respect toward learning, your Excellency, but I am also drawn to
it by family ties. My brother Gregory's wife's brother, whom you
may know; his name is Constantine Lakedemonoff, and he used to be
a magistrate--

VOITSKI. Stop, Waffles. This is business; wait a bit, we will
talk of that later. [To SEREBRAKOFF] There now, ask him what he
thinks; this estate was bought from his uncle.

SEREBRAKOFF. Ah! Why should I ask questions? What good would it
do?

VOITSKI. The price was ninety-five thousand roubles. My father
paid seventy and left a debt of twenty-five. Now listen! This
place could never have been bought had I not renounced my
inheritance in favour of my sister, whom I deeply loved--and what
is more, I worked for ten years like an ox, and paid off the
debt.

SEREBRAKOFF. I regret ever having started this conversation.

VOITSKI. Thanks entirely to my own personal efforts, the place is
entirely clear of debts, and now, when I have grown old, you want
to throw me out, neck and crop!

SEREBRAKOFF. I can't imagine what you are driving at.

VOITSKI. For twenty-five years I have managed this place, and
have sent you the returns from it like the most honest of
servants, and you have never given me one single word of thanks