_Agàfia._ Oh, aunt! What shall I do? I’m half undressed! _Arìna._ Little mother! Run and dress, quick! (_Rushes frantically about room._ DOUNIÀSHKA _brings table-cloth. Door-bell rings._) Run! Make haste! Say “Directly.” (DOUNIÀSHKA _exit, and calls without “Directly.”_) _Agàfia._ Auntie, my dress isn’t ironed! _Arìna._ Oh! Merciful Heaven! Spare us! Put on another. _Fèkla_ (_running in_). What are you standing about for? Agàfia Tikhònovna! Little mother! Make haste! (_Door-bell rings_). There! there! he’s waiting all this time. _Arìna._ Douniàshka! Let him in, and ask him to wait. (DOUNIÀSHKA _runs into hall and opens door. Voices without_: “At home?” “At home; come in, please.” _All stoop down and try to look through keyhole._) _Agàfia_ (_screams_). Oh! what a fat man! _Fèkla._ He’s coming! he’s coming. (_Exeunt in a headlong rush. Enter_ DOUNIÀSHKA _and_ IVÀN PÀVLOVICH YAÌCHNITZA.) _Doun._ Wait here, please. (_Exit._) _Yaìch._ It’s all very well to say “Wait,” but I can’t spend much time waiting about for her; I only got a few minutes’ leave from the Department. Supposing the General were to ask, “Where’s the usher gone?” “Gone to look for a wife!” Tut, tut, tut! The general would give her what for, I know.... I may as well look through the list again. (_Reads._) “Two-storied stone house.” (_Looks up and examines room._) Yes! (_Reads._) “Two wings—one wooden, one with stone basement.”... H’m.... The wooden one is not up to much. (_Reads._) “Carriage; carved two-horse sledge, with large and small rugs.”... I daresay they’ll be only fit to break up. However, the old woman declares they’re first-rate; well, let’s suppose they are. (_Reads._) “Two dozen silver spoons.”... Of course one must have silver spoons for the house.... “Two fox-fur cloaks.”... H’m.... “Four large feather-beds; two small ones.” (_Compresses lips expressively._) “Twelve silk dresses; twelve cotton ditto; two dressing-jackets; two....” H’m.... those are trifles. “Under-linen; table-cloths....” All that’s her business. However, I shall have to verify it all. It’s very likely they’ll promise a house and carriage and all sorts of things now, and when once you’re married, you find there’s not a thing but feather-beds and pillows. (_Door-bell rings_; DOUNIÀSHKA _runs hastily through room into hall, and opens door. Voices without_, “At home?” “At home.” _Enter_ ANOÙCHKIN _and_ DOUNIÀSHKA.) _Doun._ Wait here, please; they’ll come presently. (_Exit._ ANOÙCHKIN _and_ YAÌCHNITZA _bow to each other_.) _Yaìch._ Your servant, sir! _Anoùch._ Have I the honour to address the papa of the charming lady of the house? _Yaìch._ Certainly not, sir, I have not the pleasure of having any children. _Anoùch._ Oh! I beg your pardon! I really beg your pardon! _Yaìch_ (_aside_). That man’s face looks to me very suspicious; I shouldn’t wonder if he’s come about the same business that I have. (_Aloud._) You doubtless have some ... some ... business with the lady of the house?