THEODORE IVANITCH. Well, we'll see. I should certainly like to have a few quiet years in my old age. Though my life here is good enough, and I should be sorry to leave. Leonid Fyodoritch is an exceedingly kind-hearted man. FIRST PEASANT. That's just it. But how about our business? Is it possible that he is going to leave it without any termination? THEODORE IVANITCH. He'd do it willingly. SECOND PEASANT. It seems he's afraid of his wife. THEODORE IVANITCH. It's not that he's afraid, but they don't hit things off together. THIRD PEASANT. But you should try, father! How are we to live else? We've so little land.... THEODORE IVANITCH. We'll see what comes of Tanya's attempt. She's taken the business into her hands now! THIRD PEASANT (takes a sip of tea). Father, be merciful. We've so little land. A hen, let's say, we've no room for a hen, let alone the cattle. THEODORE IVANITCH. If the business depended on me.... (To SECOND PEASANT.) Well, friend, so we've done our bit of match-making! It's agreed then about Tanya? SECOND PEASANT. I've given my word, and I'll not go back on it without a good reason. If only our business succeeds! [Enter SERVANTS' COOK, who looks up at the oven, makes a sign, and then begins to speak animatedly to THEODORE IVANITCH. SERVANTS' COOK. Just now Simon was called upstairs from the front kitchen! The master and that other bald-headed one who calls up spirits with him, ordered him to sit down and take the place of Kaptchitch! THEODORE IVANITCH. You don't say so! SERVANTS' COOK. Yes, Jacob told Tanya. THEODORE IVANITCH. Extraordinary! [Enter COACHMAN. THEODORE IVANITCH. What do you want? COACHMAN (to THEODORE IVANITCH). You may just tell them I never agreed to live with a lot of dogs! Let any one who likes do it, but I will never agree to live among dogs! THEODORE IVANITCH. What dogs? COACHMAN. Three dogs have been sent into our room by Vasily Leoniditch! They've messed it all over. They're whining, and if one comes near them they bite--the devils! They'd tear you to pieces if you didn't mind. I've a good mind to take a club and smash their legs for them! THEODORE IVANITCH. But when did they come? COACHMAN. Why, to-day, from the Dog Show; the devil knows what kind they are, but they're an expensive sort. Are we or the dogs to live in the coachmen's quarters? You just go and ask! THEODORE IVANITCH. Yes, that will never do. I'll go and ask about it. COACHMAN. They'd better be brought here to Loukerya. SERVANTS' COOK (angrily). People have to eat here, and you'd like to lock dogs in here! As it is.... COACHMAN. And I've got the liveries, and the sledge-covers and the harness there, and they expect things kept clean! Perhaps the porter's lodge might do. THEODORE IVANITCH. I must ask Vasily Leoniditch.