Part 23 (1/2)

He was a prompter, but got disgusted and gave it up; for about fifteen years he did not go to the theatre; then he went and saw a play, cried with emotion, felt sad, and, when his wife asked him on his return how he liked the theatre, he answered: ”I do not like it.”

The parlormaid Nadya fell in love with an exterminator of bugs and black beetles.

A Councillor of State; it came out after his death that, in order to earn a rouble, he was employed at the theatre to bark like a dog; he was poor.

You must have decent, well-dressed children, and your children too must have a nice house and children, and their children again children and nice houses; and what is it all for?--The devil knows.

Perkaturin.

Every day he forces himself to vomit--for the sake of his health, on the advice of a friend.

A Government official began to live an original life; a very tall chimney on his house, green trousers, blue waistcoat, a dyed dog, dinner at midnight; after a week he gave it up.

Success has already given that man a lick with its tongue.

In the bill presented by the hotel-keeper: was among other things: ”Bugs--fifteen kopecks.” Explanation.

”N. has fallen into poverty.”--”What? I can't hear.”--”I say N. has fallen into poverty.”--”What exactly do you say? I can't make out.

What N.?”--”The N. who married Z.”--”Well, what of it?”--”I say we ought to help him.”--”Eh? What him? Why help? What do you mean?”--and so on.

How pleasant to sit at home, when the rain is drumming on the roof, and to feel that there are no heavy dull guests coming to one's house.

N. always even after five gla.s.ses of wine, takes valerian drops.

He lives with a parlormaid who respectfully calls him Your Honor.