THIRD PEASANT. But you should try, father! How are we to live else? We've so little land ... THEODORE IVÁNITCH. We'll see what comes of Tánya's attempt. She's taken the business into her hands now! THIRD PEASANT [takes a sip of tea] Father, be merciful. We've so little land. A hen, let's say, we've no room for a hen, let alone the cattle. THEODORE IVÁNITCH. If the business depended on me.... [To Second Peasant] Well, friend, so we've done our bit of match-making! It's agreed then about Tánya? SECOND PEASANT. I've given my word, and I'll not go back on it without a good reason. If only our business succeeds! Enter Servants' Cook who looks up at the oven, makes a sign, and then begins to speak animatedly to Theodore Ivánitch. SERVANTS' COOK. Just now Simon was called upstairs from the front kitchen! The master and that other bald-headed one who calls up spirits with him, ordered him to sit down and take the place of Kaptchítch! THEODORE IVÁNITCH. You don't say so! SERVANTS' COOK. Yes, Jacob told Tánya. THEODORE IVÁNITCH. Extraordinary! Enter Coachman. THEODORE IVÁNITCH. What do you want? COACHMAN [to Theodore Ivánitch] You may just tell them I never agreed to live with a lot of dogs! Let any one who likes do it, but I will never agree to live among dogs! THEODORE IVÁNITCH. What dogs? COACHMAN. Three dogs have been sent into our room by Vasíly Leoníditch! They've messed it all over. They're whining, and if one comes near them they bite--the devils! They'd tear you to pieces if you didn't mind. I've a good mind to take a club and smash their legs for them! THEODORE IVÁNITCH. But when did they come? COACHMAN. Why, to-day, from the Dog Show; the devil knows what kind they are, but they're an expensive sort. Are we or the dogs to live in the coachmen's quarters? You just go and ask! THEODORE IVÁNITCH. Yes, that will never do. I'll go and ask about it. COACHMAN. They'd better be brought here to Loukérya. SERVANTS' COOK [angrily] People have to eat here, and you'd like to lock dogs in here! As it is ... COACHMAN. And I've got the liveries, and the sledge-covers and the harness there, and they expect things kept clean! Perhaps the porter's lodge might do. THEODORE IVÁNITCH. I must ask Vasíly Leoníditch. COACHMAN [angrily] He'd better hang the brutes round his neck and lug them about with him! But no fear: he'd rather ride on horseback himself. It's he as spoilt Beauty without rhyme or reason. That was a horse!... Oh dear! what a life! [Exit, slamming door]. THEODORE IVÁNITCH. That's not right! Certainly not right! [To Peasants] Well then, it's time we were saying good-bye, friends. PEASANTS. Good-bye! Exit Theodore Ivánitch. As soon as he is gone a sound of groaning is heard from the top of the oven. SECOND PEASANT. He's sleek, that one; looks like a general. SERVANTS' COOK. Rather! Why, he has a room all to himself; he gets his washing, his tea and sugar, and food from the master's table.