VASÍLY LEONÍDITCH. Ambassador from Bourdier, begone! ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Cease, please! Exit Porter. ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Betsy! Where is she? I always have to wait for her. VASÍLY LEONÍDITCH [shouting at the top of his voice] Betsy! Petrístchef! Come quick, quick, quick! Eh? What? Enter Petrístchef, Betsy, and Márya Konstantínovna. ANNA PÁVLOVNA. You always keep one waiting! BETSY. On the contrary, I was waiting for you! Petrístchef bows with his head only, then kisses Anna Pávlovna's hand. ANNA PÁVLOVNA. How d'you do! [To Betsy] You always have an answer ready! BETSY. If you are upset, mamma, I had better not go. ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Are we going or not? BETSY. Well, let us go; it can't be helped. ANNA PÁVLOVNA. 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 PÁVLOVNA. 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 PÁVLOVNA. Not prudery at all! If the bodice were completely altered, then it would do. BETSY. Mamma, that is quite impossible. ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Well, get dressed. [They sit down. Gregory puts on their over-shoes for them]. VASÍLY LEONÍDITCH. Márya Konstantínovna, do you notice a vacuum in the hall? MÁRYA KONSTANTÍNOVNA. What is it? [Laughs in anticipation]. VASÍLY LEONÍDITCH. Bourdier's man has gone! Eh, what? Good, eh? [Laughs loudly]. ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Well, let us go. [Goes out of the door, but returns at once] Tánya! TÁNYA. Yes, M'm? ANNA PÁVLOVNA. 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. TÁNYA. Yes, M'm. Exeunt Anna Pávlovna, Betsy, and Gregory. PETRÍSTCHEF. Well, have you got it? VASÍLY LEONÍDITCH. 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. Petrístchef and Vasíly Leoníditch put on their outdoor things and go out. Tánya follows. THEODORE IVÁNITCH [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, Leoníd Fyódoritch 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 Tánya bringing them back again! TÁNYA. Come in, come in, grand-dads, never mind! Enter Tánya and the Peasants. THEODORE IVÁNITCH. Why have you brought them back? TÁNYA. Well, Theodore Ivánitch, we must do something about their business. I shall have to wash the place anyhow.