OSSEP [_wringing his hands and springing up_]. Then I am ruined. [_A silence. Nato's voice is heard outside_.] Alexander, they are calling you. ALEXANDER [_approaching Ossep_]. What is it? For God's sake tell me the truth. OSSEP. There, there. Go out first. They are calling you. ALEXANDER [_aside, taking his hat_]. So far as I see, I am ruined also. [_Exit._ OSSEP [_alone_]. What do I not suffer! If they really come here I shall perish through shame. Where can I find so much money in such a hurry? One must have time for it, and that fellow may come to-day even--perhaps this minute. Then I am lost--who will trust me then? My creditors will tie a rope around my neck and prevent me from saying a word in my own behalf. "Pay us," they will cry; "pay us!" O Salome, Salome! _Enter Gewo_. OSSEP. There he is. GEWO. Good-evening, Ossep. OSSEP. You have come, too. You want your money, too? Yes, choke me; double my debt; say that I owe you, not 2,000 rubles, but 4,000. Speak! You are my creditor; speak! Have no pity on me. You want your money--why do you wait, then? Slay me; tear my heart out of my body; hack me in pieces and sell it piece by piece, so that your money shall not be lost. [_Gewo wipes his eyes_.] Weep, weep, for your money is lost. I am bankrupt--bankrupt! GEWO [_embracing Ossep_]. Dear Ossep, dear Ossep! OSSEP. You say "dear" to me? Yet you are my creditor. GEWO. Take courage; be a man! OSSEP. What kind of a man? I am a good-for-nothing; I have lost my good name [_weeping_]. My good name is gone. [_Wipes his eyes_.] GEWO. God is merciful, dear Ossep. OSSEP. God and heaven have taken their mercy from me. You see now where the marriage of my daughter has led me? If I could at least pay you everything I owe you--that I must do at any price. GEWO. What are you saying, Ossep? If I had the means I would go on your bond. Why should I be your friend otherwise? OSSEP. If you had money, dear Gewo, you would not be my friend, nor have such a good heart. Stay poor as you are, so that I shall not lose your friendship. Only your sympathy is left me in this world. I would not like to lose your friendship. In this one day I have suffered everything. No one has shown interest in me; no one has given proof of his sympathy--neither my uncle, nor my brother, nor my nephew. When they saw I was near my last breath, they all forsook me and shut the door in my face. GEWO. Come with me; perhaps we will find help somewhere. OSSEP. There can be no more talk of help. GEWO. Come, come; there is still a way out. OSSEP. What way out can there be? GEWO. Come, come; let us not delay. OSSEP. But tell me how is it to be managed? GEWO. Come, come! I will tell you on the way.