And if it is a man--I won't go tomorrow, I'll wait." But it was a dog that came to meet him, and this irritated Foma to such an extent that he felt like striking him with his cane.
In the refreshment-room of the club, Foma was met by the jovial Ookhtishchev.

He stood at the door, and chatted with a certain stout, whiskered man; but, noticing Gordyeeff, he came forward to meet him, saying, with a smile: "How do you do, modest millionaire!" Foma rather liked him for his jolly mood, and was always pleased to meet him.
Firmly and kind-heartedly shaking Ookhtishchev's hand, Foma asked him: "And what makes you think that I am modest ?" "What a question! A man, who lives like a hermit, who neither drinks, nor plays, nor likes any women.

By the way, do you know, Foma Ignatyevich, that peerless patroness of ours is going abroad tomorrow for the whole summer ?" "Sophya Pavlovna ?" asked Foma, slowly.

"Of course! The sun of my life is setting.

And, perhaps, of yours as well ?" Ookhtishchev made a comical, sly grimace and looked into Foma's face.
And Foma stood before him, feeling that his head was lowering on his breast, and that he was unable to hinder it.
"Yes, the radiant Aurora." "Is Medinskaya going away ?" a deep bass voice asked.