But, hang it, it clings. If I hadn't dissipated so in
Penza I'd have had enough money to get home with.
The infantry captain did me up all right. Wonderful
the way the scoundrel cut the cards! It didn't take
more than a quarter of an hour for him to clean me out
of my last penny. And yet I would give anything
to have another set-to with him. Only I never will have
the chance.-- What a rotten town this is! You can't
get anything on credit in the grocery shops here. It's
deucedly mean, it is. [He whistles, first an air from
Robert le Diable, then a popular song, then a blend of the
two.] No one's coming.



SCENE IV


Khlestakov, Osip, and a Servant.

SERVANT. The landlord sent me up to ask what you
want.

KHLESTAKOV. Ah, how do you do, brother! How
are you? How are you?

SERVANT. All right, thank you.

KHLESTAKOV. And how are you getting on in the inn?
Is business good?