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Mashurina did not take the slightest notice of the visitor as she passed him, but went straight up to Nejdanov, gave him a hearty shake of the hand, and left the room without bowing to anyone. Ostrodumov followed her, making an unnecessary noise with his boots, and snorting out once or twice contemptuously, "There's a beaver collar for you!"
"What is the meaning of this?" he asked in a squeaky voice. "A duet? Why not a trio? And where's the chief tenor? "Do you mean Nejdanov, Mr. Paklin?" Ostrodumov asked solemnly. "Yes, Mr. Ostrodumov." "He will be back directly, Mr. Paklin." "I am glad to hear that, Mr. Ostrodumov." The little cripple turned to Mashurina. She frowned, and continued leisurely puffing her cigarette.
Nejdanov shrugged his shoulders. "I've already told you, dear, that we've decided nothing as yet; we must wait a little longer." "But why?" "Those were our last instructions." "From whom?" "Why, you know... from Vassily Nikolaevitch. And then we must wait until Ostrodumov comes back." Mariana looked questioningly at Nejdanov. "But tell me, have you ever seen this Vassily Nikolaevitch? "Yes.
They are very honest, worthy folk, but so hopelessly stupid! You need only look at our friend. The very soles of his boots are not like those worn by intelligent people. Why did he hurry away just now? Only because he did not want to be in the same room with an aristocrat, to breathe the same air " "Please don't talk like that about Ostrodumov before me!" Nejdanov burst out.
Come in," an equally coarse woman's voice responded from the adjoining room. "Is that Mashurina?" asked the newcomer. "Yes, it is I. Are you Ostrodumov? "Pemien Ostrodumov," he replied, carefully removing his goloshes, and hanging his shabby coat on a nail, he went into the room from whence issued the woman's voice.
Ostrodumov muttered something between his teeth, but Paklin continued without the slightest trace of a smile on his face. "No, I am not always laughing! I am not at all a cheerful person. You have only to look at me!" Ostrodumov looked at him.
Even my little poll-parrots are no more...I don't think you knew them, by the way. They both died on the same day, as I always predicted they would. And Nejdanov... poor Nejdanov! I suppose you know " "Yes, I know," Mashurina interrupted him, still looking away. "And do you know about Ostrodumov too?" Mashurina merely nodded her head.
I know you don't like it being mentioned. I know it is not very exciting to write the sort of stuff wanted, and in the modern style too. "Oh, I love you," she bounded " "It's all the same to me," he replied, scratching himself. "That is precisely why I advise you to get to know all sorts and conditions, beginning from the very highest. We must not be entirely dependent on people like Ostrodumov!
"He's bored," she remarked, lighting it carefully. "Bored!" Ostrodumov repeated reproachfully. "What self-indulgence! One would think we had no work to do. Heaven knows how we shall get through with it, and he complains of being bored!" "Have you heard from Moscow?" Mashurina asked after a pause. "Yes. A letter came three days ago." "Have you read it?" Ostrodumov nodded his head. "Well? What news?
I would go away from here with the greatest of pleasure, if some fool could be found who would offer me a place!" "You should first fulfill your duties here," Mashurina remarked significantly, her face still turned away. "What duties?" Nejdanov asked, turning towards her. Mashurina bit her lip. "Ask Ostrodumov." Nejdanov turned to Ostrodumov.
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