_Serafima._ Not for anything on earth! The peasants won’t pay; the village may burn down; or the crops will fail five years running; what should we do then? _Paul._ Crops don’t fail five years running. _Serafima._ But they may do; you’re not a prophet, you know. _Paul._ Well then, let’s buy a house and put in tenants. _Serafima._ But the tenants won’t pay. _Paul._ How do you mean, they won’t pay? One can prosecute if they don’t. _Serafima._ And if the house burns down? _Paul._ We must insure it. _Serafima._ Then invaders will come and destroy everything! No, no, not for the world! _Paul._ Well, well, we won’t talk any more about it. _Serafima._ Think of it yourself; you’re a young man still; we may have children. _Paul._ Of course we shall have children; but what of that? The more money we get, the more there will be for the children. _Serafima._ No, no; I don’t want even to hear about it, or I shall only get miserable; you musn’t put me out. What’s the use of circulation? We can live as we are; we have enough of everything. (_Meditates._) You are free to-day; you haven’t gone to the office.... (_Embraces him._) _Paul_ (_detaching himself from her arms_). No, Serafima; as you like, but I must have a talk with you. _Serafima_ (_seriously_). What now? _Paul._ This, my dear: if you really love me, give me five thousand silver roubles. I need the money pressingly for a certain business. It is a very profitable business, Serafima; I won’t tell you what it is now; but we may get the amount doubled, or perhaps even more. Indeed, I am almost sure that it will be more. [Illustration: SERAFIMA: “FIVE—THOUSAND—SILVER—ROUBLES! HOW MUCH WILL THAT BE IN PAPER MONEY?” PAUL: “HOW SHOULD I KNOW?” ] _Serafima._ Five—thousand—silver—roubles! How much will that be in paper money? _Paul._ How should I know? _Serafima._ Stop; I’ll calculate it. (_Takes paper and pencil out of pocket and calculates._) Ah! ah! (_Rushes away._) _Paul._ What can be the matter now? What’s frightened her? I can’t make it out! Does she suppose I’m going to spend all my life in making love? That’s a good idea! Is she miserly? or what is it? I must find out which she loves best—me or money. If she loves me best, the matter can be set right. But if she loves the money best, I’ve run my neck into a halter. (_Enter_ MADAME PRÈZHNEV.) _Madame P._ _Bonjour_, Paul! _Paul._ _Bonjour, Maman!_ _Madame P._ (_sits down_). I’ve just been into your wife’s room. What is the matter with her? She’s crying, and getting ready to go out. _Paul._ We’ve had a little scene. _Madame P._ Oh, Paul! already? So soon after the wedding! Did you do anything to hurt her feelings? Woman is such a frail and tender creature. _Paul._ Why the devil should I hurt her feelings? I only asked her for money. _Madame P._ Were you gentle enough with her?