PETER SEMYÓNOVICH. That's odd.
ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. What is there odd about it? It is just your usual way. Condemn everything, and do nothing yourself!
MARY IVÁNOVNA. Styópa has now finished at the University, and ought to choose a career; but his father says nothing about it. He wanted to take a post in the Civil Service, but Nicholas Ivánovich says he ought not to do so. Then he thought of entering the Horse-Guards, but Nicholas Ivánovich quite disapproved. Then the lad asked his father: “What am I to do then—not go and plough after all?” and Nicholas Ivánovich said: “Why not plough? It is much better than being in a Government Office.” So what was he to do? He comes to me and asks, and I have to decide everything, and yet the authority is all in his hands.
ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Well, you should tell him so straight out.
MARY IVÁNOVNA. So I must! I shall have to talk to him.
ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. And tell him straight out that you can't go on like this. That you do your duty, and he must do his; or if not—let him hand everything over to you.
MARY IVÁNOVNA. It is all so unpleasant!
ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. I will tell him, if you like. Je lui dirai son fait.[13]
Enter a young priest, confused and agitated. He carries a book, and shakes hands all round.
PRIEST. I have come to see Nicholas Ivánovich. I have, in fact, come to return a book.