SCENE IV
The same and LÁZAR, RISPOLÓZHENSKY, and FOMÍNISHNA in the doorway.
RISPOLÓZHENSKY. How do you do, my dear Samsón Sílych! How do you do, my dear Agraféna Kondrátyevna! Olimpiáda Samsónovna, how do you do!
BOLSHÓV. How are you, old man, how are you! Do us the favor to sit down.
You sit down, too, Lázar!
AGRAFÉNA KONDRÁTYEVNA. Won't you have a snack? I have a relish all ready for you.
RISPOLÓZHENSKY. Why shouldn't I, dear lady? I'd just like a thimbleful of something now.
BOLSHÓV. Let's all go in together pretty soon; but now, meanwhile, we can have a little talk.
USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. Why not have a little talk? D'you know, my jewels, I heard—it must have been printed in the newspaper, whether it's true or not—that a second Bonaparte has been born, and it may be, my jewels——
BOLSHÓV. Bonaparte's all right, but we'll trust most of all in the mercy of
God; it's not a question of that now.
USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. What is it a question of, my pearl?