The same scene as in Act I. The next day. Two liveried footmen, THEODORE IVÁNITCH and GREGORY.
First Footman (with grey whiskers). Yours is the third house to-day. Thank goodness that all the at-homes are in this direction. Yours used to be on Thursdays.
Theodore Ivánitch. Yes, we changed to Saturday so as to be on the same day as the Golóvkins and Grade von Grabes....
Second Footman. The Stcherbákofs do the thing well. There's refreshments for the footmen every time they've a ball.
[The two PRINCESSES, mother and daughter, come down the stairs accompanied by BETSY. The old PRINCESS looks in her note-book and at her watch, and sits down on the settle. GREGORY puts on her overshoes.
Young Princess. Now, do come. Because, if you refuse, and Dodo refuses, the whole thing will be spoilt.
Betsy. I don't know. I must certainly go to the Shoúbins. And then there is the rehearsal.
Young Princess. You'll have plenty of time. Do, please. Ne nous fais pas faux [bond].[13] Fédya and Koko will come.
Betsy. J'en ai par-dessus la tête de votre [Koko].[14]
Young Princess. I thought I should see him here. Ordinairement il est d'une [exactitude]....[15]