"What is all this nonsense?" cried Pugatchéf. "What do these tea-boxes and breeches with cuffs matter to me?" Savéliitch cleared his throat with a cough, and set to work to explain matters. "Let my father condescend to understand that that is the bill of my master's goods which have been taken away by the rascals." "What rascals?" quoth Pugatchéf, in a fierce and terrible manner. "Beg pardon, my tongue played me false," replied Savéliitch. "Rascals, no they are not rascals; but still your fellows have well harried and well robbed, you must agree. Do not get angry; the horse has four legs, and yet he stumbles. Bid him read to the end." "Well, let us see, read on," said Pugatchéf. The Secretary continued-- "One chintz rug, another of wadded silk, four roubles; one pelisse fox skin lined with red ratteen, forty roubles; and lastly, a small hareskin '_touloup_,' which was left in the hands of your lordship in the wayside house on the steppe, fifteen roubles." "What's that?" cried Pugatchéf, whose eyes suddenly sparkled. I confess I was in fear for my poor follower. He was about to embark on new explanations when Pugatchéf interrupted him. "How dare you bother me with such nonsense?" cried he, snatching the paper out of the hands of the Secretary and throwing it in Savéliitch's face. "Foolish old man, you have been despoiled; well, what does it signify. But, old owl, you should eternally pray God for me and my lads that you and your master do not swing up there with the other rebels. A hareskin '_touloup!_' Hark ye, I'll have you flayed alive that '_touloups_' may be made of your skin." "As it may please you!" replied Savéliitch. "But I am not a free man, and I must answer for my lord's goods." Pugatchéf was apparently in a fit of high-mindedness. He turned aside his head, and went off without another word. Chvabrine and the chiefs followed him. All the band left the fort in order. The people escorted it. I remained alone in the square with Savéliitch. My follower held in his hand the memorandum, and was contemplating it with an air of deep regret. Seeing my friendly understanding with Pugatchéf, he had thought to turn it to some account. But his wise hope did not succeed. I was going to scold him sharply for his misplaced zeal, and I could not help laughing. "Laugh, sir, laugh," said Savéliitch; "but when you are obliged to fit up your household anew, we shall see if you still feel disposed to laugh." I ran to the pope's house to see Marya Ivánofna. The pope's wife came to meet me with a sad piece of news. During the night high fever had set in, and the poor girl was now delirious. Akoulina Pamphilovna brought me to her room. I gently approached the bed. I was struck by the frightful change in her face. The sick girl did not know me. Motionless before her, it was long ere I understood the words of Father Garasim and his wife, who apparently were trying to comfort me.