Antìp. With us, for company’s sake.
Shiryàlov. Just one cup, then. (Stepanìda pours out tea. He takes his cup and drinks.) So this is what I did, ma’am. I thought to myself—“All this doctor’s stuff is just rubbish! it’s nothing but stealing people’s money.” And I never have taken doctor’s stuff, little mother; it’s a sin that I’ve never taken on my soul. So I thought to myself—“I’ll go to the bath; that’s what I’ll do.” Well, I went to the bath, neighbour; and then I sent out for a bottle of wine, and two or three red peppers, ma’am; and I had them mixed in properly; then I drank one half and made the bath-man rub me down with the other half; and when I got home I had some punch; and at night, ma’am, I came out all in a sweat; and that threw it off.
Stepanìda. Yes, yes, little father! My Antìpoushka always takes punch if he’s not well.
Antìp. That’s good stuff for every sort of illness, friend; you remember my words. (Shiryàlov puts down cup.)
Stepanìda. Take another cup.
Shiryàlov (bows). Thank you, no more. Very grateful, Stepanìda Trofimovna.
Stepanìda. Without ceremony, little father. (Pours out tea.) How’s your business getting on?
Shiryàlov (takes cup). Thanks be to God, Stepanìda Trofimovna, fairly well. I’ve only one trouble: my Sènka’s gone to the bad altogether. I can’t think what I’m to do about it: it’s a real trial and affliction.
Antìp. Wild oats, I suppose?
Shiryàlov. Worse than that, Antìp Antìpych, worse than that! I wouldn’t mind if he’d take to drinking; he couldn’t throw away so much on that; but he runs over head and ears into debt. Ah! little mother! what are young people coming to nowadays?