Truthful. If you so order. (He reads.)
“Dear niece! My affairs have compelled me to live for some years away from my relatives, and the great distance has deprived me of the pleasure of hearing any news from you. I am now living in Moscow after having been for some years in Siberia. I am a living example that it is possible by work and honesty to gain some wealth. By these means, fortune smiling upon me, I have saved up enough to have ten thousand roubles yearly income——”
Beastly and the Uncouths. Ten thousand!
Truthful (reads). “Of which I make you, dear niece, my sole heiress——”
(All together.)
Mrs. Uncouth. You an heiress!
Uncouth. Sophia an heiress!
Beastly. Her an heiress!
Mrs. Uncouth (hastening to embrace Sophia). I congratulate you, Sophia! I congratulate you, my darling! I am beside myself with joy! Now you need a husband. I, I could not wish a better bride for my Mitrofán. That’s what I call a fine uncle! A real father! I always thought that God was taking care of him, that he was still alive.
Beastly (stretching out his hand). Well, sister, let us settle it right away.