Enter Tánya, followed by three Peasants. TÁNYA. To the right. In here! In here! THEODORE IVÁNITCH. I did not want them brought in here! GREGORY. Forward minx! TÁNYA. Oh, Theodore Ivánitch, it won't matter, they'll stand in this corner. THEODORE IVÁNITCH. They'll dirty the floor. TÁNYA. They've scraped their shoes, and I'll wipe the floor up afterwards. [To Peasants] Here, stand just here. Peasants come forward carrying presents tied in cotton handkerchiefs: cake, eggs, and embroidered towels. They look around for an icón before which to cross themselves; not finding one, they cross themselves looking at the staircase. GREGORY [to Theodore Ivánitch]. There now, Theodore Ivánitch, they say Pironnet's boots are an elegant shape. But those there are ever so much better. [Pointing to the third Peasant's bast shoes]. THEODORE IVÁNITCH. Why will you always be ridiculing people? [Exit Gregory]. THEODORE IVÁNITCH [rises and goes up to the Peasants] So you are from Koursk? And have come to arrange about buying some land? FIRST PEASANT. Just so. We might say, it is for the completion of the purchase of the land we have come. How could we announce ourselves to the master? THEODORE IVÁNITCH. Yes, yes, I know. You wait a bit and I'll go and inform him. [Exit]. The Peasants look around; they are embarrassed where to put their presents. FIRST PEASANT. There now, couldn't we have what d'you call it? Something to present these here things on? To do it in a genteel way, like,--a little dish or something. TÁNYA. All right, directly; put them down here for the present. [Puts bundles on settle]. FIRST PEASANT. There now,--that respectable gentleman that was here just now,--what might be his station? TÁNYA. He's the master's valet. FIRST PEASANT. I see. So he's also in service. And you, now, are you a servant too? TÁNYA. I am lady's-maid. Do you know, I also come from Démen! I know you, and you, but I don't know him. [Pointing to third Peasant]. THIRD PEASANT. Them two you know, but me you don't know? TÁNYA. You are Efím Antónitch. FIRST PEASANT. That's just it! TÁNYA. And you are Simon's father, Zachary Trifánitch. SECOND PEASANT. Right! THIRD PEASANT. And let me tell you, I'm Mítry Vlásitch Tchilíkin. Now do you know? TÁNYA. Now I shall know you too! SECOND PEASANT. And who may you be? TÁNYA. I am Aksínya's, the soldier's wife's, orphan. FIRST AND THIRD PEASANTS [with surprise] Never! SECOND PEASANT. The proverb says true: "Buy a penny pig, put it in the rye, And you'll have a wonderful fat porker by-and-by." FIRST PEASANT. That's just it! She's got the resemblance of a duchess! THIRD PEASANT. That be so truly. Oh Lord! VASÍLY LEONÍDITCH. [off the scene, rings, and then shouts] Gregory! Gregory! FIRST PEASANT. Now who's that, for example, disturbing himself in such a way, if I may say so? TÁNYA. That's the young master.