PODKHALYÚZIN. And how are we going to make a good thing out of this business now? Do you understand me, or not? RISPOLÓZHENSKY. That is, the insolvency, Lázar Elizárych? PODKHALYÚZIN. The insolvency will take care of itself; but I mean my own business affairs. RISPOLÓZHENSKY. He, he, he!--That is, the house and the shops--even--the house--he, he, he!---- PODKHALYÚZIN. What's the matter, sir? RISPOLÓZHENSKY. No, sir; that's just my foolishness; I was just joking. PODKHALYÚZIN. Fine jokes, indeed! Don't you joke about that, sir. The house is nothing; I have such a dream in my head now about that subject, that I must talk it over with you at length. Just come to my room, sir. Tishka! SCENE VI _The same and_ TISHKA PODKHALYÚZIN. Put all this in order! Well, let's go, Sysóy Psoich! TISHKA _is about to carry away the vodka_. RISPOLÓZHENSKY. Wait, wait! Eh, my boy, what an idiot you are! If you see that a fellow wants to drink, just wait a bit. You just wait a bit. You're young yet, but you just be polite and condescending. Lázar Elizárych, I'll just take a thimbleful. PODKHALYÚZIN. Help yourself, only hurry up; I'm afraid _he'll_ come. RISPOLÓZHENSKY. Right away, my dear Lázar Elizárych, right away! [_Drinks and smacks his lips_] But it would be better to take it with us. [_They go out_. TISHKA _arranges something or other; from above descend_ USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA _and_ FOMÍNISHNA. TISHKA _goes out_. FOMÍNISHNA. Now do fix it up for her, Ustinya Naúmovna! You see the girl is all worked up; and, indeed, it's time, my dear. Youth isn't a bottomless kettle, and they say it gets empty. I can say that from my own experience. I got married when I was thirteen; but in another month she'll have passed her nineteenth year. Why let her pine away for nothing? Others of her age have long since borne children. And so, my dear, why let her pine away? USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. I keep thinking about that myself, my jewel; but the thing isn't held up on my account; I have a whole pack of suitors, all right. But, confound it, she and her mother are mighty particular. FOMÍNISHNA. Why should they be particular? Well, the chief thing is that they should be fresh-complexioned people, not bald, and not smell bad; and then anything'll pass, so it's a man!