Teffi about to leave Odessa

[Robert Chandler]

Dear all,

The Whites are abandoning Odessa.  Teffi herself is forgotten by most of her supposed friends and is only at the last moment offered a place on a small and not very seaworthy-looking boat, the Shilka.

Then a self-important fool turns up in her room, expecting Teffi, through all her wonderful connections, to be able to sort out passes for him and his family.  Teffi explains her own difficulties to him.  And he then says to her:
В таком случае мы едем с вами на… «Шилку», — решил П. — Вы обязаны нас устроить. Мы тоже не кто-нибудь. Россия последних моментов тоже кое-чем нам обязана. Слушайте: я бегу на разведки. Если ничего не удастся — вы нас устраиваете на «Шилку». Это ваш гражданский долг. Вы ответите перед историей. Жму вашу руку и верю вам.

What is this Россия последних моментов?  Is it something like "Russia, in her last (i.e. dying) moments…"  Or is it something less dramatic, e.g. "Contemporary Russia" ("Russia of these last days").

Also, I don't know how literally to understand Жму вашу руку.  Does he actually shake her hand at this point?  Or is it more like the Жму вашу руку with which people used to sign off at the end of a letter?

Our draft:
"In that case we'll go on the Shilka with you," P. resolved.  "You must get us on board too.  After all, it’s not as if we’re nobodies.  Russia, in her last moments, owes us something.  Listen – I'm going to go and look into a few things.  If I don't have any success, then you must get us onto the Shilka.  It's your civic duty.  History will be your judge.  Give me your hand – I place my trust in you."

All the best, and thanks,

Robert

Robert Chandler, 42 Milson Road, London, W14 OLD

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