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.
SCENE VIII
GORDÉY KÁRPYCH, KÓRSHUNOV, LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA, ANNA IVÁNOVNA, MÁSHA, LÍZA, girls, MÍTYA, GÚSLIN, and RAZLYULYÁYEV.