“I am coming directly, my friend. I’m coming at once, you know,” Mr. Golyadkin responded in a trembling and failing voice. The cabman scratched his head, then stroked his beard, and moved a step forward. . . stood still and looked suspiciously at Mr. Golyadkin. “I am coming directly, my friend; you see, my friend . . . I . . . just a little, you see, only a second! . . . more . . . here, you see, my friend. . . .” “Aren’t you coming at all?” the cabman asked at last, definitely coming up to Mr. Golyadkin. “No, my friend, I’m coming directly. I am waiting, you see, my friend. . . .” “So I see . . .” “You see, my friend, I . . . What part of the country do you come from, my friend?” “We are under a master . . .” “And have you a good master? . . .” “All right . . .” “Yes, my friend;