CHACHO. Since when have you become such a niggard? You should have economized when you gave the sasandars[41] something like ten rubles for a fee. [41] Musicians. OSSEP. Those times have passed and won't come back again, dear aunt. At that time I was able to do it; but not now. Trade is dull and my business is going badly. CHACHO. Possibly with your enemies, dear son; but there is nothing the matter with your business. OSSEP [_aside_]. There you have it! They insist that I let them inspect my books. [_Aloud_.] Do you know, what, aunt? What I say I first consider, for I do not like to speak to no purpose. If that young man pleases you and my daughter, and you will have him at all hazards, I have nothing against it. So therefore go to him; and if you can settle the affair with 6,000 rubles, do it. I will gladly make the best of it; but mind, this is my last word, and if you hang me up by the feet, I will not add a single shilling. CHACHO. What has come over you, Ossep? If you are willing to give 6,000 rubles, you will surely not let the whole thing go to pieces for the sake of 500 or 1,000 more? OSSEP. Do you know what, aunt? Even if a voice from heaven were to demand it of me, that is my last word. Even if you flayed me alive, I would not give another shilling. CHACHO. Do not excite yourself, dear son. Let us first see. Perhaps it can be settled with 6,000 rubles. OSSEP. Yes, to that even I say yes. SALOME. If a man can give 6,000, he can surely give 1,000 or 2,000 more. Why do you fret yourself unnecessarily? OSSEP [_aroused_]. God deliver me from the hands of these women! They say that one woman can get the best of two men; and here I am alone and fallen into the hands of two of you. Where, then, have you discovered this confounded fellow of a son-in-law? That comes of his visits. What has he to do with us? We are entirely different kind of people. [_To Salome_:] He is neither your brother nor your cousin; why, then, does he come running into our house? I believe he has been here as many as three times. I decline once and for all his visits. May his foot never cross my threshold! CHACHO. Do not get excited, my son. Do not be vexed. OSSEP. Now, aunt, you come so seldom to our house, and just to-day you happen in: how does that come? CHACHO. If you are so vexed about my visit, go down in the cellar and cool yourself off a little. OSSEP. I am a man; do you understand me? If I tell you that I can give no more, you should believe me.