Peredonov suddenly felt a desire to provoke her still further. He asked her:
"Varvara, do you know where I've been?"
"Where?" she inquired anxiously.
"At Vershina's," he said, and burst out laughing.
"Well, you were in nice company, I must say!"
"I saw Marta," Peredonov continued.
"She's covered with freckles," said Varvara, spitefully. "And she's got a mouth that stretches from ear to ear. You might as well sew up her mouth, like a frog's."
"Anyway, she's handsomer than you," said Peredonov. "I think I'll take her and marry her."
"You dare marry her," shouted Varvara, reddening and trembling with rage, "and I'll burn her eyes out with vitriol!"
"I'd like to spit on you," said Peredonov, quite calmly.