GORDeY KaRPYCH. [_To the mummers_] What's this rabble!--Get out! [_To his wife_] Wife! Pelageya Egorovna! Greet my guest. [_Speaks in a low voice_]

You've ruined me!

PELAGeYA EGoROVNA. You are welcome, Afrikan Savvich, you are welcome.

KoRSHUNOV. Good evening, Pelageya Egorovna. He, he, he! It's very cheerful here! We've struck it just at the right time.

PELAGeYA EGoROVNA. Yes, here I am with the girls. Yes, I'm always with the girls. It's holiday time; I want to give my daughter some fun.

GORDeY KaRPYCH. You are welcome, Afrikan Savvich; make yourself at home.

[AFRIKaN SaVVICH _seats himself in the armchair at the table. To his wife_]

Turn the hussies out.

KoRSHUNOV. Why turn them out! Who's going to turn the girls out. He, he, he! They'll sing a song, and we'll listen and watch them, and we'll give them some money, but not turn them out.

GORDeY KaRPYCH. As you wish, Afrikan Savvich! Only I am abashed before you!

But don't conclude from this that we are all uneducated--this is all the wife; nothing can knock anything into her head. [_To his wife_] How many times have I told you: if you want to have a party in the evening, call in the musicians, and have things in good form. You can't say I deny you anything.

PELAGeYA EGoROVNA. Well, what's the use of musicians--for us old women?

_You_ can amuse yourself with them!

GORDeY KaRPYCH. There, that's the idea of life she has! It makes you laugh to hear her.

PELAGeYA EGoROVNA. What do you mean? _Idea, idea_! It would be better for you to give your guest something to eat. Would you like something, Afrikan Savvich? Some wine with us old women? [_Pours out Madeira_.

GORDeY KaRPYCH. [_Severely_] Wife! Have you really gone out of your mind!

Hasn't Afrikan Savvich ever seen Madeira before! Order champagne--a half dozen--and be quick about it! Then order lighted candles in the reception-room where the new furniture is. That will give quite another effect.

PELAGeYA EGoROVNA. I will do it myself at once. [_Rises_ Arinushka, come on. Excuse me, my dear neighbors.

FIRST GUEST. We will come with you, my dear; it's time we were going home.

SECOND GUEST. It's time, it's time! The nights are dark, and the dogs in the lanes are fierce.

FIRST GUEST. Yes, fierce; very fierce! [_They bow and go out_.

SCENE VIII

GORDeY KaRPYCH, KoRSHUNOV, LYUBoV GORDeYEVNA, ANNA IVaNOVNA, MaSHA, LiZA, _girls_, MiTYA, GuSLIN, _and_ RAZLYULYaYEV.

KoRSHUNOV. Let's join the young ladies. Where did you pick up such beauties--he, he! [_Walks towards_ LYUBoV GORDeYEVNA] Good evening, Lyubov Gordeyevna, my beauty. [LYUBoV GORDeYEVNA _bows_] May I join your company?

LYUBoV GORDeYEVNA. We don't drive any one away.

ANNA IVaNOVNA. Be seated; you'll be our guest.

KoRSHUNOV. You're pretty chilly to the old man! It's Christmas time now, and I suppose we may exchange kisses.

ANNA IVaNOVNA. Why be so affectionate?

KoRSHUNOV. Gordey Karpych, may I kiss your daughter? And I must confess--he, he--I'm fond of this sort of thing. Yes, well, who doesn't like it! He, he!

GORDeY KaRPYCH. You're welcome to do so; don't stand on ceremony.

KoRSHUNOV. Will you give me a kiss, young lady?

LYUBoV GORDeYEVNA. If my father wants me to. [_They exchange kisses_.

KoRSHUNOV. Well now, every one of them, right down the line.

ANNA IVaNOVNA. I suppose so! I'm not proud.

MaSHA. Oh, how embarra.s.sing!

LiZA. Well, there's nothing to be said; I must say it's a treat!

GORDeY KaRPYCH. [_Going up to_ MiTYA] Why are you here? Is this your place?

"The crow has flown into the lofty palace!"

MiTYA, GuSLIN _and_ RAZLYULYaYEV _go out_.

SCENE IX

GORDeY KaRPYCH, KoRSHUNOV, LYUBoV GORDeYEVNA, ANNA IVaNOVNA, MaSHA, LiZA _and girls_.

KoRSHUNOV. [_Seats himself near_ LYUBoV GORDeYEVNA] I'm not like you, Lyubov Gordeyevna; you didn't even want to kiss me, he, he, he! And I've brought you a little present.

LYUBoV GORDeYEVNA. You needn't have taken the trouble.

KoRSHUNOV. Here I've brought you some diamonds, he, he! [_Gives them to her_.

LYUBoV GORDeYEVNA. Oh, they're earrings! I thank you humbly.

ANNA IVaNOVNA. Show them to us.

MaSHA. But they are charming!

LiZA. And in such good taste!

KoRSHUNOV. Give me your hand. [_Takes it and kisses it_] You see, I like you very much, he, he, he! I like you very much; well, but you don't like me, I suppose?

LYUBoV GORDeYEVNA. Why shouldn't I like you?