Pardon me for having brought you no presents, but, to tell you the truth, I was not, until my visit, aware of your existence.

However, now that I shall be coming again, I will not fail to bring you gifts.

Themistocleus, to you I will bring a sword.

You would like that, would you not ?" "I should," replied Themistocleus.
"And to you, Alkid, I will bring a drum.

That would suit you, would it not ?" And he bowed in Alkid's direction.
"Zeth--a drum," lisped the boy, hanging his head.
"Good! Then a drum it shall be--SUCH a beautiful drum! What a tur-r-r-ru-ing and a tra-ta-ta-ta-ing you will be able to kick up! Farewell, my darling." And, kissing the boy's head, he turned to Manilov and Madame with the slight smile which one assumes before assuring parents of the guileless merits of their offspring.
"But you had better stay, Paul Ivanovitch," said the father as the trio stepped out on to the verandah.