_Agàfia._ With the greatest pleasure. (_They bow. Exit PODKOLYÒSSIN._) _Agàfia_ (_alone_). What a superior person! I have only now learned to know him well; it would be difficult not to love him; he is at once modest and judicious. Yes, his friend spoke truly of him; I am only sorry that he went away so soon—I should have liked to hear him talk some more. How delightful it is to talk with him! The best of all is that he doesn’t talk small talk. I wanted to say two or three words to him, but I suddenly felt so timid, and my heart began to beat so.... What an excellent gentleman! ... I’ll go and tell auntie. (_Exit._) (_Enter_ PODKOLYÒSSIN _and_ KOCHKARYÒV.) _Koch._ Why go home? Whatever nonsense do you want to go home for? _Pod._ What should I stop here for? I’ve said all that’s proper already. _Koch._ Then you have made her an offer? _Pod._ N—no, that’s the only thing—I haven’t done that yet. _Koch._ Well you really are—why didn’t you? _Pod._ I should like to know how you expect me, without talking about anything else first, to plump the question that way—“Will you marry me, madam?” _Koch._ And _I_ should like to know whatever nonsense were you talking about for a whole half-hour? _Pod._ Oh, we talked about all sorts of things; and I acknowledge that I’m delighted. I passed the time most agreeably. _Koch._ Look here, man, think yourself; when are you going to get it all done at that rate? It will be time to go to church and be married in an hour. _Pod._ Are you gone mad? Be married to-day!... _Koch._ Why not? _Pod._ To-day! _Koch._ But you gave me your word; you said that as soon as the other suitors were got rid of, you were ready to be married at once. _Pod._ I’m quite willing to keep my word—only not at once. I must have at least a month breathing-time. _Koch._ A month! _Pod._ Of course. _Koch._ Are you gone right off your head? _Pod._ I can’t do with less than a month. _Koch._ But, you wooden block, you, I’ve ordered the supper!... Look here, Ivàn Kouzmìch, don’t be obstinate, there’s a good fellow; get married at once! _Pod._ My good man, what are you thinking of? How could I do it at once? _Koch._ Ivàn Kouzmìch, I ask it of you. If you don’t care to do it for your own sake, do it for mine. _Pod._ I tell you I can’t. _Koch._ You can, my dear fellow, you can, perfectly well; there now, don’t be so whimsical, don’t, please! _Pod._ But indeed I can’t do it; just think how odd it would seem! _Koch._ What is there odd about it? Who’s been putting that into your head? Now just be sensible and think it over; you’re a clever fellow—I don’t say that to flatter you, or creep into your good graces; I don’t say it because you’re an aulic counsellor—I say it out of sincere affection for you.... There now, dear old chap—make up your mind—look at the thing as a reasonable man should. _Pod._ If the thing were possible I would——