sober, well-behaved people. I'm sure I don't know
where he gets his bad meat from. But if anything is
wrong, may I suggest that you allow me to take you to
another place?

KHLESTAKOV. No, I thank you. I don't care to leave.
I know what the other place is--the jail. What right
have you, I should like to know--how dare you?--
Why, I'm in the government service at St. Petersburg.
[Puts on a bold front.] I--I--I--

GOVERNOR [aside]. My God, how angry he is. He
has found out everything. Those damned merchants
have told him everything.

KHLESTAKOV [with bravado]. I won't go even if you
come here with your whole force. I'll go straight to the
minister. [Bangs his fist on the table.] What do you
mean? What do you mean?

GOVERNOR [drawing himself up stiffly and shaking all
over]. Have pity on me. Don't ruin me. I have a
wife and little children. Don't bring misfortune on a
man.

KHLESTAKOV. No, I won't go. What's that got to do
with me? Must I go to jail because you have a wife and
little children? Great! [Bobchinsky looks in at the
door and disappears in terror.] No, much obliged to
you. I will not go.