Sofya's sly eyes gleamed angrily at Varvara; she rose and said with a feigned laugh:
"Thank you humbly, I didn't expect that."
"Liar!" screamed Varvara, turning on Ershova.
Ershova gave an angry exclamation, stamped her foot, shook her hand at Varvara, and turned again to Prepolovenskaya.
"Yes, and do you know what he says about you, ma'am? He makes out that you carried on before you met your husband. That's the sort of dirty people they are! Spit in their mugs, my good lady! It's no use having anything to do with such low creatures!"
Prepolovenskaya flushed, and went silently into the passage. Peredonov ran after her, trying to explain:
"She's lying, don't believe her. I only said once before her that you were a fool and that was in a spiteful mood. But more than that, honest to God, I never said anything. She invented it."
Prepolovenskaya reassured him:
"Don't think about it, Ardalyon Borisitch, I can see myself that she's drunk and babbling. Only, why do you permit this in your house?"
"Well, what's to be done with her?" asked Peredonov.