_Koch._ This minute, certainly; and here she comes. (_Enter AGÀFIA._) Madam, I have brought to your feet the mortal whom you see. There never was a man so desperately in love—poor fellow, I wouldn’t wish an enemy to be in such a state.... _Pod._ (_nudging his arm; softly_). I say, old fellow, don’t lay it on too thick.... _Koch._ (_aside to him_). All right. (_Aside to her._) Help him out, he’s very shy; try to be as easy as possible. Make the most of your eyebrows, or keep your eyes down and then flash them at him suddenly—you know how!—or bend your shoulder somehow and let the dog look at it! I’m sorry, though, you didn’t put on a dress with short sleeves; however, it’s no matter. (_Aloud._) Well, I leave you in agreeable company. I’ll just look into your dining-room and kitchen a minute; I must make arrangements—the man I ordered the supper from will be here in a minute; perhaps the wine has come already.... Good-bye! (_Aside to PODKOLYÒSSIN._) Out with it; don’t be afraid! (_Exit._) _Agàfia._ Will you sit down, please? (_They sit down; silence._) _Pod._ Do you like the water, madam? _Agàfia._ How do you mean—the water? _Pod._ I mean—to go boating in summer, in the suburbs. _Agàfia._ Yes, we sometimes make an excursion with friends. _Pod._ I wonder what sort of summer we shall have? _Agàfia._ It is to be hoped it will be fine. (_Silence._) _Pod._ What is your favourite flower, madam? _Agàfia._ The carnation; it smells so sweet. _Pod._ Flowers are very becoming for ladies. _Agàfia._ Yes, they make an agreeable occupation. (_Silence._) What church did you go to last Sunday? _Pod._ To the Voznessénsky, and the week before to the Kazansky Cathedral. But it is all the same—one can pray in any church. (_Silence. PODKOLYÒSSIN drums on the table with his fingers._) The Ekaterinhof excursions will soon begin now. _Agàfia._ In a month, I think. _Pod._ Even less than a month. _Agàfia._ I expect there will be some pleasant excursions. _Pod._ To-day is the eighth—(_counts on his fingers_)—ninth, tenth, eleventh—in twenty-two days. _Agàfia._ Dear me, how soon! _Pod._ I don’t count to-day in. (_Silence._) What a daring race the Russians are! _Agàfia._ How so? _Pod._ The working men. They will stand right on the top of anything.... I passed a house to-day that was being plastered; and there stood the plasterer ... afraid of nothing. _Agàfia._ Indeed? And where was this? _Pod._ On my way, where I always have to pass, going to the Department. I attend regularly every day now. (_Silence. PODKOLYÒSSIN again drums on the table; at last takes his hat, rises, and bows._) _Agàfia._ Going already? _Pod._ Yes.... Pardon me, I have perhaps bored you. _Agàfia._ How could that be! On the contrary, I ought to thank you for causing me to pass the time so pleasantly. _Pod._ (_smiling_). Really, I am afraid I have bored you. _Agàfia._ Oh no, indeed! _Pod._ In that case, allow me to come in some other time—some evening.