Setting as in ACT I
SCENE I
BOLSHÓV comes in and sits down in the armchair; for some time he looks into the corners and yawns.
BOLSHÓV. Here's the life; it's well said: vanity of vanities, and all is vanity. The devil knows, I myself can't make out what I want. If I were to take a snack of something, I'd spoil my dinner, and if I sit still I'll go crazy. Perhaps I might kill a little time drinking tea. [Silence] Here's all there is to it; a man lives, and lives, and all at once he dies and he turns to dust. Oh, Lord, oh, Lord!
[He yawns and looks into the corners.
SCENE II
AGRAFÉNA KONDRÁTYEVNA comes in with LÍPOCHKA, who is very much dressed up.
AGRAFÉNA KONDRÁTYEVNA. Get along, get along, my darling; don't catch yourself on the sides of the doorway. Just look, Samsón Sílych, my dear lord and master, and admire how I've rigged up our daughter! Phew! go away! What a peony-rose she is now! [To her] Ah, you little angel, you princess, you little cherub, you! [To him] Well, Samsón Sílych, isn't it all right? Only she ought to ride in a six-horse carriage.
BOLSHÓV. She'll go in a two-horse carriage—she's no highflying proprietress.
AGRAFÉNA KONDRÁTYEVNA. To be sure, she's no general's daughter, but, all the same, she's a beauty! Well, pet the child a little; what are you growling like a bear for?