d will see nobody! No, it's all
right, you don't see me.... I'm going to stay and will sit here till you
give me the money. You can be ill for a week, if you like, and I'll stay
here for a week.... If you're ill for a year--I'll stay for a year.
I'm going to get my own, my dear! You don't get at me with your widow's
weeds and your dimpled cheeks! I know those dimples! [Shouts through the
window] Simeon, take them out! We aren't going away at once! I'm staying
here! Tell them in the stable to give the horses some oats! You
fool, you've let the near horse's leg get tied up in the reins again!
[Teasingly] "Never mind...." I'll give it you. "Never mind." [Goes away
from the window] Oh, it's bad.... The heat's frightful, nobody pays up.
I slept badly, and on top of everything else here's a bit of fluff in
mourning with "a state of mind."... My head's aching.... Shall I have
some vodka, what? Yes, I think I will. [Yells] Waiter!

[Enter LUKA.]

LUKA. What is it?

SMIRNOV. A glass of vodka! [Exit LUKA] Ouf! [Sits and inspects himself]
I must say I look well! Dust all over, boots dirty, unwashed, unkempt,
straw on my waistcoat.... The dear lady may well have taken me for a
brigand. [Yawns] It's rather impolite to come into a drawing-room in
this state, but it can't be helped.... I am not here as a visitor,
but as a creditor, and there's no dress specially prescribed for
creditors....

[Enter LUKA with the vodka.]

LUKA. You allow yourself to go very far, sir....

SMIRNOV [Angrily] What?

LUKA. I... er... nothing... I really...

SMIRNOV. Whom are you talking to? Shut up!

LUKA. [Aside] The devil's come to stay.... Bad luck that brought him....
[Exit.]

SMIRNOV. Oh, how angry I am! So angry that I think I could grind the
whole world to dust.... I even feel sick.... [Yells] Waiter!

[Enter POPOVA.]

POPOVA. [Her eyes downcast] Sir, in my solitude I have grown
unaccustomed to the masculine voice, and I can't stand shouting. I must
ask you not to disturb my peace.

SMIRNOV. Pay me the money, and I'll go.

POPOVA. I told you perfectly plainly; I haven't any money to spare; wait
until the day after to-morrow.

SMIRNOV. And I told you perfectly plainly I don't want the money the day
after to-morrow, but to-day. If you don't pay me to-day, I'll have to
hang myself to-morrow.

POPOVA. But what can I do if I haven't got the money? You're so strange!

SMIRNOV. Then you won't pay me now? Eh?

POPOVA. I can't.

SMI