"What is the matter, Vjera?
Have you not been able to pay your rent this year, and has old Homolka threatened to turn you out ?" "Oh no! It is worse than that, far worse than that! If it were only myself--" she hesitated.
"What is it?
Who is it?
Perhaps it is not so serious as you think.

Tell me all about it." "There is very little time--only an hour.

He is going mad--really mad, Herr Schmidt, because he has given his word of honour to pay Herr Fischelowitz that money this evening.

I only calmed him, by promising to bring the money at once." "You promised that ?" exclaimed Schmidt.

"It was a very wild promise--" "I will keep it, and you must help me.