[He makes a grimace and goes out.
VASILÍSA PEREGRÍNOVNA. There, that's the way they all treat me. I can't stand it! My heart is just sick. I'm a martyr in this world. [She plucks a flower viciously and pulls off its petals] I believe that if I had the power I'd do this to all of you! I'd do this to all of you! I'd do this to all of you! You just wait, you young scamp! I'll catch you. My heart boils, it boils, it boils over! And now I must smirk before the mistress as if I were a fool. What a life! What a life! The sinners in hell do not suffer as I suffer in this house! [She goes out.
II
A parlor. Rear centre, a door opening into the garden. Doors at the sides; in the centre a round table.
SCENE I
From a side door there enter a footman with a samovar and a maid with a tea-service; they place both on the table and go out. GAVRÍLOVNA and POTÁPYCH enter after them. GAVRÍLOVNA prepares the tea. VASILÍSA PEREGRÍNOVNA enters from the garden.
VASILÍSA PEREGRÍNOVNA. My dear, you always serve me only water.
GAVRÍLOVNA. It isn't good for you to drink strong tea, madam.
VASILÍSA PEREGRÍNOVNA. It's not your business to worry about me!
GAVRÍLOVNA. It dries up the chest, and you're all dried up as it is.