that's the idea of life she has! It makes you laugh
to hear her.

PELAGEYA EGOROVNA. What do you mean? _Idea, idea_! It would be better for
you to give your guest something to eat. Would you like something, Afrikan
Savvich? Some wine with us old women? [_Pours out Madeira_.

GORDEY KARPYCH. [_Severely_] Wife! Have you really gone out of your mind!
Hasn't Afrikan Savvich ever seen Madeira before! Order champagne--a
half dozen--and be quick about it! Then order lighted candles in the
reception-room where the new furniture is. That will give quite another
effect.

PELAGEYA EGOROVNA. I will do it myself at once. [_Rises_ Arinushka, come
on. Excuse me, my dear neighbors.

FIRST GUEST. We will come with you, my dear; it's time we were going home.

SECOND GUEST. It's time, it's time! The nights are dark, and the dogs in
the lanes are fierce.

FIRST GUEST. Yes, fierce; very fierce! [_They bow and go out_.

SCENE VIII

GORDEY KARPYCH, KORSHUNOV, LYUBOV GORDEYEVNA, ANNA IVANOVNA, MASHA, LIZA,
_girls_, MITYA, GUSLIN, _and_ RAZLYULYAYEV.

KORSHUNOV. Let's join the young ladies. Where did you pick up such
beauties--he, he! [_Walks towards_ LYUBOV GORDEYEVNA] Good evening, Lyubov
Gordeyevna, my beauty. [LYUBOV GORDEYEVNA _bows_] May I join your company?

LYUBOV GORDEYEVNA. We don't drive any one away.

ANNA IVANOVNA. Be seated; you'll be our guest.

KORSHUNOV. You're pretty chilly to the old man! It's Christmas time now,
and I suppose we may exchange kisses.

ANNA IVANOVNA. Why be so affectionate?

KORSHUNOV. Gordey Karpych, may I kiss your daughter? And I must
confess--he, he--I'm fond of this sort of thing. Yes, well, who doesn't
like it! He, he!

GORDEY KARPYCH. You're welcome to do so; don't stand on ceremony.

KORSHUNOV. Will you give me a kiss, young lady?

LYUBOV GORDEYEVNA. If my father wants me to. [_They exchange kisses_.

KORSHUNOV. Well now, every one of them, right down the line.

ANNA IVANOVNA. I suppose so! I'm not proud.

MASHA. Oh, how embarrassing!

LIZA. Well, there's nothing to be said; I must say it's a treat!

GORDEY KARPYCH. [_Going up to_ MITYA] Why are you here? Is this your place?
"The crow has flown into the lofty palace!"

MITYA, GUSLIN _and_ RAZLYULYAYEV _go out_.

SCENE IX

GORDEY KARPYCH, KORSHUNOV, LYUBOV GORDEYEVNA, ANNA IVANOVNA, MASHA, LIZA
_and girls_.

KORSHUNOV. [_Seats himself near_ LYUBOV GORDEYEVNA] I'm not like you,
Lyubov Gordeyevna