SAHÁTOF. I can only speak of what I have seen. I did not see that--nothing of the kind. FAT LADY. You don't mean to say so? Why, it was quite plainly visible! And to the left there was a monk clothed in black bending over it ... SAHÁTOF [moves away. Aside] What exaggeration! FAT LADY [addressing the Doctor] You must have seen it! It rose up from your side. Doctor goes on counting pulse without heeding her. FAT LADY [to Grossman] And that light, the light around it, especially around its little face! And the expression so mild and tender, something so heavenly! [Smiles tenderly herself]. GROSSMAN. I saw phosphorescent light, and objects changed their places, but I saw nothing more than that. FAT LADY. Don't tell me! You don't mean it! It is simply that you scientists of Charcot's school do not believe in a life beyond the grave! As for me, no one could now make me disbelieve in a future life--no one in the world! Grossman moves away from her. FAT LADY. No, no, whatever you may say, this is one of the happiest moments of my life! When I heard Sarasate play, and now.... Yes! [No one listens to her. She goes up to Simon] Now tell me, my friend, what did you feel? Was it very trying? SIMON [laughs] Yes, ma'm, just so. FAT LADY. Still not unendurable? SIMON. Just so, ma'm. [To Leoníd Fyódoritch] Am I to go? LEONÍD FYÓDORITCH. Yes, you may go. DOCTOR [to the Professor] The pulse is the same, but the temperature is lower. PROFESSOR. Lower! [Considers awhile, then suddenly divines the conclusion] It had to be so--it had to descend! The dual influence crossing had to produce some kind of reflex action. Yes, that's it! Exeunt, all talking at once. { LEONÍD FYÓDORITCH. I'm only sorry we had no complete { materialisation. But still.... Come, gentlemen, let us go to the { drawing-room? { { FAT LADY. What specially struck me was when he flapped his wings, { and one saw how he rose! { { GROSSMAN [to Sahátof] If we had kept to hypnotism, we might have { produced a thorough state of epilepsy. The success might have been { complete! { { SAHÁTOF. It is very interesting, but not entirely convincing. That { is all I can say. Enter Theodore Ivánitch. LEONÍD FYÓDORITCH [with paper in his hand] Ah, Theodore, what a remarkable séance we have had! It turns out that the peasants must have the land on their own terms. THEODORE IVÁNITCH. Dear me! LEONÍD FYÓDORITCH. Yes, indeed. [Showing paper] Fancy, this paper that I returned to them, suddenly appeared on the table! I have signed it. THEODORE IVÁNITCH. How did it get there? LEONÍD FYÓDORITCH. Well, it did get there! [Exit, Theodore Ivánitch follows him out]. TÁNYA [gets from under the sofa and laughs] Oh dear, oh dear! Well, I did get a fright when he got hold of the thread! [Shrieks] Well, anyhow, it's all right--he has signed it! Enter Gregory. GREGORY. So it was you that was fooling them? TÁNYA. What business is it of yours?