Fèkla. Of course not! What should happen?
Koch. Then why did she go away?
Fèkla. Why, you made the poor girl bashful, all of you—frightened and upset her till she couldn’t stand it. She sends you her excuses, and asks you to come in for a cup of tea in the evening. (Exit.)
Yaìch. (aside). Oh! now they’re going to begin with cups of tea! That’s what I hate about all this match-making business—it’s such a worry. To-day won’t do; and come again to-morrow; and the day after to-morrow a cup of tea; and then they have to think it over, and can’t make up their minds! But dear me! the matter’s simple enough; there’s nothing to rack one’s brains over! Confound it all! I’m a busy man, I’ve no time for this sort of thing!
Koch. (to Podkolyòssin). She’s a nice-looking girl, isn’t she?
Pod. Yes, she’s nice-looking.
Zhev. I think the young lady is pretty.
Koch. (aside). The deuce take it, if that idiot hasn’t fallen in love! He’ll be getting in the way! (Aloud.) I don’t think she’s pretty at all, not at all.
Yaìch. Her nose is too big.
Zhev. Now, there I don’t agree with you: she’s a regular rosebud.