SCENE VI
The same, BOLSHÓV, and AGRAFÉNA KONDRÁTYEVNA
PODKHALYÚZIN. [Goes to meet SAMSÓN SÍLYCH and throws his arms about him in an embrace] Olimpiáda Samsónovna has agreed, sir!
AGRAFÉNA KONDRÁTYEVNA. I'm coming, my dears, I'm coming!
BOLSHÓV. Well, that's talking! Just the thing! I know what I'm doing; it's not for you to teach me.
PODKHALYÚZIN. [To AGRAFÉNA KONDRÁTYEVNA] Mamma, ma'am! Let me kiss your hand!
AGRAFÉNA KONDRÁTYEVNA. Kiss away, my dear; they're both clean. Ah, you blessed child, has it been long since you decided? Ah? Good heavens! What's this? I absolutely didn't know how to decide this matter. Oh, my own little darling, you!
LÍPOCHKA. Mamma, I positively didn't know that Lázar Elizárych was such a well-educated gentleman! But now I see at once that he's infinitely more respectful than the others.
AGRAFÉNA KONDRÁTYEVNA. Well, well, well, you little goose! As if your father would wish you any harm! Ah, mamma's little dove! What a little story, eh? Oh, my holy saints! What in the world is this? Fomínishna! Fomínishna!
FOMÍNISHNA. Coming, coming, my dear, coming! [She comes in.
BOLSHÓV. Stop, you gabbler! Now you two just sit down side by side, and we'll have a look at you. Fomínishna, bring up a little bottle of fizz.
PODKHALYÚZIN and LÍPOCHKA sit down.
FOMÍNISHNA. Right away, my dear, right away! [She goes out.]