LEONID FYODORITCH. But did I not write and tell you that I should not agree to it unless you brought the whole sum? FIRST PEASANT. That's just it. It would be more agreeable, but it is not in our possibilities, I mean. LEONID FYODORITCH. Well then, the thing can't be done! FIRST PEASANT. The Commune, for example, relied its hopes on that, that you made the offer last year to sell it in easy 'stalments.... LEONID FYODORITCH. That was last year. I would have agreed to it then, but now I can't. SECOND PEASANT. But how's that? We've been depending on your promise-- we've got the papers ready and have collected the money! THIRD PEASANT. Be merciful, master! We're short of land; we'll say nothing about cattle, but even a hen, let's say, we've no room to keep. (Bows.) Don't wrong us, master! [Bows. LEONID FYODORITCH. Of course it's quite true, that I agreed last year to let you have the land for payment by instalments, but now circumstances are such that it would be inconvenient. SECOND PEASANT. Without this land we cannot live! FIRST PEASANT. That's just it. Without land our lives must grow weaker and come to a decline. THIRD PEASANT (bowing). Master, we have so little land, let's not talk about the cattle, but even a chicken, let's say, we've no room for. Master, be merciful, accept the money, master! LEONID FYODORITCH (examining the document). I quite understand, and should like to help you. Wait a little; I will give you an answer in half-an-hour.... Theodore, say I am engaged and am not to be disturbed. THEODORE IVANITCH. Yes, sir. [Exit LEONID FYODORITCH. [The PEASANTS look dejected. SECOND PEASANT. Here's a go! "Give me the whole sum," he says. And where are we to get it from? FIRST PEASANT. If he had not given us hopes, for example. As it is we felt quite insured it would be as was said last year. THIRD PEASANT. Oh, Lord! and I had begun unwrapping the money. (Begins wrapping up the bundle of bank-notes again.) What are we to do now? THEODORE IVANITCH. What is your business, then? FIRST PEASANT. Our business, respected sir, depends in this. Last year he made us the offer of our buying the land in 'stalments. The Commune entered upon these terms and gave us the powers of atturning, and now d'you see he makes the offering that we should pay the whole in full! And as it turns out, the business is no ways convenient for us. THEODORE IVANITCH. What is the whole sum? FIRST PEASANT. The whole sum in readiness is 4000 roubles, you see. THEODORE IVANITCH. Well, what of that? Make an effort and collect more. FIRST PEASANT. Such as it is, it was collected with much effort. We have, so to say, in this sense, not got ammunition enough. SECOND PEASANT. You can't get blood out of a stone. THIRD PEASANT. We'd be glad with all our hearts, but we have swept even this together, as you might say, with a broom. [VASILY LEONIDITCH and PETRISTCHEF appear in the doorway both smoking cigarettes.