The Twelve Chairs / Двенадцать стульев. Книга для чтения на английском языке

He stopped by the well and began looking round at the buildings. Not seeing Polesov anywhere, he asked sadly:

В«Isn't Vick the mechanic here yet?В»

В«I really don't knowВ», said the fortune-teller. В«I don't know at allВ». And with unusual nervousness she hurried off to her apartment, spilling water from the pail.

The yard-keeper stroked the cement block at the top of the well and went over to the workshop. Two paces beyond the sign:

ENTRANCE TO METAL WORKSHOP

was another sign:

METAL WORKSHOP

AND PRIMUS STOVE REPAIRS

under which there hung a heavy padlock.

The yard-keeper kicked the padlock and said with loathing:

В«Ugh, that stinker!В»

He stood by the workshop for another two or three minutes working up the most venomous feelings, then wrenched off the sign with a crash, took it to the well in the middle of the yard, and standing on it with both feet, began creating an unholy row.

В«You have thieves in no. 7!В» howled the yard-keeper. В«Riffraff of all kinds! That seven-sired viper! Secondary education indeed! I don't give a damn for his secondary education! Damn stinkard!В»

During this, the seven-sired viper with secondary education was sitting behind the dustbin and feeling depressed.

Window-frames flew open with a bang, and amused tenants poked out their heads.

People strolled into the yard from outside in curiosity. At the sight of an audience, the yard-keeper became even more heated.

В«Fitter-mechanic!В» he cried. В«Damn aristocrat!В»

The yard-keeper's parliamentary expressions were richly interspersed with swear words, to which he gave preference.

The members of the fair sex crowding around the windows were very annoyed at the yard-keeper, but stayed where they were.

В«I'll push his face in!В» he raged. В«Education indeed!В»

While the scene was at its height, a militiaman appeared and quietly began hauling the fellow off to the police station. He was assisted by Some young toughs from Fastpack. The yard-keeper put his arms around the militiaman's neck and burst into tears.

The danger was over.

A weary Victor Mikhailovich jumped out from behind the dustbin. There was a stir among the audience.

В«Bum!В» cried Polesov in the wake of the procession. В«I'll show you! You louse!В»

But the yard-keeper was weeping bitterly and could not hear. He was carried to the police station, and the sign В«Metal Workshop and Primus Stove RepairsВ» was also taken along as factual evidence.