Mikhail Bulgakov. The Fateful Eggs -
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iodine, and the right hand was bandaged at the wrist.
"But what about you, Professor?"
"You can buy rubber gloves at Schwabe's on Kuznetsky," the Professor
replied irritably. "I'm not obliged to worry about that"
At this point Persikov stared hard at the newcomer as if through a
microscope.
"Where are you from? And why have you..."
Feight took offence at last.
"Pard..."
"But a person should know what he's doing! Why have you latched on to
this ray?"
"Because it's a matter of the greatest importance..."
"Hm. The greatest importance? In that case... Pankrat!"
And when Pankrat appeared:
"Wait a minute, I must think." " Pankrat dutifully disappeared again.
"There's one thing I can't understand," said Persikov. "Why the need
for all this speed and secrecy?"
"You've got me all muddled up. Professor," Feight replied. "You know
there's not a single chicken left in the whole country."
"Well, what of it?" Persikov howled. "Surely you're not going to try
and resurrect them all at the drop of a hat, are you? And why do you need
this ray which hasn't been properly studied yet?"
"Comrade Professor," Feight replied, "you've got me all muddled, honest
you have. I'm telling you that we must put poultry-keeping back on its feet
again, because they're writing all sorts of rotten things about us abroad.
Yes."
"Well, let them..."
"Tut-tut," Feight replied enigmatically, shaking his head.
"Who on earth, I should like to know, would ever think of using the ray
to hatch chickens..."
"Me," said Feight.
"Oh, I see. And why, if you don't mind my asking? How did you find out
about the properties of the ray?"
"I was at your lecture, Professor."
"But I haven't done anything with the eggs yet! I'm only planning to!"
"It'll work alright, honest it will," said Feight suddenly with great