The Government Inspector

Osip lays on his master’s bed in his room at the inn. His master has lost all his money at the gambling tables, and now Osip is worried about getting home. Osip loathes the countryside and wishes to return to St. Petersburg. Even in the city, however, he knows that his master rarely completes a real day’s work even though he is just a “measly clerk” (264). Khlestakov has even spent all the money sent to him by his father. Osip’s hungry groans are interrupted by a knock at the door.

Khlestakov criticizes his servant Osip for “loafing about” (265) on the bed. He tells Osip to order him lunch, though Osip insists that the landlord will not give them any more food until the “pair of crooks” (266) have settled their bill. Khlestakov orders Osip to go down to the dining room to order food; Osip announces that he will go directly to the landlord, so Khlestakov tells Osip to bring the landlord to him.

Left on his own in the room, Khlestakov thinks about his own hunger. He regrets having gambled away all his money in Penza, as he may no longer have “enough money to get home” (267).