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Updated: June 5, 2025
Suddenly a dark shadow crossed the window, and a minute later the girl Aksiutka quickly entered the room, exclaiming: "The boyarinia commands you, Polikey Illitch, to come to her this moment!" Polikey looked first at Akulina and then at the girl. "This moment!" he cried. "What more is wanted?"
Akulina, unable to restrain her impatience, asked, "Well, what did she want with you?" "Pshaw!" he replied, "it is very well known that Polikushka is considered the worst man in the village; but when it comes to business of importance, who is selected then? Why, Polikushka, of course." "What kind of business?" Akulina timidly inquired. But Polikey was in no hurry to answer her question.
The children also anxiously awaited their father's appearance, and, though for different reasons, could hardly restrain their impatience. The noblewoman and Akulina were concerned only in regard to Polikey himself, while the children were interested most in what he would bring them from the town.
"Please do not allow it to trouble you, my dear Count. I never considered you responsible for it, and of course you cannot " "It is a shame!" Akulina broke in, angrily. "You ought to make him pay it out of what he earns, since he took the Gigerl!" "Madam," said the Count, addressing her with great civility, "if it is agreeable to you, we will not discuss the matter.
"Mamma took Natalya with her to help her dress for the performance, and Akulina has gone to the wood to get mushrooms. Father, why is it that when gnats bite you their stomachs get red?" "I don't know. . . . Because they suck blood. So there is no one in the house, then?" "No one; I am all alone in the house." Zaikin sat down in an easy-chair, and for a moment gazed blankly at the window.
"No," replied Polikey. Akulina did not once look at him all the time he was putting on his boots and preparing to go to the court. Perhaps, after all, it was better that she did not do so. His face was very pale and his lips trembled.
Akulina's unmistakable step was heard in the passage a moment later. Schmidt would have preferred that Fischelowitz should have come himself, though he managed to live on very good terms with Akulina. Though far from tactful he guessed that in a matter concerning the Count, the tobacconist would prove more obliging than his wife.
For the poor fellow-countryman was one of the Count's friends, and Akulina Fischelowitz abhors the Count and loathes him, and the Wiener Gigerl was the beginning of the end.
I shall be obliged if you will inform Count Skariatine that Konstantin Grabofsky desires the honour of an interview with him." "Go and call him, Akulina," said Fischelowitz, "since the gentleman wishes to see him." "Go yourself," retorted his wife. "Go together, and be quick about it!" said the Consul, who was tired of waiting. "And please to say that I wait his convenience," added the lawyer.
Take an oath before God, and kiss the cross, so that I may be sure that you will not break your promise!" Polikey replied in most contemptuous tones: "Do you think I will dare to touch vodki when I shall have such a large sum of money in my care?" "Akulina, have a clean shirt ready for the morning," were his parting words for the night.
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