ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Why, you're always saying I must not get excited. Now, how is it possible to keep calm? I do not see my own sister for two months, and am careful about any doubtful visitor--and here are people from Koursk, straight from Koursk, where there is an epidemic of diphtheria, right in my house! DOCTOR. These good fellows you mean, I suppose? ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Of course. Straight from a diphtheric place! DOCTOR. Well, of course, if they come from an infected place it is rash; but still there is no reason to excite yourself so much about it. ANNA PÁVLOVNA. But don't you yourself advise carefulness? DOCTOR. Of course, of course. Still, why excite yourself? ANNA PÁVLOVNA. How can I help it? Now we shall have to have the house completely disinfected. DOCTOR. Oh no! Why completely? That would cost 300 roubles or more. I'll arrange it cheaply and well for you. Take, to a large bottle of water ... ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Boiled? DOCTOR. It's all the same. Boiled would be better. To one bottle of water take a tablespoon of salicylic acid, and have everything they have come in contact with washed with the solution. As to the fellows themselves, they must be off, of course. That's all. Then you're quite safe. And it would do no harm to sprinkle some of the same solution through a spray--two or three tumblers--you'll see how well it will act. No danger whatever! ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Tánya! Where is Tánya? Enter Tánya. TÁNYA. Did you call, M'm? ANNA PÁVLOVNA. You know that big bottle in my dressing-room? TÁNYA. Out of which we sprinkled the laundress yesterday? ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Well, of course! What other bottle could I mean? Well then, take that bottle and first wash with soap the place where they have been standing, and then with ... TÁNYA. Yes, M'm; I know how. ANNA PÁVLOVNA. And then take the spray ... However, I had better do that myself when I get back. DOCTOR. Well then, do so, and don't be afraid! Well, _au revoir_ till this evening. [Exit]. ANNA PÁVLOVNA. And they must be off! Not a trace of them must remain! Get out, get out! Go--what are you looking at? FIRST PEASANT. That's just so. It's because of our stupidity, as we were instructed ... GREGORY [pushes the Peasants out] There, there; be off! SECOND PEASANT. Let me have my handkerchief back! [The handkerchief in which the presents were wrapped]. THIRD PEASANT. Oh Lord, oh Lord! didn't I say--some lodging-house meanwhile! Gregory pushes him out. Exeunt Peasants. PORTER [who has repeatedly tried to say something] Will there be any answer? ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Ah, from Bourdier? [Excitedly] None! None! You can take it back. I told her I never ordered such a costume, and I will not allow my daughter to wear it! PORTER. I know nothing about it. I was sent ... ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Go, go, take it back! I will call myself about it! VASÍLY LEONÍDITCH [solemnly] Sir Messenger from Bourdier, depart! PORTER. I might have been told that long ago. I have sat here nearly five hours!