USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. You lie, it ain't! You promised me a sable cloak. PODKHALYÚZIN. What, ma'am? USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. A sable cloak! Have you grown deaf, maybe? PODKHALYÚZIN. Sable, ma'am! He, he, he! USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. Yes, sable! What are you laughing and stretching your mouth at? PODKHALYÚZIN. You haven't gone out for a stroll with your mug in a sable cloak[1] yet, have you? [Footnote 1: Russian fur cloaks, it may be useful to remember, have broad collars that can be turned up to protect the face.] OLIMPIÁDA SAMSÓNOVNA _brings in a dress and hands it to_ USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. SCENE III _The same and_ OLIMPIÁDA SAMSÓNOVNA USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. What in the world is the matter with you; do you want to rob me, maybe? PODKHALYÚZIN. Rob you, nothing! You just go to the devil, and be done with you! USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. Are you going to turn me out? And I, senseless idiot, agreed to work for you: I can see now your vulgar blood! PODKHALYÚZIN. What, ma'am! Speak, if you please! USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. When it comes to that, I don't care to look at you! Not for any amount of money on earth will I agree to associate with you! I'll go twenty miles out of my way, but I won't go by you! I'll sooner shut my eyes and bump into a horse, than stand and look at your dirty den! Even if I want to spit, I'll never set foot in this street again! Break me in ten pieces if I lie! You can go to the infernal jim-jams if you ever see me here again! PODKHALYÚZIN. Easy now, aunty, easy! USTÍNYA NAÚMOVNA. I'll show you up, my jewels: you'll find out! I'll give you such a rep in Moscow that you won't dare show your face in public!--Oh! I'm a fool, a fool to have anything to do with such a person! And I, a lady of rank and position!--Fah, fah, fall! [_She goes out._ PODKHALYÚZIN. Well, the blue-blooded lady flew off the handle! Oh, Lord, what an official she is! There's a proverb that says: "The thunderbolt strikes, not from the clouds, but from the dung-heap." Good Lord! Just look at her; what a lady! OLIMPIÁDA SAMSÓNOVNA. Bright idea of yours, Lázar Elizárych, ever to have anything to do with her! PODKHALYÚZIN. Really, a very absurd woman. OLIMPIÁDA SAMSÓNOVNA. [_Glancing out of the window_] I believe they've let daddy out of the pen; go see, Lázar Elizárych. PODKHALYÚZIN. Well, no, ma'am; they won't let daddy out of the pen soon, either; most likely they ordered him to the meeting of the creditors, and then he got leave to come home. Mamma, ma'am! Agraféna Kondrátyevna! Daddy's coming, ma'am! SCENE IV _The same,_ BOLSHÓV, _and_ AGRAFÉNA KONDRÁTYEVNA AGRAFÉNA KONDRÁTYEVNA. Where is he? Where is he? My own children, my little doves! [_Kisses are exchanged._ PODKHALYÚZIN. Daddy, how do you do, our respects! AGRAFÉNA KONDRÁTYEVNA. My little dove, Samsón Sílych, my treasure! You've left me an orphan in my old age! BOLSHÓV. That'll do, wife; stop!