MARY IVÁNOVNA. Our priest, Vasíly Nikonórovich, has come. He is going to the Bishop, and has resigned his living!
NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Impossible!
MARY IVÁNOVNA. He is here! Lyúba, go and call him! He wants to see you. [Exit Lyúba]. I had another reason for coming. I want to speak to you about Ványa. He behaves abominably, and does his lesson so badly that he can't possibly pass; and when I speak to him he is rude.
NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Mary, you know I am out of sympathy with the whole manner of life you are all leading, and with the education you are giving to the children. It is a terrible question for me, whether I have a right to see them perishing before my very eyes …
MARY IVÁNOVNA. Then you should suggest something else, something definite. But what do you offer?
NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. I cannot say what. But can only say that first we should get rid of all this depraving luxury.
MARY IVÁNOVNA. So that they should become peasants! I cannot agree to that.
NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Then don't consult me. The things that grieve you are natural and inevitable.
Enter Priest and Lyúba. The Priest and Nicholas Ivánovich kiss[34] one another.
NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Is it possible that you have thrown it all up?