RISPOLÓZHENSKY. What do you mean by knavery! Come, that's a sin, Lázar Elizárych! Don't I serve you? I'm your servant till the grave; command me what you want. And I fixed up the mortgage for you! PODKHALYÚZIN. See here, you've been paid! And it's not your business to keep harping on the same string! RISPOLÓZHENSKY. Just so, Lázar Elizárych, I've been paid. Just so! Ah, Lázar Elizárych, poverty has crushed me! PODKHALYÚZIN. Poverty crushed you! Oh, that happens, sir. [_He approaches and sits down by the table_] Well, sir, I have a little extra money; I've no place to put it. [_Lays his pocketbook on the table_. RISPOLÓZHENSKY. What, you, Lázar Elizárych? Extra money? I'm afraid you're joking. PODKHALYÚZIN. All joking aside, sir. RISPOLÓZHENSKY. Well, if you have a little extra money, why not help a poor man? God'll reward you for it. PODKHALYÚZIN. But d'you need much? RISPOLÓZHENSKY. Give me just three rubles. PODKHALYÚZIN. Is that all, sir? RISPOLÓZHENSKY. Well, give me five. PODKHALYÚZIN. Oh, ask more! RISPOLÓZHENSKY. Well, then, if you'll be so good, give me ten. PODKHALYÚZIN. Ten, sir! What, for nothing? RISPOLÓZHENSKY. Indeed not! I'll work it off, Lázar Elizárych; we'll be quits sometime or other. PODKHALYÚZIN. That's all talk, sir. The snail keeps going, and sometime she'll get there! But here's the little business I want to put up to you now: did Samsón Sílych promise you much for fixing up this scheme? RISPOLÓZHENSKY. I'm ashamed to tell you, Lázar Elizárych! A thousand rubles and an old coon-skin overcoat. No one will accept less than I, by heavens; just go and inquire prices. PODKHALYÚZIN. Well, here's what, Sysóy Psoich; I'll give you two thousand for that identical business, sir. RISPOLÓZHENSKY. Oh, Lázar Elizárych, my benefactor! I and my wife and children'll be your slaves! PODKHALYÚZIN. One hundred in silver, spot cash; but the rest later upon the completion of the whole business, sir! RISPOLÓZHENSKY. Now, then, how can one help praying for people like you! Only a kind of ignorant swine could fail to feel that. I bow down to your feet, Lázar Elizárych! PODKHALYÚZIN. Really now, what for, sir? Only, Sysóy Psoich, don't run about like a chicken with its head cut off, but go in for accuracy--straight to the point, and walk the line. Do you understand, sir? RISPOLÓZHENSKY. How can I help understanding? Why, Lázar Elizárych, do you think I'm still a boy? It's time I understood! PODKHALYÚZIN. Yes, but what do you understand? Here's the way things are, sir. Just listen first. Samsón Sílych and I came to town, and we brought along the list as was proper. Then he went to the creditors: this one didn't agree, that one didn't agree; that's the way, and not a single one will take up the proposition. That's the way the affair stands. RISPOLÓZHENSKY. What's that you say, Lázar Elizárych? Oh! Just think of it, what a gang.