character, and I don’t find any distraction in empty pleasures. But this has nothing to do with dancing. Excuse me, Mama, but I don’t understand a lot of your behaviour. For instance, besides all the things for the house, you promised to give me your two lottery-tickets with your daughter. Where are they?
Nastasia: How my head aches!—If this weather keeps on, there ought to be a thaw.
Aplombov: You won’t wear my teeth out with talking! I found out to-day that your tickets were pledged at the bank. Excuse me, Mama, but only exploiters behave like that. Now, I'm not speaking from selfishness—I don’t want your tickets!—but from principle; I don’t let anybody deceive me. I’ve made your daughter happy, and, if you don’t hand me over those tickets to-day, I’ll eat your daughter with pudding! I’m a man of noble feelings.
Nastasia (looking at the table and counting the places): One, two, three, four, five
Servant: The cook wants to know how you order the ices to be served, with rum, with madeira, or without anything.
Aplombov: With rum. And tell the proprietor
