SCENE I
MÍTYA is walking back and forth in the room. EGÓRUSHKA is seated on the stool reading "Bová Korolévich."
EGÓRUSHKA. [Reads] "My sovereign father, glorious and brave king, Kiribít Verzoúlovich, I do not possess the courage to marry him now. Because when I was young I was wooed by King Gvidón."
MÍTYA. Well, Egórushka, is any one at home?
EGÓRUSHKA. [Putting his finger on the place where he is reading in order not to make a mistake] Nobody; they've all gone driving. There's only Gordéy Kárpych at home. [Reads] "Whereupon Kiribít Verzoúlovich said to his daughter"—[Again marking the place]—only he's in such a rage, it's awful! I cleared out—he keeps on cursing. [Reads] "Then the beautiful Militrísa Kirbítyevna called her servant Licharda to her."
MÍTYA. With whom was he angry?
EGÓRUSHKA. With my uncle, with Lyubím KÁRPYCH. On the second day of the holidays Uncle Lyubím KÁRPYCH dined with us; at dinner he got drunk and began to play the fool; it was awfully funny. I always get the giggles. I couldn't stand it, and then I burst out laughing, and they were all looking at me. Uncle Gordéy KÁRPYCH took it as a great insult to himself and very bad manners, and he was furious with him and turned him out. Uncle Lyubím Kárpych made a great row, and out of revenge went and stood with the beggars by the church door. Uncle Gordéy Kárpych said: "He has put me to shame," he said, "in the eyes of the whole town." And now he gets angry with everybody who comes near him, no matter who they are. [Reads] "With the intention of advancing toward our town."
MÍTYA. [Looking out of the window] Here they come, I think. Yes, it's so.
Pelagéya Egórovna, Lyubóv Gordéyevna, and guests with them.
EGÓRUSHKA. [Concealing his story in his pocket] I'll run up-stairs.
[Goes out.