ULYÁNA. But where's the wrong, Prokófyevna! She's equal to it; because I know her. It's too bad brother has given her so much freedom. I wouldn't have thought of saying such a thing of another, but it isn't a sin to say it of her. If not to-day then to-morrow she'll begin to raise trouble that will never come to an end. She'll hoodwink brother. If you only knew how she's insulted me. PROKÓFYEVNA. Is that so? ULYÁNA. May I die in my tracks if she didn't! She's changed brother so that now he fairly growls at me. "I won't have anything to do with you," says he. That's the sort she is! Just you wait, my dear! I'm not like some. PROKÓFYEVNA. That's enough for you! What's the good of your mixing in! She's the mistress in her house, and you are in yours. ULYÁNA. To the deuce with her! I've nothing to do with her. But it hurts me, Prokófyevna, that she upsets brother, and estranges him from his whole family. PROKÓFYEVNA. Well, that's your business; you'll settle accounts somehow. Are you going home now? ULYÁNA. Yes, my dear; it's supper-time. My boss is probably storming and pacing the floor by now. Come and see us! PROKÓFYEVNA. Good-by. _They kiss each other. PROKÓFYEVNA goes out through the gate._ SCENE II ULYÁNA and later AFÓNYA ULYÁNA. Who knows whether Prokófyevna was lying or not. You can't believe her; she's a rogue. I'd give a lot to find out for certain if she's now with the gentleman or not. Will it hurt to wait? If she stays long, my husband will make such a fuss that I won't forget it for a month of Sundays. You're lucky that I'm in a hurry, or I'd watch out for you. [_Goes out. She meets AFÓNYA_] Afónya, where are you going? AFÓNYA. Go away, leave me alone! Leave me alone! ULYÁNA. Is Tatyána at home? AFÓNYA. No, she's gone. ULYÁNA. Then she's here at the gentleman's; I just saw her. AFÓNYA. At the gentleman's? Heavens! Have people no sense of shame! ULYÁNA. I've got to run home; I'll tell my husband, then I'll call at your house. [_Going away_] Wait, brother, wait! I'll get even with you for your insults! [_Goes out_. AFÓNYA. Heavens! I haven't any strength! How is one to live in such a world? This is a punishment for our sins! Left her husband for a stranger! She was sitting in a corner starving; we took care of her, gave her fine clothes bought with hard-earned money! Brother denies himself, denies his family, and gives her cash to buy rags, and now she and a stranger are cursing us for the shelter we gave her. It makes me sick! Why don't I die! I'm shedding tears of blood. We've warmed a viper in our bosom. [_Leans against the fence_] I'll wait, I'll wait. I'll tell her everything, everything that's seething in my heart. BABÁYEV _and_ TATYÁNA _come out of the gate_; AFÓNYA _hides behind a corner_. SCENE III AFÓNYA, BABÁYEV, _and_ TATYÁNA BABÁYEV. What are you afraid of? There's not a soul on the street. Why are you in such a hurry? It isn't half an hour since you came.