MADAM ULANBEKOV.  You hear, Gavrilovna!  Look after my girls.  You know I won’t have any loose conduct.  You tell them that so they’ll know I mean it. [To VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA] But no, there can’t be anything like that.  You’re merely disturbing me with your silly notions.  What a dirty tongue you have!  What business had you to chatter?  And now I can’t get the stuff out of my head!  Keep watch, Gavrilovna!

GAVRILOVNA.  What’s the use of listening to her, mistress?

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA.  But really, benefactress, am I saying anything bad?  Would I dare to think any harm about him, that little angel?  Of course he’s still a child, he wants to frisk a little; but here he hasn’t any companions, so he plays with the girls.

MADAM ULANBEKOV.  There’s poison on your tongue. [She reflects.  POTAPYCH takes the cups.  GAVRILOVNA fills them and gives them back.  GRISHA comes in from the garden, gives GAVRILOVNA a push, and makes a sign with his head that she is to pour him another cup.  GAVRILOVNA does so.  GRISHA goes out] However, I must marry off Nadya.

NADYA. [Almost weeping] Mistress, you have shown me such kindness that I can’t even express it.  Forgive me for daring to speak to you now; but, because of your attitude towards me, I expected quite a different favor from you.  In what respect have I displeased you now, mistress, that you wish to marry me to a drunkard?

MADAM ULANBEKOV.  My dear, it’s not for you to argue about that; you’re just a girl.  You ought to rely in all things upon me, your patroness.  I brought you up, and I am even bound to establish you in life.  And again, you ought not to forget this:  that he is my godson.  Rather, you ought to be thankful for the honor.  And now I tell you once and for all:  I do not like it when my girls argue, I simply do not like it, and that’s all there is to it.  That’s a thing I cannot permit anybody.  I’ve been accustomed, from my youth, to having people obey my every word; it’s time you knew that!  And it’s very strange to me, my dear, that you should presume to oppose me.  I see that I have spoiled you; and you at once get conceited. [NADYA weeps.

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA.  Benefactress, one must have feeling for his fellow creature, one must have feeling.  But what kind of feelings can such as they have, save ingratitude?

MADAM ULANBEKOV.  No one’s talking to you!  What are you mixing into everything for? [To NADYA, sternly] What new tale is this?  Still crying!  Let’s have no more tears! [NADYA weeps] I’m talking to you. [Rising slightly] Your tears mean absolutely nothing to me!  When I make up my mind to do a thing, I take a firm stand, and listen to no one on earth! [She sits down] And know, first of all, that your obstinacy will lead to nothing; you will simply anger me.

NADYA. [Weeping] I’m an orphan, mistress!  Your will must be obeyed!