n different directions._

IV

Same room as in second picture

SCENE I[1]

[Footnote 1: The whole scene in a whisper.]

POTAPYCH _is leaning against the door-jamb, his hand to his head._ VASILISA
PEREGRINOVNA _enters quietly._

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA. Result of yesterday evening, I suppose, my friend?

POTAPYCH. Wha-a-t?

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA. Your head aches.

POTAPYCH. Did you put up the money?

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA. You haven't any money for anything else; but you
have for such things.

POTAPYCH. Well, anyhow, it ain't your business.

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA. Of course, Potapych, you're an old man, why
shouldn't you take a drink once in a while?

POTAPYCH. Sure, I guess I work for it.

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA. Just so, Potapych!

POTAPYCH. I'm tired of being lectured by you!

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA. I wish you well, Potapych.

POTAPYCH. No need for it! [_Silence_] But you keep upsetting the mistress
so! If you'd only put in a word for us when she's in a good humor; but you
just look for the wrong time, in order to complain of us.

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA. What do you say, Potapych? God preserve me!

POTAPYCH. What's that! No matter how much you swear, I know you! For
instance, why are you coming to the mistress now?

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA. To wish the benefactress good morning.

POTAPYCH. You'd better not come.

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA. Why so?

POTAPYCH. It must be she got out the wrong side of bed; she's out of sorts.
[VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA _rubs her hands with pleasure_] Here now, I see that
you're happy; you're dying for some deviltry or other. Phew! Lord forgive
us! What a disposition!

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA. You are saying insulting words to me, Potapych,
insulting to my very heart. When did I ever say anything about you to the
mistress?

POTAPYCH. If not about me, then about somebody else.

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA. But that's my business.

POTAPYCH. Your spite's always getting in its work.

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA. Not spite, not spite, my friend! You're mistaken! I
have just been so insulted that it's impossible to live in this world after
it. I shall die, but I shall not forget.

MADAM ULANBEKOV _enters._ POTAPYCH _goes out._

SCENE II

MADAM ULANBEKOV _and_ VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA. [_Kissing both of_ MADAM ULANBEKOV'S _hands_] You
have risen early, benefactress. You must have an awful lot of things on
your mind.

MADAM ULANBEKOV. [_Sitting