"Postman! Come in here." The postman entered the room. He rummaged in his bag and pretended to be searching for the letter. Varvara filled a large vodka-glass and cut off a piece of pie. The postman watched her greedily. In the meantime Peredonov was trying to think whom the postman resembled. At last he recalled--he was the same red-pimpled knave who had made him lose so heavily at cards. "He'll trick me again," thought Peredonov dejectedly, and made a Koukish[1] in his pocket. The red-haired knave gave the letter to Varvara. "It's for you," he said respectfully, thanked them for the vodka, drank it, grunted with satisfaction, picked up the piece of pie and walked out. Varvara turned the letter and without opening it held it out to Peredonov. "There, read it--I think it's from the Princess," she said with a smile. "What's the good of her writing? It would be much better if she gave you the job instead." Peredonov's hands trembled. He tore open the envelope and quickly read the letter. Then he jumped up from his place, waved the letter and cried out: "Hurrah! Three inspector's jobs, and I can have which one I want. Hurrah, Varvara, we've got it at last!" He began to dance and twirl round the room. With his immovably red face and dull eyes he seemed like a monstrously large mechanical dancing doll. Varvara smiled and looked at him happily. He shouted: "Now it's decided, Varvara--we'll get married." He caught Varvara by the shoulders and began to whirl her around the table, stamping with his feet. "A Russian dance, Varvara!" he shouted. Varvara put her arms akimbo and glided off into a dance, Peredonov danced before her in the Russian squat. Volodin entered and bleated joyously: "The future inspector is hopping the _trepak!_"[2] "Dance, Pavloushka!" cried Peredonov. Klavdia looked in at the door. Volodin shouted at her, laughing and grimacing: "Dance, Klavdiusha, you too! All together! We'll make merry with the future inspector." Klavdia gave a hoot and glided into the dance, moving her shoulders. Volodin adroitly whirled round in front of her--now he squatted, now he whirled round, now he jumped forward, clapping his hands together. He was especially adroit when he lifted his knee and clapped his hands underneath the knee. The floor vibrated under their heels. Klavdia was overjoyed to have such a clever partner. When they got tired they sat down at the table and Klavdia ran off into the kitchen laughing gaily. They drank vodka and they drank beer. They jingled bottles and glasses, they shouted, laughed, waved their arms, embraced and kissed each other. Afterwards Peredonov and Volodin went off to the Summer-garden--Peredonov was in a hurry to boast about the letter. In the billiard-room they found the usual company. Peredonov showed his letter to his friends. It created a great impression. Everyone examined it trustfully. Routilov went pale, muttered something and spat.