LUKA. There you are again! It's too awful to listen to, so it is! Nikolai Michailovitch is dead, it was the will of the Lord and the Lord has given him eternal peace. You have grieved over it and that ought to be enough. Now it's time to stop. One can't weep and wear mourning forever! My wife died a few years ago, too. I grieved for her, I wept a whole month--and then it was over. Must one be forever singing lamentations? That would be more than your husband was worth! [_He sighs._] You have forgotten all your neighbors. You don't go out and you won't receive any one. We live,--you'll pardon me--like the spiders, and the good light of day we never see. All the livery is eaten by the mice--As though there weren't any more nice people in the world! But the whole neighborhood is full of gentlefolk. In Riblov the regiment is stationed, officers--simply beautiful! One can't see enough of them! Every Friday a ball, and military music every day. Oh, my dear, dear ma'am, young and pretty as you are, if you'd only let your spirits live! Beauty can't last forever. When ten short years are over, then you'll be glad enough to go out a bit! And meet the officers--and then it'll be too late. MRS. POPOV [_resolutely_]. Please, don't speak of these things to me again. You know very well that since the death of Nikolai Michailovitch my life is absolutely nothing to me. You think I live, but it only seems that I live. Do you understand? Oh, that his departed soul may see how I love him--Oh, I know, it's no secret to you; he was often unjust towards me, cruel and--he wasn't faithful, but I shall be faithful to the grave and prove to him how I am able to love. There, in the beyond, he'll find me the same, as I was until his death. LUKA. What is the use of all these words? When you'd so much rather go walking in the garden or order Tobby or Welikan harnessed to the trap, and visit the neighbors. MRS. POPOV [_weeping_]. Oh! LUKA. Madam, dear, dear Madam, what is it? In heaven's name? MRS. POPOV. He loved Tobby so! He always took him when he drove to the Kortschagins or the Vlassovs. What a wonderful horseman he was! How fine he looked! When he pulled at the reins with all his might! Tobby, Tobby, give him an extra measure of oats to-day! LUKA. Yes, ma'am. [_A bell rings loudly._] MRS. POPOV [_shudders_]. What's that? Say that I am receiving no one. LUKA. Yes, ma'am. [_He goes out center._] MRS. POPOV [_gazing at the photograph_]. You shall see, Nikol, how I can love and forgive--My love will die only with me--when my poor heart stops beating. [_She smiles through her tears._] And aren't you ashamed? I have been a good, true wife, I have imprisoned myself and I shall remain true until the grave, and you--you--you're not ashamed of yourself, my dear monster! Betrayed me, quarreled with me, left me alone for weeks-- [_Luka enters in great excitement._] LUKA. Oh, ma'am, some one is asking for you, insists on seeing you--