Simon makes no reply.
"What's got into you? Here we've almost finished dinner, and no wine. Who wants to drink with dessert?"
Simon hurried out. "The landlord," says he, "wants to speak to you."
Nekhliudof turned scarlet. He sprang up from the table.
"What's the need of calling me?"
The landlord is standing at the door.
Says he, "I can't trust you any more, unless you settle my little bill."
"Well, didn't I tell you that I would pay the first of the month?"
"That will be all very well," says the landlord, "but I can't be all the time giving credit, and having no settlement. There are more than ten thousand rubles of debts outstanding now," says he.
"Well, that'll do, monshoor, you know that you can trust me! Send the bottle, and I assure you that I will pay you very soon."