"What is it?" asked Varvara.
"Just think what low people there are in this world! What tricks they'll play to reach their purpose!"
"What is the matter?"
"Just wait and I'll tell you."
But first of all the cunning Grushina gave Varvara coffee; then chased her children out into the street, which made the elder of her girls unwilling to go.
"Ah, you little brat!" Grushina shouted at her.
"You're a brat yourself!" answered the little girl and stamped her foot at her mother.
Grushina caught the child by the hair, pushed her out the door and slammed it....
"The little beast!" she complained to Varvara. "These children are a great worry. I'm alone with them and I never get any peace. If only they had their father!"
"Why don't you marry again, then they'd have a father," said Varvara.