodin with an offended air. "They haven't even any dowry to speak of. She's after you, Ardalyon Borisitch."
Peredonov advised him:
"If I were in your place I should smear her gates with tar."
Volodin grinned and calmed down at once. He said:
"But if they catch me it might be unpleasant."