MICHO. Five.

BARSSEGH. Will you ever learn how to do it?

MICHO. Five.

BARSSEGH. If you keep on being so stupid my business will be ruined.

MICHO. Five--five.

BARSSEGH. I give you my word that I will give you the sack.

MICHO. Five--five.

BARSSEGH. Measure further.

MICHO. Five--[_aside_:]; Holy George, help me! [_Aloud_:] Six. I cannot stretch it any more or I shall tear it.

BARSSEGH. Measure, now.

MICHO. O dear; I believe it is already torn.

BARSSEGH [_looking at the cloth_]. I see nothing. G.o.d forbid!

MICHO [_looking at the measure_]. It is short a half werschok of seven arschin every time.

_The madman, Mosi, comes in at the middle door and stands in the background_.

SCENE II

_Mosi_.

BARSSEGH [_hitting Micho on the head_]. What are you good for? Can't you get that half werschok out of it?

MICHO [_howling_.] What am I to do when the cloth is too short?

BARSSEGH [_pulling his hair_]. Are you sure you're not lying?

MICHO [_yelling_.] How can you say that? Measure it yourself and we shall see whether there are seven arschin here.

BARSSEGH [_angry; taking measure and calico_]. You say there are not seven here? Wait, I will show you [_measuring._] One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, and a quarter left over for a present to you. What do you say about it now? You must learn to measure if you burst doing it.

But you think only of your week's pay. Now, hurry up; be lively there!

MICHO. O heaven! How shall I begin? One, two--

BARSSEGH. Be careful and don't tear it.

MICHO [_crying._] What do you want of me? If I pull on the stuff I tear it; and if I don't stretch it, no seven arschin will come out of it.

MOSI [_coming near_]. Ha! ha! ha! Who is the toper? Who? 'Tis I; the mad Mosi. Ha! ha! ha!

BARSSEGH [_aside._] How comes this crazy fellow here?

MOSI [_seizing the measure and calico_]. Give it to me, you b.o.o.by! There are not only seven arschin here, but twenty-seven [_measuring quickly_].

One, two, four, six, eight, ten, twelve, and here are thirteen and fourteen. Do you want me to make still more out of it? You must shove the stick back in measuring. Can't you understand that? [_Throws the stick and calico upon Micho_.] Here, take it and be a man at last. You the shop-boy of such a great merchant and not find out a little thing like that. Haven't you learned yet how to steal half a werschok? Ha, ha, ha!

[_Micho tries to free himself but becomes more entangled in the cloth_.

BARSSEGH [_to Mosi_], I forbid such impudent talk in my presence! Be silent, or I'll show you.

MOSI. That's the way with all mankind. They never appreciate good intentions. [_Pointing to Micho_.] I only wanted to make something of him. Go, go, my son, be a man! Learn from your master! You surely see how much money he has sc.r.a.ped together! [_To Barssegh_:] How is it about eating? It's time for dinner! Have the table set; I have come as a guest. What have you to-day? Coal-soup, perhaps, or water-soup? Yes, yes; you will entertain me finely! Ha, ha!

BARSSEGH [_aside_]. This confounded fellow is drunk again! [_To Micho_:]

Get out of the room!

[_Exit Micho middle door._

SCENE III

MOSI. From this stuff you can make a shroud for yourself. To-day or to-morrow you must die, that's sure.

BARSSEGH. You'd better be still!

[_Enter Khali at left_.

KHALI. Do you know the latest?

BARSSEGH. What has happened?

KHALI. What has happened? Marmarow was betrothed yesterday.

BARSSEGH. No!

KHALI. By heaven!

BARSSEGH. To whom?

KHALI. To the daughter of Ossep Gul.a.b.i.anz.

BARSSEGH. Is that really true?

KHALI. Do you think I am lying? They promised him 10,000 rubles dowry. I always said you should have saved something. Now you have it! They have s.n.a.t.c.hed him away from you. And such a man, too! They puff themselves up entirely too much. Where did they get the money, I would like to know?

[_Micho appears at the middle door_.