o has not heard it properly] Thank you, I've had supper.
[With enthusiasm] Everybody's ready, and looks to the senior officer.
He gives the command: "Stand by, gallants and topsail braces on the
starboard side, main and counter-braces to port!" Everything's done in
a twinkling. Top-sheets and jib-sheets are pulled... taken to starboard.
[Stands up] The ship takes the wind and at last the sails fill out. The
senior officer orders, "To the braces," and himself keeps his eye on the
mainsail, and when at last this sail is filling out and the ship begins
to turn, he yells at the top of his voice, "Let go the braces! Loose the
main halyards!" Everything flies about, there's a general confusion for
a moment--and everything is done without an error. The ship has been
tacked!
NASTASYA TIMOFEYEVNA. [Exploding] General, your manners.... You ought to
be ashamed of yourself, at your age!
REVUNOV. Did you say sausage? No, I haven't had any... thank you.
NASTASYA TIMOFEYEVNA. [Loudly] I say you ought to be ashamed of yourself
at your age! General, your manners are awful!
NUNIN. [Confused] Ladies and gentlemen, is it worth it? Really...
REVUNOV. In the first place, I'm not a general, but a second-class naval
captain, which, according to the table of precedence, corresponds to a
lieutenant-colonel.
NASTASYA TIMOFEYEVNA. If you're not a general, then what did you go and
take our money for? We never paid you money to behave like that!
REVUNOV. [Upset] What money?
NASTASYA TIMOFEYEVNA. You know what money. You know that you got 25
roubles from Andrey Andreyevitch.... [To NUNIN] And you look out,
Andrey! I never asked you to hire a man like that!
NUNIN. There now... let it drop. Is it worth it?
REVUNOV. Paid... hired.... What is it?
APLOMBOV. Just let me ask you this. Did you receive 25 roubles from
Andrey Andreyevitch?
REVUNOV. What 25 roubles? [Suddenly realizing] That's what it is! Now I
understand it all.... How mean! How mean!
APLOMBOV. Did you take the money?
REVUNOV. I haven't taken any money! Get away from me! [Leaves the table]
How mean! How low! To insult an old man, a sailor, an officer who has
served long and faithfully! If you were decent people I could call
somebody out, but what can I do now? [Absently] Where's the door? Which
way do I go? Waiter, show me the way out! Waiter! [Going] How mean! How
low! [Exit.]
NASTASYA TIMOFEYEVNA. Andrey, where are those 25 roubles?
NUNIN. Is it worth whil
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