OSSEP [_on the other side of the stage to Chacho_]. You G.o.dforsaken!

Could you not wait a moment?

CHACHO. What is the matter now?

OSSEP. Only G.o.d in heaven knows how I stand! Think of it! Santurian has failed.

CHACHO. Great heaven!

ALEXANDER [_offering Nato his arm_]. Something must have happened!

[_They go off at the left, Salome following_.

OSSEP. Righteous G.o.d, why dost thou punish me thus?

SALOME [_returning to Ossep_]. Do with me as you will, but it could not have been helped. I have promised him 7,000 rubles as dowry, [_Turning to Chacho as she leaves the room_:] Pray come with me, aunt. You come, too, Ossep.

[_Exit Salome_.

SCENE XIII

OSSEP [_much excited_]. What do I hear? Has she spoken the truth? Do you hear? Why do you not answer me? Why are you silent? [_Still more excited_.] It is true, then! Yes, yes, I see that it is true! O G.o.d, let lightning strike this unlucky house that we may all die together. I have just lost an important sum and come home to prevent further negotiations. And see there!

CHACHO. I am to blame for it. Do not get excited. I will add 1,000 rubles to it, if need be, from the money I have laid by for my burial.

OSSEP. From your burial money? Have I already fallen so low that I must ask alms? Keep your money for yourself! I do not want it. Drop that complaint also, for I am still rich, very rich. How can it injure me that Santurian has failed? I stand here firm and unshakable, and have inexhaustible money resources. [_Tearing his hair_.] O G.o.d! O G.o.d!

[_Walks to and fro excitedly_.] Now I will go and wish my son-in-law joy. Yes, I must go so that I shall not make myself ridiculous to him.

The man is a government official!

[_Exit right, laughing bitterly_.

CHACHO. Gracious heaven, be thou our saviour and deliverer.

CURTAIN.

ACT SECOND

SCENE I

_A richly furnished sales-room in Barssegh's house_.

MICHO. Two, three, four, five, six and this little piece. It does not measure so much!

BARSSEGH [_standing up and giving Micho a rap on the nose_]. You have what is lacking there. Measure again. Now you've got what is lacking. I will tear your soul out of your body if you measure so that in seven arschin[44] it comes out one werschok short.

[44] Russian measure of length.

MICHO [_measuring again_]. O dear, O dear!

BARSSEGH. Look out, or I will take that "O dear" out of your ear. Be up and at it now!

MICHO. Oh, Mr. Barssegh! [_Measuring._] One, two, three--

BARSSEGH. Stretch it, you blockhead.

MICHO [_stretching the cotton_]. Three, four. [_Wipes the perspiration from his brow_.]

BARSSEGH. What is the matter with you? You sweat as though you had a mule-pack on your back.

MICHO. Five.

BARSSEGH. Pull it out more.

MICHO. Six and this little piece. It lacks three werschok again.

BARSSEGH [_pulling his ears_]. It lacks three werschok? There they are!

MICHO. Oh my, oh my!

BARSSEGH. You calf; will you ever develop into a man?

MICHO. O dear mother!

BARSSEGH [_pulling him again by the ear_]. Doesn't it grow longer?

MICHO [_crying_]. Dear Mr. Barssegh, dear sir, let me go.

BARSSEGH. I want to teach you how to measure.

MICHO. It reaches, I say; it reaches, indeed; it reaches. Let me measure again.

BARSSEGH. Now take care that you make it seven arschin.

MICHO [_aside_]. Holy Karapet, help me. [_Measuring_.] One, two--

BARSSEGH. O you blockhead!

MICHO. Three.

BARSSEGH Wake up!

MICHO. Four.

BARSSEGH. Haven't you seen how Dartscho measures?