LUKERYA.  You see, grandfather, sister is displeased with her husband.

ARKHIP.  Well, what of that?  Who is the judge between husband and wife?  Let them live as they wish.

TATYANA.  What happiness is there in living so?  It is better to live in harmony.

ARKHIP.  Then what’s the matter?  Live in harmony!  Who’s preventing you?

LUKERYA.  You see, he has a very crude manner, and we’re not used to it.

ARKHIP.  Wait, don’t put in your word.  She has a tongue of her own.  You tell me, Tatyana.

TATYANA.  My husband is now angry with me and doesn’t even look at me; he thinks I don’t love him, and in that he’s mistaken.

LUKERYA. [Motioning to TATYANA to talk] She’s afraid of his temper.

TATYANA.  I love him as my duty requires.  If he thinks badly of me, I don’t deserve it.  Does he think I could betray him for any one else?  I would never do such a thing in my life.

LUKERYA.  And such a splendid man!  Doesn’t she realize it?

TATYANA.  If I had wronged him in any way, then he might scold, and be done with it.  But if he’ll only be kind to me, then I’ll show him all respect.  I’ll indulge him as he never dared hope.

LUKERYA.  How many times she’s told me:  “I love my husband very much, very, very much.”

ARKHIP.  What do you keep backing each other up for?  Have you been plotting together?

LUKERYA.  Why should I be silent?  Is it pleasant for me to see that my sister, whom I adore, lives in such discord with her husband? [Signals to TATYANA.

TATYANA.  Grandfather Arkhip, I want to ask you to have a talk with my
husband-----

ARKHIP.  Wait!  Wait!  Give me time—­don’t take me off my feet!  You say that your husband is angry with you?  Then you’re to blame?

TATYANA.  Much I am to blame!

ARKHIP.  Much or little, you’re certainly to blame.  You don’t want to humble yourself; you’re ashamed to—­so you ask me.  Is that so?

TATYANA.  Yes, grandfather Arkhip.

ARKHIP.  Are you speaking sincerely, or just words?

TATYANA.  Sincerely, grandfather.

ARKHIP.  But what’s that to me!  It’s not my business.  If you lie, then you’ll answer to God!  But I will speak to him.  Why not?  If you stop quarrelling, then it will be pleasant for all of us.

LUKERYA.  You talk to him to-day.

ARKHIP.  I’ll talk to him when he comes home. Enter AFONYA.

SCENE III

TATYANA, LUKERYA, ARKHIP, and AFONYA

ARKHIP.  Who came in?

AFONYA.  I, Grandfather Arkhip.

ARKHIP.  To-day we have a holiday, Afonya.  Tatyana wishes to make peace with her husband, and to submit to him.

AFONYA.  Submit?  Submit?  Don’t believe her, Grandfather Arkhip, she’s fooling you.

ARKHIP.  That’s enough from you!