PETRÍSTCHEF. "I can't believe, I cannot trust a heart for falsehood framed." Still, if Elizabeth Leonídovna commands ... VASÍLY LEONÍDITCH. Let us stay, Márya Konstantínovna. Eh, what? I shall invent something _épâtant_. MÁRYA KONSTANTÍNOVNA. No, you mustn't make me laugh. You know I can't restrain myself. VASÍLY LEONÍDITCH [loud] I remain! LEONÍD FYÓDORITCH [severely] But I beg those who remain not to joke about it. It is a serious matter. PETRÍSTCHEF. Do you hear? Well then, let's stay. Vovo, sit here, and don't be too shy. BETSY. Yes, it's all very well for you to laugh; but just wait till you see what will happen. VASÍLY LEONÍDITCH. Oh, but supposing it's true? Won't it be a go! Eh, what? PETRÍSTCHEF [trembles] Oh, I'm afraid, I'm afraid! Márya Konstantínovna, I'm afraid! My tootsies tremble. BETSY [laughing] Not so loud. All sit down. LEONÍD FYÓDORITCH. Take your seats, take your seats. Simon, sit down! SIMON. Yes, sir. [Sits down on the edge of the chair]. LEONÍD FYÓDORITCH. Sit properly. PROFESSOR. Sit straight in the middle of the chair, and quite at your ease. [Arranges Simon on his chair]. Betsy, Márya Konstantínovna and Vasíly Leoníditch laugh. LEONÍD FYÓDORITCH [raising his voice] I beg those who are going to remain here not to behave frivolously, but to regard this matter seriously, or bad results might follow. Do you hear, Vovo! If you can't be quiet, go away! VASÍLY LEONÍDITCH. Quite quiet! [Hides behind Fat Lady]. LEONÍD FYÓDORITCH. Alexéy Vladímiritch, will you mesmerise him? PROFESSOR. No; why should I do it when Antón Borísitch is here? He has had far more practice and has more power in that department than I.... Antón Borísitch! GROSSMAN. Ladies and gentlemen, I am not, strictly speaking, a spiritualist. I have only studied hypnotism. It is true I have studied hypnotism in all its known manifestations; but what is called spiritualism, is entirely unknown to me. When a subject is thrown into a trance, I may expect the hypnotic phenomena known to me: lethargy, abulia, anæsthesia, analgesia, catalepsy, and every kind of susceptibility to suggestion. Here it is not these but other phenomena we expect to observe. Therefore it would be well to know of what kind are the phenomena we expect to witness, and what is their scientific significance. SAHÁTOF. I thoroughly agree with Mr. Grossman. Such an explanation would be very interesting. LEONÍD FYÓDORITCH. I think Alexéy Vladímiritch will not refuse to give us a short explanation. PROFESSOR. Why not? I can give an explanation if it is desired. [To the Doctor] Will you kindly note his temperature and pulse? My explanation must, of necessity, be cursory and brief. LEONÍD FYÓDORITCH. Yes, please; briefly, quite briefly. DOCTOR. All right. [Takes out thermometer] Now then, my lad ... [Places the thermometer]. SIMON. Yes, sir!