TATYÁNA. No. What sort of amusements can one have here?
BABÁYEV. How do you spend your time? Is it possible you are always at home?
TATYÁNA. Mostly.
KRASNÓV. And that is proper among such as us. Our Russian way is: husband and dog in the yard, and wife and cat in the house.
LUKÉRYA. [In a low voice to KRASNÓV] Can't you speak more politely?
KRASNÓV. I know my business.
BABÁYEV. So you're a housekeeper. I should think it must have been hard for you to get used to your new duties.
TATYÁNA. [Glancing at her husband] Yes; of course I can't say—of course—at first——
BABÁYEV. [To LUKÉRYA] I'm asking, but I don't really know myself what these duties consist of.
LUKÉRYA. But considering your noble birth, that's beneath your knowledge.