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.