Pereshìvkina. Ah, Mr. Paul, you’re always full of your jokes!
Paul. She actually expects one to talk seriously with her!
Pereshìvkina. I have a friend, little mother, who makes dimmy-tule. (Paul laughs.) Laugh away, little father; it’s a fine thing to laugh at an old woman.... So I thought perhaps you’d like to buy some; I get it cheap. It’s capital quality, and very wide. Shall I bring you some? You won’t get it for the same price down town.
Madame P. Very well; I’ll look at it.
Paul. How much money have you hoarded up, old hag?
Pereshìvkina. “Old hag,” now, is it!
Paul. Why, dear me! You’re not thinking of getting married, are you?
Pereshìvkina. It’s not right of you, sir, to speak to me like that! I’m an old woman; and I have carried you in my arms.
Paul. She’s going to get offended now; that’ll be the next thing.
Madame P. Let her alone, my dear.