AMMOS. Please don't mention it! It is a great honor to have you take it. I'll try to deserve it--by putting forth the best of my feeble powers, by my zeal and ardor for the government. [Rises from the chair and draws himself up straight with his hands hanging at his sides.] I will not venture to disturb you longer with my presence. You don't care to give any orders? KHLESTAKOV. What orders? JUDGE. I mean, would you like to give orders for the district court here? KHLESTAKOV. What for? I have nothing to do with the court now. No, nothing. Thank you very much. AMMOS [bowing and leaving. Aside.]. Now the town is ours. KHLESTAKOV. The Judge is a fine fellow. SCENE IV Khlestakov and the Postmaster. POSTMASTER [in uniform, sword in hand. Drawing himself up]. I have the honor to present myself--Postmaster, Court Councilor Shpekin. KHLESTAKOV. I'm glad to meet you. I like pleasant company very much. Take a seat. Do you live here all the time? POSTMASTER. Yes, sir. Quite so. KHLESTAKOV. I like this little town. Of course, there aren't many people. It's not very lively. But what of it? It isn't the capital. Isn't that so--it isn't the capital? POSTMASTER. Quite so, quite so. KHLESTAKOV. It's only in the capital that you find bon-ton and not a lot of provincial lubbers. What is your opinion? Isn't that so? POSTMASTER. Quite so. [Aside.] He isn't a bit proud. He inquires about everything. KHLESTAKOV. And yet you'll admit that one can live happily in a little town. POSTMASTER. Quite so. KHLESTAKOV. In my opinion what you want is this--you want people to respect you and to love you sincerely. Isn't that so? POSTMASTER. Exactly. KHLESTAKOV. I'm glad you agree with me. Of course, they call me queer. But that's the kind of character I am. [Looking him in the face and talking to himself.] I think I'll ask this postmaster for a loan. [Aloud.] A strange accident happened to me and I ran out of cash on the road. Can you lend me three hundred rubles? POSTMASTER. Of course. I shall esteem it a piece of great good fortune. I am ready to serve you with all my heart. KHLESTAKOV. Thank you very much. I must say, I hate like the devil to deny myself on the road. And why should I? Isn't that so? POSTMASTER. Quite so. [Rises, draws himself up, with his sword in his hand.] I'll not venture to disturb you any more. Would you care to make any remarks about the post office administration? KHLESTAKOV. No, nothing. The Postmaster bows and goes out. KHLESTAKOV [lighting a cigar]. It seems to me the Postmaster is a fine fellow, too. He's certainly obliging. I like people like that. SCENE V Khlestakov and Luka Lukich, who is practically pushed in on the stage. A voice behind him is heard saying nearly aloud, "Don't be chickenhearted." LUKA [drawing himself up, trembling, with his hand on his sword]. I have the honor to present myself--School Inspector, Titular Councilor Khlopov.