Pod. Perhaps he asked you whether your master was going to be married?
Step. No; he didn’t say anything.
Pod. All right; you can go. (Exit Stepàn.) One would think boots were a trifling thing; and yet if they are badly made, or not properly blacked, no one will respect you in good society. It makes a great difference, somehow.... Another horrid thing is, if one has corns. I’d be ready to put up with almost anything rather than have corns. Hi! Stepàn! (Enter Stepàn.)
Step. What’s your honour’s pleasure?
Pod. Did you tell the shoemaker that the boots musn’t give me corns?
Step. Yes, sir.
Pod. And what did he say?
Step. He said, “All right.” (Exit.)
Pod. The deuce take it all! It’s a difficult business, this getting married. What with one thing and another—first this has to be set right, and then that—the devil take it all! it’s not half so easy as people say. Hi! Stepàn! (Enter Stepàn.) There’s another thing I wanted to say——
Step. The old woman’s come.