SCENE VII
The same with GORDÉY KÁRPYCH and KÓRSHUNOV
GORDÉY KÁRPYCH. [To the mummers] What's this rabble!—Get out! [To his wife] Wife! Pelagéya Egórovna! Greet my guest. [Speaks in a low voice] You've ruined me!
PELAGÉYA EGÓROVNA. You are welcome, Afrikán Savvich, you are welcome.
KÓRSHUNOV. Good evening, Pelagéya Egórovna. He, he, he! It's very cheerful here! We've struck it just at the right time.
PELAGÉYA EGÓROVNA. Yes, here I am with the girls. Yes, I'm always with the girls. It's holiday time; I want to give my daughter some fun.
GORDÉY KÁRPYCH. You are welcome, Afrikán Savvich; make yourself at home.
[AFRIKÁN SÁVVICH seats himself in the armchair at the table. To his wife]
Turn the hussies out.
KÓRSHUNOV. Why turn them out! Who's going to turn the girls out. He, he, he! They'll sing a song, and we'll listen and watch them, and we'll give them some money, but not turn them out.
GORDÉY KÁRPYCH. As you wish, Afrikán Savvich! Only I am abashed before you! But don't conclude from this that we are all uneducated—this is all the wife; nothing can knock anything into her head. [To his wife] How many times have I told you: if you want to have a party in the evening, call in the musicians, and have things in good form. You can't say I deny you anything.
PELAGÉYA EGÓROVNA. Well, what's the use of musicians—for us old women? You can amuse yourself with them!
GORDÉY KÁRPYCH. There, that's the idea of life she has! It makes you laugh to hear her.
PELAGÉYA EGÓROVNA. What do you mean? Idea, idea! It would be better for you to give your guest something to eat. Would you like something, Afrikán Savvich? Some wine with us old women? [Pours out Madeira.
GORDÉY KÁRPYCH. [Severely] Wife! Have you really gone out of your mind! Hasn't Afrikán Savvich ever seen Madeira before! Order champagne—a half dozen—and be quick about it! Then order lighted candles in the reception-room where the new furniture is. That will give quite another effect.
PELAGÉYA EGÓROVNA. I will do it myself at once. [Rises Arinushka, come on. Excuse me, my dear neighbors.
FIRST GUEST. We will come with you, my dear; it's time we were going home.
SECOND GUEST. It's time, it's time! The nights are dark, and the dogs in the lanes are fierce.
FIRST GUEST. Yes, fierce; very fierce! [They bow and go out.