TATYÁNA. If I had wronged him in any way, then he might scold, and be done with it. But if he'll only be kind to me, then I'll show him all respect. I'll indulge him as he never dared hope. LUKÉRYA. How many times she's told me: "I love my husband very much, very, very much." ARKHÍP. What do you keep backing each other up for? Have you been plotting together? LUKÉRYA. Why should I be silent? Is it pleasant for me to see that my sister, whom I adore, lives in such discord with her husband? [_Signals to_ TATYÁNA. TATYÁNA. Grandfather Arkhíp, I want to ask you to have a talk with my husband----- ARKHÍP. Wait! Wait! Give me time--don't take me off my feet! You say that your husband is angry with you? Then you're to blame? TATYÁNA. Much I am to blame! ARKHÍP. Much or little, you're certainly to blame. You don't want to humble yourself; you're ashamed to--so you ask me. Is that so? TATYÁNA. Yes, grandfather Arkhíp. ARKHÍP. Are you speaking sincerely, or just words? TATYÁNA. Sincerely, grandfather. ARKHÍP. But what's that to me! It's not my business. If you lie, then you'll answer to God! But I will speak to him. Why not? If you stop quarrelling, then it will be pleasant for all of us. LUKÉRYA. You talk to him to-day. ARKHÍP. I'll talk to him when he comes home. _Enter_ AFÓNYA. SCENE III TATYÁNA, LUKÉRYA, ARKHÍP, and AFÓNYA ARKHÍP. Who came in? AFÓNYA. I, Grandfather Arkhíp. ARKHÍP. To-day we have a holiday, Afónya. Tatyána wishes to make peace with her husband, and to submit to him. AFÓNYA. Submit? Submit? Don't believe her, Grandfather Arkhíp, she's fooling you. ARKHÍP. That's enough from you! TATYÁNA. Why should I fool you? What's the use? AFÓNYA. You came to your senses when brother frightened you a little. You ought to have done it long ago. If you're in earnest, then drop your proud ways. You ought to bow down to your husband's feet, right to his feet. And to all of us, to all. You have wronged all of us. LUKÉRYA. [_In a low voice_] That would be entirely too much honor. TATYÁNA. Why should I bow down to my husband? AFÓNYA. For everything that he's done for you. I saw myself how he kneeled before you! It's a shame! [_Covers his face with his hands_. LUKÉRYA. What of it, if he wanted to? AFÓNYA. He's no worse than you, yet he bowed down to you; now you bow down to him. Make up to him for his humiliation. It won't hurt you! And bow down to all of us, even to our brother-in-law and sister. TATYÁNA. Bowing down to my husband has some sense in it, but why should I to you? AFÓNYA. Because brother insulted all of us on your account. On account of you our family has been broken up. You're dearer to him than anybody, dearer than all his own. ARKHÍP. Calm yourself! Try to control this fit of anger! We want to make peace, and you are starting a quarrel again. LUKÉRYA. He's not even her husband, yet what awful things he says! If you gave him his way, he would make our life unbearable.