_Pod._ In a minute. (_Tries to whisper in his ear._ KOCHKARYÒV _shakes his fist and frowns at him_. PODKOLYÒSSIN _gives his hand_.) _Koch._ (_joining their hands_). Well, may God bless you! I consent, and I approve your union. Marriage is a kind of thing——It’s not like just taking a sledge and going for a drive; it’s of quite a different character; it’s an obligation——I haven’t time now, but I’ll tell you afterwards what sort of obligation it is. Well, Ivàn Kouzmìch, kiss your bride; it is your right to do that now; it is your duty to do it. (AGÀFIA _drops her eyes_.) Never mind, madam, it is quite right and proper; let him kiss you! _Pod._ No, madam, you must permit me now. (_Kisses her, and takes her hand._) What a lovely little hand! Why have you such a lovely little hand? Allow me, madam. I wish that the wedding should be at once—at once, without any delay. _Agàfia._ At once? Perhaps that will be too soon. _Pod._ I won’t hear of anything! I should like to have it this very minute. _Koch._ Bravo! That’s good! That’s a noble fellow! I always had great hopes of you in the future! Indeed, madam, he’s quite right; you’d better go and dress at once. To tell the truth, I’ve sent for the carriage already, and invited the guests; they’re all gone straight to the church. I know your wedding-dress is ready. _Agàfia._ Oh! yes; ready long ago. I’ll dress in a minute. (_Exit._) _Pod._ Well, I thank you, friend! Now I appreciate all your kindness. My own father wouldn’t have done for me what you have done. I see now that you acted from pure friendship. Thank you, old chap! I’ll remember it all my life. (_With emotion._) Next spring I’ll certainly go and visit your father’s grave. _Koch._ It’s nothing, old man; I’m glad myself. There now; let’s embrace. (_Kisses him, first on one cheek, then on the other._) May God give you happiness and prosperity (_they kiss_), peace and plenty; may you have many children. _Pod._ Thank you, friend! Now, at last, only now, I know what life is; a new world has opened before me. Now I see, as it were; that everything moves and lives. I feel, I seem to go off into a mist—I don’t know myself what has come to me. Up till now I never saw or understood all this; I was just like a man that knew nothing; I never thought, never pondered over things; I lived just as any ordinary man does. _Koch._ I’m glad, very glad! I’ll just go and see how they’ve set the table; I’ll be back in a minute. (_Aside._) All the same, I’d better take away his hat, in case of anything. (_Exit, taking hat._) [Illustration: PODKOLYÒSSIN: “WELL, I DON’T KNOW; IT ISN’T SO HIGH; ONLY ONE STORY.” ]