SCENE VIII
GORDÉY KÁRPYCH, KÓRSHUNOV, LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA, ANNA IVÁNOVNA, MÁSHA, LÍZA, girls, MÍTYA, GÚSLIN, and RAZLYULYÁYEV.
KÓRSHUNOV. Let's join the young ladies. Where did you pick up such beauties—he, he! [Walks towards LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA] Good evening, Lyubóv Gordéyevna, my beauty. [LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA bows] May I join your company?
LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA. We don't drive any one away.
ANNA IVÁNOVNA. Be seated; you'll be our guest.
KÓRSHUNOV. You're pretty chilly to the old man! It's Christmas time now, and I suppose we may exchange kisses.
ANNA IVÁNOVNA. Why be so affectionate?
KÓRSHUNOV. Gordéy Kárpych, may I kiss your daughter? And I must confess—he, he—I'm fond of this sort of thing. Yes, well, who doesn't like it! He, he!
GORDÉY KÁRPYCH. You're welcome to do so; don't stand on ceremony.
KÓRSHUNOV. Will you give me a kiss, young lady?
LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA. If my father wants me to. [They exchange kisses.
KÓRSHUNOV. Well now, every one of them, right down the line.
ANNA IVÁNOVNA. I suppose so! I'm not proud.
MÁSHA. Oh, how embarrassing!
LÍZA. Well, there's nothing to be said; I must say it's a treat!
GORDÉY KÁRPYCH. [Going up to MÍTYA] Why are you here? Is this your place?
"The crow has flown into the lofty palace!"
MÍTYA, GÚSLIN and RAZLYULYÁYEV go out.