First Peasant. Chef, so to speak. Does he live here?
Yákov. No. He is not allowed to stay here. He is in one place in the daytime, and in another in the night. If he has three kopeks, he stays in a night lodging-house; and if he has spent it on drinks, he comes here.
Second Peasant. What is the matter with him?
Yákov. He is weak. What a man he used to be! A real gentleman. He used to wear a gold watch, and received as high as forty roubles a month in wages. And now he would have starved long ago, if Lukérya had not helped him out.
Scene XII. The same and Cook (with the cabbage).
Yákov (to Lukérya). I see, Pável Petróvich is here again.
Cook. Where shall he go to? Shall he freeze to death?
Third Peasant. See what liquor will do! The liquor, let me say— (Clicks his tongue in compassion.)
Second Peasant. Of course: if a man wants to be firm, he is firmer than rock; if he weakens, he is weaker than water.
Old Cook (crawls down from the oven, trembling with his legs and arms). Lukérya, I say,—let me have a wine-glass!
Cook. Where are you going? I will let you have such a wine-glass—
Old Cook. For the love of God! I am dying. Friends, let me have five kopeks!
Cook. I tell you, climb back on the oven!
Old Cook. Cook! Half a glass! For Christ's sake, I say,—you understand? I beg you, for Christ's sake.
Cook. Go, go! You may have some tea.
Old Cook. What tea? What is tea? A stupid and
