_Koch._ Only keep your presence of mind; everything will be all right. Good-bye! (_Aside._) I’ll run and fetch Podkolyòssin. (_Exit. Enter_ YAÌCHNITZA.) _Yaìch._ I purposely came rather early, madam, in order to find you alone and talk with you at leisure. As regards my position, madam, you are, I presume, acquainted with it: I serve as collegiate assessor, I enjoy the good-will of the authorities, and my subordinates are obedient ... only one thing is wanting—a partner to share my life. _Agàfia._ Y-yes.... _Yaìch._ I have at last found that desired partner. It is—yourself. Answer me plainly—yes or no? (_Looking at her shoulders; aside._) She’s not like those scraggy foreign women; there’s something of her. _Agàfia._ I am still very young.... I do not wish to marry yet.... _Yaìch._ Don’t wish!... Why, what do you employ a matchmaker for? Perhaps, though, you mean something else—explain to me.... (_Door-bell rings._) Confound the people! They won’t let one settle one’s business in peace! (_Enter_ ZHEVÀKIN.) _Zhev._ Pardon me, madam, if I have come too early. (_Turns round and sees_ YAÌCHNITZA.) Ah! there’s one already.... Ivàn Pàvlovich, my compliments. _Yaìch._ (_aside_). You be hanged with your compliments! (_Aloud._) Well, madam, your answer? Say only one word—yes or no?... (_Door bell rings_; YAÌCHNITZA _spits on the floor_.) Damn that bell! (_Enter_ ANOÙCHKIN.) _Anoùchkin._ Perhaps, madam, I have arrived earlier than is becoming and consistent with good breeding. (_Sees the others, utters an exclamation, and starts back._) My respects, gentlemen! _Yaìch._ (_aside_). Keep your respects and be damned to you! The very deuce brought your spindle-shanks here—if you’d only tumble and break them!... (_Aloud._) Well, madam, how is it to be? Decide. I am a man in office; my time is valuable—yes or no? _Agàfia._ (_confused._) Oh, no, please, ... I don’t want.... (_Aside._) I don’t know a bit what I’m saying! _Yaìch._ You don’t want?... In what sense do you mean that? _Agàfia._ Oh, I didn’t mean.... I.... Oh, indeed!... (_Gathering up her courage._) Get along with you.... (_Aside, clasping her hands._) Oh, dear! Oh, dear! what have I said! _Yaìch._ “_Get_ ... _along_ with you”?!... What does “get along with you” mean?... Permit me to ask, what do you mean by this? (_Places arms akimbo, and advances towards her threateningly._) _Agàfia_ (_stares at him; then screams_). Oh! oh! he’s going to beat me! (_Exit running._ YAÌCHNITZA _stands open-mouthed_; ARÌNA PANTELÈYMOVNA, _hearing the noise, runs in, looks at him, and screams_.) _Arìna._ Oh! he’s going to beat us! (_Exit running._) _Yaìch._ What’s it all about? What can have happened? (_Door-bell rings; voice heard without._) _Koch._ (_without_). Go in; go in! What are you stopping for? _Pod._ (_without_). You go first; I’ll come in a minute; I’ll just fasten my strap; it’s come undone.