"I can, your Honour."
The gentleman shouted at him:
"That's it: you can. You must understand for whom you are working, and what material you have to work on. Make me a pair of boots that will wear a year without running down or ripping. If you can, undertake it and cut the material; if you cannot, do not undertake it and do not cut the material. I tell you in advance: if the boots wear off or rip before the year is over, I will put you into jail; if they do not wear off or rip for a year, I will give you ten roubles for the work."
Semén was frightened and did not know what to say. He looked at Mikháyla. He nudged him with his elbow, and said:
"Friend, what do you say?"
Mikháyla nodded to him: "Take the work!"
Semén took Mikháyla's advice and undertook to make a pair of boots that would not wear down or rip.
The gentleman shouted at his lad, told him to pull off the boot from his left foot, and stretched out his leg.
"Take the measure!"