THEODORE IVaNITCH. Let them wait outside. I'll send for them when the time comes. [Exit Doorkeeper]

Enter Tanya, followed by three Peasants.

TaNYA. To the right. In here! In here!

THEODORE IVaNITCH. I did not want them brought in here!

GREGORY. Forward minx!

TaNYA. Oh, Theodore Ivanitch, it won't matter, they'll stand in this corner.

THEODORE IVaNITCH. They'll dirty the floor.

TaNYA. They've sc.r.a.ped their shoes, and I'll wipe the floor up afterwards. [To Peasants] Here, stand just here.

Peasants come forward carrying presents tied in cotton handkerchiefs: cake, eggs, and embroidered towels. They look around for an icon before which to cross themselves; not finding one, they cross themselves looking at the staircase.

GREGORY [to Theodore Ivanitch]. There now, Theodore Ivanitch, they say Pironnet's boots are an elegant shape. But those there are ever so much better. [Pointing to the third Peasant's bast shoes].

THEODORE IVaNITCH. Why will you always be ridiculing people? [Exit Gregory].

THEODORE IVaNITCH [rises and goes up to the Peasants] So you are from Koursk? And have come to arrange about buying some land?

FIRST PEASANT. Just so. We might say, it is for the completion of the purchase of the land we have come. How could we announce ourselves to the master?

THEODORE IVaNITCH. Yes, yes, I know. You wait a bit and I'll go and inform him. [Exit].

The Peasants look around; they are embarra.s.sed where to put their presents.

FIRST PEASANT. There now, couldn't we have what d'you call it? Something to present these here things on? To do it in a genteel way, like,--a little dish or something.

TaNYA. All right, directly; put them down here for the present. [Puts bundles on settle].

FIRST PEASANT. There now,--that respectable gentleman that was here just now,--what might be his station?

TaNYA. He's the master's valet.

FIRST PEASANT. I see. So he's also in service. And you, now, are you a servant too?

TaNYA. I am lady's-maid. Do you know, I also come from Demen! I know you, and you, but I don't know him. [Pointing to third Peasant].

THIRD PEASANT. Them two you know, but me you don't know?

TaNYA. You are Efim Antonitch.

FIRST PEASANT. That's just it!

TaNYA. And you are Simon's father, Zachary Trifanitch.

SECOND PEASANT. Right!

THIRD PEASANT. And let me tell you, I'm Mitry Vlasitch Tchilikin. Now do you know?

TaNYA. Now I shall know you too!

SECOND PEASANT. And who may you be?

TaNYA. I am Aksinya's, the soldier's wife's, orphan.

FIRST AND THIRD PEASANTS [with surprise] Never!

SECOND PEASANT. The proverb says true:

"Buy a penny pig, put it in the rye, And you'll have a wonderful fat porker by-and-by."

FIRST PEASANT. That's just it! She's got the resemblance of a d.u.c.h.ess!

THIRD PEASANT. That be so truly. Oh Lord!

VASiLY LEONiDITCH. [off the scene, rings, and then shouts] Gregory!

Gregory!

FIRST PEASANT. Now who's that, for example, disturbing himself in such a way, if I may say so?

TaNYA. That's the young master.

THIRD PEASANT. Oh Lord! Didn't I say we'd better wait outside until the time comes? [Silence].

SECOND PEASANT. Is it _you_, Simon wants to marry?

TaNYA. Why, has he been writing? [Hides her face in her ap.r.o.n].

SECOND PEASANT. It's evident he's written! But it's a bad business he's imagined here. I see the lad's got spoilt!

TaNYA [quickly] No, he's not at all spoilt! Shall I send him to you?

SECOND PEASANT. Why send him? All in good time. Where's the hurry?

VASiLY LEONiDITCH [desperately, behind scene] Gregory! Where the devil are you?... [Enters from his room in shirt-sleeves, adjusting his pince-nez].

VASiLY LEONiDITCH. Is every one dead?

TaNYA. He's not here, sir.... I'll send him to you at once. [Moves towards the back door].

VASiLY LEONiDITCH. I could hear you talking, you know. How have these scarecrows sprung up here? Eh? What?

TaNYA. They're peasants from the Koursk village, sir. [Peasants bow].