Agata slowly turned toward Sviridov, mockingly sized him up with her gaze, then looked at his companion, assessed her too—and finally said:
— Teddy bear, I’m not your little squirrel! Don’t play the master of the universe in front of me. We both know that it’s far from true.
— Are you sure?
— Completely!
Hearing this, Vladimir—without breaking eye contact with Agata—held out a card to the jeweler and said:
— I’m buying this ring! Double payment!
— Sviridov, are you out of your mind?
— Do you need the little box, or will you walk straight into it?
— What? — Agata was stunned.
— Well, for the ring the box isn’t needed. Happy birthday, Agata Pavlovna!