PODKHALYÚZIN. Yes! Much you know! But what'll happen when, after you've engaged a man of standing, Samsón Sílych won't give any money? Afterwards the fellow'll come up and say, says he: "I'm no merchant, that you can cheat me out of the dowry!" Furthermore, like a man of standing he'll file a complaint at court, because a man of standing has his own way everywhere, ma'am; then Samsón Sílych and I'll be ruined, and there'll be no getting out of it for you. Here, you yourself know you can cheat anybody of our sort out of a dowry, that'll work; but just try to fool a man of standing, and you'll not get away with it afterwards. USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. That's enough trying to scare me! You've muddled my head completely. PODKHALYÚZIN. Here, take these hundred rubles in silver as earnest-money, and give us your hand on it, ma'am. USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. And you say, my jewel, two thousand rubles and a sable cloak? PODKHALYÚZIN. Exactly so, ma'am. Be at rest on that score!--And you'll put on that sable cloak, Ustinya Naúmovna, and you'll go out walking--why, anybody will think you're a general's wife. USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. Do you think so? Well, now, indeed! When I put on that sable cloak, I'll look my perkiest, with my hands by my sides; then your bearded friends will stare with their mouths wide open. They'll get to sighing so that you couldn't stop them with a fire engine; the women will all turn up their noses from jealousy. PODKHALYÚZIN. Just so, ma'am! USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. Give me the earnest-money! Here goes! PODKHALYÚZIN. But, Ustinya Naúmovna, you're doing this of your own free will; don't back out. USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. Back out, what for? Just look: two thousand rubles, and a sable cloak! PODKHALYÚZIN. I tell you, we'll make it out of live sables. There's nothing more to be said. USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. Well, good-by, my emerald! I'll run off now to the suitor. We'll see each other to-morrow, and then I'll report to you. PODKHALYÚZIN. Wait a minute! Where're you going! Just follow me--we'll just take a drink of vodka, ma'am. Tishka! Tishka! [_Enter_ TISHKA] You keep a lookout, and if you see the boss coming, run for me straight off. [_They go out._ SCENE VIII TISHKA _alone._ TISHKA. [_Sits down beside the table and takes some money out of his pocket_] Half a ruble in silver--that's what Lázar gave me to-day. And the other day, when I fell from the steeple, Agraféna Kondrátyevna gave me ten kopeks; I won twenty-five kopeks at heads and tails; and day before yesterday the boss forgot and left one whole ruble on the counter. Gee, here's money for you! [_He counts to himself. The voice of FOMÍNISHNA is heard behind the scene:_ "Tishka, oh, Tishka! How long have I got to call you?"] Now what's the matter there? ["Is Lázar at home?"]--He was, but he's sure gone now! ["Well, where has he sneaked to?"] How in the world should I know? He doesn't ask my leave. If he had, I'd know.