KRASNOV. [Embracing her] So you were offended! [Looking at her lovingly] You’re my dear!  Whatever is dear to one he guards.  Why, you’re dearer to me than everything in the world!  What a wife you are!  Who else has such a one?  You’re the envy of the whole city—­don’t I see that?  Who would want to lose such a wife?  In the first place, it’s just like tearing a piece out of his heart; and secondly with their taunts and reproaches they would give me no peace, drive me wild.  I must tell you, I love you more than my soul, and I had no intention of abusing you, but—­how can I explain it?—­I can’t help having notions.

TATYANA.  Don’t have them.

KRASNOV.  That’s all over now.

TATYANA. [Kindly] Don’t you insult me by watching me!

KRASNOV.  I tell you that’s all past!  Give me a good hard kiss! [They kiss each other] That’s right!  Now tell me why you love me?  How can you be so attached to me?

TATYANA.  I just love you, that’s all.

KRASNOV.  No, do tell me!  It does me good to hear it from you.  I want to know what there is in me that could make such a beauty fall in love with me.  Did I please you by my wit or by something else?

TATYANA.  By everything.  Who could say anything bad of you?  Everybody knows you’re a good man.

KRASNOV.  And what else?

TATYANA.  You’re very kind, and you don’t begrudge me anything.

KRASNOV.  That’s the talk! [Embraces her fervently and kisses her] Well, love me still more and then I’ll be still kinder.  What are you frowning at?  Did I muss you a little?

TATYANA.  You’re holding me too tight.

KRASNOV.  Oh, for the Lord’s sake!  I just can’t help it!  I squeeze you the way I love you.  It’s right from the heart, no humbug.  I don’t suppose you’re made of sugar; you won’t fall to pieces.

TATYANA.  That’s all right.

KRASNOV.  I know you didn’t mean anything.  What’s there to complain of!  No need to get angry at such treatment!  Isn’t that so?

TATYANA.  You know yourself, why ask!

KRASNOV.  Such is life with a good woman!  Peaches and cream!  Simply lovely!  Nothing on earth is better!  What is the reason that you’re so precious to us men?

TATYANA.  I don’t know.

KRASNOV.  It’s the work of Providence—­truly, of Providence!  It’s beyond our understanding!  We know one thing, that—­if you’re attached to your wife, that’s enough.  If you’re once attached, then that’s all.  Now that we’re friends, the house might burn down over my head. [Kisses her] To-day I’ll go and collect some money, and to-morrow I’ll buy you a new outfit.

TATYANA.  What for?  You don’t need to.

KRASNOV.  If I say I’ll buy it, then that’s my affair.  So I do need to buy it.  You attend to your business; comfort your husband!  And I’ll attend to mine. [Looking at his watch] Oh, there’s lots of time!  I’d better go!  I wish I didn’t have to leave you.