The Governor, Bobchinsky, Dobchinsky, and Sergeant
Svistunov.

GOVERNOR. Well, is the cab ready?

SVISTUNOV. Yes, sir.

GOVERNOR. Go out on the street--or, no, stop--go
and bring--why, where are the others? Why are you
alone? Didn't I give orders for Prokhorov to be here?
Where is Prokhorov?

SVISTUNOV. Prokhorov is in somebody's house and
can't go on duty just now.

GOVERNOR. Why so?

SVISTUNOV. Well, they brought him back this morning
dead drunk. They poured two buckets of water over
him, but he hasn't sobered up yet.

GOVERNOR [clutching his head with both hands].
For Heaven's sake! Go out on duty quick--or, no,
run up to my room, do you hear? And fetch my sword
and my new hat. Now, Piotr Ivanovich, [to Dobchinsky]
come.

BOBCHINSKY. And me--me, too. Let me come, too,
Anton Antonovich.