NATASHA [at hallway door] Don’t forget your wife, Andrei!
KLESHTCH. All right.
PEPEL. She’s a wonderful girl!
BUBNOFF. She’s all right.
PEPEL. What makes her so curt with me? Anyway—she’ll come to no good here . . .
BUBNOFF. Through you—sure!
PEPEL. Why through me? I feel sorry for her . . .
BUBNOFF. As the wolf for the lamb!
PEPEL. You lie! I feel very sorry for her . . . very . . . very sorry! She has a tough life here—I can see that . . .
KLESHTCH. Just wait till Vassilisa catches you talking to her!