SCENE III
BABÁYEV and KARP
BABÁYEV. How rude you are, Karp.
KARP. If you begin to be sentimental with 'em, sir, they'll get the habit of calling around here and bewailing their fate. No amount of money will suffice 'em. They're a godless crowd.
BABÁYEV. Well, what'll I do? I'd like to go for a walk, but it's still hot.
Karp, what shall I do?
KARP. I'll tell you what, go to sleep; after travelling it's a good thing.
BABÁYEV. But what shall I do at night?
KARP. At night just the same. They say people sleep when they're bored.
BABÁYEV. How stupid I was not to bring any books. If I only had some frivolous intrigue to amuse myself with for four days. [Goes out through the side door.]
KARP. So that's what you wish! An intrigue! That's his style! He was his mother's spoiled darling and he was raised with young ladies and in the housemaids' room, and he has a hankering for that kind of thing now. Since I've lived in St. Petersburg with him, what things I have seen; it was shameful! I wonder if he's asleep? I'd like to have a nap. [He's about to lie down when the door opens] Who's that?
LUKÉRYA comes in.