ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Never mind. Still Styópa must begin life, and whatever he proposes, it's all objected to. But here he is himself. The Priest steps aside, opens a book, and begins to read. Enter Styópa cycling towards the verandah. ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. _Quand on parle du soleil on en voit les rayons._[16] We were just talking about you. Lyúba says you were rude to your father. [16] Speak of the sun and you see its rays. STYÓPA. Not at all. There was nothing particular. He gave me his opinion, and I gave him mine. It is not my fault that our views differ. Lyúba, you know, understands nothing, but must have her say about everything. ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Well, and what have you decided on? STYÓPA. I don't know what Papa has decided. I'm afraid he does not quite know himself; but as for me, I have decided to volunteer for the Horse-Guards. In our house some special objection is made to every step that is taken; but this is all quite simple. I have finished my studies, and must serve my time. To enter a line regiment and serve with tipsy low-class officers would be unpleasant, and so I'm entering the Horse-Guards, where I have friends. ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Yes; but why won't your father agree to it? STYÓPA. Papa! What is the good of talking about him? He is now possessed by his _idée fixe_.[17] He sees nothing but what he wants to see. He says military service is the basest kind of employment, and that therefore one should not serve, and so he won't give me any money. [17] Fixed idea. LISA. No! Styópa. He did not say that! You know I was present. He says that if you cannot avoid serving, you should go when you are called; but that to volunteer, is to choose that kind of service of your own free will. STYÓPA. But it's I, not he, who is going to serve. He himself was in the army! LISA. Yes, but he does not exactly say that he will not give you the money; but that he cannot take part in an affair that is contrary to his convictions. STYÓPA. Convictions have nothing to do with it. One must serve--and that's all! LISA. I only say what I heard. STYÓPA. I know you always agree with Papa. Do you know, Aunt, that Lisa takes Papa's side entirely in everything? LISA. What is true ... ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Don't I know that Lisa always takes up with any kind of nonsense. She scents nonsense. _Elle flaire cela de loin._[18] [18] She scents it from afar. Enter Ványa running in with a telegram in his hand, followed by the dogs. He wears a red shirt. VÁNYA [to Lyúba]. Guess who is coming? LYÚBA. What's the use of guessing? Give it here [stretching towards him. Ványa does not let her have the telegram]. VÁNYA. I'll not give it you, and I won't say who it is from. It's someone who makes you blush! LYÚBA. Nonsense! Who is the telegram from? VÁNYA. There, you're blushing! Aunty, she is blushing, isn't she? LYÚBA. What nonsense! Who is it from? Aunty, who is it from? ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. The Cheremshánovs. LYÚBA. Ah!