AINA, AINA, AI-NA-NA-NA, AI-NA NA-NA-NA."
In conclusion he took Little White Manka in his arms, wrapped her
up in the skirts of his frock and, stretching out his hand and
making a tearful face, began to nod his head, bent to one side, as
is done by little swarthy, dirty, oriental lads who roam over all
Russia in long, old, soldiers' overcoats, with bared chest of a
bronze colour, holding a coughing, moth-eaten little monkey in
their bosom.
"And who may you be?" severely asked fat Kate, who knew and loved
this joke.
"Me Serbian, lady-y-y," piteously moaned the actor through his
nose. "Give me somethin', lady-y-y."
"And what do they call your little monkey?"
"Matreshka-a-a ... Him 'ungry-y-y, lady ... him want eat..."
"And have you got a passport?"
"We Serbia-a-an. Gimme something lady-y-y..."
The actor proved not superfluous on the whole. He created at once
a great deal of noise and raised the spirits of the company, which
were beginning to be depressing. And every minute he cried out in
a stentorian voice:
"KELLNER! Chompa-a-agne!"--although Simeon, who was accustomed to
his manner paid very little attention to these cries.
Pages:
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175