VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA.  You haven’t any money for anything else; but you have for such things.

POTAPYCH.  Well, anyhow, it ain’t your business.

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA.  Of course, Potapych, you’re an old man, why shouldn’t you take a drink once in a while?

POTAPYCH.  Sure, I guess I work for it.

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA.  Just so, Potapych!

POTAPYCH.  I’m tired of being lectured by you!

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA.  I wish you well, Potapych.

POTAPYCH.  No need for it! [Silence] But you keep upsetting the mistress so!  If you’d only put in a word for us when she’s in a good humor; but you just look for the wrong time, in order to complain of us.

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA.  What do you say, Potapych?  God preserve me!

POTAPYCH.  What’s that!  No matter how much you swear, I know you!  For instance, why are you coming to the mistress now?

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA.  To wish the benefactress good morning.

POTAPYCH.  You’d better not come.

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA.  Why so?

POTAPYCH.  It must be she got out the wrong side of bed; she’s out of sorts. [VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA rubs her hands with pleasure] Here now, I see that you’re happy; you’re dying for some deviltry or other.  Phew!  Lord forgive us!  What a disposition!

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA.  You are saying insulting words to me, Potapych, insulting to my very heart.  When did I ever say anything about you to the mistress?

POTAPYCH.  If not about me, then about somebody else.

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA.  But that’s my business.

POTAPYCH.  Your spite’s always getting in its work.

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA.  Not spite, not spite, my friend!  You’re mistaken!  I have just been so insulted that it’s impossible to live in this world after it.  I shall die, but I shall not forget.

MADAM ULANBEKOV enters. POTAPYCH goes out.

SCENE II

MADAM ULANBEKOV and VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA. [Kissing both of MADAM ULANBEKOV’S hands] You have risen early, benefactress.  You must have an awful lot of things on your mind.

MADAM ULANBEKOV. [Sitting down] I didn’t sleep much.  I had a bad dream.

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA.  What, a dream, benefactress?  The dream may be terrible, but God is merciful.  Not the dream, but what is going on in reality, disturbs you, benefactress.  I see that; I’ve seen it a long time.

MADAM ULANBEKOV.  Bah, what is it to me what’s going on?

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA.  Why, benefactress, don’t we know that your son, dear little soul! is struck with every creature he meets?

MADAM ULANBEKOV.  You make me tired.

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA.  I’m so sorry for you, benefactress!  Don’t look for any consolation in this life!  You scatter benefactions upon every one; but how do they repay you?  The world is full of lust.