"I shall go home, at last," he said, his face brightening perceptibly as his visions of wealth again rose before his eyes.

"I shall go home and rest myself for a long time in the country, and then, next winter, perhaps, I will go to Petersburg." "Well, well, I wish you a pleasant journey," said Schmidt.

"So there is to be no mistake about the fortune this time ?" "This time ?" repeated the Count, as though not understanding.

"Why do you say this time ?" "Because you have so often expected it before," returned the Cossack bluntly, but without malice.
"I do not remember ever saying so," said the other, evidently searching among his recollections.
"Every Tuesday," growled Dumnoff, sipping his peppery liquor.

"Every Tuesday since I can remember." "I think you must be mistaken," said the Count, politely.
Dumnoff grunted something quite incomprehensible, and which might have been taken for the clearing of his huge throat after the inflaming draught.