And we'll
have to thank God if our trousers at least remain with us."
"What do you want?" asked Foma, red with confusion.
"I want nothing. And you had better mind me. In regard to affairs
with women I may perfectly well be a teacher. You must deal with
a woman very plainly--give her a bottle of vodka, something to eat
after it, then a couple of bottles of beer and after everything
give her twenty kopecks in cash. For this price she will show you
all her love in the best way possible."
"You are lying," said Foma, softly.
"I am lying? Why shall I lie to you since I have observed that same
policy perhaps a hundred times? Just charge me to have dealings with
her. Eh? I'll make you acquainted with her in a moment."
"Very well," said Foma, feeling that he could hardly breathe and
that something was choking his throat.
"Well, then, I'll bring her up in the evening."
And Yefim smiled approvingly into Foma's face and walked off.
Until evening Foma walked about as though lost in mist, not
noticing the respectful and beseeching glances with which the
peasants greeted him at the receiver's instigation.
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