IX + 

One day Aglaya received a visit from a young man, whose hair was combed back with very shiny smoothness. He made an extremely gallant curtsey. He introduced himself thus: + 

“I represent the firm of Strigal and Co. A first-class store at the very smartest centre of aristocratic shopping in the West End. We have a huge quantity of clients in the best and highest society.” + 

With a view to all emergencies, Aglaya made eyes at the representative of the illustrious firm. With a languid gesture of her plump arm she invited him to take a chair. She sat with her back to the light. Leaning her head on one side, she made ready to listen. + 

The young man with the shinily combed hair continued: + 

“We have been informed that your husband has vouchsafed to display originality in his choice of a diminutive size for himself. For this reason, the firm, anticipating the very latest movements in ladies’ and gentlemen’s fashions, has the honour, madam, of proposing, as an advertisement, to provide the gentleman free of charge with suits cut according to the very finest Parisian model.” + 

“For nothing?” asked Aglaya, listlessly. + 

“Not only for nothing, madam, but even with payment to your own advantage, only under one trifling condition which can easily be fulfilled.” + 

In the meantime, Saranin, hearing that he was the subject of the discussion, betook himself into the drawing-room. He strolled round the young man with the shinily arranged hair. He coughed and clattered with his heels. He was very annoyed that the representative of the firm of Strigal and Co. paid not the slightest attention to him. + 

At last he darted up to the young man and squeaked loudly: + 

“I suppose they didn’t tell you I was at home?” + 

The representative of the illustrious firm stood up. He gave a gallant curtsey. He sat down again, and, turning to Aglaya, said: + 

“Only one trifling condition.” + 

Saranin snorted contemptuously. Aglaya burst out laughing. Her eyes sparkled inquisitively, and she said: + 

“Well, tell me, what is the condition?” + 

“Our condition is that the gentleman would consent to sit in the window of our store in the capacity of a living advertisement.” + 

Aglaya gave a malicious laugh. + 

“Splendid! At any rate, he’ll be out of my sight.” + 

“I won’t consent,” squeaked Saranin, in a piercing voice. “I cannot agree to such a thing. I⁠—a court councillor and a knight, sitting in a shopwindow as an advertisement⁠—why, I think it’s absolutely ridiculous.” + 

“Be quiet,” shouted Aglaya, “it’s not you they’re asking.” + 

“What, not asking me?” wailed Saranin. “How much longer am I to put up with strangers?” + 

“Oh no, sir, you’re making a mistake!” chimed in the young man amiably. “Our firm has no connection with aliens. Our employees are all either orthodox or Lutherans from Riga. And we have no Jews.” + 

“I don’t want to sit in the window!” screamed Saranin. + 

He stamped his feet. Aglaya seized him by the arm. She pulled him towards the bedroom. + 

“Where are you dragging me?” screamed Saranin. “I don’t want to, leave go.” + 

“I’ll quieten you,” shouted Aglaya. + 

She locked the door. + 

“I’ll give you a sound beating,” she said through her teeth. + 

She started striking him. He wriggled powerlessly in her mighty arms. + 

“I’ve got you in my power, you pygmy. What I want I’ll do. I can shove you into my pocket⁠—how dare you oppose me! I don’t care for your rank, I’ll thrash you within an inch of your life.” + 

“I’ll complain about it,” squeaked Saranin. + 

But he soon realised the uselessness of resistance. He was so very small, and Aglaya had clearly resolved to put her whole strength into it. + 

“All right then, all right,” he wailed, “I’ll go into Strigal’s window⁠—I’ll sit there⁠—and bring disgrace on you. I’ll put on all my decorations.” + 

Aglaya laughed. + 

“You’ll put on what Strigal gives you,” she shouted. + 

She lugged her husband into the drawing-room. She threw him before the young man and shouted: + 

“Take him! Carry him off this very moment. And the money in advance. Every month!” + 

Her words were hysterical outcries. + 

The young man produced a pocketbook. He counted out two hundred roubles. + 

“Not enough!” shouted Aglaya. + 

The young man smiled. He took out a hundred rouble note in addition. + 

“More than this I am not authorised to give,” he remarked, amiably. “At the end of a month, pray receive the next instalment.” + 

Saranin ran about the room. + 

“In the window! In the window!” he kept screaming. “Cursed Armenian, what did you do to me?” + 

And suddenly at that very moment he shrank by about three inches. + 