"I don't want to," repeated Peredonov with decision. "You'd better come along with me and have a game of cards."
"The devil take you," exclaimed Routilov.
"He doesn't want to get married. He's funked it!" he announced to his sisters. "But I'll persuade the fool yet. He's asked me to play cards with him."
All the sisters cried out at once, abusing Peredonov loudly.
"And you're going out with this blackguard?" asked Valeria angrily.
"Yes, and I'll get even with him. He has not escaped us yet by any means," said Routilov, trying to keep a tone of assurance, but feeling very awkward.
The girls' anger with Peredonov soon gave place to laughter. Routilov left. The girls ran to the windows.
"Ardalyon Borisitch," exclaimed Darya. "Why can't you make up your mind. You shouldn't do things like this!"
"Kislyai Kislyaevitch! (Sour Sourson!)" exclaimed Liudmilla, laughingly.
Peredonov was angry. In his opinion the sisters ought to have wept with disappointment that he had rejected them. "They're pretending," he thought, as he left the garden silently. The girls ran to the windows facing the street and shouted gibes after him until he was lost in the darkness.