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 embarrassing!

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?

KORSHUNOV.  Why?  You like some one else, that’s why.  But you will come to love me!  I’m a good man—­a jolly man, he, he, he!

LYUBOV GORDEYEVNA.  I don’t know what you are talking about.

KORSHUNOV.  I say, you will come to love me.  Why not?  I’m not old yet. [Looks at her] Am I an old man?  He, he, he!  Well, well, there’s no harm in that.  To make up for it you shall wear cloth of gold.  I haven’t any money!  I’m a poor man.  I’ve only got about five hundred thousand, he, he, he!  In silver! [Takes her hand.