ANNA PaVLOVNA. Go, go, take it back! I will call myself about it!

VASiLY LEONiDITCH [solemnly] Sir Messenger from Bourdier, depart!

PORTER. I might have been told that long ago. I have sat here nearly five hours!

VASiLY LEONiDITCH. Amba.s.sador from Bourdier, begone!

ANNA PaVLOVNA. Cease, please!

Exit Porter.

ANNA PaVLOVNA. Betsy! Where is she? I always have to wait for her.

VASiLY LEONiDITCH [shouting at the top of his voice] Betsy! Petristchef!

Come quick, quick, quick! Eh? What?

Enter Petristchef, Betsy, and Marya Konstantinovna.

ANNA PaVLOVNA. You always keep one waiting!

BETSY. On the contrary, I was waiting for you!

Petristchef bows with his head only, then kisses Anna Pavlovna's hand.

ANNA PaVLOVNA. How d'you do! [To Betsy] You always have an answer ready!

BETSY. If you are upset, mamma, I had better not go.

ANNA PaVLOVNA. Are we going or not?

BETSY. Well, let us go; it can't be helped.

ANNA PaVLOVNA. Did you see the man from Bourdier?

BETSY. Yes, and I was very glad. I ordered the costume, and am going to wear it when it is paid for.

ANNA PaVLOVNA. I am not going to pay for a costume that is indecent!

BETSY. Why has it become indecent? First it was decent, and now you have a fit of prudery.

ANNA PaVLOVNA. Not prudery at all! If the bodice were completely altered, then it would do.

BETSY. Mamma, that is quite impossible.

ANNA PaVLOVNA. Well, get dressed. [They sit down. Gregory puts on their over-shoes for them].

VASiLY LEONiDITCH. Marya Konstantinovna, do you notice a vacuum in the hall?

MaRYA KONSTANTiNOVNA. What is it? [Laughs in antic.i.p.ation].

VASiLY LEONiDITCH. Bourdier's man has gone! Eh, what? Good, eh? [Laughs loudly].

ANNA PaVLOVNA. Well, let us go. [Goes out of the door, but returns at once] Tanya!

TaNYA. Yes, M'm?

ANNA PaVLOVNA. Don't let Frisk catch cold while I am away. If she wants to be let out, put on her little yellow cloak. She is not quite well to-day.

TaNYA. Yes, M'm.

Exeunt Anna Pavlovna, Betsy, and Gregory.

PETRiSTCHEF. Well, have you got it?

VASiLY LEONiDITCH. Not without trouble, I can tell you! First I rushed at the gov'nor; he began to bellow and turned me out. Off to the mater--I got it out of her. It's here! [Slaps his breast pocket] If once I make up my mind, there's no getting away from me. I have a deadly grip! Eh, what? And d'you know, my wolf-hounds are coming to-day.

Petristchef and Vasily Leoniditch put on their outdoor things and go out. Tanya follows.

THEODORE IVaNITCH [alone] Yes, nothing but unpleasantness. How is it they can't live in peace? But one must say the new generation are not--the thing. And as to the women's dominion!... Why, Leonid Fyodoritch just now was going to put in a word, but seeing what a frenzy she was in--slammed the door behind him. He is a wonderfully kind-hearted man. Yes, wonderfully kind. What's this? Here's Tanya bringing them back again!

TaNYA. Come in, come in, grand-dads, never mind!

Enter Tanya and the Peasants.

THEODORE IVaNITCH. Why have you brought them back?

TaNYA. Well, Theodore Ivanitch, we must do something about their business. I shall have to wash the place anyhow.

THEODORE IVaNITCH. But the business will not come off, I see that already.

FIRST PEASANT. How could we best put our affair into action, respected sir? Your reverence might take a little trouble over it, and we should give you full thankings from the Commune for your trouble.

THIRD PEASANT. Do try, honey! We can't live! We have so little land.

Talk of cattle--why, we have no room to keep a hen! [They bow].

THEODORE IVaNITCH. I am sorry for you, friends, but I can't think of any way to help you. I understand your case very well, but he has refused.

So what can one do? Besides, the lady is also against it. Well, give me your papers--I'll try and see what I can do, but I hardly hope to succeed. [Exit].

Tanya and the three Peasants sigh.

TaNYA. But tell me, grand-dads, what is it that is wanted?

FIRST PEASANT. Why, only that he should put his signature to our doc.u.ment.

TaNYA. That the master should sign? Is that all?

FIRST PEASANT. Yes, only lay his signature on the deed and take the money, and there would be an end of the matter.

THIRD PEASANT. He only has to write and sign, as the peasants, let's say, desire, so, let's say, I also desire. That's the whole affair--if he'd only take it and sign it, it's all done.