KRASNOV.  I told you to keep still!  I shouldn’t have to tell you ten times. 
You ought to understand it at once.

KURITSYN.  Leave them alone.  I like it when the women start a row.

KRASNOV.  But I don’t like it.

ULYANA.  What do I care what you like!  I’m not trying to please you.  My, how stern you are!  You’d better scold your own wife, not me; I’m not under your orders; you aren’t my boss.  I have a good husband who can boss me, not you.  I’m not to blame because your wife wanders around highways and byways, and flirts with young gentlemen for hours.

KRASNOV. [Jumping up] What’s that!

TATYANA.  I know nothing of highways and byways; I have told you, Lev Rodionych, that I met Valentin Pavlich on the bank, and even everything that we said.

LUKERYA.  Yes, I was there with them.

ULYANA.  Yes, you’re the same sort.

KRASNOV.  You’re a regular snake in the grass!  And you call yourself a sister.  What do you want?  To make trouble between us?  You’re spiteful because I love my wife!  You may rest assured that I wouldn’t change her for anybody.  For thirty years I’ve slaved for my family, labored till I sweated blood, and I thought of marriage only when I’d provided for the whole family.  For thirty years I haven’t known any pleasures.  That’s why I have to be thankful to my wife, who has beauty and education, for loving me, a peasant.  Formerly I worked for you; now I will work for her forever.  I’ll perish working, but I’ll give her every comfort.  I should kiss her feet, because I very well understand that I and my whole household aren’t worth her little finger.  Do you think after this I will allow her to be abused!  I respect her—­and you all must respect her!

LUKERYA.  Sister herself understands that she deserves all respect.

KRASNOV.  What’s that you were saying, Ulyana?  If you’re right, then it’s all up with me!  See here!  I have only one joy, one consolation, and I should have to give it up.  Is that easy?  Is it?  I’m not made of stone that I can look at such wifely doings through my fingers!  Your foolish words have entered my ears and wrenched my heart.  If I believed you, then—­God keep me from it—­I should soon do some violence!  One can’t vouch for himself as to what may happen.  Maybe the devil will jog my elbow.  God save us!  This is not a joking matter!  If you wanted to hurt me, you should have taken a knife and thrust it into my side—­that would have been easier for me.  After such words it’s better that I never see you again, you breaker-up of families.  I’d rather disown all my people than endure your poison.

ULYANA.  I’m not the cause of separation.  It’s she that’s breaking up families.

KURITSYN.  Well, brother!  Evidently, if it’s the wife’s kin—­open the door; but if it’s the husband’s kin—­then shut the door.  You visit us and we’ll show you hospitality.  Come, wife, we’d better go home!