,RECOLLECTIONS ( A ,BILLI>D-M>K] 

#ahee 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,LEO ,TOL/OY 

,TRANSLATOR 3 ,NA?AN ,HASKELL ,DOLE 

,TEXT 3 

,WELL1 IT HAPP5$ AB\T ?REE O'CLOCK4 ,! G5TLEM5 W]E PLAY+4 ,!RE WAS ! TALL VISITOR1 AS \R M5 CALL$ HIM4 ,! PR9CE WAS !RE1--! TWO >E ALWAYS TOGE!R4 ,! MU/A*$ B>9 WAS !RE2 ALSO ! LITTLE HUSS>1 ,OLIV]1 :O WAS AN ACTOR2 !RE WAS ! ,POLI% PAN4.<#a.> ,IT WAS A PRETTY GOOD CR[D4  

,! TALL VISITOR & ! PR9CE W]E PLAY+ TOGE!R4 ,N[1 H]E ,I WAS WALK+ UP & D[N >\ND ! BILLI>D-TABLE ) MY /ICK1 KEEP+ TALLY1--T5 & =TY-SEV51 TWELVE & =TY-SEV54  

,EV]YBODY KN[S IT'S \R BUS9ESS TO SCORE4 ,Y\ DON'T GET A *ANCE TO GET A BITE ( ANY?+1 & Y\ DON'T GET TO B$ TILL TWO O'CLOCK O' NI<TS1 BUT Y\'RE ALWAYS BE+ SCREAM$ AT TO BR+ ! BALLS4  

,I WAS KEEP+ TALLY 2 & ,I LOOK1 & SEE A NEW B>9 COMES 9 AT ! DOOR4 ,HE GAZ$ & GAZ$1 & !N SAT D[N ON ! DIVAN4 ,V]Y GOOD6  

0,N[1 :O CAN ?AT BE80 ?9KS ,I TO MYSELF4 0,HE MU/ BE SOMEBODY40  

,HIS DRESS WAS NEAT1--NEAT AS A P91--*ECK]$ TRICOT PANTS1 /YLI% LITTLE %ORT COAT1 PLU% VE/1 & GOLD *A9 & ALL SORTS ( TR9KETS DANGL+ FROM IT4  

,HE WAS DRESS$ NEAT2 BUT !RE WAS SOME?+ AB\T ! MAN NEAT] /ILL2 SLIM1 TALL1 HIS HAIR BRU%$ =W>D 9 /YLE1 AN HIS FACE FAIR & RUDDY1--WELL19 A WORD1 A F9E Y\NG FELL[4  

,Y\ MU/ KN[ \R BUS9ESS BR+S US 9TO CONTACT ) ALL SORTS ( PEOPLE4 ,& !RE'S MANY ?AT A9'T ( MU* CONSEQU5CE1 & !RE'S A GOOD DEAL ( POOR TRA%4 ,SO1 ?\< Y\ 'RE ONLY A SCOR]1 Y\ GET US$ TO TELL+ FOLKS2 ?AT IS1 9 A C]TA9 WAY Y\ LE>N A ?+ OR TWO4  

,I LOOK$ AT ! B>94 ,I SEE HIM SIT D[N1 MODE/ & QUIET1 NOT KN[+ ANYBODY2 & ! CLO!S ON HIM >E SO BR&-NEW ?AT1 ?9KS ,I1 0,EI!R HE 'S A =EIGN]1--AN ,5GLI%MAN MAYBE1--OR SOME C\NT JU/ COME4 ,& ?\< HE'S SO Y\NG1 HE HAS AN AIR  
( SOME DI/9CTION40  

,OLIV] SAT D[N NEXT HIM1 SO HE MOV$ ALONG A LITTLE4  

,!Y BEGAN A GAME4 ,! TALL MAN LO/4 ,HE %\TS TO ME4 ,SAYS HE1 0,Y\ 'RE ALWAYS *EAT+4 ,Y\ DON'T C\NT /RAI<T4 ,:Y DON'T Y\ PAY ATT5TION80  

,HE SCOLD$ AWAY1 !N ?REW D[N HIS CUE1 & W5T \T4 ,N[1 JU/ LOOK H]E6 ,EV5+S1 HE & ! PR9CE PLAYS = FIFTY SILV] RUBLES A GAME2 & H]E HE ONLY LO/ A BOTTLE ( ,MAKON W9E1 & GOT MAD4 ,?AT'S ! K9D ( A *>ACT] HE IS4  

,ANO!R TIME HE & ! PR9CE PLAYS TILL TWO O'CLOCK4 ,!Y DON'T BANK D[N ANY CA%2 & SO ,I KN[ NEI!R ( !M'S GOT ANY CA%1 BUT !Y >E SIMPLY PLAY+ A BLUFF GAME4  

0,I'LL GO Y\ TW5TY-FIVE RUBLES10 SAYS HE4  

0,ALL RI<T40  

,JU/ YAWN+1--& NOT EV5 /OPP+ TO PLACE ! BALL1--Y\ SEE1 HE WAS NOT MADE ( /ONE1--N[ JU/ NOTICE :AT HE SAID4 0,WE >E PLAY+ = MONEY10 SAYS HE1 0& NOT = *IPS40  

,BUT ?IS MAN PUZZL$ ME WORSE ?AN ALL ! RE/4 ,WELL1 !N1 :5 ! BIG MAN LEFT1 ! PR9CE SAYS TO ! /RANG]1 0,W\LDN'T Y\ LIKE10 SAYS HE1 0TO PLAY A GAME ) ME80  

0,) PLEASURE10 SAYS HE4  

,HE SAT !RE1 & LOOK$ RA!R FOOLI%1 9DE$ HE DID4 ,HE MAY HAVE BE5 C\RAGE\S 9 REALITY2 BUT1 AT ALL EV5TS1 HE GOT UP1 W5T OV] TO ! BILLI>D-TABLE1 & DID NOT SEEM FLU/]$ AS YET4 ,BUT :E!R HE WAS FLU/]$ OR NOT1 Y\ C\LDN'T HELP SEE+ ?AT HE WAS NOT QUITE AT HIS EASE4  

,EI!R HIS CLO!S W]E A LITTLE TOO NEW1 OR HE WAS EMB>RASS$ BECAUSE EV]YBODY WAS LOOK+ AT HIM2 AT ANY RATE1 HE SEEM$ TO HAVE NO 5]GY4 ,HE SORT ( SIDL$ UP TO ! TABLE1 CAU<T HIS POCKET ON ! $GE1 BEGAN TO *ALK HIS CUE1 DROPP$ HIS *ALK4  

,:5EV] HE HIT ! BALL1 HE ALWAYS GLANC$ >\ND1 & R$D5$4 ,NOT SO ! PR9CE4 ,HE WAS US$ TO IT2 HE *ALK$ & *ALK$ HIS H&1 TUCK$ UP HIS SLEEVE2 HE GOES & SITS D[N :5 HE POCKETS ! BALL1 EV5 ?\< HE IS SU* A LITTLE MAN4  

,!Y PLAY$ TWO OR ?REE GAMES2 !N ,I NOTICE ! PR9CE PUTS UP ! CUE1 & SAYS1 0,W\LD Y\ M9D TELL+ ME Y\R NAME80  

0,NEKHLIUD(10 SAYS HE4  

,SAYS ! PR9CE1 0,WAS Y\R FA!R COMM&] 9 ! CORPS ( CADETS80  

0,YES10 SAYS ! O!R4  

,!N !Y BEGAN TO TALK 9 ,FR5*1 & ,I C\LD NOT UND]/& !M4 ,I SUPPOSE !Y W]E TALK+ AB\T FAMILY AFFAIRS4  

0,AU REVOIR0 SAYS ! PR9CE4 0,I AM V]Y GLAD TO HAVE MADE Y\R ACQUA9TANCE40  

,HE WA%$ HIS H&S1 & W5T TO GET A LUN*2 BUT ! O!R /OOD BY ! BILLI>D-TABLE ) HIS CUE1 & WAS KNOCK+ ! BALLS AB\T4  

,IT'S \R BUS9ESS1 Y\ KN[1 :5 A NEW MAN COMES LONG1 TO BE RA!R %>P2 IT 'S ! BE/ WAY4 ,I TOOK ! BALLS1 & W5T TO PUT !M UP4 ,HE R$D5$1 & SAYS1 0,CAN'T ,I PLAY ANY LONG]80  

0,C]TA9LY Y\ CAN10 SAYS ,I4 0,?AT'S :AT BILLI>DS IS =40 ,BUT ,I DON'T PAY ANY ATT5TION TO HIM4 ,I /RAI<T5 ! CUES4  

0,WILL Y\ PLAY ) ME80  

0,C]TA9LY1 SIR10 SAYS ,I4  

,I PLACE ! BALLS4  

0,%ALL WE PLAY = ODDS80  

0,:AT DO Y\ MEAN1--'PLAY = ODDS'80  

0,WELL10 SAYS ,I1 0Y\ GIVE ME A HALF-RUBLE1 & ,I CRAWL UND] ! TABLE40  

,( C\RSE1 AS HE HAD NEV] SE5 ?AT SORT ( ?+1 IT SEEM$ /RANGE TO HIM2 HE LAU<$4  

0,GO AHEAD10 SAYS HE4  

0,V]Y WELL10 SAYS ,I1 0ONLY Y\ MU/ GIVE ME ODDS40  

0,:AT60 SAYS HE1 0>E Y\ A WORSE PLAY] ?AN ,I AM80  

0,MO/ LIKELY10 SAYS ,I4 0,WE HAVE FEW PLAY]S :O CAN BE COMP>$ ) Y\40  

,WE BEGAN TO PLAY4 ,HE C]TA9LY HAD ! IDEA ?AT HE WAS A CRACK %OT4 ,IT WAS A CAUTION TO SEE HIM %OOT2 BUT ! ,POLE SAT !RE1 & KEPT %\T+ \T EV]Y TIME3-- 

0,AH1 :AT A *ANCE6 AH1 :AT A %OT60 

,BUT :AT A MAN HE WAS6 ,HIS IDEAS W]E GOOD 5\<1 BUT HE DIDN'T KN[ H[ TO C>RY !M \T4 ,WELL1 AS USUAL ,I LO/ ! FIR/ GAME1 CRAWL$ UND] ! TABLE1 & GRUNT$4 

,!REUPON ,OLIV] & ! ,POLE JUMP$ D[N FROM !IR SEATS1 & APPLAUD$1 ?UMP+ ) !IR CUES4  

0,SPL5DID6 ,DO IT AGA910 !Y CRI$1 0ONCE MORE40  

,WELL 5\< TO CRY 0ONCE MORE10 ESPECIALLY = ! ,POLE4 ,?AT FELL[ W\LD HAVE BE5 GLAD 5\< TO CRAWL UND] ! BILLI>D-TABLE1 OR EV5 UND] ! ,BLUE BRIDGE1 = A HALF-RUBLE6 ,YET HE WAS ! FIR/ TO CRY1 0,SPL5DID6 BUT Y\ HAV5'T WIP$ (F ALL ! DU/ YET40  

,I1 ,PETRU%KA ! M>K]1 WAS PRETTY WELL KN[N TO EV]YBODY4  

,ONLY1 ( C\RSE1 ,I DID NOT C>E TO %[ MY H& YET4 ,I LO/ MY SECOND GAME4  

0,IT DOES NOT BECOME ME AT ALL TO PLAY ) Y\1 SIR10 SAYS ,I4  

,HE LAU<$4 ,!N1 AS ,I WAS PLAY+ ! ?IRD GAME1 HE /OOD =TY-N9E & ,I NO?+4 ,I LAID ! CUE ON !  
BILLI>D-TABLE1 & SAID1 0,B>91 %ALL WE PLAY (F80  

0,:AT DO Y\ MEAN BY PLAY+ (F80 SAYS HE4 0,H[ W\LD Y\ HAVE IT80  

0,Y\ MAKE IT ?REE RUBLES OR NO?+10 SAYS ,I4  

0,:Y10 SAYS HE1 0HAVE ,I BE5 PLAY+ ) Y\ = MONEY80 ,! FOOL6  

,HE TURN$ RA!R R$4  

,V]Y GOOD4 ,HE LO/ ! GAME4 ,HE TOOK \T HIS POCKET-BOOK1 QUITE A NEW ONE1 EVID5TLY JU/ FROM ! ,5GLI% %OP1 OP5$ IT2 ,I SEE HE WANT$ TO MAKE A LITTLE SPLURGE4 ,IT WAS /UFF$ FULL ( BILLS1 NO?+ BUT HUNDR$-RUBLE NOTES4  

0,NO10 SAYS HE1 0!RE'S NO SMALL /UFF H]E40  

,HE TOOK ?REE RUBLES FROM HIS PURSE4  

0,!RE10 SAYS HE1 0!RE'S Y\R TWO RUBLES2 ! O!R PAYS = ! GAMES1 & Y\ KEEP ! RE/ = VODKA40  

0,?ANK Y\1 SIR1 MO/ K9DLY40  

,I SEE ?AT HE IS A SPL5DID FELL[4 ,= SU* A ONE ,I W\LD CRAWL UND] ANY?+4 ,= ONE ?+1 IT'S A PITY ?AT HE WON'T PLAY = MONEY4 ,= !N1 ?9KS ,I1 ,I %\LD KN[ H[ TO WORK HIM = TW5TY RUBLES1 & MAYBE ,I C\LD /RET* IT \T TO =TY4  

,AS SOON AS ! ,POLE SAW ! Y\NG B>9'S MONEY1 HE SAYS1 0,W\LDN'T Y\ LIKE TO TRY A LITTLE GAME ) ME8 ,Y\ PLAY SO ADMIRABLY40  

,SU* %>P]S PR[L >\ND4  

0,NO10 SAYS HE1 0EXCUSE ME2 ,I HAVE NOT ! TIME40  

,& HE W5T \T4  

,I DON'T KN[ :O ?AT MAN WAS1 ?AT ,POLE4 ,SOME ONE CALL$ HIM ,PAN1 & IT /UCK TO HIM4 ,EV]Y DAY HE US$ TO SIT 9 ! BILLI>D-ROOM1 & ALWAYS LOOK ON4 ,HE WAS NO LONG] ALL[$ TO TAKE A H& 9 ANY GAME :ATEV]2 BUT HE ALWAYS SAT BY HIMSELF1 & GOT \T HIS PIPE1 & SMOK$4 ,BUT !N HE C\LD PLAY WELL4  

,V]Y GOOD4 ,NEKHLIUD( CAME A SECOND TIME1 A ?IRD TIME2 HE BEGAN TO COME FREQU5TLY4 ,HE W\LD COME MORN+ & EV5+4 ,HE LE>N$ TO PLAY ,FR5* C>OM & PYRAMID POOL1--EV]Y?+1 9 FACT4 ,HE BECAME LESS BA%FUL1 GOT ACQUA9T$ ) EV]YBODY1 & PLAY$ TOL]ABLY WELL4 ,( C\RSE1 BE+ A Y\NG MAN ( A GOOD FAMILY1 ) MONEY1 EV]YBODY LIK$ HIM4 ,! ONLY EXCEPTION WAS ! 0TALL VISITOR02 HE QU>REL$ ) HIM4  

,& ! :OLE ?+ GREW \T ( A TRIFLE4  

,!Y W]E PLAY+ POOL1--! PR9CE1 ! 0 TALL VISITOR10 ,NEKHLIUD(1 ,OLIV]1 & SOME ONE ELSE4 ,NEKHLIUD( WAS /&+ NE> ! /OVE TALK+ ) SOME ONE4 ,:5 IT CAME ! BIG MAN'S TURN TO PLAY1 IT HAPP5$ ?AT HIS BALL WAS JU/ OPPOSITE ! /OVE4 ,!RE WAS V]Y LITTLE SPACE !RE1 & HE LIK$ TO HAVE ELB[-ROOM4  

,N[1 EI!R HE DIDN'T SEE ,NEKHLIUD(1 OR HE DID IT ON PURPOSE2 BUT1 AS HE WAS FL\RI%+ HIS CUE1 HE HIT ,NEKHLIUD( 9 ! *E/1 A TREM5D\S RAP4 ,IT ACTUALLY MADE HIM GROAN4 ,:AT !N 8 ,HE DID NOT ?9K ( APOLOGIZ+1 HE WAS SO BOORI%4 ,HE EV5 W5T F>!R3  
HE DIDN'T LOOK AT HIM2 HE WALKS (F GRUMBL+3-- 

0,:O'S JO/L+ ME !RE8 ,IT MADE ME MISS MY %OT4 ,:Y CAN'T WE HAVE SOME ROOM80  

,!N ! O!R W5T UP TO HIM1 PALE AS A %EET1 BUT QUITE SELF-POSSESS$1 & SAYS SO POLITELY3-- 

0,Y\ \<T FIR/1 SIR1 TO APOLOGIZE2 Y\ /RUCK ME10 SAYS HE4  

0,CAT* ME APOLOGIZ+ N[6 ,I %\LD HAVE WON ! GAME10 SAYS HE1 0BUT N[ Y\ HAVE SPOIL$ IT = ME40  

,!N ! O!R ONE SAYS3-- 

0 ,Y\ \<T TO APOLOGIZE40  

0 ,GET \T ( MY WAY 6 ,I 9SI/ UPON IT1 ,I WON'T40  

,& HE TURN$ AWAY TO LOOK AFT] HIS BALL4  

,NEKHLIUD( W5T UP TO HIM1 & TOOK HIM BY ! >M4  

0,Y\ 'RE A BOOR10 SAYS HE1 0MY DE> SIR40  

,?\< HE WAS A SL5D] Y\NG FELL[1 ALMO/ LIKE A GIRL1 /ILL HE WAS ALL READY = A QU>REL4 ,HIS EYES FLA%$ FIRE2 HE LOOK$ AS IF HE C\LD EAT HIM ALIVE4 ,! BIG GUE/ WAS A /RONG1 TREM5D\S FELL[1 NO MAT* = ,NEKHLIUD(4  

0,:A-AT60 SAYS HE1 0Y\ CALL ME A BOOR80  

,YELL+ \T !SE WORDS1 HE RAISES HIS H& TO /RIKE HIM4  

,!N EV]YBODY !RE RU%$ UP1 & SEIZ$ !M BO? BY ! >MS1 & SEP>AT$ !M4  

,AFT] MU* TALK1 ,NEKHLIUD( SAYS3-- 

0,LET HIM GIVE ME SATISFACTION2 HE HAS 9SULT$ ME40  

0,NOT AT ALL10 SAID ! O!R4 0,I DON'T C>E A :IT AB\T ANY SATISFACTION4 ,HE'S NO?+ BUT A BOY1 A M]E NO?+4 ,I'LL PULL HIS E>S = HIM40  

0,IF Y\ >5'T WILL+ TO GIVE ME SATISFACTION1 !N Y\ >E NO G5TLEMAN40  

,&1 SAY+ ?IS1 HE ALMO/ CRI$4  

0,WELL1 & Y\1 Y\ >E A LITTLE BOY2 NO?+ Y\ SAY OR DO CAN (F5D ME40  

,WELL1 WE SEP>AT$ !M1--L$ !M (F1 AS ! CU/OM IS1 TO DIFF]5T ROOMS4 ,NEKHLIUD( & ! PR9CE HAD BECOME FRI5DS4  

0,GO10 SAYS ! =M]2 0= ,GOD'S SAKE MAKE HIM LI/5 TO REASON404444  

,! PR9CE W5T4 ,! BIG MAN SAYS3-- 

0,I'M NOT AFRAID ( ANY ONE10 SAYS HE4 0,I AM NOT GO+10 SAYS HE1 0TO HAVE ANY EXPLANATION ) SU* A BABY4 ,I WON'T DO IT1 & ?AT'S ! 5D ( IT40  

,WELL1 !Y TALK$ & TALK$1 & !N ! MATT] DI$ \T1 ONLY ! 0TALL VISITOR0 CEAS$ TO COME TO US ANY MORE4  

,AS A RESULT ( ?IS1--?IS R[1 ,I MI<T CALL IT1--HE WAS REG>D$ AS QUITE ! COCK ( ! WALK4 ,HE WAS QUICK TO TAKE (F5SE1--,I MEAN ,NEKHLIUD(2--AS TO SO MANY O!R ?+S1 H[EV]1 HE WAS AS UNSOPHI/ICAT$ AS A NEW-BORN BABE4  

,I REMEMB] ONCE1 ! PR9CE SAYS TO ,NEKHLIUD(1 0,:OM DO Y\ KEEP H]E80  

0,NO ONE10 SAYS HE4  

0,:AT DO Y\ MEAN1 'NO ONE'60  

0,:Y %\LD ,I80 SAYS ,NEKHLIUD(4  

0,H[ SO1 :Y %\LD Y\80  

0,I HAVE ALWAYS LIV$ ?US4 ,:Y %\LDN'T ,I CONT9UE TO LIVE ! SAME WAY80  

0,Y\ DON'T SAY SO6 ,IT IS 9CR$IBLE60  

,& SAY+ ?IS1 ! PR9CE BUR/ 9TO A PEAL ( LAU<T]1 & ! MU/A*$ B>9 ALSO RO>$4 ,!Y C\LDN'T GET OV] IT4  

0,:AT1 NEV]80 !Y ASK$4  

0,NEV]60  

,!Y W]E DY+ ) LAU<T]4 ,( C\RSE ,I UND]/OOD WELL 5\< :AT !Y W]E LAU<+ AT HIM =4  

,I KEEP MY EYES OP54 0,:AT10 ?9KS ,I1 0WILL COME ( IT80  

0,COME10 SAYS ! PR9CE1 0COME ) ME N[40  

0,NO2 NOT = ANY?+10 WAS HIS ANSW]4  

0,N[1 ?AT IS ABSURD10 SAYS ! PR9CE4 0,COME ALONG60  

,!Y W5T \T4  

,!Y CAME BACK AT ONE O'CLOCK4 ,!Y SAT D[N TO SUPP]2 QUITE A CR[D ( !M W]E ASSEMBL$4 ,SOME ( \R V]Y BE/ CU/OM]S1--,ATAN( 1 ,PR9CE ,RAZ91 ,C\NT ,%U/AKH1 ,MIRTS(4 ,& ALL CONGRATULAT$ ,NEKHLIUD(1 LAU<+ AS !Y DID SO4 ,!Y CALL$ ME 92 ,I SAW ?AT !Y W]E PRETTY JOLLY4  

0,CONGRATULATE ! B>910 !Y %\T4  

0,:AT ON80 ,I ASK4  

,H[ DID HE CALL IT8 ,HIS 9ITIATION OR HIS 5LI<T5M5T2.<#b.> ,I CAN'T REMEMB] EXACTLY4  

0,I HAVE ! HONOR10 SAYS ,I1 0TO CONGRATULATE Y\40  

,& HE SITS !RE V]Y R$ 9 ! FACE1 YET HE SMILES4 ,DIDN'T !Y HAVE FUN ) HIM1 ?\<6  

,WELL & GOOD4 ,!Y W5T AFT]W>DS TO ! BILLI>D- ROOM1 ALL V]Y GAY2 & ,NEKHLIUD( W5T UP TO ! BILLI>D-TABLE1 LEAN$ ON HIS ELB[1 & SAID3  

0,IT 'S AMUS+ TO Y\1 G5TLEM510 SAYS HE1 0BUT IT'S SAD = ME4 ,:Y10 SAYS HE1 0:Y DID ,I DO IT8 ,PR9CE10 SAYS HE1 0,I %ALL NEV] =GIVE Y\ OR MYSELF AS LONG AS ,I LIVE40  

,& HE ACTUALLY BUR/ 9TO TE>S4 ,EVID5TLY HE DID NOT KN[ HIMSELF :AT HE WAS SAY+4 ,! PR9CE W5T UP TO HIM ) A SMILE4  

0,DON'T TALK NONS5SE10 SAYS HE4 0 ,LET 'S GO HOME1 ,ANATOLI40  

0,I WON'T GO ANY:]E10 SAYS ! O!R4 0 ,:Y DID ,I DO ?AT80  

,& ! TE>S P\R$ D[N HIS *EEKS4 ,HE W\LD NOT LEAVE ! BILLI>D-TABLE1 & ?AT WAS ! 5D ( IT4 ,?AT'S :AT IT MEANS = A Y\NG & 9EXP]I5C$ MAN TO444 

,9 ?IS WAY HE US$ (T5 TO COME TO US4 ,ONCE HE CAME ) ! PR9CE1 & ! MU/A*$ MAN :O WAS ! PR9CE'S CRONY2 ! G5TLEM5 ALWAYS CALL$ HIM 0,F$OTKA40,HE HAD PROM95T *EEK-BONES1 & WAS HOMELY 5\<1 TO BE SURE2 BUT HE US$ TO DRESS  
NEATLY & DROVE 9 A C>RIAGE4 ,:Y DID ! G5TLEM5 LIKE HIM SO WELL8 ,I REALLY C\LD NOT TELL4  

0,F$OTKA6 ,F$OTKA60 !Y'D CALL1 & ASK HIM TO EAT & TO DR9K1 & !Y'D SP5D !IR MONEY PAY+ UP = HIM2 BUT HE WAS A ?OR\<GO+ BEAT4 ,IF EV] HE LO/1 HE W\LD BE SURE NOT TO PAY2 BUT IF HE WON1 Y\ BET HE W\LDN'T FAIL TO COLLECT HIS MONEY4 ,(T51 TOO1 HE CAME TO GRIEF2 YET !RE HE WAS1 WALK+ >M 9 >M ) ! PR9CE4  

0,Y\ >E LO/ )\T ME10 HE W\LD SAY TO ! PR9CE4  

0,I AM1 ,F$OT10.<#c.> SAYS HE2 0BUT NOT A ,F$OT ( ?AT SORT40  

,& :AT JOKES HE US$ TO CRACK1 TO BE SURE6 ,WELL1 AS ,I SAID1 !Y HAD ALREADY >RIV$ ?AT TIME1 & ONE ( !M SAYS1 0,LET'S HAVE ! BALLS = ?REE-H&$ POOL40  

0,ALL RI<T10 SAYS ! O!R4  

,!Y BEGAN TO PLAY AT ?REE RUBLES A /AKE4 ,NEKHLIUD( & ! PR9CE *AT AB\T ALL SORTS ( ?+S4  

0,AH60 SAYS ONE ( !M1 0Y\ M9D ONLY :AT A NEAT LITTLE ANKLE %E HAS40  

0,OH10 SAYS ! O!R1 0H] ANKLE IS WELL 5\<2 BUT :AT BEAUTIFUL HAIR40  

,( C\RSE !Y PAID NO ATT5TION TO ! GAME1 ONLY KEPT ON TALK+ TO ONE ANO!R4  

,AS TO ,F$OTKA1 ?AT FELL[ WAS ALIVE TO HIS WORK2 HE PLAY$ HIS V]Y BE/1 BUT !Y DIDN'T DO !MSELVES JU/ICE AT ALL4  

,& SO HE WON SIX RUBLES FROM EA* ( !M4 ,GOD KN[S H[ MANY GAMES HE HAD WON FROM ! PR9CE1 YET ,I NEV] KNEW !M TO PAY EA* O!R ANY MONEY2 BUT ,NEKHLIUD( TOOK \T TWO GRE5BACKS1 & H&$ !M OV] TO HIM4  

0,NO10 SAYS HE1 0,I DON'T WANT TO TAKE Y\R MONEY4 ,LET'S SQU>E IT3 PLAY ^*QUITS OR D\BLE1'.<#d.>--EI!R D\BLE OR NO?+40  

,I SET ! BALLS4 ,F$OTKA BEGAN TO PLAY ! FIR/ H&4 ,NEKHLIUD( SEEM$ TO PLAY ONLY = FUN2 SOMETIMES HE W\LD COME V]Y NE> W9N+ A GAME1 YET JU/ FAIL ( IT4 ,SAYS HE1 0,IT W\LD BE TOO EASY A MOVE1 ,I WON'T HAVE IT SO40 ,BUT ,F$OTKA DID NOT =GET :AT HE WAS UP TO4 ,C>ELESSLY HE PROCE$$ ) ! GAME1 & ?US1 AS IF IT W]E UNEXPECT$LY1 WON4  

0,LET US PLAY D\BLE /AKES ONCE MORE10 SAYS HE4  

0,ALL RI<T10 SAYS ,NEKHLIUD(4  

,ONCE MORE ,F$OTKA WON ! GAME4  

0,WELL10 SAYS HE1 0IT BEGAN ) A M]E TRIFLE4 ,I DON'T WI% TO W9 MU* FROM Y\4 ,%ALL WE MAKE IT ONCE MORE OR NO?+80  

0,YES40  

,SAY :AT Y\ MAY1 BUT FIFTY RUBLES IS A PRETTY SUM1 & ,NEKHLIUD( HIMSELF BEGAN TO PROPOSE1 0,LET US MAKE IT D\BLE OR QUIT40 ,SO !Y PLAY$ & PLAY$4  

,IT KEPT GR[+ WORSE & WORSE = ,NEKHLIUD(4 ,TWO HUNDR$ & EI<TY RUBLES W]E WRITT5 UP AGA9/ HIM4 ,AS TO ,F$OTKA1 HE HAD HIS [N ME?OD2 HE W\LD LOSE A SIMPLE GAME1 BUT :5 ! /AKE WAS D\BL$1 HE W\LD W9 SURE4  

,BUT ! PR9CE SITS BY & LOOKS ON4 ,HE SEES ?AT ! MATT] IS GR[+ S]I\S4  

0,5\<60.<#e.> SAYS HE1 0HOLD ON40  

,MY6 !Y KEEP 9CREAS+ ! /AKE4  

,AT LA/ IT W5T SO F> ?AT ,NEKHLIUD( WAS 9 = MORE ?AN FIVE HUNDR$ RUBLES4 ,F$OTKA LAID D[N HIS CUE1 & SAID3  

0,>5'T Y\ SATISFI$ = TO-DAY8 ,I'M TIR$10 SAYS HE4  

,YET ,I KNEW HE WAS READY TO PLAY TILL DAWN ( DAY1 PROVID$ !RE WAS MONEY TO BE WON4 ,/RATAGEM1 ( C\RSE4 ,& ! O!R WAS ALL ! MORE ANXI\S TO GO ON4 0,COME ON6 ,COME ON60  

0,NO1--BY ,GOD1 ,I'M TIR$4 ,COME10 SAYS ,F$OT2 0LET'S GO UP-/AIRS2 !RE Y\ %ALL HAVE Y\R REVAN*E40  

,UP-/AIRS ) US MEANT ! PLACE :]E ! G5TLEM5 US$ TO PLAY C>DS4  

,FROM ?AT V]Y DAY1 ,F$OTKA W\ND HIS NET R\ND HIM SO ?AT HE BEGAN TO COME EV]Y DAY4 ,HE W\LD PLAY ONE OR TWO GAMES ( BILLI>DS1 & !N PROCE$ UP-/AIRS1 EV]Y DAY UP-/AIRS4  

,:AT !Y US$ TO DO !RE1 ,GOD ONLY KN[S2 BUT IT IS A FACT ?AT FROM ?AT TIME HE BEGAN TO BE AN 5TIRELY DIFF]5T K9D ( MAN1 & SEEM$ H& 9 GLOVE ) ,F$OTKA4 ,=M]LY HE US$ TO BE /YLI%1 NEAT 9 HIS DRESS1 ) HIS HAIR SLI<TLY CURL$ EV52 BUT N[ IT W\LD BE ONLY 9 ! MORN+ ?AT HE W\LD BE ANY?+ LIKE HIMSELF2 BUT AS SOON AS HE HAD PAID HIS VISIT UP-/AIRS1 HE W\LD NOT BE AT ALL LIKE HIMSELF4  

,ONCE HE CAME D[N FROM UP-/AIRS ) ! PR9CE1 PALE1 HIS LIPS TREMBL+1 & TALK+ EXCIT$LY4  

0,I CANNOT P]MIT SU* A ONE AS HE IS10 SAYS HE1 0TO SAY ?AT ,I AM NOT444 0 ,H[ DID HE EXPRESS HIMSELF8 ,I CANNOT RECOLLECT1 SOME?+ LIKE 0NOT DEF9$.<#f.> 5\<10 OR :AT1--0& ?AT HE WON'T PLAY ) ME ANY MORE4 ,I TELL Y\ ,I HAVE PAID HIM T5 ?\S&1 & ,I %\LD ?9K ?AT HE MI<T BE A LITTLE MORE CONSID]ATE1 BE=E O!RS1 AT LEA/40  

0,OH1 BO!R60 SAYS ! PR9CE1 0IS IT WOR? :ILE TO LOSE ONE'S TEMP] ) ,F$OTKA80  

0,NO10 SAYS ! O!R1 0,I WILL NOT LET IT GO SO40  

0,:Y1 OLD FELL[1 H[ CAN Y\ ?9K ( SU* A ?+ AS L[]+ Y\RSELF TO HAVE A R[ ) ,F$OTKA80  

0,?AT IS ALL V]Y WELL2 BUT !RE W]E /RANG]S !RE1 M9D Y\40  

0,WELL1 :AT ( ?AT8 0 SAYS ! PR9CE2 0 /RANG]S8 ,WELL1 IF Y\ WI%1 ,I WILL GO & MAKE HIM ASK Y\R P>DON40  

0,NO10 SAYS ! O!R4  

,& !N !Y BEGAN TO *ATT] 9 ,FR5*1 & ,I C\LD NOT UND]/& :AT IT WAS !Y W]E TALK+ AB\T4  

,& :AT W\LD Y\ ?9K ( IT8 ,?AT V]Y EV5+ HE & ,F$OTKA ATE SUPP] TOGE!R1 & !Y BECAME FRI5DS AGA94  

,WELL & GOOD4 ,AT O!R TIMES AGA9 HE W\LD COME ALONE4  

0,WELL10 HE W\LD SAY1 0DO ,I PLAY WELL80  

,IT'S \R BUS9ESS1 Y\ KN[1 TO TRY TO MAKE EV]YBODY CONT5T$1 & SO ,I W\LD SAY1 0,YES1 9DE$20 & YET H[ C\LD IT BE CALL$ GOOD PLAY1 :5 HE W\LD POKE AB\T ) HIS CUE )\T ANY S5SE :ATEV]4  

,& FROM ?AT V]Y EV5+ :5 HE TOOK 9 ) ,F$OTKA1 HE BEGAN TO PLAY = MONEY ALL ! TIME4 ,=M]LY HE DIDN'T C>E TO PLAY = /AKES1 EV5 = A D9N] OR = *AMPAGNE4 ,SOMETIMES ! PR9CE W\LD SAY3  

0,LET'S PLAY = A BOTTLE ( *AMPAGNE40  

0,NO10 HE W\LD SAY4 0,LET US RA!R HAVE ! W9E BY ITSELF4 ,HALLOO1 !RE6 BR+ A BOTTLE60  

,& N[ HE BEGAN TO PLAY = MONEY ALL ! TIME2 HE US$ TO SP5D HIS 5TIRE DAYS 9 \R E/ABLI%M5T4 ,HE W\LD EI!R PLAY ) SOME ONE 9 ! BILLI>D' ROOM1 OR HE W\LD GO 0UP-/AIRS40  

,WELL1 ?9KS ,I TO MYSELF1 EV]Y ONE ELSE GETS SOME?+ FROM HIM1 :Y DON'T ,I GET SOME ADVANTAGE \T ( IT8  

0,WELL1 SIR10 SAYS ,I1 ONE DAY1 0IT'S A LONG TIME S9CE Y\ HAVE HAD A GAME ) ME40  

,& SO WE BEGAN TO PLAY4 ,WELL1 :5 ,I WON T5 HALF-RUBLES ( HIM1 ,I SAYS3-- 

0,DON'T Y\ WANT TO MAKE IT D\BLE OR QUIT1 SIR80  

,HE SAID NO?+4 ,=M]LY1 IF Y\ REMEMB]1 HE W\LD CALL ME DURAK1 FOOL1 = SU* A BOLDNESS4 ,BUT N[ WE W5T TO PLAY+ 0QUIT OR D\BLE40  

,I WON EI<TY RUBLES ( HIM4  

,WELL1 :AT W\LD Y\ ?9K8 ,S9CE ?AT FIR/ TIME HE US$ TO PLAY ) ME EV]Y DAY4 ,HE W\LD WAIT TILL !RE WAS NO ONE AB\T1 = ( C\RSE HE W\LD HAVE BE5 A%AM$ TO PLAY ) A M]E M>K] 9 PRES5CE ( O!RS4 ,ONCE HE HAD GOT RA!R W>M$ UP BY ! PLAY 7HE ALREADY [$ ME SIXTY RUBLES71 & SO HE SAYS3  

0,DO Y\ WANT TO /AKE ALL Y\ HAVE WON80  

0,ALL RI<T10 SAYS ,I4  

,I WON4 0,ONE HUNDR$ & TW5TY TO ONE HUNDR$ & TW5TY80  

0,ALL RI<T10 SAYS ,I4  

,AGA9 ,I WON4 0,TWO HUNDR$ & =TY AGA9/ TWO HUNDR$ & =TY80  

0,ISN'T ?AT TOO MU*80 ,I ASK4  

,HE MADE NO REPLY4 ,WE PLAY$ ! GAME4 ,ONCE MORE IT WAS M9E4 0,F\R HUNDR$ & EI<TY AGA9/ F\R HUNDR$ & EI<TY80  

,I SAYS1 0,WELL1 SIR1 ,I DON'T WANT TO WRONG Y\4 ,LET US MAKE IT A HUNDR$ RUBLES ?AT Y\ [E ME1 & CALL IT SQU>E40  

,Y\ \<T TO HAVE HE>D H[ HE YELL$ AT ?IS1 & YET HE WAS NOT A PR\D MAN AT ALL4  

0,EI!R PLAY1 OR DON'T PLAY60 SAYS HE4  

,WELL1 ,I SEE !RE'S NO?+ TO BE DONE4 0,?REE HUNDR$ & EI<TY1 !N1 IF Y\ PLEASE10 SAYS ,I4  

,I REALLY WANT$ TO LOSE4 ,I ALL[$ HIM =TY PO9TS 9 ADVANCE4 ,HE /OOD FIFTY-TWO TO MY ?IRTY-SIX4 ,HE BEGAN TO CUT ! YELL[ ONE1 & MISS$ EI<TE5 PO9TS2 & ,I WAS /&+ JU/ AT ! TURN+-PO9T4 ,I MADE A /ROKE SO AS TO KNOCK ! BALL (F ( !  
BILLI>D-TABLE4 ,NO SO LUCK W\LD HAVE IT4 ,DO :AT ,I MI<T1 HE EV5 MISS$ ! D\BLET4 ,I HAD WON AGA94  

0,LI/510 SAYS HE4 0,PIOTR10--HE DID NOT CALL ME ,PETRU%KA !N1--0,I CAN'T PAY Y\ ! :OLE ON ! SPOT4 ,9 A C\PLE ( MON?S ,I CAN PAY ?REE ?\S& EV51 IF IT W]E NECESS>Y40  

,& !RE HE /OOD JU/ AS R$1 & HIS VOICE K9D ( TREMBL$4  

0,V]Y GOOD1 SIR10 SAYS ,I4  

,) ?IS HE LAID D[N ! CUE4 ,!N HE BEGAN TO WALK UP & D[N1 UP & D[N1 ! SWEAT RUNN+ D[N HIS FACE4  

0,PIOTR10 SAYS HE1 0LET 'S TRY IT AGA91 D\BLE OR QUIT40  

,& HE ALMO/ BUR/ 9TO TE>S4  

0,:AT1 SIR1 :AT6 W\LD Y\ PLAY AGA9/ SU* LUCK80  

0,OH1 LET US PLAY1 ,I BEG ( Y\40 

,& HE BR\<T ! CUE1 & PUT IT 9 MY H&4  

,I TOOK ! CUE1 & ,I ?REW ! BALLS ON ! TABLE SO ?AT !Y B\NC$ OV] ON TO ! FLOOR2 ,I C\LD NOT HELP %[+ (F A LITTLE1 NATURALLY4 ,I SAY1 0 ,ALL RI<T1 SIR40  

,BUT HE WAS 9 SU* A HURRY ?AT HE W5T & PICK$ UP ! BALLS HIMSELF1 & ,I ?9KS TO MYSELF1 0,ANYWAY1 ,I'LL NEV] BE ABLE TO GET ! SEV5 HUNDR$ RUBLES FROM HIM1 SO ,I CAN LOSE !M TO HIM ALL ! SAME40  

,I BEGAN TO PLAY C>ELESSLY ON PURPOSE4 ,BUT NO--HE WON'T HAVE IT SO4  

0,:Y10 SAYS HE1 0Y\ >E PLAY+ BADLY ON PURPOSE40  

,BUT HIS H&S TREMBL$1 & :5 ! BALL W5T T[>D A POCKET1 HIS F+]S W\LD SPREAD \T & HIS M\? W\LD SCREW UP TO ONE SIDE1 AS IF HE C\LD BY ANY MEANS =CE ! BALL 9TO ! POCKET4 ,EV5 ,I C\LDN'T /& IT1 & ,I SAY3  

0,?AT WON'T DO ANY GOOD1 SIR40  

,V]Y WELL4 ,AS HE WON ?IS GAME1 ,I SAYS3  

0,?IS WILL MAKE IT ONE HUNDR$ & EI<TY RUBLES Y\ [E ME1 & FIFTY GAMES2 & N[ ,I MU/ GO & GET MY SUPP]40  

,SO ,I PUT UP MY CUE1 & W5T (F4  

,I W5T & SAT D[N ALL BY MYSELF1 AT A SMALL TABLE OPPOSITE ! DOOR2 & ,I LOOK 9 & SEE1 & WOND] :AT HE WILL DO4 ,WELL1 :AT W\LD Y\ ?9K8 ,HE BEGAN TO WALK UP & D[N1 UP & D[N1 PROBABLY ?9K+ ?AT NO ONE'S LOOK+ AT HIM2 & !N HE W\LD GIVE A PULL AT HIS HAIR1 & !N WALK UP & D[N AGA91 & KEEP MUTT]+ TO HIMSELF2 & !N HE W\LD PULL HIS HAIR AGA94  

,AFT] ?AT HE WASN'T SE5 = A WEEK4 ,ONCE HE CAME 9TO ! D9+-ROOM AS GLOOMY AS C\LD BE1 BUT HE DIDN'T 5T] ! BILLI>D-ROOM4  

,! PR9CE CAU<T SI<T ( HIM4  

0,COME10 SAYS HE1 0LET'S HAVE A GAME40  

0,NO10 SAYS ! O!R1 0,I AM NOT GO+ TO PLAY ANY MORE40  

0,NONS5SE6 COME ALONG40  

0,NO10 SAYS HE1 0,I WON'T COME1 ,I TELL Y\4 ,= Y\ IT'S ALL ONE :E!R ,I GO OR NOT1 YET = ME IT'S NO GOOD TO COME H]E40  

,& SO HE DID NOT COME = T5 DAYS MORE4 ,& !N1 IT BE+ ! HOLIDAYS1 HE CAME DRESS$ UP 9 A DRESS SUIT3 HE'D EVID5TLY BE5 9TO COMPANY4 ,& HE WAS H]E ALL DAY LONG2 HE KEPT PLAY+1 & HE CAME ! NEXT DAY1 & ! ?IRD444 

,& IT BEGAN TO GO 9 ! OLD /YLE1 & ,I ?\<T IT W\LD BE F9E TO HAVE ANO!R TRIAL ) HIM4  

0,NO10 SAYS HE1 0,I'M NOT GO+ TO PLAY ) Y\2 & AS TO ! ONE HUNDR$ & EI<TY RUBLES ?AT ,I [E Y\1 IF Y\'LL COME AT ! 5D ( A MON?1 Y\ %ALL HAVE IT40  

,V]Y GOOD4 ,SO ,I W5T TO HIM AT ! 5D ( A MON?4  

0,BY ,GOD10 SAYS HE1 0,I CAN'T GIVE IT TO Y\2 BUT COME BACK ON ,?URSDAY40  

,WELL1 ,I W5T ON ,?URSDAY4 ,I F\ND ?AT HE HAD A SPL5DID SUITE ( AP>TM5TS4  

0,WELL10 SAYS ,I1 0IS HE AT HOME80  

0,HE HASN'T GOT UP YET10 ,I WAS TOLD4  

0,V]Y GOOD1 ,I WILL WAIT40  

,= A BODY-S]VANT HE HAD ONE ( HIS [N S]FS1 SU* A GRAY-HAIR$ OLD MAN6 ,?AT S]VANT WAS P]FECTLY S+LE-M9D$1 HE DIDN'T KN[ ANY?+ AB\T BEAT+ AB\T ! BU%4 ,SO WE GOT 9TO CONV]SATION4  

0,WELL10 SAYS HE1 0:AT IS ! USE ( \R LIV+ H]E1 MA/] & ,I8 ,HE 'S SQU&]$ ALL HIS PROP]TY1 & IT'S MI<TY LITTLE HONOR OR GOOD ?AT WE GET \T ( ?IS ,PET]SBURG ( Y\RS4 ,:5 HE />T$ FROM ! C\NTRY1 HE ?\<T IT W\LD BE AS IT WAS ) ! LA/ B>9 7! K+DOM ( HEAV5 BE HIS671 ,I %ALL GO AB\T ) PR9CES & C\NTS & G5]ALS2 HE ?\<T TO HIMSELF1  
^*,I'LL F9D A C\NTESS = A SWEE!>T1 & %E'LL HAVE A BIG D[RY1 & WE'LL LIVE ON A BIG SCALE4' ,BUT IT'S QUITE A DIFF]5T ?+ FROM :AT HE EXPECT$2 H]E WE >E1 RUNN+ AB\T FROM ONE TAV]N TO ANO!R AS BAD (F AS WE C\LD BE6 ,! ,PR9CESS ,RTI%*EVA1 Y\ KN[1 IS HIS [N AUNT1 & ,PR9CE ,BOROT9TSEF IS HIS GODFA!R4 ,:AT DO Y\ ?9K8 ,HE W5T TO SEE !M ONLY ONCE1  
?AT WAS AT ,*RI/MAS TIME2 HE NEV] %[S HIS NOSE !RE4 ,YES1 & EV5 !IR PEOPLE LAU< AB\T IT TO ME4 ^*,:Y1' SAYS !Y1 ^*Y\R B>9 IS NOT A BIT LIKE HIS FA!R6' ,& ONCE ,I TAKE IT UPON MYSELF TO SAY TO HIM3-- 

0^*,:Y W\LDN'T Y\ GO1 SIR1 & VISIT Y\R AUNT8 ,!Y >E FEEL+ BAD BECAUSE Y\ HAV5'T BE5 = SO LONG4' 

0^*,IT 'S /UPID !RE1 ,DEMYANIT*1' SAYS HE4 ,JU/ TO ?9K1 HE F\ND HIS ONLY AMUSEM5T H]E 9 ! SALOON6 ,IF HE ONLY W\LD 5T] ! S]VICE6 YET1 NO2 HE HAS GOT 5TANGL$ ) C>DS & ALL ! RE/ ( IT4 ,:5 M5 GET GO+ ?AT WAY1 !RE'S NO GOOD 9 ANY?+2 NO?+ COMES TO ANY GOOD444 ,E-EKH6 WE >E GO+ TO ! DOGS1 & NO MI/AKE ,! LATE MI/RESS 7! K+DOM ( HEAV5 BE H]S67 LEFT US A RI* 9H]ITANCE3 NO LESS ?AN A ?\S& S\LS1 & AB\T ?REE HUNDR$ ?\S& RUBLES WOR? ( TIMB] L&S4 ,HE HAS MORTGAG$ IT ALL1 SOLD ! TIMB]1 LET ! E/ATE GO TO RACK & RU91 & /ILL NO MONEY ON H&4 ,:5 ! MA/] IS AWAY1 ( C\RSE1 ! OV]SE] IS MORE ?AN ! MA/]4 ,:AT DOES HE C>E8 ,HE ONLY C>ES TO /UFF HIS [N POCKETS4  

0,A FEW DAYS AGO A C\PLE ( PEASANTS BR\<T COMPLA9TS FROM ! :OLE E/ATE4 ^*,HE HAS WA/$ ALL ! PROP]TY1' !Y SAY4 ,:AT DO Y\ ?9K8 HE POND]$ OV] ! COMPLA9TS1 & GAVE ! PEASANTS T5 RUBLES APIECE4 ,SAYS HE1 ^*,I'LL BE !RE V]Y SOON4 ,I %ALL HAVE  
SOME MONEY1 & ,I WILL SETTLE ALL ACC\NTS :5 ,I COME1' SAYS HE4  

0,BUT H[ CAN HE SETTLE ACC\NTS :5 WE >E GETT+ 9TO DEBT ALL ! TIME8 ,MONEY OR NO MONEY1 YET ! W9T] H]E HAS CO/ EI<TY ?\S& RUBLES1 & N[ !RE ISN'T A SILV] RUBLE 9 ! H\SE4 ,& ALL[+ TO HIS K9DHE>T$NESS4 ,Y\ SEE1 HE'S SU* A SIMPLE B>9 ?AT IT W\LD BE H>D TO F9D HIS EQUAL2 ?AT'S ! V]Y REASON ?AT HE'S GO+ TO RU91 GO+ TO RU91 ALL = NO?+40  

,& ! OLD MAN ALMO/ WEPT4  

,NEKHLIUD( WOKE UP AB\T ELEV51 & CALL$ ME 94  

0,!Y HAV5'T S5T ME ANY MONEY YET10 SAYS HE1 0,BUT IT ISN'T MY FAULT4 ,%UT ! DOOR10 SAYS HE4  

,I %UT ! DOOR4  

0,H]E10 SAYS HE1 0TAKE MY WAT* OR ?IS DIAMOND P91 & PAWN IT4 ,!Y WILL GIVE Y\ MORE ?AN ONE  
HUNDR$ & EI<TY RUBLES = IT1 & :5 ,I GET MY MONEY ,I WILL R$EEM IT10 SAYS HE4  

0,NO MATT]1 SIR10 SAYS ,I4 0,IF Y\ DON'T HAPP5 TO HAVE ANY MONEY1 IT'S NO CONSEQU5CE2 LET ME HAVE ! WAT*1 IF Y\ DON'T M9D4 ,I CAN WAIT = Y\R CONV5I5CE40  

,I CAN SEE ?AT ! WAT* IS WOR? MORE ?AN ?REE HUNDR$4  

,V]Y GOOD4 ,I PAWN$ ! WAT* = A HUNDR$ RUBLES1 & C>RI$ HIM ! TICKET4  

0 \ WILL [E ME EI<TY RUBLES10 SAYS ,I1 0& Y\ HAD BETT] R$EEM ! WAT*40  

,& SO IT HAPP5$ ?AT HE /ILL [$ ME EI<TY RUBLES4  

,AFT] ?AT HE BEGAN TO COME TO US AGA9 EV]Y DAY4 ,I DON'T KN[ H[ MATT]S /OOD BETWE5 HIM & ! PR9CE1 BUT AT ALL EV5TS HE KEPT COM+ ) HIM ALL ! TIME1 OR ELSE !Y W\LD GO & PLAY C>DS UP-/AIRS ) ,F$OTKA4 ,& :AT QUE] ACC\NTS ?OSE ?REE M5 KEPT BETWE5 !M6 ?IS ONE W\LD L5D MONEY TO ! O!R1 ! O!R TO ! ?IRD1 YET :O IT WAS ?AT [$ ! MONEY Y\ NEV] C\LD F9D \T4  

,& 9 ?IS WAY HE KEPT ON COM+ \R WAY = WELL-NI< TWO YE>S2 ONLY IT WAS TO BE PLA9LY SE5 ?AT HE WAS A *ANG$ MAN1 SU* A DEVIL-MAY-C>E MANN] HE ASSUM$ AT TIMES4 ,HE EV5 W5T SO F> AT TIMES AS TO BORR[ A RUBLE ( ME TO PAY A HACK-DRIV]2 & YET HE  
W\LD /ILL PLAY ) ! PR9CE = A HUNDR$ RUBLES' /AKE4  

,HE GREW GLOOMY1 ?91 SALL[4 ,AS SOON AS HE CAME HE US$ TO ORD] A LITTLE GLASS ( ABS9!1 TAKE A BITE ( SOME?+1 & DR9K SOME PORT W9E1 & !N HE W\LD GR[ MORE LIVELY4  

,HE CAME ONE TIME BE=E D9N]2 IT HAPP5$ TO BE C>NIVAL TIME1 & HE BEGAN TO PLAY ) A HUSS>4  

,SAYS HE1 0,DO Y\ WANT TO PLAY = A /AKE80  

0,V]Y WELL10 SAYS HE4 0,:AT %ALL IT BE80  

0,A BOTTLE ( ,CLAUDE ,V\GEAUX8 ,:AT DO Y\ SAY80  

0 LL RI<T40  

,V]Y GOOD4 ,! HUSS> WON1 & !Y W5T (F = !IR D9N]4 ,!Y SAT D[N AT TABLE1 & !N ,NEKHLIUD( SAYS1 0,SIMON1 A BOTTLE ( ,CLAUDE ,V\GEAUX1 & SEE ?AT Y\ W>M IT TO ! PROP] PO9T40  

,SIMON W5T \T1 BR\<T 9 ! D9N]1 BUT NO W9E4  

0,WELL10 SAYS HE1 0:]E 'S ! W9E80  

,SIMON HURRI$ \T1 BR\<T 9 ! ROA/4  

0,LET US HAVE ! W9E10 SAYS HE4  

,SIMON MAKES NO REPLY4  

0,:AT'S GOT 9TO Y\ 8 ,H]E WE'VE ALMO/ F9I%$ D9N]1 & NO W9E4 ,:O WANTS TO DR9K ) DESS]T80  

,SIMON HURRI$ \T4  

0,! L&LORD10 SAYS HE1 0WANTS TO SPEAK TO Y\40  

,NEKHLIUD( TURN$ SC>LET4 ,HE SPRANG UP FROM ! TABLE4  

0,:AT'S ! NE$ ( CALL+ ME80  

,! L&LORD IS /&+ AT ! DOOR4  

,SAYS HE1 0,I CAN'T TRU/ Y\ ANY MORE1 UNLESS Y\ SETTLE MY LITTLE BILL40  

0,WELL1 DIDN'T ,I TELL Y\ ?AT ,I W\LD PAY ! FIR/ ( ! MON?80  

0,?AT WILL BE ALL V]Y WELL10 SAYS ! L&LORD1 0BUT ,I CAN'T BE ALL ! TIME GIV+ CR$IT1 & HAV+ NO SETTLEM5T4 ,!RE >E MORE ?AN T5 ?\S& RUBLES ( DEBTS \T/&+ N[10 SAYS HE4  

0,WELL1 ?AT'LL DO1 MON%OOR1 Y\ KN[ ?AT Y\ CAN TRU/ ME6 ,S5D ! BOTTLE1 & ,I ASSURE Y\ ?AT ,I WILL PAY Y\ V]Y SOON40  

,& HE HURRI$ BACK4  

0,:AT WAS IT8 :Y DID !Y CALL Y\ \T80 ASK$ ! HUSS>4  

0,OH1 SOME ONE WANT$ TO ASK ME A QUE/ION40  

0,N[ IT W\LD BE A GOOD TIME10 SAYS ! HUSS>1 0 TO HAVE A LITTLE W>M W9E TO DR9K40  

0,SIMON1 HURRY UP60  

,SIMON CAME BACK1 BUT /ILL NO W9E1 NO?+4 ,TOO BAD6 ,HE LEFT ! TABLE1 & CAME TO ME4  

0,= ,GOD'S SAKE10 SAYS HE1 0,PETRU%KA1 LET ME HAVE SIX RUBLES60  

,HE WAS PALE AS A %EET4  

0,NO1 SIR10 SAYS ,I2 0BY ,GOD1 Y\ [E ME QUITE TOO MU* N[40  

0,I WILL GIVE =TY RUBLES = SIX1 9 A WEEK'S TIME40  

0,IF ONLY ,I HAD IT10 SAYS ,I1 0,I %\LD NOT ?9K ( REFUS+ Y\1 BUT ,I HAV5'T40  

,:AT DO Y\ ?9K6 ,HE RU%$ AWAY1 HIS TEE? SET1 HIS FI/ D\BL$ UP1 & RAN D[N ! CORRIDOR LIKE ONE MAD1 & ALL AT ONCE HE GAVE HIMSELF A KNOCK ON ! =EHEAD4  

0,O MY ,GOD60 SAYS HE1 0 HAT HAS IT COME TO80  

,BUT HE DID NOT RETURN TO ! D9+-ROOM2 HE JUMP$ 9TO A C>RIAGE1 & DROVE AWAY4 ,DIDN'T WE HAVE \R LAU< OV] IT6 ,! HUSS> ASKS3  

0,:]E IS ! G5TLEMAN :O WAS D9+ ) ME80  

0,HE HAS GONE10 SAID SOME ONE4  

0,:]E HAS HE GONE8 ,:AT MESSAGE DID HE LEAVE80  

0,HE DIDN'T LEAVE ANY2 HE JU/ TOOK TO HIS C>RIAGE1 & W5T (F40  

0,?AT'S A F9E WAY ( 5T]TA9+ A MAN60 SAYS HE4  

,N[1 ?9KS ,I TO MYSELF1 IT'LL BE A LONG TIME BE=E HE COMES AGA9 AFT] ?IS2 ?AT IS1 ON ACC\NT ( ?IS SC&AL4 ,BUT NO4 ,ON ! NEXT DAY HE CAME AB\T EV5+4 ,HE CAME 9TO ! BILLI>D-ROOM4 ,HE HAD A SORT ( A BOX 9 HIS H&4 ,TOOK (F HIS OV]COAT4  

0,N[1 LET US HAVE A GAME10 SAYS HE4  

,HE LOOK$ \T FROM UND] HIS EYEBR[S1 RA!R FI]CE LIKE4  

,WE PLAY$ ONE GAME4  

0,?AT'S 5\< N[10 SAYS HE2 0GO & BR+ ME A P5 & PAP]2 ,I MU/ WRITE A LETT]40  

,NOT ?9K+ ANY?+1 NOT SUSPECT+ ANY?+1 ,I BR+ SOME PAP]1 & PUT IT ON ! TABLE 9 ! LITTLE ROOM4  

0,IT 'S ALL READY1 SIR10 SAYS ,I4  

0,V]Y GOOD40  

,HE SAT D[N AT ! TABLE4 ,HE KEPT ON WRIT+ & WRIT+1 & MUTT]+ TO HIMSELF ALL ! TIME2 !N HE JUMPS UP1 &1 FR[N+1 SAYS3  

0,LOOK & SEE IF MY C>RIAGE HAS COME YET40  

,IT WAS ON A ,FRIDAY1 DUR+ C>NIVAL TIME1 & SO !RE W]5'T ANY ( ! CU/OM]S ON H&2 !Y W]E ALL AT SOME BALL4 ,I W5T TO SEE AB\T ! C>RIAGE1 & JU/ AS ,I WAS GO+ \T ( ! DOOR1 0,PETRU%KA6 ,PETRU%KA60 HE %\T$1 AS IF SOME?+ SUDD5LY FRI<T5$ HIM4  

,I TURN R\ND4 ,I SEE HE'S PALE AS A %EET1 /&+ !RE1 & LOOK+ AT ME4 

0,DID Y\ CALL ME1 SIR80 SAYS ,I4  

,HE MADE NO REPLY4  

0,:AT DO Y\ WANT80 SAYS ,I4  

,HE SAYS NO?+4  

0,OH1 YES60 SAYS HE4 0,LET 'S HAVE ANO!R GAME40  

,!N1 SAYS HE3  

0,HAV5'T ,I LE>N$ TO PLAY PRETTY WELL80  

,HE HAD JU/ WON ! GAME4 0 ,YES10 SAYS ,I4  

0,ALL RI<T10 SAYS HE2 0GO N[1 & SEE AB\T MY C>RIAGE40  

,HE HIMSELF WALK$ UP & D[N ! ROOM4  

,)\T ?9K+ ANY?+1 ,I W5T D[N TO ! DOOR4 ,I DIDN'T SEE ANY C>RIAGE AT ALL4 ,I />T$ TO GO UP AGA94  

,JU/ AS ,I WAS GO+ UP1 ,I HE>D :AT S\ND$ LIKE ! ?UD ( A BILLI>D-CUE4 ,I W5T 9TO ! BILLI>D-ROOM4 ,I NOTIC$ A PECULI> SMELL4  

,I LOOK$ >\ND2 & !RE HE WAS1 LY+ ON ! FLOOR1 9 A POOL ( BLOOD1 ) A PI/OL BESIDE HIM4 ,I WAS ?AT SC>$ ?AT ,I C\LD NOT SPEAK A WORD4  

,HE KEPT TWIT*+1 TWIT*+ HIS LEG1 & /RET*$ HIMSELF A LITTLE4 ,!N HE SORT ( SNOR$1 & /RET*$ \T HIS FULL L5G? 9 SU* A /RANGE WAY4  

,& ,GOD KN[S :Y SU* A S9 CAME AB\T1--H[ IT WAS ?AT IT OCCURR$ TO HIM TO RU9 HIS [N S\L1--BUT AS TO :AT HE LEFT WRITT5 ON ?IS PAP]1 ,I DON'T UND]/& IT AT ALL4  

,TRULY1 Y\ CAN NEV] ACC\NT = :AT IS GO+ ON 9 ! WORLD4 

0,GOD GAVE ME ALL ?AT A MAN CAN DESIRE1 WEAL?1 NAME1 9TELLECT1 NOBLE ASPIRATIONS4 ,I WANT$ TO 5JOY MYSELF1 & ,I TROD 9 ! MIRE ALL ?AT WAS BE/ 9 ME4  

0,I HAVE DONE NO?+ DI%ONORABLE1 ,I AM NOT UN=TUNATE1 ,I HAVE NOT COMMITT$ ANY CRIME2 BUT ,I HAVE DONE WORSE3 ,I HAVE DE/ROY$ MY FEEL+S1 MY 9TELLECT1 MY Y\?4  

0,I BECAME 5TANGL$ 9 A FIL?Y NET1 FROM :I* ,I CANNOT ESCAPE1 & TO :I* ,I CANNOT ACCU/OM MYSELF4 ,I FEEL ?AT ,I AM FALL+ L[] & L[] EV]Y MOM5T1 & ,I CANNOT /OP MY FALL4  

0 ,& :AT RU9$ ME8 ,WAS !RE 9 ME SOME /RANGE PASSION :I* ,I MI<T PLEAD AS AN EXCUSE8 ,NO6  

0444,MY RECOLLECTIONS >E PLEASANT4  

0,ONE FE>FUL MOM5T ( =GETFULNESS1 :I* CAN NEV] BE ]AS$ FROM MY M9D1 L$ ME TO COME TO MY S5SES4 ,I %UDD]$ :5 ,I SAW :AT A MEASURELESS ABYSS SEP>AT$ ME FROM :AT ,I DESIR$ TO BE1 & MI<T HAVE BE54 ,9 MY IMAG9ATION >OSE ! HOPES1 ! DREAMS1 & ! ?\<TS ( MY Y\?4  

0 ,:]E >E ?OSE L(TY ?\<TS ( LIFE1 ( ET]NITY1 ( ,GOD1 :I* AT TIMES FILL$ MY S\L ) LI<T & /R5G?8 ,:]E ?AT AIMLESS P[] ( LOVE :I* K9DL$ MY HE>T ) ITS COM=T+ W>M?8  

0444,BUT H[ GOOD & HAPPY ,I MI<T HAVE BE51 HAD ,I TRODD5 ?AT PA? :I*1 AT ! V]Y 5TRANCE ( LIFE1 WAS PO9T$ \T TO ME BY MY FRE% M9D & TRUE FEEL+S6 ,MORE ?AN ONCE DID ,I TRY TO GO FROM ! RUTS 9 :I* MY LIFE RAN1 9TO ?AT SACR$ PA?4  

0,I SAID TO MYSELF1 ,N[ ,I WILL USE MY :OLE /R5G? ( WILL2 & YET ,I C\LD NOT DO IT4 ,:5 ,I HAPP5$ TO BE ALONE1 ,I FELT AWKW>D & TIMID4 ,:5 ,I WAS ) O!RS1 ,I NO LONG] HE>D ! 9W>D VOICE2 & ,I FELL ALL ! TIME L[] & L[]4  

0,AT LA/ ,I CAME TO A T]RIBLE CONVICTION ?AT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE = ME TO LIFT MYSELF FROM ?IS L[ PLANE4 ,I CEAS$ TO ?9K AB\T IT1 & ,I WI%$ TO =GET ALL2 BUT HOPELESS REP5TANCE WORRI$ ME /ILL MORE & MORE4 ,!N1 = ! FIR/ TIME1 ! ?\<T ( SUICIDE OCCURR$ TO ME4  

0 ,I ONCE ?\<T ?AT ! NE>NESS ( DEA? W\LD R\SE MY S\L4 ,I WAS MI/AK54 ,9 A QU>T] ( AN H\R ,I %ALL BE NO MORE1 YET MY VIEW HAS NOT 9 ! LEA/ *ANG$4 ,I SEE ) ! SAME EYES1 ,I HE> ) ! SAME E>S1 ,I ?9K ! SAME ?\<TS2 !RE IS !  
SAME /RANGE 9COH]5CE1 UN/EAD9ESS1 & LI<TNESS 9 MY ?\<TS40 

,FOOTNOTES.<$IT.> 
8 ,POLI% NAME = LORD OR G5TLEMAN4  

8 ,S POSVYA%*5IEM-LI1 S PROSVYA%*5IEM-LI 

8 ,F$OT1 DA NYE TOT1 AN UNTRANSLATABLE PLAY ON ! WORD4 

8 ,KITUDUBL "7 ,FR4 QUITTE \ D\BLE4 

8 ASE "7 ASSEZ4 

8 ,VELIKAT5 = DELIKAT54 

,FROM 3 ,WIKIS\RCE4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,NOVEMB] #c1 #ah$ 3 ,RECOLLECTIONS ( A ,BILLI>D-M>K] -- ,PUBLICATION4 
,JUNE #a#g1 #bba 3 ,RECOLLECTIONS ( A ,BILLI>D-M>K] -- ,ADD$4 
,JANU>Y #i1 #bbb 3 ,RECOLLECTIONS ( A ,BILLI>D-M>K] -- ,UPDAT$4 

 FILE G5]AT$ FROM 3  
HTTP3_/_/REVOLTLIB4COM_/