TATYÁNA. What for? You don't need to. KRASNÓV. If I say I'll buy it, then that's my affair. So I do need to buy it. You attend to your business; comfort your husband! And I'll attend to mine. [_Looking at his watch_] Oh, there's lots of time! I'd better go! I wish I didn't have to leave you. TATYÁNA. Don't go! KRASNÓV. Don't you really want me to go? Don't act spoiled! Business before pleasure! If I don't make the collection to-day, I can't get my money for a whole week. It's so far to go, too! I wish he'd--Why, it's on the other side of the river! It'll take an hour; confound him! [_Takes his cap_] So you don't want me to go? TATYÁNA. Of course not! KRASNÓV. Oh, what a woman you are! [_Embraces her_] I know your kind, and very well too! You just wait for me an hour, you'll live through it! [_Kisses her_] Good-by! Otherwise I'd really be bound to stay with you. You women were created for man's temptation in this world! [_Starts off_. TATYÁNA. Come back soon! KRASNÓV. I'll be back 'fore you can count ten! Speaking seriously, I can't return within an hour. [_He goes out_. SCENE VII TATYÁNA _alone_ TATYÁNA. [_As soon as her husband goes_] Well, good-by! At last he's gone! I'm unfortunate, unfortunate! They say one ought to love one's husband; but how can I love him? He's vulgar, uneducated--and he fondles me as a bear would! Sits there--and swaggers like a peasant; and I have to pretend to love him, to humor him; how disgusting! I'd give anything on earth not to have to do that. But how can I help it! I have to submit to one I don't love! [_Silence_] I wonder where everybody is? Here I am all alone! Such loneliness! [_Sits down at the window_] Even the streets are deserted, and there's no one to look at. Where's my sister? [_Sings softly_. "O, mother I'm sad! Sad, my lady! My heart is cast down, Cast down and aching; My beloved knows not How my heart is bleeding." SCENE VIII TATYÁNA _and_ LUKÉRYA LUKÉRYA. What, is he gone? TATYÁNA. Yes. LUKÉRYA. Far? TATYÁNA. Across the river. LUKÉRYA. Will he be long? TATYÁNA. He said, not sooner than an hour. LUKÉRYA. Now you might run over. I was just there--he's waiting. He leaves to-day. TATYÁNA. Surely not to-day? How can that be, Lusha, my dear? He didn't tell me. If I could only see him! LUKÉRYA. Take my kerchief and cover yourself all up with it. It's so dark outside that no one will know you. TATYÁNA. You think it'll be all right? LUKÉRYA. If you're afraid of the wolf don't go into the woods. It isn't far, you can run over in a minute. But don't stay too long! TATYÁNA. No, no, of course I shan't. [_Puts the kerchief on_. LUKÉRYA. You'd better be watching out! God forbid that Lev Rodionych should return first. What should I do then! Shall I say that you went for some thread to a neighbor? It'll be lucky if he believes it. What did you say to him when you were alone? TATYÁNA. What did I say--I don't know; and what I'm doing now--I can't understand.