FIRST FOOTMAN. One should consider too, that if we are to be afraid of everybody like that, we'd better shut ourselves up within four walls, as in a prison, and stick there! Enter Tánya; she bows to the Footmen. TÁNYA. Good afternoon. Footmen bow. TÁNYA. Theodore Ivánitch, I have a word to say to you. THEODORE IVÁNITCH. Well, what? TÁNYA. The peasants have come again, Theodore Ivánitch ... THEODORE IVÁNITCH. Well? I gave the paper to Simon. TÁNYA. I have given them the paper. They were that grateful! I can't say how! Now they only ask you to take the money. THEODORE IVÁNITCH. But where are they? TÁNYA. Here, by the porch. THEODORE IVÁNITCH. All right, I'll tell the master. TÁNYA. I have another request to you, dear Theodore Ivánitch. THEODORE IVÁNITCH. What now? TÁNYA. Why, don't you see, Theodore Ivánitch, I can't remain here any longer. Ask them to let me go. Enter Jacob, running. THEODORE IVÁNITCH [to Jacob] What d'you want? JACOB. Another samovár, and oranges. THEODORE IVÁNITCH. Ask the housekeeper. Exit Jacob. THEODORE IVÁNITCH [to Tánya] How is that? TÁNYA. Why, don't you see, my position is such ... JACOB [runs in] There are not enough oranges. THEODORE IVÁNITCH. Serve up as many as you've got [Exit Jacob]. Now's not the time! Just see what a bustle we are in. TÁNYA. But you know yourself, Theodore Ivánitch, there is no end to this bustle; one might wait for ever--you know yourself--and my affair is for life.... Dear Theodore Ivánitch, you have done me a good turn, be a father to me now, choose the right moment and tell her, or else she'll get angry and won't let me have my passport.[19] [19] Employers have charge of the servants' passports, and in this way have a hold on them in case of misconduct. THEODORE IVÁNITCH. Where's the hurry? TÁNYA. Why, Theodore Ivánitch, it's all settled now.... And I could go to my godmother's and get ready, and then after Easter we'd get married.[20] Do tell her, dear Theodore Ivánitch! [20] See footnote, p. 28. It is customary for peasants to marry just after Easter, but when spring has come and the field work begun, no marriages take place among them till autumn. THEODORE IVÁNITCH. Go away--this is not the place. An elderly Gentleman comes downstairs, puts on overcoat, and goes out followed by the Second Footman. Exit Tánya. Enter Jacob. JACOB. Just fancy, Theodore Ivánitch, it's too bad! She wants to discharge me now! She says, "You break everything, and forget Frisk, and you let the peasants into the kitchen against my orders!" And you know very well that I knew nothing about it. Tatyána told me, "Take them into the kitchen"; how could I tell whose order it was? THEODORE IVÁNITCH. Did the mistress speak to you? JACOB. She's just spoken. Do speak up for me, Theodore Ivánitch! You see, my people in the country are only just getting on their feet, and suppose I lose my place, when shall I get another? Theodore Ivánitch, do, please!