Oblomov / Обломов. Книга для чтения на английском языке

«But look here, give me the money and I’ll fetch it. I have to go past the shop anyway. I’ve still to make another call».

Oblomov rummaged in the drawer and produced a red ten-rouble note.

В«Madeira costs seven roubles, and this is tenВ», said Oblomov.

«Let’s have it all. Don’t be afraid – they’ll give me the change at the shop».

He snatched the note from Oblomov’s hand and quickly hid it in his pocket.

«Well», said Tarantyev, putting on his hat. «I’ll be back by five o’clock.

I have a call to make: I’ve been promised a job in a spirits depot and they asked me to look in. By the way, my dear fellow, won’t you hire a carriage to go to Yekaterinhof to-day? You might take me with you».

Oblomov shook his head.

В«Why not? Are you too lazy, or do you grudge the money? Oh, you sluggard!В» he said. В«Well, good-bye for the presentВ».

В«Wait, TarantyevВ», Oblomov interrupted him. В«I want to ask your adviceВ».

«What is it? Come on, out with it! I’m in a hurry».

«Well, two misfortunes have befallen me, all at once. I have to move…»

«Serves you right. Why don’t you pay your rent?» said Tarantyev, turning to go.

«Good Lord, no! I always pay in advance. No, they’re going to convert this flat. Wait a moment. Where are you off to? Tell me what I am to do. They rush me. They want me to move within a week».

«What sort of advice do you expect me to give you? You needn’t imagine…»

«I don’t imagine anything», said Oblomov.

«Don’t shout. Better think what I am to do. You’re a practical man…»

But Tarantyev was no longer listening to him. He was thinking of something.

В«WellВ», he said, taking off his hat and sitting down. В«All right, you may thank me and order champagne for dinner. Your business is settledВ».

В«What do you mean?В» asked Oblomov.

В«Will there be champagne?В»

В«Perhaps, if your advice is worth itВ».

«Aye, but you’re not worth the advice.

You don’t imagine I’ll give you advice for nothing, do you? There, you can ask him», he added, pointing to Alexeyev, «or his relative».

В«All right, all right, tell meВ», Oblomov begged.

В«Now, listen: you must move to-morrowВ».

В«Good Lord, what an idea! I knew that myselfВ».

«Wait, don’t interrupt», Tarantyev shouted. «To-morrow you will move to the flat of a good friend of mine in Vyborg».