He uses clever words, that's all--philosophy ... equator ... (for a play). * * * * * The stars have gone out long ago, but they still shine for the crowd. * * * * * As soon as he became a scholar, he began to expect honors. * * * * * He was a prompter, but got disgusted and gave it up; for about fifteen years he did not go to the theatre; then he went and saw a play, cried with emotion, felt sad, and, when his wife asked him on his return how he liked the theatre, he answered: "I do not like it." * * * * * The parlormaid Nadya fell in love with an exterminator of bugs and black beetles. * * * * * A Councillor of State; it came out after his death that, in order to earn a rouble, he was employed at the theatre to bark like a dog; he was poor. * * * * * You must have decent, well-dressed children, and your children too must have a nice house and children, and their children again children and nice houses; and what is it all for?--The devil knows. * * * * * Perkaturin. * * * * * Every day he forces himself to vomit--for the sake of his health, on the advice of a friend. * * * * * A Government official began to live an original life; a very tall chimney on his house, green trousers, blue waistcoat, a dyed dog, dinner at midnight; after a week he gave it up. * * * * * Success has already given that man a lick with its tongue. * * * * * In the bill presented by the hotel-keeper: was among other things: "Bugs--fifteen kopecks." Explanation. * * * * * "N. has fallen into poverty."--"What? I can't hear."--"I say N. has fallen into poverty."--"What exactly do you say? I can't make out. What N.?"--"The N. who married Z."--"Well, what of it?"--"I say we ought to help him."--"Eh? What him? Why help? What do you mean?"--and so on. * * * * * How pleasant to sit at home, when the rain is drumming on the roof, and to feel that there are no heavy dull guests coming to one's house. * * * * * N. always even after five glasses of wine, takes valerian drops. * * * * * He lives with a parlormaid who respectfully calls him Your Honor. * * * * *