ailing] I wasn't hinting at anything.... Present
company is always excepted.... I was only in general.... Please!
Everybody knows that you're marrying for love... the dowry is quite
trifling.

NASTASYA TIMOFEYEVNA. No, it isn't trifling! You be careful what you
say. Besides a thousand roubles of good money, we're giving three
dresses, the bed, and all the furniture. You won't find another dowry
like that in a hurry!

YATS. I didn't mean... The furniture's splendid, of course, and... and
the dresses, but I never hinted at what they are getting offended at.

NASTASYA TIMOFEYEVNA. Don't you go making hints. We respect you on
account of your parents, and we've invited you to the wedding, and here
you go talking. If you knew that Epaminond Maximovitch was marrying for
profit, why didn't you say so before? [Tearfully] I brought her up,
I fed her, I nursed her.... I cared for her more than if she was an
emerald jewel, my little girl....

APLOMBOV. And you go and believe him? Thank you so much! I'm very
grateful to you! [To YATS] And as for you, Mr. Yats, although you are
acquainted with me, I shan't allow you to behave like this in another's
house. Please get out of this!

YATS. What do you mean?

APLOMBOV. I want you to be as straightforward as I am! In short, please
get out! [Band plays a flourish]

THE GENTLEMEN. Leave him alone! Sit down! Is it worth it! Let him be!
Stop it now!

YATS. I never... I... I don't understand.... Please, I'll go.... Only
you first give me the five roubles which you borrowed from me last year
on the strength of a _pique_ waistcoat, if I may say so. Then I'll just
have another drink and... go, only give me the money first.

VARIOUS GENTLEMEN. Sit down! That's enough! Is it worth it, just for
such trifles?

A GROOMSMAN. [Shouts] The health of the bride's parents, Evdokim
Zaharitch and Nastasya Timofeyevna! [Band plays a flourish. Cheers.]

ZHIGALOV. [Bows in all directions, in great emotion] I thank you! Dear
guests! I am very grateful to you for not having forgotten and for
having conferred this honour upon us without being standoffish And you
must not think that I'm a rascal, or that I'm trying to swindle anybody.
I'm speaking from my heart--from the purity of my soul! I wouldn't deny
anything to good people! We thank you very humbly! [Kisses.]

DASHENKA. [To her mother] Mama, why are you crying? I'm so happy!

APLOMBOV. _Maman_ is disturbed at your coming separation. But I should