But you don't mind it; you're young
yet--yes, go and serve them.

ANNA IVANOVNA. I'd just as soon as not. It's no great work; my hands won't
wear out!

PELAGEYA EGOROVNA. There--there's the tea in the cupboard, in the little
red caddy.

ANNA IVANOVNA _unlocks the door and takes out the caddy._ MITYA _comes in._

SCENE IV

_The same and_ MITYA

PELAGEYA EGOROVNA. What do you want, Mitya dear?

MITYA. [_Keeping back his tears_] I--I--Pelageya Egorovna, for all your
kindness, and for all your consideration--even though it may be I am not
worth it--seeing that while I was an orphan--you never deserted me--and
like a mother--I will be thankful to you all my life, and will always pray
to God for you. [_Bows down to her feet._

PELAGEYA EGOROVNA. But what are you doing, Mitya?

MITYA. I thank you for everything. And now good-by, Pelageya Egorovna.
[_Rises._

PELAGEYA EGOROVNA. Where are you going?

MITYA. I plan to go to my mother's.

PELAGEYA EGOROVNA. Are you going for long?

MITYA. Yes, I asked the master for a vacation, and it's most likely that
I'll stay there for good.

PELAGEYA EGOROVNA. But why do you wish to leave us, Mitya?

MITYA. [Hesitating] Why, I just!--You see--I've already decided.

PELAGEYA EGOROVNA. But when are you going?

MITYA. To-night. [_Is silent_] I thought to myself that I shouldn't see you
before to-night, and so I came to say good-by.

PELAGEYA EGOROVNA. Very well, Mitya, if you are needed there--we won't keep
you; God be with you! Good-by!

MITYA. [_Bows down to the feet of _PELAGEYA EGOROVNA, _exchanges kisses
with her and with_ ANNA IVANOVNA; _then bows again and waits_] Might I be
allowed to say good-by to Lyubov Gordeyevna? You see we have lived in the
same house--maybe I shall die before I see her again!

PELAGEYA EGOROVNA. Yes, you must, you must. Say good-by to her, of course!
Annushka, go and fetch Lyubov.

ANNA IVANOVNA. [_Shaking her head_] "One man leads her by one hand, another
by the other, a third stands and sheds tears; he loved her, but did not get
her."

SCENE V

PELAGEYA EGOROVNA and MITYA

PELAGEYA EGOROVNA. Oh, Mitya, my dear! What trouble we are in! How can we
drive it away--get rid of it--I cannot think. It's as if a thunderbolt had
struck me! I can't recover myself.

MITYA. You have no one to blame but yourself for your unhappiness, Pelageya
Egorovna; you are marrying her off yourself, ma'am.

PELAGEYA EGOROVNA. Yes, we are doi