SCENE VIII
LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA, KÓRSHUNOV, and GORDÉY KÁRPYCH
GORDÉY KÁRPYCH. Ah, so that's where my son-in-law is! We've been looking for you. We've already started in on the champagne. Come along to the guests; at our house a feast isn't a feast without you.
KÓRSHUNOV. I like it here.
GORDÉY KÁRPYCH. Then we'll order it to be served here, and we'll drink it with you. [Walks to the door] Hey, boy, serve the wine here! On a silver tray! [Sits down] Now, son-in-law, what do you say?
KÓRSHUNOV. Nothing.
GORDÉY KÁRPYCH. How, nothing?
KÓRSHUNOV. Just nothing.
GORDÉY KÁRPYCH. But don't you really? [Looks at him] Can you understand me now?
KÓRSHUNOV. Why shouldn't I understand you?
GORDÉY KÁRPYCH. Now we've had this little spree! So now you tell me, what sort of a man I am. Can they appreciate me here?
KÓRSHUNOV. Why should they appreciate you?
GORDÉY KÁRPYCH. No, tell me this: Isn't everything well done here? In other houses a young fellow waits at table in a Russian smock, or there's a peasant girl; but in my house there's a butler in cotton gloves. This butler is a trained man, from Moscow; he knows all the ways of society—where each man should be seated, and what's to be done. But how is it at other people's houses? They collect in one room, they sit down in a ring, and sing peasant songs. Of course it's jolly, but I consider it's vulgar; there's no style about it. And what do they drink in their boorishness? Home-made cordials, all sorts of cherry water! And they don't even know that champagne is the proper thing! Oh, if I could live in Moscow, or in Petersburg, I'd make a point of following every fashion.
KÓRSHUNOV. You don't mean every fashion?
GORDÉY KÁRPYCH. Every one. As long as my money held out, I wouldn't stint myself. You just look out, Lyubóv; you toe the mark! Or else your bridegroom—you see he's from Moscow—may be ashamed of you. I suppose you don't even know how to walk gracefully, and you don't understand how to talk as is proper in company.
LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA. I say what I feel, father; I wasn't brought up in a boarding-school.
The butler enters, and gives wine to KÓRSHUNOV and GORDÉY KÁRPYCH. He places the bottles on the table, and goes out.
GORDÉY KÁRPYCH. That's it, son-in-law! Just let them know what sort of man
Gordéy Kárpych Tortsóv is!
EGÓRUSHKA comes in.
EGÓRUSHKA. Uncle Gordéy Kárpych, come here, if you please.
GORDÉY KÁRPYCH. What's the matter with you?
EGÓRUSHKA. Come, please: there's such a scene! [Laughs]
GORDÉY KÁRPYCH. [Approaching] What's the matter?
EGÓRUSHKA. Uncle Lyubím Kárpych has come in.
GORDÉY KÁRPYCH. Why did they let him in?
EGÓRUSHKA. It must be that he just took it into his head; we can't stop him, anyhow. [Bursts out laughing.]
GORDÉY KÁRPYCH. What's he doing?
EGÓRUSHKA. He's turning out the guests. [Bursts out laughing] "You're glad to eat another man's bread," says he. "I'm also the host," says he. "I," says he—— [Bursts out laughing.]
GORDÉY KÁRPYCH. Sh—he's ruined me!
[Goes out with EGÓRUSHKA.]
KÓRSHUNOV. What's all this about?
LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA. I don't know. It must be that uncle is—Sometimes he takes a notion.
Enter RAZLYULYÁYEV, MÁSHA, and LÍZA.