FAT LADY. Allow me, just one word! The Slavophils are right; but I always told my husband that one ought never to exaggerate anything! “The golden mean,” you know. What is the use of maintaining that the common people are all perfect, when I have myself seen …
LEONÍD FYÓDORITCH. Won't you come into the drawing-room?
FAT LADY. A boy—that high—who drank! I gave him a scolding at once. And he was grateful to me afterwards. They are children, and, as I always say, children need both love and severity!
Exeunt all, all talking together.
Tánya enters from behind the hangings.
TÁNYA. Oh, if it would only succeed! [Begins fastening some threads].
Enter Betsy hurriedly.
BETSY. Isn't papa here? [Looks inquiringly at Tánya] What are you doing here?
TÁNYA. Oh, Miss Elizabeth, I have only just come; I only wished … only came in … [Embarrassed].
BETSY. But they are going to have a séance here directly. [Notices Tánya drawing in the threads, looks at her, and suddenly bursts out laughing] Tánya! Why, it's you who do it all? Now don't deny it. And last time it was you too? Yes, it was, it was!