GAVRILOVNA.  Well, how?

POTAPYCH.  Just this:  I don’t know anything about it, because it isn’t my business ... it’s the mistress’s business.

GAVRILOVNA.  Bah, you old idiot!  You’ve lost your wits in your old age.

POTAPYCH.  Why should I ...  I, thanks to the lady’s kindness, now in her employ ...  I carry out all her orders ... but I don’t know.

GAVRILOVNA.  Well, let’s go home.  She may have thought up something or other about even you and me.

[They go out.]

SCENE IV

LIZA. [Enters] Alone again!  Where are those precious darlings of mine?  I suppose they’ve forgotten about me!  But, then, why should they remember me?  Saints alive, it’ll soon be daylight.  This night is shorter than a sparrow’s beak.  How can we go home then?  How brave that Nadya is!

Enter VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA.

SCENE V

LIZA and VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA.  What are you doing there, dearest?

LIZA.  Can’t you see?  I’m taking a stroll.

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA.  I see!  How can I help it?  But what kind of a night-walk is this?

LIZA.  Well, when can we go walking?  We work all day and wait on the gentry, and we go walking at night.  But I am surprised at you!  Don’t you walk enough daytimes that you still want to wander around at night and scare people, just like....

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA.  Just like what?...  Well, say it, say it!

LIZA.  What?  Oh, nothing.

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA.  No, you said, “Just like” ... well, say it now; just like who?

LIZA.  I said what I said.

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA.  No, don’t you dare sneak out of it!  Come, speak up!

LIZA.  Why did you stick to it?  All right, I’ll tell you:  like a spook.

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA.  What, what!  Like a spook!...  How do you dare, you dirty hussy, ha?  What’s this!  You want to push me alive into the grave!  But I’ll find your lover here, and take you to the mistress.  Then we’ll see what song you’ll sing.

LIZA.  I haven’t any lover!  There’s no use in your looking.  Search the whole garden if you want to!  And even if I had, it’s none of your business!  It’s shameful for you even to speak of it.  You ought not even to know about it:  you’re an old maid.  You ought to be ashamed of yourself!

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA.  Sing on, sing on, my dear; you sing very finely on the wing; but you’ll perch pretty soon!  You’re not going to roam about at night for nothing.  I know your tricks.  I’ll show you all up!  I’m so mad now, that even if you bow down to my feet, I’ll not forgive you.

LIZA.  Just wait!  I see myself bowing before you!  Don’t count on it!

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA.  No, now I’m going to look around every bush.