omen and enough's said.
Everything is froth and bubble to you. All of a sudden you blab out
words that don't make the least sense. The worst you'd get would be a
flogging; but it means ruination to the husband.--Say, my dear, you are
as familiar with him as if he were another Bobchinsky.

ANNA. Leave that to us. Don't bother about that. [Glancing at Marya.] We
know a thing or two in that line.

GOVERNOR [to himself]. Oh, what's the good of talking to you! Confound
it all! I can't get over my fright yet. [Opens the door and calls.]
Mishka, tell the sergeants, Svistunov and Derzhimorda, to come here.
They are near the gate. [After a pause of silence.] The world has turned
into a queer place. If at least the people were visible so you could see
them; but they are such a skinny, thin race. How in the world could
you tell what he is? After all you can tell a military man; but when he
wears a frock-coat, it's like a fly with clipped wings. He kept it up
a long time in the inn, got off a lot of allegories and ambiguities so
that you couldn't make out head or tail. Now he's shown himself up at
last.--Spouted even more than necessary. It's evident that he's a young
man.

SCENE X

The same and Osip. All rush to meet Osip, beckoning to him.

ANNA. Come here, my good man.

GOVERNOR. Hush! Tell me, tell me, is he asleep?

OSIP. No, not yet. He's stretching himself a little.

ANNA. What's your name?

OSIP. Osip, madam.

GOVERNOR [to his wife and daughter]. That'll do, that'll do. [To Osip.]
Well, friend, did they give you a good meal?

OSIP. Yes, sir, very good. Thank you kindly.

ANNA. Your master has lots of counts and princes visiting him, hasn't
he?

OSIP [aside]. What shall I say? Seeing as they've given me such good
feed now, I s'pose they'll do even better later. [Aloud.] Yes, counts do
visit him.

MARYA. Osip, darling, isn't your master just grand?

ANNA. Osip, please tell me, how is he--

GOVERNOR. Do stop now. You just interfere with your silly talk. Well,
friend, how--

ANNA. What is your master's rank?

OSIP. The usual rank.

GOVERNOR. For God's sake, your stupid questions keep a person from
getting down to business. Tell me, friend, what sort of a man is your
master? Is he strict? Does he rag and bully a fellow--you know what I
mean--does he or doesn't he?

OSIP. Yes, he likes things to be just so. He insists on things being
just so.

GOVERNOR. I like your face. You must be a fine man,