KOROBKIN'S WIFE. Oh, Anna Andreyevna, how happy I am over your good
fortune. You can't imagine how happy I am.

KOROBKIN. But where, may I ask, is the distinguished guest now? I heard
he had gone away for some reason or other.

GOVERNOR. Yes, he's gone off for a day on a highly important matter.

ANNA. To his uncle--to ask his blessing.

GOVERNOR. To ask his blessing. But tomorrow--[He sneezes, and all burst
into one exclamation of well-wishes.] Thank you very much. But tomorrow
he'll be back. [He sneezes, and is congratulated again. Above the other
voices are heard those of the following.]

{CAPTAIN. I wish you health, your Honor.

{BOBCHINSKY. A hundred years and a sack of ducats.

{DOBCHINSKY. May God increase it to a thousand.

{ARTEMY. May you go to hell!

{KOROBKIN'S WIFE. The devil take you!

GOVERNOR. I'm very much obliged to you. I wish you the same.

ANNA. We intend to live in St. Petersburg now. I must say, the
atmosphere here is too village-like. I must say, it's extremely
unpleasant. My husband, too--he'll be made a general there.

GOVERNOR. Yes, confound it, gentlemen, I admit I should very much like
to be a general.

LUKA. May God grant that you get a generalship.

RASTAKOVSKY. From man it is impossible, but from God everything is
possible.

AMMOS. High merits, high honors.

ARTEMY. Reward according to service.

AMMOS [aside]. The things he'll do when he becomes a general. A
generalship suits him as a saddle suits a cow. It's a far cry to his
generalship. There are better men than you, and they haven't been made
generals yet.

ARTEMY [aside]. The devil take it--he's aiming for a generalship.
Well, maybe he will become a general after all. He's got the air of
importance, the devil take him! [Addressing the Governor.] Don't forget
us then, Anton Antonovich.

AMMOS. And if anything happens--for instance, some difficulty in our
affairs--don't refuse us your protection.

KOROBKIN. Next year I am going to take my son to the capital to put him
in government service. So do me the kindness to give me your protection.
Be a father to the orphan.

GOVERNOR. I am ready for my part--ready to exert my efforts on your
behalf.

ANNA. Antosha, you are always ready with your promises. In the first
place, you won't have time to think of such things. And how can you--how
is it possible for you, to burden yourself with such promises?

GOVERNOR. Why not, my dear? It's possible occasionally.

ANN