"Thou canst see later on.... But now thou must for joy .. thou knowest ...."
"No, thanks, Efrém.... I 've had enough as it is. Farewell."—And Akím walked away without looking behind him.
"Eka! He has had enough as it is!"—ejaculated the astounded chanter;—"and I have taken my oath on his behalf! Well, I did n't expect this,"—he added with vexation,—"after I had vouched for him. Phew!"
He remembered that he had forgotten to take his knife and pot, and returned to the inn.... Naúm gave orders that his things should be delivered to him, but it never entered his head to entertain him. Thoroughly enraged and completely sober he presented himself at home.
"Well, what?"—his wife asked him;—"didst thou find him?"
"Did I find him?"—retorted Efrém;—"certainly I found him; there are thy utensils for thee."
"Akím?"—inquired his wife, with special emphasis.
Efrém nodded his head.
"Yes, Akím. But what a goose he is! I went bail for him; without me he would have been put in prison, and he never even treated me to a glass of liquor. Ulyána Feódorovna, do you, at least, show me consideration; give me just one little glass."
But Ulyána Feódorovna showed him no consideration and drove him out of her sight.