USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. [_Sitting down_] Sit down a minute, my jewel. I have worn myself out the livelong day; from early morning I've been tearing around like a wet hen. But, you see, I couldn't neglect anything; I'm an indispensable person everywhere. Naturally, my jewel, every person is a human being: a man needs a wife, a girl a husband; give it to them if you have to rob the cradle; then here and there there's a genuine wedding. And who fixes them up? Why, I do. Ustinya Naúmovna has to bear the burden for all of them. And why does she have to? Because that's the way things are; from the beginning of the world, that's the way the wheel was wound up. However, to tell the truth, they don't cheat me for my trouble: one gives me the material for a dress, another a fringed shawl, another makes up a cap for you, and here and there you'll get a gold piece, and here and there something better--just what the job deserves and they're able to pay. FOMÍNISHNA. What's the use of talking, my dear; what's the use of talking! USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. Sit down, Fomínishna; your legs are old and rickety. FOMÍNISHNA. Eh! Haven't time, my dear! You see, it's just awful; because _he_ doesn't come home we're all scared to death: he may come home drunk at any time. And then what a bad one, good Lord! Then what a row he'll kick up. USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. Naturally; a rich peasant is worse than the devil to talk to. FOMÍNISHNA. We've seen him do terrible things. One night last week he came home drunk. He tore around, and what a row! It was simply awful; he smashed the china--"Ooo!" he said, "I'll kill the whole crowd of you at once!" USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. Vulgarity! FOMÍNISHNA. That's the truth, my dear. But I'll just run up-stairs, darling--Agraféna Kondrátyevna is alone in my room. When you're going home, come back to me; I'll tie up a bit of ham for you. [_She mounts the stairs_. USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. I'll follow, my jewel, I'll follow. PODKHALYÚZIN _enters_. SCENE VII USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA _and_ PODKHALYÚZIN PODKHALYÚZIN. Ah! Ustinya Naúmovna! It's been ages since I've seen you, ma'am. USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. How are you, dear soul! How've you been? PODKHALYÚZIN. Oh, able to be around, ma'am. [_He sits down_. USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. I'll capture a little mamzelle for you if you want me to. PODKHALYÚZIN. Thank you kindly--I don't need one yet. USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. If you don't want one yourself, my jewel, I'll do a good turn for your friends. I suppose you have friends around town, a whole pack. PODKHALYÚZIN. I have quite a few, ma'am. USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. Well, if you have, thank the Lord! If you know of a marriageable man, whether he's a bachelor, unmarried, or a widower--drag him straight to me. PODKHALYÚZIN. Will you find him a wife? USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. I will. Why shouldn't I find him a wife? I'll do it in a jiffy. PODKHALYÚZIN. That's very fine, ma'am, But now I ask you, Ustinya Naúmovna, why do you come here to us so confoundedly often?