A Clump of Lilacs

Characters

• Vera (Verotchka) — Almazov’s resourceful wife: She finds the daring solution and drives the rescue.
• Nikolai Yevgrafovitch Almazof (Kolya) — a poor officer studying at the staff academy: A mistake on his survey threatens a disgraceful return to his regiment.
• the professor — the examiner at the academy, a German pedant: He has known the district for twenty years, rejects the plan over the bushes, then apologises next day.
• the gardener — a Tchekh, a little old man with gold eyeglasses: He refuses the night order at first, then relents at Vera’s story and plants the clump of lilacs.
• the pawnbroker — the valuer at the pawnshop: He values their things by metal weight alone and offers three roubles for the diamond ring.