Theodore Ivánitch. What is your business, then?
First Peasant. Our business, respected sir, depends in this. Last year he made us the offer of our buying the land in 'stalments. The Commune entered upon these terms and gave us the powers of atturning, and now d'you see he makes the offering that we should pay the whole in full! And as it turns out, the business is no ways convenient for us.
Theodore Ivánitch. What is the whole sum?
First Peasant. The whole sum in readiness is 4000 roubles, you see.
Theodore Ivánitch. Well, what of that? Make an effort and collect more.
First Peasant. Such as it is, it was collected with much effort. We have, so to say, in this sense, not got ammunition enough.
Second Peasant. You can't get blood out of a stone.
Third Peasant. We'd be glad with all our hearts, but we have swept even this together, as you might say, with a broom.
[VASÍLY LEONÍDITCH and PETRÍSTCHEF appear in the doorway both smoking cigarettes.
Vasíly Leoníditch. I have told you already I'll do my best, so, of course, I will do all that is possible! Eh, what?