GORDEY KARPYCH comes in.

SCENE VIII

LYUBOV GORDEYEVNA, KORSHUNOV, and GORDEY KARPYCH

GORDEY KARPYCH.  Ah, so that’s where my son-in-law is!  We’ve been looking for you.  We’ve already started in on the champagne.  Come along to the guests; at our house a feast isn’t a feast without you.

KORSHUNOV.  I like it here.

GORDEY KARPYCH.  Then we’ll order it to be served here, and we’ll drink it with you. [Walks to the door] Hey, boy, serve the wine here!  On a silver tray! [Sits down] Now, son-in-law, what do you say?

KORSHUNOV.  Nothing.

GORDEY KARPYCH.  How, nothing?

KORSHUNOV.  Just nothing.

GORDEY KARPYCH.  But don’t you really? [Looks at him] Can you understand me now?

KORSHUNOV.  Why shouldn’t I understand you?

GORDEY KARPYCH.  Now we’ve had this little spree!  So now you tell me, what sort of a man I am.  Can they appreciate me here?

KORSHUNOV.  Why should they appreciate you?

GORDEY KARPYCH.  No, tell me this:  Isn’t everything well done here?  In other houses a young fellow waits at table in a Russian smock, or there’s a peasant girl; but in my house there’s a butler in cotton gloves.  This butler is a trained man, from Moscow; he knows all the ways of society—­where each man should be seated, and what’s to be done.  But how is it at other people’s houses?  They collect in one room, they sit down in a ring, and sing peasant songs.  Of course it’s jolly, but I consider it’s vulgar; there’s no style about it.  And what do they drink in their boorishness?  Home-made cordials, all sorts of cherry water!  And they don’t even know that champagne is the proper thing!  Oh, if I could live in Moscow, or in Petersburg, I’d make a point of following every fashion.

KORSHUNOV.  You don’t mean every fashion?

GORDEY KARPYCH.  Every one.  As long as my money held out, I wouldn’t stint myself.  You just look out, Lyubov; you toe the mark!  Or else your bridegroom—­you see he’s from Moscow—­may be ashamed of you.  I suppose you don’t even know how to walk gracefully, and you don’t understand how to talk as is proper in company.

LYUBOV GORDEYEVNA.  I say what I feel, father; I wasn’t brought up in a boarding-school.

The butler enters, and gives wine to KORSHUNOV and GORDEY KARPYCH.  He places the bottles on the table, and goes out.

GORDEY KARPYCH.  That’s it, son-in-law!  Just let them know what sort of man Gordey Karpych Tortsov is!

EGORUSHKA comes in.

EGORUSHKA.  Uncle Gordey Karpych, come here, if you please.

GORDEY KARPYCH.  What’s the matter with you?

EGORUSHKA.  Come, please:  there’s such a scene! [Laughs]

GORDEY KARPYCH. [Approaching] What’s the matter?

EGORUSHKA.  Uncle Lyubim Karpych has come in.