LÍZA. "Just imagine, mother!" I said, "he doesn't know how to talk properly, and he even uses such words that it's absolutely impolite." RAZLYULYÁYEV. Do you mean me? LÍZA. We aren't talking about you; it's no business of yours. [_She continues_] "But why, mother, must I love him?" [_Speaks in a whisper._ PELAGÉYA EGÓROVNA. Yes, my friend, I love the good old ways. Yes, our good old Russian ways. But there! my husband doesn't care for them! What can you do about it? That's his character. But I love them, I'm naturally jolly; yes, I love to give a person a bite and to get them to sing songs to me! Yes, I take after my family. Our family are all jolly, and love singing. FIRST GUEST. When I look round, my dear Pelagéya Egórovna, there isn't the gayety that there used to be when we were young. SECOND GUEST. No, no. PELAGÉYA EGÓROVNA. In my young days I was the merriest sort of girl--always singing and dancing---indeed I was. Yes, what songs I knew! They don't sing such songs now. FIRST GUEST. No, they don't sing them; new songs have come in now. SECOND GUEST. Yes, yes, one remembers the old times. PELAGÉYA EGÓROVNA. Yasha dear! Sing us some good old songs. GÚSLIN _takes the guitar._ RAZLYULYÁYEV. [_To the girls_] So it's no use for me to wait; evidently I shan't get any sense out of you. LÍZA. What do you mean by sense? I don't understand. MÁSHA. It's ridiculous to listen to you. RAZLYULYÁYEV. Yes, it's funny for you; but how is it for me? Really, why don't you love me? LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA. Let's sit down. _They sit down._ GÚSLIN. [_Sings_] "Four huts beside the brook That swift doth run. There is a gossip In every one. Dear gossips all four, My friends that be, Be friendly and kindly And nice to me. When you're in the green garden, Take me with you; When you pluck flowers, Pluck me a few. When you weave garlands, Weave me some too; When you go to the river, Take me with you. When you throw in the garlands, Throw also my wreath; The others will float, When mine sinks beneath. All of the sweethearts, They have come home; Mine, and mine only, He has not come." ARÍNA. [_Enters with bottles and glasses; and a servant-girl with relishes_] Here, I've brought them! PELAGÉYA EGÓROVNA. [_To the servant_] Pass it to the young ladies. [_The servant carries wine round to the girls, places the tray on the table and goes out_] Arína! Bring us some wine. Yes, pour it out, pour out the Madeira, the Madeira; it will cheer us up. That's all right! Let's have a glass; they won't condemn us--we're old folks! [_They drink_] Annushka! Come along and drink some wine. Won't you have some? ANNA IVÁNOVNA. Well, why shouldn't I drink some! They say, don't drink when there's no one round, but when there's company, it's all right. _Goes to_ PELAGÉYA EGÓROVNA, _drinks and talks in a whisper_. ARÍNA. Have you had a drop too much, my boys?