BOLSHÓV. Stop, you gabbler! Now you two just sit down side by side, and we'll have a look at you. Fomínishna, bring up a little bottle of fizz. PODKHALYÚZIN _and_ LÍPOCHKA _sit down._ FOMÍNISHNA. Right away, my dear, right away! [_She goes out._] SCENE VII _The same,_ USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA, _and_ RISPOLÓZHENSKY AGRAFÉNA KONDRÁTYEVNA. Congratulate the bride and groom to be, Ustinya Naúmovna! God has brought us to a ripe old age; we have lived to see happiness! USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. What have I got to congratulate you with, my jewels? My mouth's too dry to sing your praises. BOLSHÓV. Well, now, we'll wet your whistle. SCENE VIII _The same_, FOMÍNISHNA, _and_ TISHKA, _who is bringing wine on a tray_. USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. Aha! here's a matter of a different sort. Well, God grant you live long, keep young, grow fat, and be rich! _[She drinks]_ It's bitter, my jewels! _[LÍPOCHKA and LÁZAR kiss]_ Ah! that sweetens it! BOLSHÓV. Just let me drink their health. _[He takes the glass_; LÍPOCHKA _and_ LÁZAR _stand up]_ Live as you think best--you're reasonable beings. But so that you won't find life a bore, the house and shops go to you, Lázar, in place of dowry, and I'll throw in some ready cash. PODKHALYÚZIN. Many thanks, daddy; I'm well satisfied with what you've done for me as it is. BOLSHÓV. Nothing to thank me for! They're my own goods--I made 'em myself. I give 'em to whomever I please. Pour me another! [TISHKA _pours another glass]_ But what's the good of talking! Kindness is no crime! Take everything, only feed me and the old woman, and pay off the creditors at ten kopeks on the ruble. PODKHALYÚZIN. Why, daddy, that's not worth talking about, sir! Don't I know what feeling is? It's a family affair--we'll settle it ourselves. BOLSHÓV. I tell you, take it all, and there's an end to it! And nobody can boss me! Only pay my creditors. Will you pay 'em? PODKHALYÚZIN. If you please, dad, that's my first duty, sir. BOLSHÓV. Only you look out--don't give 'em much. As it is, I suppose you'll be fool enough to pay the whole debt. PODKHALYÚZIN. Oh, we'll settle it later, daddy, somehow. If you please, it's a family affair. BOLSHÓV. Come, all right! Don't you give 'em more than ten kopeks. That'll do for them. Well, kiss each other! _LÍPOCHKA and LÁZAR do so._ AGRAFÉNA KONDRÁTYEVNA. Ah, my little doves! How in the world did it happen! I declare I've quite lost my head. USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. "Whoever heard or saw such things? The elephant's learning to fly with wings; The hen laid a door-knob instead of an egg; And piggy is dancing a jig on a keg!" _She pours out wine and goes up to RISPOLÓZHENSKY; RISPOLÓZHENSKY bows and declines the wine._ BOLSHÓV. Drink to their happiness, Sysóy Psoich. RISPOLÓZHENSKY. I can't, Samsón Sílych--it turns my stomach! BOLSHÓV. Go along with you! Drink to their happiness. USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. He's always showing off!