GROSSMAN [searches excitedly round the Third Peasant] It is here; I feel it is!
FAT LADY. Do you feel an effluence? [Grossman stoops and finds the spoon in the bag].
ALL. Bravo! [General enthusiasm].
VASÍLY LEONÍDITCH. Ah! So that's where our spoon was. [To Peasants] Then that's the sort you are!
THIRD PEASANT. What sort? I didn't take your spoon! What are you making out? I didn't take it, and my soul knows nothing about it. I didn't take it—there! Let him do what he likes. I knew he came here for no good. “Where's your bag?” says he. I didn't take it, the Lord is my witness! [Crosses himself] I didn't take it!
The young people group round the Peasant, laughing.
LEONÍD FYÓDORITCH [angrily to his son] Always playing the fool! [To the Third Peasant] Never mind, friend! We know you did not take it; it was only an experiment.
GROSSMAN [removes bandage from his eyes, and pretends to be coming to] Can I have a little water? [All fuss round him].
VASÍLY LEONÍDITCH. Let's go straight from here into the coachman's room. I've got a bitch there—épatante![8] Eh, what?
BETSY. What a horrid word. Couldn't you say dog?