Agàfia. And Ivàn Pàvlovich?
Koch. Ivàn Pàvlovich! He’s a regular good-for-nothing; they’re all good-for-nothings.
Agàfia. Not all, surely?
Koch. Just look yourself; just compare them; there are all sorts of people; but really, such a set—Ivàn Pàvlovich, Nikanòr Ivànovich—they’re like, Heaven knows what!
Agàfia. Well, but really, they’re very ... modest.
Koch. Modest, indeed! They’re regular bullies and roughs. I suppose you don’t want to be beaten the next day after the wedding?
Agàfia. Oh, dear! Oh, dear! That’s such a dreadful misfortune that there couldn’t be anything worse!
Koch. I should think not! One can’t imagine anything worse.
Agàfia. Then your advice is that I should take Ivàn Kouzmìch?
Koch. Of course you should take Ivàn Kouzmìch. (Aside.) The business seems to go pretty smoothly. I’d better run to the confectioner’s and fetch Podkolyòssin.