MADAM ULANBÉKOV enters. POTÁPYCH goes out.
SCENE II
MADAM ULANBÉKOV and VASILÍSA PEREGRÍNOVNA
VASILÍSA PEREGRÍNOVNA. [Kissing both of MADAM ULANBÉKOV'S hands] You have risen early, benefactress. You must have an awful lot of things on your mind.
MADAM ULANBÉKOV. [Sitting down] I didn't sleep much. I had a bad dream.
VASILÍSA PEREGRÍNOVNA. What, a dream, benefactress? The dream may be terrible, but God is merciful. Not the dream, but what is going on in reality, disturbs you, benefactress. I see that; I've seen it a long time.
MADAM ULANBÉKOV. Bah, what is it to me what's going on?
VASILÍSA PEREGRÍNOVNA. Why, benefactress, don't we know that your son, dear little soul! is struck with every creature he meets?
MADAM ULANBÉKOV. You make me tired.
VASILÍSA PEREGRÍNOVNA. I'm so sorry for you, benefactress! Don't look for any consolation in this life! You scatter benefactions upon every one; but how do they repay you? The world is full of lust.