sts. This is the time for them to enjoy
themselves--while they're young. You know what a girl's life is--behind
bolts and bars, never seeing the world! Now's their holiday!--Yes, let 'em
have a good time!

ARINA. Yes, to be sure, to be sure! Why shouldn't they?

PELAGEYA EGOROVNA. Bring in some Madeira, Arinushka, the oldest we have;
and gingerbread for the young people, and sweets--whatever you choose!
Attend to it yourself, but don't forget the Madeira.

ARINA. I understand, I understand; there'll be enough of everything.
Directly, my dear, directly!

PELAGEYA EGOROVNA. And a snack for the young men.

ARINA. Everything, everything will be all right. Don't you worry yourself;
you join the guests. I'll do everything with pleasure. [_Goes out._

PELAGEYA EGOROVNA. [_Going to the door_] Girls, boys, come here! There's
more room here and it's lighter.

_Enter_ LYUBOV GORDEYEVNA, MASHA, LIZA, ANNA IVANOVNA, RAZLYULYAYEV, MITYA,
GUSLIN, _and two_ GUESTS.

SCENE V

PELAGEYA EGOROVNA, LYUBOV GORDEYEVNA, MASHA, LIZA, ANNA IVANOVNA,
RAZLYULYAYEV, MITYA, GUSLIN, _and two_ GUESTS _(old women)._

PELAGEYA EGOROVNA. [_To the old women_] We'll sit here. [_Seats herself on
the sofa, with the old women near her;_ ANNA IVANOVNA _and_ GUSLIN
_take chairs and talk quietly;_ MITYA _stands near them;_ MASHA, LYUBOV
GORDEYEVNA, _and_ LIZA _walk about the room with their arms round each
other;_ RAZLYULYAYEV _follows them_] We'll watch them while they play.

LIZA. "Just imagine, mother!" I said, "he doesn't know how to talk
properly, and he even uses such words that it's absolutely impolite."

RAZLYULYAYEV. Do you mean me?

LIZA. We aren't talking about you; it's no business of yours. [_She
continues_] "But why, mother, must I love him?" [_Speaks in a whisper._

PELAGEYA EGOROVNA. Yes, my friend, I love the good old ways. Yes, our good
old Russian ways. But there! my husband doesn't care for them! What can you
do about it? That's his character. But I love them, I'm naturally jolly;
yes, I love to give a person a bite and to get them to sing songs to me!
Yes, I take after my family. Our family are all jolly, and love singing.

FIRST GUEST. When I look round, my dear Pelageya Egorovna, there isn't the
gayety that there used to be when we were young.

SECOND GUEST. No, no.

PELAGEYA EGOROVNA. In my young days I was the merriest sort of girl--always
singing and dancing---indeed I was. Yes, what songs I knew! They don't sin