PETRISTCHEF. "I can't believe, I cannot trust a heart for falsehood framed." Still, if Elizabeth Leonidovna commands.... VASILY LEONIDITCH. Let us stay, Marya Konstantinovna. Eh, what? I shall invent something epatant. MARYA KONSTANTINOVNA. No, you mustn't make me laugh. You know I can't restrain myself. VASILY LEONIDITCH (loud). I remain! LEONID FYODORITCH (severely). But I beg those who remain not to joke about it. It is a serious matter. PETRISTCHEF. Do you hear? Well then, let's stay. Vovo, sit here, and don't be too shy. BETSY. Yes, it's all very well for you to laugh; but just wait till you see what will happen. VASILY LEONIDITCH. Oh, but supposing it's true? Won't it be a go! Eh, what? PETRISTCHEF (trembles). Oh, I'm afraid, I'm afraid! Marya Konstantinovna, I'm afraid! My tootsies tremble. BETSY (laughing). Not so loud. [All sit down. LEONID FYODORITCH. Take your seats, take your seats. Simon, sit down! SIMON. Yes, sir. [Sits down on the edge of the chair. LEONID FYODORITCH. Sit properly. PROFESSOR. Sit straight in the middle of the chair, and quite at your ease. [Arranges SIMON on his chair. [BETSY, MARYA KONSTANTINOVNA and VASILY LEONIDITCH laugh. LEONID FYODORITCH (raising his voice). I beg those who are going to remain here not to behave frivolously, but to regard this matter seriously, or bad results might follow. Do you hear, Vovo! If you can't be quiet, go away! VASILY LEONIDITCH. Quiet, quiet! [Hides behind FAT LADY. LEONID FYODORITCH. Alexey Vladimiritch, will you mesmerise him? PROFESSOR. No; why should I do it when Anton Borisitch is here? He has had far more practice and has more power in that department than I ... Anton Borisitch! GROSSMAN. Ladies and gentlemen, I am not, strictly speaking, a spiritualist. I have only studied hypnotism. It is true I have studied hypnotism in all its known manifestations; but what is called spiritualism, is entirely unknown to me. When a subject is thrown into a trance, I may expect the hypnotic phenomena known to me: lethargy, abulia, anaesthesia, analgesia, catalepsy, and every kind of susceptibility to suggestion. Here it is not these but other phenomena we expect to observe. Therefore it would be well to know of what kind are the phenomena we expect to witness, and what is their scientific significance. SAHATOF. I thoroughly agree with Mr. Grossman. Such an explanation would be very interesting. LEONID FYODORITCH. I think Alexey Vladimiritch will not refuse to give us a short explanation. PROFESSOR. Why not? I can give an explanation if it is desired. (To the DOCTOR.) Will you kindly note his temperature and pulse? My explanation must, of necessity, be cursory and brief. LEONID FYODORITCH. Yes, please; briefly, quite briefly. DOCTOR. All right. (Takes out thermometer.) Now then, my lad.... [Places the thermometer. SIMON. Yes, sir!