KHIRIN. [In a tearful voice] But I’ve got to finish my report! I won’t have time! I won’t! MERCHUTKINA. Your excellency, when shall I have the money? I want it now. SHIPUCHIN. [Aside, in dismay] A re-mark-ab-ly beastly woman! [Politely] Madam, I’ve already told you, this is a bank, a private, commercial concern. MERCHUTKINA. Be a father to me, your excellency.... If the doctor’s certificate isn’t enough, I can get you another from the police. Tell them to give me the money! SHIPUCHIN. [Panting] Ouf! TATIANA ALEXEYEVNA. [To MERCHUTKINA] Mother, haven’t you already been told that you’re disturbing them? What right have you? MERCHUTKINA. Mother, beautiful one, nobody will help me. All I do is to eat and drink, and just now I didn’t enjoy my coffee at all. SHIPUCHIN. [Exhausted] How much do you want? MERCHUTKINA. 24 roubles 36 copecks. SHIPUCHIN. All right! [Takes a 25-rouble note out of his pocket-book and gives it to her] Here are 25 roubles. Take it and... go! [KHIRIN coughs angrily.] MERCHUTKINA. I thank you very humbly, your excellency. [Hides the money.] TATIANA ALEXEYEVNA. [Sits by her husband] It’s time I went home.... [Looks at watch] But I haven’t done yet.... I’ll finish in one minute and go away.... What a time we had! Yes, what a time! We went to spend the evening at the Berezhnitskys.... It was all right, quite fun, but nothing in particular.... Katya’s devoted Grendilevsky was there, of course.... Well, I talked to Katya, cried, and induced her to talk to Grendilevsky and refuse him. Well, I thought, everything’s, settled the best possible way; I’ve quieted mamma down, saved Katya, and can be quiet myself.... What do you think? Katya and I were going along the avenue, just before supper, and suddenly... [Excitedly] And suddenly we heard a shot.... No, I can’t talk about it calmly! [Waves her handkerchief] No, I can’t! SHIPUCHIN. [Sighs] Ouf! TATIANA ALEXEYEVNA. [Weeps] We ran to the summer-house, and there... there poor Grendilevsky was lying... with a pistol in his hand.... SHIPUCHIN. No, I can’t stand this! I can’t stand it! [To MERCHUTKINA] What else do you want? MERCHUTKINA. Your excellency, can’t my husband go back to his job? TATIANA ALEXEYEVNA. [Weeping] He’d shot himself right in the heart... here.... And the poor man had fallen down senseless.... And he was awfully frightened, as he lay there... and asked for a doctor. A doctor came soon... and saved the unhappy man.... MERCHUTKINA. Your excellency, can’t my husband go back to his job? SHIPUCHIN. No, I can’t stand this! [Weeps] I can’t stand it! [Stretches out both his hands in despair to KHIRIN] Drive her away! Drive her away, I implore you! KHIRIN. [Goes up to TATIANA ALEXEYEVNA] Get out of this! SHIPUCHIN. Not her, but this one... this awful woman.... [Points] That one! KHIRIN. [Not understanding, to TATIANA ALEXEYEVNA] Get out of this! [Stamps] Get out! TATIANA ALEXEYEVNA. What? What are you doing? Have you taken leave of your senses?