KABANOV. Oh no, mamma! how can you say so, really?
KATERINA. I look upon you as I would on my own mother, and indeed Tihon loves you too.
MME. KABANOVA. You might hold your tongue, I should think, till you're asked a question. You've no need to defend him, young madam, I'm not going to hurt him, no fear! He's my son too, let me tell you; don't you forget it! What do you want to fire up and display your feelings before folks for! That we may see you love your husband? We know that, we know that, you show off before everyone.
VARVARA (to herself). A nice place she's pitched on to read us a sermon!
KATERINA. You have no need to say that of me, mamma. I am just the same before people, as I am by myself. I make no show of anything.
MME. KABANOVA. And I'd no intention of speaking about you at all, but it happened to come up.
KATERINA. Even so, why need you attack me?
MME. KABANOVA. My, what a stuck-up thing she is! Here she's in a huff directly!
KATERINA. No one likes to put up with unjust blame.
MME. KABANOVA. I know, I know my words are not to your liking, but that can't be helped. I'm not a stranger to you, it makes my heart grieve to see you. I've seen for a long time past that you want your own way. Well, well, you've only to wait a bit, you'll have it all your own way when I'm dead and gone. Then to be sure you can do as you please, there'll be no elders then to look after you. And, maybe, you will think of me then.