SERVANT. Yes, business is all right, thank you.

KHLESTAKOV. Many guests?

SERVANT. Plenty.

KHLESTAKOV. See here, good friend. They haven't
sent me dinner yet. Please hurry them up! See that I
get it as soon as possible. I have some business to attend
to immediately after dinner.

SERVANT. The landlord said he won't let you have
anything any more. He was all for going to the Governor
to-day and making a complaint against you.

KHLESTAKOV. What's there to complain about?
Judge for yourself, friend. Why, I've got to eat. If I
go on like this I'll turn into a skeleton. I'm hungry,
I'm not joking.

SERVANT. Yes, sir, that's what he said. "I won't
let him have no dinner," he said, "till he pays for what
he has already had." That was his answer.

KHLESTAKOV. Try to persuade him.

SERVANT. But what shall I tell him?

KHLESTAKOV. Explain that it's a serious matter, I've