FOMÍNISHNA. Why should they be particular? Well, the chief thing is that they should be fresh-complexioned people, not bald, and not smell bad; and then anything'll pass, so it's a man!
USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. [Sitting down] Sit down a minute, my jewel. I have worn myself out the livelong day; from early morning I've been tearing around like a wet hen. But, you see, I couldn't neglect anything; I'm an indispensable person everywhere. Naturally, my jewel, every person is a human being: a man needs a wife, a girl a husband; give it to them if you have to rob the cradle; then here and there there's a genuine wedding. And who fixes them up? Why, I do. Ustinya Naúmovna has to bear the burden for all of them. And why does she have to? Because that's the way things are; from the beginning of the world, that's the way the wheel was wound up. However, to tell the truth, they don't cheat me for my trouble: one gives me the material for a dress, another a fringed shawl, another makes up a cap for you, and here and there you'll get a gold piece, and here and there something better—just what the job deserves and they're able to pay.
FOMÍNISHNA. What's the use of talking, my dear; what's the use of talking!
USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. Sit down, Fomínishna; your legs are old and rickety.
FOMÍNISHNA. Eh! Haven't time, my dear! You see, it's just awful; because he doesn't come home we're all scared to death: he may come home drunk at any time. And then what a bad one, good Lord! Then what a row he'll kick up.
USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. Naturally; a rich peasant is worse than the devil to talk to.
FOMÍNISHNA. We've seen him do terrible things. One night last week he came home drunk. He tore around, and what a row! It was simply awful; he smashed the china—"Ooo!" he said, "I'll kill the whole crowd of you at once!"
USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. Vulgarity!
FOMÍNISHNA. That's the truth, my dear. But I'll just run up-stairs, darling—Agraféna Kondrátyevna is alone in my room. When you're going home, come back to me; I'll tie up a bit of ham for you. [She mounts the stairs.
USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. I'll follow, my jewel, I'll follow.