"I didn't know you read French," says Markov, pointing to the week-old copy of Le Figaro folded under Bulgakov's arm.
"I don't," says Bulgakov.
"Well ...?" says Markov.
"I'm practising," says Bulgakov. "If I were French, I'm quite sure I would read Le Figaro."
"And if I were French, dear friend" says Markov; "I'm quite sure I would be in Paris, not walking down Nevsky Prospekt talking to you."
2) Markov sees Alexander Grigoryevich running to catch a tram on Liteiny Prospekt. Never once, in twenty three years of friendship, having seen Alexander Grigoryevich run before, Markov is curious to find out what could have inspired this burst of athleticism, and runs for the tram himself. He squeezes through the closing doors, shakes Alexander Grigoryevich by the hand and fifteen minutes later gets round to asking his friend where he is heading. "I'm not sure," says Alexander Grigoryevich. "I saw Alexander Petrovich running for the tram, and, never having seen him run before, was curious to know where he might be going. Ask him". They both turn to Alexander Petrovich, but Alexander Petrovich has already got off.
3) Markov meets Petrovich at the corner of Nevsky and Mayakovskovo. They shake hands and walk in silence down Mayakovskovo till the corner of Mayakovskovo and Nekrasova. Then they shake hands again and, without another word, go their separate ways. That's all.