BABAYEV.  Well, imagine that I’m a man of no breeding.  What are the words, tell me?

LUKERYA.  You’re embarrassing Tanya and me.  But if you’re interested to hear those words, all right!  The kitchen and other common things belong to the household:  the frying-pan, the handle, the oven fork.  Isn’t that low?

KRASNOV.  Whether the oven fork is high or low, if you put the soup in the stove you’ve got to get it out.

TATYANA.  You might spare your wife before guests.

KRASNOV.  I haven’t insulted you a hair’s breadth either before guests or without guests.  When you’re asked what sort of a housekeeper you are for your husband, right before him, then I should think you’d answer, that you’re a good housekeeper, and aren’t ashamed of your position, because among such as us that is the first duty.

LUKERYA. [In a low voice to KRASNOV] You’re disturbing our conversation with our guest.

BABAYEV. [In a low voice to TATYANA] Is he always like this?

TATYANA. [In a low voice] I don’t know what’s the matter with him.

BABAYEV. [In a low voice] You see for yourself that I’ve no business here.  You’d better come to me to-day, and I’ll go home now. [Aloud] Well, good-by.  I hope this isn’t the last time we meet.

LUKERYA.  Certainly, certainly.

TATYANA.  We are most grateful for your visit!

KRASNOV. [Bowing] Good-by to you!  Are you going away from here soon?

BABAYEV.  I don’t know.  Whenever my affairs are settled.

KRASNOV.  But when, do you think?

BABAYEV.  They tell me, at court, the day after to-morrow.

KRASNOV.  So, when that’s over you’re going directly?

BABAYEV.  I think so.  What is there to do here?

KRASNOV.  Yes, there’s nothing to do here.  My regards to you! [BABAYEV, TATYANA, and LUKERYA go out] An unbidden guest is worse than a Tatar.  What do we want with him?  What use is he to us?  I won’t have his help; we aren’t beggars.  Well, be off with you!  Go to St. Petersburg, and good luck to you.

Enter TATYANA and LUKERYA.

SCENE V

KRASNOV, TATYANA, and LUKERYA

TATYANA.  What are you doing?  Why did you go and insult me so?

KRASNOV.  There’s no insult!  Now, look here!  We haven’t quarrelled once since our wedding, and I hope that we may never do so, but may always live in love.

LUKERYA.  Fine love, I must say!

[KRASNOV looks at her sharply.

TATYANA.  Where is your love?  Now we see it very plainly.  I must serve your relatives and friends like a cook; but when our friend came, a gentleman, then you almost drove him away.

LUKERYA.  You did drive him away, only in a roundabout fashion.

TATYANA.  You’d better not speak of your love.  What do I want with your love when you disgrace me at every step.