He was examining his small white hands and stroking them lovingly.

‘I say, they’re still the same!’ Tarantyev observed sternly, taking out a cigar and looking at Oblomov.

‘Yes, they’re the same,’ Oblomov replied absent-mindedly.

‘But didn’t I tell you to buy the others – foreign ones? So that’s how you remember what is said to you! Mind you get some by next Saturday or you won’t see me here for a long time. Good Lord, what horrible stuff!’ he went on, lighting a cigar, and letting out one cloud of smoke into the room, he inhaled another. ‘Can’t smoke it.’

‘You’ve come early to-day, Tarantyev,’ said Oblomov, yawning.

‘Why? You’re not getting tired of me, are you?’

‘No, I just mentioned it. You usually come in time for dinner, and now it’s only just gone twelve.’

‘I’ve come earlier on purpose to find out what there is for dinner. Your food is so awful as a rule that I thought I’d better find out what you’ve ordered for to-day.’

‘You’d better ask in the kitchen,’ said Oblomov.

Tarantyev went out.

‘Good heavens!’ he said, returning. ‘Beef and veal! The trouble with you, old man, is that you don’t know how to live – a landowner, forsooth! What sort of a gentleman are you? You look like a shopkeeper – you’ve no idea how to treat a friend! Have you bought any Madeira at least?’

‘Don’t know, you’d better ask Zakhar,’ said Oblomov, hardly listening to him. ‘I expect they must have some wine there.’

‘You mean the same wine as before – from the German? Really, my dear fellow, you ought to buy some in the English shop.’

‘Oh, it’ll have to do,’ said Oblomov. ‘Don’t want to send out for it.’

‘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 tenrouble note.

‘Madeira costs seven roubles, and this is ten,’ 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.

‘Why not? Are you too lazy, or do you grudge the money? Oh, you sluggard!’ he said. ‘Well, good-bye for the present.’

‘Wait, Tarantyev,’ Oblomov interrupted him. ‘I want to ask your advice.’

‘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.

‘Well,’ he said, taking off his hat and sitting down. ‘All right, you may thank me and order champagne for dinner. Your business is settled.’

‘What do you mean?’ asked Oblomov.

‘Will there be champagne?’

‘Perhaps, if your advice is worth it.’

‘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.’

‘All right, all right, tell me,’ Oblomov begged.

‘Now, listen: you must move to-morrow.’

‘Good Lord, what an idea! I knew that myself.’

‘Wait, don’t interrupt,’ Tarantyev shouted.