SCENE I

_KARP is unfastening a valise, and ZaYCHIKHA (PROKoFYEVNA) is looking out of the window._

PROKoFYEVNA. Just look, dear sir, how many people have gathered.

KARP. What do they want? Why are they curious?

PROKoFYEVNA. Every one, dear sir, wishes to know who it is that has arrived.

KARP. They say you're provincials, and you certainly are provincials. Well, tell them that it's Babayev, Valentin Pavlich, a landowner.

PROKoFYEVNA. [_Speaking through the window_] Babayev, a landowner. [_To KARP_] They're asking why you came.

KARP. On business, of course. Did you think we came here for sport? Much chance there would be for that here.

PROKoFYEVNA. [_Through the window_] For business. [_To KARP_] Will you remain long?

KARP. We certainly haven't come to settle here. We may stay two days; not longer, you may be sure.

PROKoFYEVNA. [_Through the window_] For two days. [_Withdraws from the window_] Now I've satisfied them. In five minutes the entire city will know.

KARP. Your lodging is all right; it's clean.

PROKoFYEVNA. Certainly it's clean, sir. No great frills, but it's clean. Of course there's no great travelling to our town.

KARP. It isn't on the highway.

PROKoFYEVNA. Highway, not much! Yet the best people that do come here, lodge with me. I know a lot of the landowners who come here. They are used to me; very few of them ever go to the hotel.

KARP. Because it's so noisy.

PROKoFYEVNA. Yes, I should say so! Down-stairs is a bar-room; and on market days the noise is dreadful. Please tell me, wasn't your master's mother Sofya Pavlovna, the wife of General Babayev?

KARP. Exactly so.

PROKoFYEVNA. Is their estate called Zavetnoye?

KARP. Yes.

PROKoFYEVNA. So, so. I recognized him just now. I used to see him as a youngster. He often rode to town with his mother, and they would call on me. Does he live in the country?

KARP. No, we are most of the time in St. Petersburg; but now we have come to the country to arrange business matters.

PROKoFYEVNA. So, so. But is he a good man to deal with?

KARP. Pretty good.

PROKoFYEVNA. Well, thank the Lord! May He reward him! What business brought you to our town?

KARP. Oh, those endless legal matters. Petty business, something to bear witness to; but I suppose he'll waste five days over it.

PROKoFYEVNA. It wouldn't be surprising. Have you called on the judges?

KARP. Yes, we called on them all. Just now they sent us a clerk from court.

PROKoFYEVNA. They'll probably do it quicker for you than for us. If you need anything, knock on the wall, and I'll come. [_Goes out_.

BABaYEV _and_ SHISHGaLEV _enter at the side door_.

SCENE II

BABaYEV, SHISHGaLEV, _and_ KARP

BABaYEV. So you say, my dear sir, that it is absolutely impossible?

SHISHGaLEV. [_Bowing and continually blowing his nose and covering his mouth with his hand_] But, believe me, sir, if it were at all possible we should have----

BABaYEV. Maybe it is possible?

SHISHGaLEV. Judge for yourself, sir. Now the court session has ended, it is quite impossible to a.s.semble the members; to-morrow is a holiday--then comes Sat.u.r.day and then Sunday.

BABaYEV. Just think, my dear sir, how you are treating me!

SHISHGaLEV. How am I to blame? I'm the humblest sort of man.

BABaYEV. But, my dear sir, what shall I do here for the next four days? It is dreadful!

SHISHGaLEV. You can look around, sir, and take a glance at our city.

KARP. What's the use of looking at it? What is there to see here? I suppose you'll say that St. Petersburg is not as fine a city as yours.

BABaYEV. Have you any kind of social life?

SHISHGaLEV. I beg pardon, sir?

BABaYEV. I said, have you any social life, any sort of club, entertainment with music, or parties?

SHISHGaLEV. No, we haven't.

BABaYEV. But where do the members of the court and the rest of them spend their time?

SHISHGaLEV. They usually spend it together.