KLESHTCH. You lie! You’re going to marry Abramka. . . .
THE BARON [snatching the book out of Nastya’s hand and reading the title] “Fatal Love” . . . [Laughs]
NASTYA [stretching out her hand] Give it back—give it back! Stop fooling!
[The Baron looks at her and waves the book in the air]
KVASHNYA [to Kleshtch] You crimson goat, you—calling me a liar! How dare you be so rude to me?
THE BARON [hitting Nastya on the head with the book] Nastya, you little fool!
NASTYA [reaching for the book] Give it back!
KLESHTCH. Oh—what a great lady . . . but you’ll marry Abramka just the same—that’s all you’re waiting for . . .
KVASHNYA. Sure! Anything else? You nearly beat your wife to death!