LIPOCHKA.  Mamma, I positively didn’t know that Lazar Elizarych was such a well-educated gentleman!  But now I see at once that he’s infinitely more respectful than the others.

AGRAFENA KONDRATYEVNA.  Well, well, well, you little goose!  As if your father would wish you any harm!  Ah, mamma’s little dove!  What a little story, eh?  Oh, my holy saints!  What in the world is this?  Fominishna!  Fominishna!

FOMINISHNA.  Coming, coming, my dear, coming! [She comes in.

BOLSHOV.  Stop, you gabbler!  Now you two just sit down side by side, and we’ll have a look at you.  Fominishna, bring up a little bottle of fizz.

PODKHALYUZIN and LIPOCHKA sit down.

FOMINISHNA.  Right away, my dear, right away! [She goes out.]

SCENE VII

The same, USTINYA NAUMOVNA, and RISPOLOZHENSKY

AGRAFENA KONDRATYEVNA.  Congratulate the bride and groom to be, Ustinya Naumovna!  God has brought us to a ripe old age; we have lived to see happiness!

USTINYA NAUMOVNA.  What have I got to congratulate you with, my jewels?  My mouth’s too dry to sing your praises.

BOLSHOV.  Well, now, we’ll wet your whistle.

SCENE VIII

The same, FOMINISHNA, and TISHKA, who is bringing wine on a tray.

USTINYA NAUMOVNA.  Aha! here’s a matter of a different sort.  Well, God grant you live long, keep young, grow fat, and be rich! [She drinks] It’s bitter, my jewels! [LIPOCHKA and LAZAR kiss] Ah! that sweetens it!

BOLSHOV.  Just let me drink their health. [He takes the glass; LIPOCHKA and LAZAR stand up] Live as you think best—­you’re reasonable beings.  But so that you won’t find life a bore, the house and shops go to you, Lazar, in place of dowry, and I’ll throw in some ready cash.

PODKHALYUZIN.  Many thanks, daddy; I’m well satisfied with what you’ve done for me as it is.

BOLSHOV.  Nothing to thank me for!  They’re my own goods—­I made ’em myself.  I give ’em to whomever I please.  Pour me another! [TISHKA pours another glass] But what’s the good of talking!  Kindness is no crime!  Take everything, only feed me and the old woman, and pay off the creditors at ten kopeks on the ruble.

PODKHALYUZIN.  Why, daddy, that’s not worth talking about, sir!  Don’t I know what feeling is?  It’s a family affair—­we’ll settle it ourselves.

BOLSHOV.  I tell you, take it all, and there’s an end to it!  And nobody can boss me!  Only pay my creditors.  Will you pay ’em?

PODKHALYUZIN.  If you please, dad, that’s my first duty, sir.

BOLSHOV.  Only you look out—­don’t give ’em much.  As it is, I suppose you’ll be fool enough to pay the whole debt.

PODKHALYUZIN.  Oh, we’ll settle it later, daddy, somehow.  If you please, it’s a family affair.