_Shiryàlov._ Eh! It’s as good as a play. (_Laughs, moves his chair nearer, and speaks in a whisper._) Last year, my good sir, this Armenian came to the town with silk to sell; and he got playing ducks and drakes with his money, just like my Sènka. People began to talk about him in the town—you know how ... and I’d got I O U’s of his for fifteen thousand. It’s a bad business, thinks I. There was no getting rid of them in the town; everybody smelled a rat. Just about that time our manufacturer turned up; his factory’s in a town some way off, you know. I went straight to him, before he’d heard about it; and what do you think, sir? Got rid of them all in a lump! _Antìp._ Well, and what was the end of it? _Shiryàlov._ Just twenty-five kopecks. (_Laughs._) _Antìp._ No? Really? That’s capital! (_Laughs._) _Shiryàlov._ But Sènka’s not like that; no, no, sir, not that sort at all. Verily the Almighty chastises me in my son! He keeps company with the Lord knows what sort of rag-tag-and-bobtail (_puts down cup_), with people not fit to speak to.... _Stepanìda._ Another cup? _Shiryàlov._ No more, little mother, no more. _Stepanìda._ Without ceremony—— _Shiryàlov._ Can’t, little mother, can’t, indeed. (_Bows._) _Stepanìda._ As you like; but there’s plenty more. _Shiryàlov._ Can’t, really. (_Rises and bows._) _Stepanìda._ Dàrya, clear away the tea. (DÀRYA _enters, clears away tea, and goes out_). Good-bye, little father. _Shiryàlov._ Good-bye, little mother. (_They kiss._) _Stepanìda._ Don’t forget to look in on us. _Shiryàlov._ Always a pleasure, ma’am; always a pleasure. _Antìp._ I say, mamma, let’s have some brandy in; and a bite of something, and a bottle of Madeira, or something of that kind. Let’s have a drink, neighbour, eh? _Shiryàlov._ Eh! Antìp Antìpych, that would be too much trouble. _Antìp._ Not a bit of it; there’s no trouble. (STEPANÌDA _goes out_.) _Shiryàlov._ Yes, neighbour; he keeps away from home; he never goes near the shop. What does he care how his father has to get the money? It’s time I should have a little rest in my old age. But I’ve no one to depend on. The other day I went and served in the shop myself; I hadn’t done it for fifteen years. “I’ll just go and show my lazy louts how to do business,” said I to myself. And would you believe it, sir——(_Draws his chair nearer. Wine is brought in._) _Antìp._ Have a drink, neighbour! (_They drink._)