No, that subject called for amicable and PRIVATE conversation.

Nevertheless, the brother-in-law appeared to bode little danger, seeing that he had taken on board a full cargo, and was now engaged in doing nothing of a more menacing nature than picking his nose.

At length he himself noticed that he was not altogether in a responsible condition; wherefore he rose and began to make excuses for departing homewards, though in a tone so drowsy and lethargic that, to quote the Russian proverb, he might almost have been "pulling a collar on to a horse by the clasps." "No, no!" cried Nozdrev.

"I am NOT going to let you go." "But I MUST go," replied the brother-in-law.

"Don't dry to hinder me.
You are annoying me greatly." "Rubbish! We are going to play a game of banker." "No, no.