SCENE V
LÍZA and VASILÍSA PEREGRÍNOVNA
VASILÍSA PEREGRÍNOVNA. What are you doing there, dearest?
LÍZA. Can't you see? I'm taking a stroll.
VASILÍSA PEREGRÍNOVNA. I see! How can I help it? But what kind of a night-walk is this?
LÍZA. Well, when can we go walking? We work all day and wait on the gentry, and we go walking at night. But I am surprised at you! Don't you walk enough daytimes that you still want to wander around at night and scare people, just like….
VASILÍSA PEREGRÍNOVNA. Just like what?… Well, say it, say it!
LÍZA. What? Oh, nothing.
VASILÍSA PEREGRÍNOVNA. No, you said, "Just like" … well, say it now; just like who?
LÍZA. I said what I said.
VASILÍSA PEREGRÍNOVNA. No, don't you dare sneak out of it! Come, speak up!
LÍZA. Why did you stick to it? All right, I'll tell you: like a spook.
VASILÍSA PEREGRÍNOVNA. What, what! Like a spook!… How do you dare, you dirty hussy, ha? What's this! You want to push me alive into the grave! But I'll find your lover here, and take you to the mistress. Then we'll see what song you'll sing.
LÍZA. I haven't any lover! There's no use in your looking. Search the whole garden if you want to! And even if I had, it's none of your business! It's shameful for you even to speak of it. You ought not even to know about it: you're an old maid. You ought to be ashamed of yourself!
VASILÍSA PEREGRÍNOVNA. Sing on, sing on, my dear; you sing very finely on the wing; but you'll perch pretty soon! You're not going to roam about at night for nothing. I know your tricks. I'll show you all up! I'm so mad now, that even if you bow down to my feet, I'll not forgive you.
LÍZA. Just wait! I see myself bowing before you! Don't count on it!
VASILÍSA PEREGRÍNOVNA. No, now I'm going to look around every bush.
LÍZA. Do it!
VASILÍSA PEREGRÍNOVNA looks about on both sides, then approaches the pond.
VASILÍSA PEREGRÍNOVNA. Ha, what's this? Do tell, what tricks they're up to! In the boat! Hugging each other! How tender that is! Just like a picture! You ought to have thought to take a guitar along and sing love-songs!… They're kissing each other! Very good! Delightful! Again! Excellent! What could be better? Phew, what an abomination! It's disgusting to look at! Well, my dears, you will remember me. Now I have nothing to say to you. To-morrow I shall! [She goes out.
LÍZA. What devil brought her here? You can't clear up the mess now!
LEONÍD and NÁDYA reach the shore and disembark from the boat.