why do you ask this, young
lady?

LYUBOV GORDEYEVNA. I just wanted to know.

KORSHUNOV. You wanted to know? [_Rises_] No, she didn't love me, and I
didn't love her either. She wasn't worth loving--I took her, poor, a
beggar, just for her beauty; I took care of her whole family; I saved her
father from prison; she went about in gold.

LYUBOV GORDEYEVNA. Love cannot be bought with gold.

KORSHUNOV. Whether you love a man or not, you ought to show him some
regard. They needed money, they had nothing to live on; I gave it to them,
I didn't refuse. And _I_ needed their love. Had I a right to exact this or
not? You see I paid money for it! It's a sin to make complaints about me.
Whoever I love has a good living in the world, and if I don't love any one,
then he need not reproach me. [_He becomes excited and walks about_] Yes,
I'm that man's enemy; he'd better keep out of my sight! My words and looks,
more than my deeds, shall pursue him! I won't give the man room to breathe!
I--[_Stops and bursts out laughing_] And you really thought that I was such
a cross man? He, he! I said it in fun, for a joke! I'm a simple, kind old
man! I'll dandle you in my arms [_hums_]; I'll rock you in a little cradle;
I'll sing you to sleep. [_Kisses her hands_.

GORDEY KARPYCH _comes in._

SCENE VIII

LYUBOV GORDEYEVNA, KORSHUNOV, and GORDEY KARPYCH

GORDEY KARPYCH. Ah, so that's where my son-in-law is! We've been looking
for you. We've already started in on the champagne. Come along to the
guests; at our house a feast isn't a feast without you.

KORSHUNOV. I like it here.

GORDEY KARPYCH. Then we'll order it to be served here, and we'll drink it
with you. [_Walks to the door_] Hey, boy, serve the wine here! On a silver
tray! [_Sits down_] Now, son-in-law, what do you say?

KORSHUNOV. Nothing.

GORDEY KARPYCH. How, nothing?

KORSHUNOV. Just nothing.

GORDEY KARPYCH. But don't you really? [_Looks at him_] Can you understand
me now?

KORSHUNOV. Why shouldn't I understand you?

GORDEY KARPYCH. Now we've had this little spree! So now you tell me, what
sort of a man I am. Can they appreciate me here?

KORSHUNOV. Why should they appreciate you?

GORDEY KARPYCH. No, tell me this: Isn't everything well done here? In other
houses a young fellow waits at table in a Russian smock, or there's a
peasant girl; but in my house there's a butler in cotton gloves.
This butler is a trained man, from Moscow; he knows all the ways of
so