A man recounts his experiences with Laploshka, a miserly yet entertaining individual known for his sharp wit and disdain for generosity. Laploshka thrives on the company of wealthy acquaintances, exploiting their hospitality while being miserly towards those of similar financial means. His fear of losing even a small amount of money leads to amusing situations where others playfully torment him over his frugality. One evening, after a meal together, the narrator leaves Laploshka to pay his share, promising to settle the debt later. The next day, Laploshka confronts him about the two francs owed, but the narrator cruelly claims he has no money and is leaving for an extended period. This interaction causes Laploshka great distress, leading to his sudden death that same day, attributed to "failure of the heart's action," though the narrator believes it was grief that killed him. Faced with the dilemma of what to do with the two francs, the narrator decides against giving it to the poor, knowing Laploshka would disapprove. Instead, he drops the coins into a collection bag at a church, believing it to be a charitable act. However, weeks later, he encounters Laploshka alive and well in Vienna, leading to a series of uncomfortable moments where he feels haunted by the man's presence. Despite attempts to avoid Laploshka, he continues to appear in various locations, watching the narrator's activities. The narrator's friends notice his distress, prompting him to consider his own well-being. During another church visit, he seizes the opportunity to reclaim the two francs by substituting his own coin in the collection bag. The narrator then seeks a suitable recipient for the money, eventually encountering a wealthy baron in a church. He gives the two francs to the baron, who promptly donates it to the poor, thus completing the cycle of the money's journey. That evening, the narrator catches a glimpse of Laploshka, who acknowledges him with a smile before disappearing. The narrator concludes that the soul of Laploshka is now at peace, having fulfilled the obligation of the two francs to the deserving rich.
By Saki · First published 1911 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Satire, Character Study