BORÍS. Mamma! Listen to me.
PRINCESS [to Nicholas Ivánovich] Why do you say nothing? You have ruined him, it is for you to persuade him. It's all very well for you! Lyúba, do speak to him!
LYÚBA. I cannot!
BORÍS. Mamma, do understand that there are things that are as impossible as flying; and I cannot serve in the army.
PRINCESS. You think that you can't! Nonsense. Everybody has served and does serve. You and Nicholas Ivánovich have invented some new sort of Christianity which is not Christianity, but a devilish doctrine to make everybody suffer!
BORÍS. As is said in the Gospels!
PRINCESS. Nothing of the kind, or if it is, then all the same it is stupid. Darling, Bórya, have pity on me. [Throws herself on his neck, weeps] My whole life has been nothing but sorrow. There was but one ray of joy, and you are turning it into torture. Bórya—have pity on me!
BORÍS. Mamma, this is terribly hard on me. But I cannot explain it to you.
PRINCESS. Come now, don't refuse—say you will serve!
NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Say you will think it over—and do think it over.