once they get an idea into their head, you simply can't drive it out. It's just as when, three years ago, he wanted to shave his beard. No matter how much Agraféna Kondrátyevna begged and wept, "No," he said, "afterwards I'll let it grow again; but for the time being I'll have my own way." And he took and shaved it. It's the same way with this business; if I make a hit with him, or the idea strikes him all right--then it's sweet wedding-bells to-morrow, and that's all, and don't you dare argue! I could jump from the tower of Ivan the Great for the joy of it. _Enter_ TISHKA _with the bottle._ SCENE IV PODKHALYÚZIN _and_ TISHKA TISHKA. [_Coming in with the bottle_] Here I am! I've come. PODKHALYÚZIN. Listen, Tishka, is Ustinya Naúmovna here? TISHKA. Up-stairs there. And the shyster's coming. PODKHALYÚZIN. Well, put the vodka on the table, and bring some relishes. TISHKA _puts down the vodka and brings relishes; then goes out._ SCENE V PODKHALYÚZIN _and_ RISPOLÓZHENSKY PODKHALYÚZIN. Ah, my respects to you, sir! RISPOLÓZHENSKY. Mine to you, my dear Lázar Elizárych, mine to you! Fine. I think, now, perhaps there's something I can do. Is that vodka, near you? I'll just take a thimbleful, Lázar Elizárych. My hands have begun to shake mornings, especially the right one. When I go to write something, Lázar Elizárych, I have to hold it with my left. I swear I do. But take a sip of vodka, and it seems to do it good. [_Drinks._ PODKHALYÚZIN. Why do your hands shake? RISPOLÓZHENSKY. [_Sits down by the table_] From anxiety, Lázar Elizárych; from anxiety, my boy. PODKHALYÚZIN. Indeed, sir! But I suppose it's because you're plundering people overmuch. God is punishing you for your unrighteousness. RISPOLÓZHENSKY. He, he, he!--Lázar Elizárych! How could I plunder anybody? My business is of a small sort. I'm like a little bird, picking up small grains. PODKHALYÚZIN. You deal in small quantities, of course? RISPOLÓZHENSKY. You'd deal even in small quantities if you couldn't get anything else. Well, it wouldn't matter so much if I were alone; but, you see, I have a wife and four kiddies. They all want to eat, the little dears. One says, "Daddy, give me!" Another says, "Daddy, give me!" And I'm a man who feels strongly for his family. Here I entered one boy in the high school; he has to have a uniform, and then something else. And what's to become of the old shack?--Why, how much shoe-leather you wear out simply walking from Butírky to the Voskresénsky Gates. PODKHALYÚZIN. That's right, sir. RISPOLÓZHENSKY. And why do you make the trip? You write a little petition for one man, you register somebody else in the citizen class. Some days you'll not bring home half a ruble in silver. I vow, I'm not lying! Then what're you going to live on? Lázar Elizárych, I'll just take a thimbleful. [_Drinks_] "So," I think, "I'll just drop in on Lázar Elizárych; perhaps he'll spare me a little change." PODKHALYÚZIN. For what sort of knavery, sir?