AGRAFÉNA KONDRÁTYEVNA. So you think I'm a fool, do you? What kind of hussars do you know, you brazen-faced creature? Phoo! Diabolical idea! Perhaps you think I'm not able to make you mind? Tell me, you shameless-eyed girl, where did you get that spiteful look? What, you want to be sharper than your mother! It won't take me long, I tell you, to send you into the kitchen to boil the kettles. Shame, shame on you! Ah! Ah! My holy saints! I'll make you a hempen wedding-dress, and pull it on over your head directly. I'll make you live with the pigs, instead of your parents! LÍPOCHKA. How's that? Will I allow anybody to boss me about? The idea! AGRAFÉNA KONDRÁTYEVNA. Shut up, shut up, you babbling Bessie! Give in to your mother! What obstinate daring! Just peep another word and I'll stop your mouth with a potato. A beautiful consolation the Lord has sent me in you! Impudent slut! You're a miserable tomboy and you haven't a womanly thought in your head! You're ready, I suppose, to jump on horseback and go off like a soldier! LÍPOCHKA. I suppose you'll ring in the police, presently! You'd do better to keep still, since you weren't properly brought up. I'm absolutely vile; but what are you, after all? Do you want to send me to the other world before my time? Do you want to kill me with your caprices? [_She weeps_] Already I'm about coughing my lungs out! [_Weeps._ AGRAFÉNA KONDRÁTYEVNA. [_Stands and looks at her_] Well, stop, stop! LÍPOCHKA _weeps louder and then sobs._ AGRAFÉNA KONDRÁTYEVNA. I tell you, that'll do! I'm talking to you; stop it! Well, it's my fault; only do stop--it's my fault! LÍPOCHKA _weeps._ AGRAFÉNA KONDRÁTYEVNA. Lipochka! Lipa! Come, come, do stop! [_Tearfully_] Now, don't get angry at me--[_She weeps_] A silly old woman--ignorant--[_They weep together_] Please forgive me--I'll buy you some earrings. LÍPOCHKA. [_Weeping_] I don't want your old earrings; I have a drawer full already. You buy me some bracelets with emeralds. AGRAFÉNA KONDRÁTYEVNA. I will, I will, only please stop crying! LÍPOCHKA. [_Through her tears_] I won't stop crying till I get married. [_She weeps._ AGRAFÉNA KONDRÁTYEVNA. You'll get married, my darling; you will! Now, give me a kiss! [_They kiss_] There, Christ be with you! Now let me wipe away the tears for you. [_She wipes the tears_] Ustinya Naúmovna wanted to come to-day; we're going to talk a bit. LÍPOCHKA. [_In a voice still rather trembly_] Oh, dear, I wish she'd hurry up! SCENE III _The same and_ FOMÍNISHNA FOMÍNISHNA. Just guess, my dear Agraféna Kondrátyevna, who's come to call on us! AGRAFÉNA KONDRÁTYEVNA. I can't say. Do you think I'm a witch at guessing, Fomínishna? LÍPOCHKA. Why don't you ask me? Am I stupider than you or mamma?