What are you thinking of, Savva Yegorovich? That's your concern. As to your offer, of course, money always comes in handy. It will enable me to leave the monastery. I'll tell you in confidence, I have long been nursing a scheme--it's my dream--to settle somewhere along the road and start an inn. I like company. I am a talkative chap myself. I know I'll succeed. It doesn't hurt a host to have a drink now and then. The guests like it. With a jolly host you'll spend every penny you have, and your pants besides, and you won't notice it. I know by personal experience. SAVVA Why not? You can start an inn if you want to. KONDRATY And besides, I am still in the full vigor of manhood. Instead of sinning here, I'd rather get legally married. SAVVA Don't forget to invite me to the wedding. I'll act as your godfather. KONDRATY You are too young. As to the money--when shall it be, before or after? SAVVA Judas got his before. KONDRATY _(offended)_ There now, when you should be doing your best to persuade me, you call me Judas. It isn't pleasant. The idea of calling a living man Judas! SAVVA Judas was a fool. He hanged himself. You are going to start an inn. KONDRATY Again? If that's what you think of me-- SAVVA _(slapping his shoulders)_ Well, well, uncle, don't you see I'm joking? Judas betrayed a man, and you are not going to betray anything but lumber. Is that right, old man? _Speransky and Tony appear, the latter walking very unsteadily._ KONDRATY There--brought by the devil! With us carrying on this kind of conversation, and they-- SAVVA It's agreed then? KONDRATY Oh, you're too much for me. SPERANSKY _(bowing)_ Good evening once more, Mr. Savva Tropinin. Mr. Anthony and myself have just been at the other end, in the cemetery. A woman was buried there to-day, so we wanted to have a look. SAVVA To see if she hadn't crawled out of her grave? What are you dragging him along with you for? Tony, go to bed, you can't stand on your feet. TONY I won't go. SPERANSKY Tony is very excited to-day. He sees all kinds of faces. SAVVA Funny faces? TONY Yes, funny. What else can you expect? _(Sadly)_ Your face, Savva, is very, very funny. SAVVA All right, go along with you! Take him home. What are you dragging him about with you for? SPERANSKY Good-bye. Come along, Mr. Anthony. _[Speransky goes out. Tony follows him, looking back at Savva, and stumbling as he goes along. They disappear in the dark._ KONDRATY It's time for us also to be going. Have you got that money at hand? SAVVA Yes, I have. Now listen. Sunday is the feast-day. You are to take the machine Saturday morning and plant it at night at half past eleven, four days from now. I'll show you how to do it and everything else that's necessary. Four days more. I am sick of staying in this place. KONDRATY And suppose I betray you? SAVVA _(darkly)_ Then I'd kill you. KONDRATY Good heavens! SAVVA