VÁNYA. There you are! Why are you blushing? LYÚBA. Let me see the telegram, Aunt. [Reads] "Arriving all three by the mail train. Cheremshánovs." That means the Princess, Borís, and Tónya. Well, I am glad! VÁNYA. There you are, you're glad! Styópa, look how she is blushing. STYÓPA. That's enough--teasing over and over again. VÁNYA. Of course, because you're sweet on Tónya! You'd better cast lots; for two men must not marry one another's sisters.[19] [19] In Russia the relationships that are set up by marriage debar a marriage between a woman's brother-in-law and her sister. STYÓPA. Don't humbug! Shut up! How often have you been told to? LISA. If they are coming by the mail train, they will be here directly. LYÚBA. That's true, so we can't go for mushrooms. Enter Peter Semyónovich with his cigarettes. LYÚBA. Uncle Peter, we are not going! PETER SEMYÓNOVICH. Why not? LYÚBA. The Cheremshánovs are coming directly. Better let's play tennis till they come. Styópa, will you play? STYÓPA. I may as well. LYÚBA. Ványa and I against you and Lisa. Agreed? Then I'll get the balls and call the boys. [Exit]. PETER SEMYÓNOVICH. So I'm to stay here after all! PRIEST [preparing to go]. My respects to you. ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. No, wait a bit, Father. I want to have a talk with you. Besides, Nicholas Ivánovich will be here directly. PRIEST [sits down, and lights another cigarette]. He may be a long time. ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. There, someone is coming. I expect it's he. PETER SEMYÓNOVICH. Which Cheremshánova is it? Can it be Golitzin's daughter? ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Yes, of course. It's the Cheremshánova who lived in Rome with her aunt. PETER SEMYÓNOVICH. Dear me, I shall be glad to see her. I have not met her since those days in Rome when she used to sing duets with me. She sang beautifully. She has two children, has she not? ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Yes, they are coming too. PETER SEMYÓNOVICH. I did not know that they were so intimate with the Sarýntsovs. ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Not intimate, but they lodged together abroad last year, and I believe that _la princesse a des vues sur Lyúba pour son fils. C'est une fine mouche, elle flaire une jolie dot._[20] [20] The princess has her eye on Lyúba for her son. She is a knowing one, and scents a nice dowry. PETER SEMYÓNOVICH. But the Cheremshánovs themselves were rich. ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. They _were_. The prince is still living, but he has squandered everything, drinks, and has quite gone to the dogs. She petitioned the Emperor, left her husband, and so managed to save a few scraps. But she has given her children a splendid education. _Il faut lui rendre cette justice._[21] The daughter is an admirable musician; and the son has finished the University, and is charming. Only I don't think Mary is quite pleased. Visitors are inconvenient just now. Ah! here comes Nicholas. [21] One must do her that much justice. Enter Nicholas Ivánovich.