be remembered.

LUKERYA. We are so indebted to your mother that words fail me to express
it. She did so much for the Zhmigulin family.

BABAYEV. The Zhmigulins?

LUKERYA. Especially for sister Tanya and me.

BABAYEV. [_Rising_] Tanya--Tatyana Danilovna?

LUKERYA. Do you remember, now?

BABAYEV. So you are her sister?

LUKERYA. Lukerya Danilovna Zhmigulin.

BABAYEV. Pardon me, I beg of you.

LUKERYA. I'm not in the least offended because you remember my sister more
readily than you do me. She's so beautiful that it's impossible to forget
her.

BABAYEV. Yes, yes, she was an exceedingly beautiful girl; we were great
friends.

LUKERYA. I'm aware of that. Who should know it if not I? Being the elder
sister I had to care for the younger.

BABAYEV. Yes, yes, to be sure. Tell me, if you please, where is she now?
What is she doing?

LUKERYA. She's here in the city, married.

BABAYEV. Married? Does she live happily?

LUKERYA. Judge for yourself. She lives in poverty among stupid, ignorant
people. It isn't as it was in your mother's house at Zavetnoye. That was an
earthly paradise! Your mother was the kindest of ladies, and liked to have
everybody happy at her house. There were always lots of young ladies in her
house, and likewise young gentlemen, and they played games from morning
till night. She made even the chambermaids play tag with us and other
games, and she looked on and enjoyed it.

BABAYEV. Yes, yes, it was but a short time ago. It's no more than three
years since I left for St. Petersburg.

LUKERYA. I remember it very well. You left three years ago last carnival
time. Your mother didn't like any of her guests to be moody or to read
books. She would say: "Why, you're spoiling everybody's spirits." Every one
was madly gay for her sake, but in the midst of all that gayety anybody who
had a keen eye could see quite a little.

BABAYEV. Nothing more natural! Men, girls, and young ladies continually
together--of course they couldn't help falling in love.

LUKERYA. You were especially strong in that line. You were continually with
Tanya, and you never left her, so they called you the "doves."

BABAYEV. One's heart's not a stone, Lukerya Danilovna. Even you
yourself--do you remember the surveyor?

LUKERYA. He isn't worth remembering. Later on he behaved in a very
ungentlemanly way to me. But fate has punished him for his lack of courtesy
towards a girl of noble birth. He's now in jail for being drunk