VASILY LEONIDITCH. I have told you already I'll do my best, so, of course, I will do all that is possible! Eh, what? PETRISTCHEF. You must just understand that if you do not get it, the devil only knows what a mess we shall be in! VASILY LEONIDITCH. But I've already said I'll do my best, and so I will. Eh, what? PETRISTCHEF. Nothing. I only say, get some at any cost; I will wait. [Exit into VASILY LEONIDITCH'S room, closing door. VASILY LEONIDITCH (waving his arm). It's a deuce of a go! [The PEASANTS bow. VASILY LEONIDITCH (looking at PORTER, to THEODORE IVANITCH). Why don't you attend to this fellow from Bourdier? He hasn't come to take lodgings with us, has he? Just look, he is asleep! Eh, what? THEODORE IVANITCH. The note he brought has been sent in, and he has been told to wait until Anna Pavlovna comes down. VASILY LEONIDITCH (looks at PEASANTS and notices the money). And what is this? Money? For whom? Is it for us? (To THEODORE IVANITCH.) Who are they? THEODORE IVANITCH. They are peasants from Koursk. They are buying land. VASILY LEONIDITCH. Has it been sold them? THEODORE IVANITCH. No, they have not yet come to any agreement. They are too stingy? VASILY LEONIDITCH. Eh? Well, we must try and persuade them. (To the PEASANTS.) Here, I say, are you buying land? Eh? FIRST PEASANT. That's just it. We have made an offering as how we should like to acquire the possession of the land. VASILY LEONIDITCH. Then you should not be so stingy, you know. Just let me tell you how necessary land is to peasants! Eh, what? It's very necessary, isn't it? FIRST PEASANT. That's just it. The land appears as the very first and foremost necessity to a peasant. That's just it. VASILY LEONIDITCH. Then why be so stingy? Just you think what land is! Why, one can sow wheat on it in rows! I tell you, you could get eighty bushels of wheat, at a rouble and a half a bushel--that would be 120 roubles. Eh, what? Or else mint! I tell you, you could collar 400 roubles off an acre by sowing mint! FIRST PEASANT. That's just it. All sorts of products one could put into action if one had the right understanding. VASILY LEONIDITCH. Mint! Decidedly mint! I have learnt about it, you know. It's all printed in books. I can show them you. Eh, what? FIRST PEASANT. That's just it, all concerns are clearer to you through your books. That's learnedness, of course. VASILY LEONIDITCH. Then pay up and don't be stingy! (To THEODORE IVANITCH.) Where's papa? THEODORE IVANITCH. He gave orders not to be disturbed just now. VASILY LEONIDITCH. Oh, I suppose he's consulting a spirit whether to sell the land or not? Eh, what? THEODORE IVANITCH. I can't say. All I know is that be went away undecided about it. VASILY LEONIDITCH. What d'you think, Theodore Ivanitch, is he flush of cash? Eh, what? THEODORE IVANITCH. I don't know. I hardly think so. But what does it matter to you? You drew a good sum not more than a week ago.