SCENE I
KARP is unfastening a valise, and ZÁYCHIKHA (PROKÓFYEVNA) is looking out of the window.
PROKÓFYEVNA. Just look, dear sir, how many people have gathered.
KARP. What do they want? Why are they curious?
PROKÓFYEVNA. Every one, dear sir, wishes to know who it is that has arrived.
KARP. They say you're provincials, and you certainly are provincials. Well, tell them that it's Babáyev, Valentin Pávlich, a landowner.
PROKÓFYEVNA. [Speaking through the window] Babáyev, a landowner. [To
KARP] They're asking why you came.
KARP. On business, of course. Did you think we came here for sport? Much chance there would be for that here.
PROKÓFYEVNA. [Through the window] For business. [To KARP] Will you remain long?
KARP. We certainly haven't come to settle here. We may stay two days; not longer, you may be sure.
PROKÓFYEVNA. [Through the window] For two days. [Withdraws from the window] Now I've satisfied them. In five minutes the entire city will know.
KARP. Your lodging is all right; it's clean.
PROKÓFYEVNA. Certainly it's clean, sir. No great frills, but it's clean. Of course there's no great travelling to our town.
KARP. It isn't on the highway.
PROKÓFYEVNA. Highway, not much! Yet the best people that do come here, lodge with me. I know a lot of the landowners who come here. They are used to me; very few of them ever go to the hotel.
KARP. Because it's so noisy.
PROKÓFYEVNA. Yes, I should say so! Down-stairs is a bar-room; and on market days the noise is dreadful. Please tell me, wasn't your master's mother Sofya Pavlovna, the wife of General Babáyev?
KARP. Exactly so.
PROKÓFYEVNA. Is their estate called Zavetnoye?
KARP. Yes.
PROKÓFYEVNA. So, so. I recognized him just now. I used to see him as a youngster. He often rode to town with his mother, and they would call on me. Does he live in the country?
KARP. No, we are most of the time in St. Petersburg; but now we have come to the country to arrange business matters.
PROKÓFYEVNA. So, so. But is he a good man to deal with?
KARP. Pretty good.
PROKÓFYEVNA. Well, thank the Lord! May He reward him! What business brought you to our town?
KARP. Oh, those endless legal matters. Petty business, something to bear witness to; but I suppose he'll waste five days over it.
PROKÓFYEVNA. It wouldn't be surprising. Have you called on the judges?
KARP. Yes, we called on them all. Just now they sent us a clerk from court.
PROKÓFYEVNA. They'll probably do it quicker for you than for us. If you need anything, knock on the wall, and I'll come. [Goes out.
BABÁYEV and SHISHGÁLEV enter at the side door.