Page:Anthology of Modern Slavonic Literature in Prose and Verse by Paul Selver.djvu/76

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52
FYODOR SOLOGUB

"Our condition is that the gentleman would consent to sit in the window of our store in the capacity of a living advertisement."

Aglaya gave a malicious laugh.

"Splendid! At any rate, he'll be out of my sight."

"I won't consent," squeaked Saranin, in a piercing voice. ‘"I cannot agree to such a thing. I,—a court councillor and a knight, sitting in a shop-window as an advertisement,—why, I think it's absolutely ridiculous."

"Be quiet," shouted Aglaya, "it's not you they're asking."

"What, not asking me?" wailed Saranin. "How much longer am I to put up with strangers?"

"Oh no, sir, you're making a mistake!" chimed in the young man amiably. "Our firm has no connection with aliens. Our employees are all either orthodox or Lutherans from Riga. And we have no Jews."

"I don't want to sit in the window" screamed Saranin.

He stamped his feet. Aglaya seized him by the arm. She pulled him towards the bed-room.

"Where are you dragging me?" screamed Saranin. "I don't want to, leave go."

"I'll quieten you," shouted Aglaya.

She locked the door.