TATYÁNA. What have I to rejoice over? You? I might be happy if I had freedom. Understand this: on your account I quarrelled with my husband; you'll be going away to-day or to-morrow, while I have to remain with him. You only made matters worse by coming; until you came he didn't seem so bad, and suddenly he has changed entirely. Before he saw you he fulfilled my every wish, he licked my hands like a dog; but now he has begun to look askance at me and to scold. How can I endure torment all my life with the man I loathe! [Cries.
BABÁYEV. Now, please stop! Why do you grieve! [To LUKÉRYA] Listen,
Lukérya Danílovna! You go to the landlady, I can calm her better alone.
LUKÉRYA. All right, but don't be too sly! [Goes out.
SCENE IV
BABÁYEV and TATYÁNA
BABÁYEV. [Draws nearer and puts one arm around TATYÁNA] Darling, Tanechka, now stop! Why do you weep so! Let's think, together, how we can help your grief.
TATYÁNA. There's no use thinking! There's no way.
BABÁYEV. Is that so? But what if I take you off to the village?
TATYÁNA. Which one? Where?
BABÁYEV. To my own village. There everything is the same as when mother lived: the same lanes, ponds, and arbors; everything is familiar to you, and will remind you of the past. There you'd be my housekeeper.