"Evidently I have hurt you.

Pray sit down again." "No," retorted Chichikov.

"I am merely wasting my time, and must be off." "Oh, sit down just for a moment.

I have something more agreeable to say." And, drawing closer to his guest, Sobakevitch whispered in his ear, as though communicating to him a secret: "How about twenty-five roubles ?" "No, no, no!" exclaimed Chichikov.

"I won't give you even a QUARTER of that.