KRASNÓV. You're mistaken. You'll never see me do that. I love you so much that this time I'll even respect your caprices. Go along, but never set your foot there again. Only one more thing, Tatyána Danílovna: you see this clock! [_Points to the wall clock_] Look at the clock when you leave, and be back in half an hour! [_Pointing to the floor_] On this very spot. Understand? TATYÁNA. Come, Lusha, let's dress. [_Both go out._ KRASNÓV. I think everything will be all right now. They were a little spoiled; in that case sternness will do no harm. If I hold on she'll come to love me. Then when the gentleman is gone, I can humor her again; then our misunderstanding will be forgotten. What wouldn't I give for the half-hour they're with the gentleman? But what's to be done? I can't cut her off sharp--that'd entirely turn her away from me. Whatever I try to think of, horrid things come into my head. But he certainly isn't a bandit. And then my wife, a little while ago--I'm just an enemy to myself! There surely can't be anything bad; but I think of all sorts of nonsense! I'd better go and have a chat with my friends at the tavern. What did he whisper to her just now? Well, they're old acquaintances; just something! [Takes his cap] Tatyána Danílovna! I pined for you until I married you; and now that I have married you, all my heart aches. Don't ruin me, poor lad that I am; it will be a sin for you! [Goes out. TABLEAU II Same room as in ACT I SCENE I KARP and PROKÓFYEVNA come in PROKÓFYEVNA. Is he asleep? KARP. Don't know. I guess not; he hasn't that habit. It isn't time yet, anyway. What do you think? In St. Petersburg it isn't dinner-time yet, it's still morning. PROKÓFYEVNA. What's that, good heavens! KARP. Why, at times in the winter, when it's already dusk and the lights are lit everywhere, it's still considered morning. PROKÓFYEVNA. What's the wonder! It's a big city, the capital, not like this. I just came in to see if anything was needed. [Glancing out of the window] I believe some one is coming here. I'll go and meet them. [Goes out. KARP. One is bored to extinction here. If he'd grease the palms of the principal men at the court, then they'd have done it in a jiffy. At least we'd now be home, at business. I wonder how it is he isn't bored! I wonder if he hasn't found some prey here! He surely doesn't go about town for nothing! I know his ways: he walks and walks past the windows, and casts his eye around for some brunette. PROKÓFYEVNA _comes in._ PROKÓFYEVNA. Go and tell him that he is wanted, my dear sir. KARP. Why is he wanted? PROKÓFYEVNA. You tell him; he knows why. KARP. [_Through the door_] Please, sir, you have visitors. BABÁYEV. [_From the door_] Who? PROKÓFYEVNA. Come out, sir, for a minute; you're wanted! BABÁYEV _enters._ SCENE II KARP, PROKÓFYEVNA, BABÁYEV PROKÓFYEVNA. Listen! Tatyána Danílovna, the wife of the shopkeeper, has come with her sister, and wants to know if they may come in.