[Rises from the bed hastily.]



SCENE II


Osip and Khlestakov.

KHLESTAKOV. Here! [Hands him his cap and
cane.] What, been warming the bed again!

OSIP. Why should I have been warming the bed?
Have I never seen a bed before?

KHLESTAKOV. You're lying. The bed's all tumbled
up.

OSIP. What do I want a bed for? Don't I know
what a bed is like? I have legs and can use them to
stand on. I don't need your bed.

KHLESTAKOV [walking up and down the room]. Go
see if there isn't some tobacco in the pouch.

OSIP. What tobacco? You emptied it out four days
ago.

KHLESTAKOV [pacing the room and twisting his lips.
Finally he says in a loud resolute voice]. Listen--a