KRASNÓV. You're a regular snake in the grass! And you call yourself a sister. What do you want? To make trouble between us? You're spiteful because I love my wife! You may rest assured that I wouldn't change her for anybody. For thirty years I've slaved for my family, labored till I sweated blood, and I thought of marriage only when I'd provided for the whole family. For thirty years I haven't known any pleasures. That's why I have to be thankful to my wife, who has beauty and education, for loving me, a peasant. Formerly I worked for you; now I will work for her forever. I'll perish working, but I'll give her every comfort. I should kiss her feet, because I very well understand that I and my whole household aren't worth her little finger. Do you think after this I will allow her to be abused! I respect her--and you all must respect her! LUKÉRYA. Sister herself understands that she deserves all respect. KRASNÓV. What's that you were saying, Ulyana? If you're right, then it's all up with me! See here! I have only one joy, one consolation, and I should have to give it up. Is that easy? Is it? I'm not made of stone that I can look at such wifely doings through my fingers! Your foolish words have entered my ears and wrenched my heart. If I believed you, then--God keep me from it--I should soon do some violence! One can't vouch for himself as to what may happen. Maybe the devil will jog my elbow. God save us! This is not a joking matter! If you wanted to hurt me, you should have taken a knife and thrust it into my side--that would have been easier for me. After such words it's better that I never see you again, you breaker-up of families. I'd rather disown all my people than endure your poison. ULYÁNA. I'm not the cause of separation. It's she that's breaking up families. KÚRITSYN. Well, brother! Evidently, if it's the wife's kin--open the door; but if it's the husband's kin--then shut the door. You visit us and we'll show you hospitality. Come, wife, we'd better go home! ULYÁNA. Well, good-by, sister, but remember! And you, brother, just wait; we'll settle accounts somehow. [_They go out_. SCENE III KRASNÓV, TATYÁNA, LUKÉRYA, and AFÓNYA KRASNÓV. [_Approaching his wife_] Tatyána Danílovna, I hope you won't take that to heart, because they're a rough lot. TATYÁNA. That's the kind of relatives you have! I lived better beyond comparison as a girl; at least I knew that no one dared to insult me. LUKÉRYA. [_Clearing the table_] We didn't associate with the common people. KRASNÓV. And I'll never let you be insulted. You saw I didn't spare my own sister, and drove her out of my house; but if it had been a stranger, he wouldn't have got off alive. You don't know my character yet; at times I'm afraid of myself. TATYÁNA. What, do you become dreadfully furious? KRASNÓV. Not that I'm furious, I'm hot-tempered. I'm beside myself, and don't see people at such times.