“And Ostafyev?”
“It was quite impossible for him to come, your honour. His Excellency has walked through the room twice, and I’ve no time to stay.”
“Thank you, my good man, thank you . . . only, tell me . . .”
“Upon my word, sir, I can’t stay. . . . They are asking for us every minute . . . but if your honour will stay here, we’ll let you know if anything happens concerning your little affair.”
“No, my friend, you just tell me . . .”
“Excuse me, I’ve no time to stay, sir,” said Pisarenko, tearing himself away from Mr. Golyadkin, who had clutched him by the lapel of his coat. “I really can’t. If your honour will stay here we’ll let you know.”
“In a minute, my good man, in a minute! In a minute, my good fellow! I tell you what, here’s a letter; and I’ll reward you, my good man.”
“Yes,
