SCENE III


Enter Bobchinsky and Dobchinsky, out of breath.

BOBCHINSKY. What an extraordinary occurrence!

DOBCHINSKY. An unexpected piece of news!

ALL. What is it? What is it?

DOBCHINSKY. Something quite unforeseen. We were
about to enter the inn--

BOBCHINSKY [interrupting]. Yes, Piotr Ivanovich
and I were entering the inn--

DOBCHINSKY [interrupting]. Please, Piotr Ivanovich,
let me tell.

BOBCHINSKY. No, please, let me--let me. You
can't. You haven't got the style for it.

DOBCHINSKY. Oh, but you'll get mixed up and won't
remember everything.

BOBCHINSKY. Yes, I will, upon my word, I will.
PLEASE don't interrupt! Do let me tell the news--don't
interrupt! Pray, oblige me, gentlemen, and tell Dobchinsky