USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. What's that to you? Why shouldn't I come? I'm no thief, no sheep without a name. What do you mean by that question? PODKHALYÚZIN. But, really, aren't you wasting your time coming? USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. Wasting my time? Where did you get that idea, my jewel? Just see here, what sort of a husband I've found: an aristocrat, has peasants, and a fine young man. PODKHALYÚZIN. Why has the thing come to a halt, ma'am? USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. It hasn't come to a halt! He wanted to come to-morrow to get acquainted. So we'll hitch him up, and it'll all be over. PODKHALYÚZIN. Hitch him up, try it--he'll give you the slip. USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. What's the matter, are you in your right mind, my jewel? PODKHALYÚZIN. You'll see! USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. May I die before to-night, but you're either drunk, my jewel, or you've wandered clean out of your head. PODKHALYÚZIN. Be so good as not to trouble yourself about that; you look out for yourself; but I know what I know. USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. Well, what do you know? PODKHALYÚZIN. No matter what I know, ma'am. USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. If you know something, tell me what it is: I suppose your tongue won't fall off. PODKHALYÚZIN. That's the point of the thing--that I can't tell it. USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. Why can't you? Why do you hesitate to tell me, my jewel? Go ahead, talk--it doesn't matter what it is. PODKHALYÚZIN. It's not a matter of conscience. But if I tell you, of course you'll go and blab! USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. Curst if I do! You may chop off my hand! PODKHALYÚZIN. That's it, ma'am; a promise is better than money. USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. Of course. Well, what do you know? PODKHALYÚZIN. Here's what, Ustinya Naúmovna: isn't it possible to throw over that suitor you've found, ma'am? USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. What's the matter with you; are you gone daft? PODKHALYÚZIN. Gone daft nothing, ma'am! But if you want to have a heart-to-heart talk, honor bright, ma'am; then here's the sort of thing it is, ma'am: at my house there's a certain Russian merchant I know, who is very much in love with Olimpiáda Samsónovna, ma'am. "No matter what I have to give," says he, "so long as I get married," says he; "I shan't grudge any sum." USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. Why didn't you tell me about that before, my jewel? PODKHALYÚZIN. There was nothing to tell for the good reason that I only just now found out about it, ma'am. USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. But it's late now, my jewel! PODKHALYÚZIN. And what a suitor he is, Ustinya Naúmovna! He'll shower you with gold from head to foot, ma'am; he'll have a cloak made for you out of live sables. USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. But, my dear, it's impossible! I'd be tickled to death, but I've given my word. PODKHALYÚZIN. Just as you please, ma'am! But if you betroth her to the other fellow, you'll bring such bad luck upon yourself, that you'll not get clear afterwards!