f judge are you, anyway? My husband never says anything
to me, and yet you dare to put in your opinion!

AFONYA. Yes, but he's blinded by you, blinded. You've given him some sort
of love-charm.

LUKERYA. Keep still, seeing that God has made you a sick man. Tend to your
own business; keep on coughing, there's no sin in that.

AFONYA. Fool--brother is a fool! He's ruined himself.

LUKERYA. Tanya, shouldn't I bring the samovar in here?

TATYANA. Yes, and I'll set the cups. [_Puts cups on the table_. LUKERYA
_goes out_] You'd better go into the kitchen.

AFONYA. I'm all right here.

TATYANA. Strangers are coming and you'll make us gloomy.

AFONYA. I won't go.

TATYANA. It's a true proverb: "There's no brewing beer with a fool." Our
guest is no cheap shopkeeper like your brother. A gentleman is coming, do
you hear? What are you fussing about?

AFONYA. What sort of a gentleman? Why is he coming?

TATYANA. Just the same kind of gentleman as all the rest. He's our
acquaintance, a rich landowner; well, now get out!

AFONYA. He's a gentleman in his own house, but I'm one here. I'm not going
to him, but he's coming here. I'm in my own house, and sick, so I won't
consider anybody. Was it him you dressed up for?

TATYANA. That's my business, not yours.

LUKERYA _brings in the samovar_.

LUKERYA. [_Placing the samovar on the table_] Lev Rodionych is coming with
some people.

TATYANA. I guess some of his relatives; what a horrid nuisance!

AFONYA. Nuisance! Why did you ever intrude into our family?

_Enter_ KRASNOV, KURITSYN, ULYANA.

SCENE II

KRASNOV, TATYANA, LUKERYA, AFONYA, KURITSYN, _and_ ULYANA.

KRASNOV. [_To his wife_] How are you? [_Kisses her_.

TATYANA. How affectionate!

KRASNOV. Never mind. We have a perfect right to! Let me treat you. We've
just received fresh grapes. [_Gives her a bunch_] Here I have brought you
some company. The samovar is all ready--that's good.

ULYANA. How do you do, sister? You are so proud you never call on us! But
we're common folks; so we picked ourselves up and came, uninvited.

KURITSYN. How do you do, sister? Why are you so contemptuous of your
relatives? You might run over once in a while for tea; your feet are able
to carry you!

KRASNOV. How has she time to go visiting? She has so much to do at home.
She's just beginning to get used to the household!

ULYANA. Yes, sister, you must get used to the household. That's our woman's
duty. You didn't marry