Exeunt right.

Curtain.

ACT THREE

The next day. The same set as in the first act. Rakitin and Shpigelsky enter through the door to the ballroom.

SHPIGELSKY

So then, Mikhail Alexandrych, do me a favor—help me.

RAKITIN

But how can I help you, Ignaty Ilyich?

SHPIGELSKY

How? Good God, put yourself in my position, Mikhail Alexandrych. Strictly speaking, this doesn’t really concern me. I acted, you could say, more out of a desire to please . . . My kind heart will be my undoing!

RAKITIN

(Laughing) Well, you’re still far from undone.

SHPIGELSKY

(Also laughing) That we don’t know yet, but I really am in an awkward position. I brought Bolshintsov because Natalya Petrovna wanted it, and informed him of her response with her permission, and now, on the one hand, she scowls at me as if I’ve done something stupid, and on the other, Bolshintsov won’t leave me alone. She avoids him and doesn’t speak to me . . .

RAKITIN

Why on earth did you get involved in it, Ignaty Ilyich? Bolshintsov, just between us, is simply stupid.

SHPIGELSKY

I like that: just between us! Thanks for the news! Since when do only intelligent people get married? In other things, maybe, but in marriage a fool’s entitled to his share. You say I got myself involved in it . . . I didn’t. Here’s how it happened: a friend asks me to put in a word for him . . . What, should I refuse him or something? I’m a kind man, I don’t know how to refuse . . . I carry out my friend’s errand. The answer is, “Thank you very much. Kindly don’t trouble yourself anymore . . .” I understand and don’t trouble anymore. Then suddenly I’m sought out, encouraged, so to speak . . . I go along. Indignation! Is it my fault?

RAKITIN

Who says it’s your fault? . . . Only one thing surprises me: why do you do all this?

SHPIGELSKY

Why . . . why . . . The man won’t leave me alone.

RAKITIN

Oh, come on . . .

SHPIGELSKY

Besides, he’s an old friend.

RAKITIN

(With a mistrustful smile) Really! Well, that’s different.

SHPIGELSKY

(Also smiling) However, I don’t want to hedge . . . You’re not a man to be deceived. Well, yes . . . he’s promised me . . . my outrunner’s gone weak in the legs, so he’s promised me . . .

RAKITIN

Another outrunner?

SHPIGELSKY

No, in fact—a whole troika.

RAKITIN

You should have said so long ago!

SHPIGELSKY

(With animation) But, please, don’t go thinking . . . Not for anything would I have agreed to be a go-between in such matters, it’s completely against my nature, (Rakitin smiles) if I didn’t know Bolshintsov to be a most honorable man . . . However, there’s just one thing I want: a decisive answer—yes or no.

RAKITIN

Has it gone that far?