Act 2 — SCENE VIII
Reading edition
GORDÉY KÁRPYCH, KÓRSHUNOV, LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA, ANNA IVÁNOVNA, MÁSHA, LÍZA, girls, MÍTYA, GÚSLIN, and RAZLYULYÁYEV.
KÓRSHUNOV. Let's join the young ladies. Where did you pick up such beauties—he, he! [Walks towards LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA] Good evening, Lyubóv Gordéyevna, my beauty. [LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA bows] May I join your company?
LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA. We don't drive any one away.
ANNA IVÁNOVNA. Be seated; you'll be our guest.
KÓRSHUNOV. You're pretty chilly to the old man! It's Christmas time now, and I suppose we may exchange kisses.
ANNA IVÁNOVNA. Why be so affectionate?
KÓRSHUNOV. Gordéy Kárpych, may I kiss your daughter? And I must confess—he, he—I'm fond of this sort of thing. Yes, well, who doesn't like it! He, he!
GORDÉY KÁRPYCH. You're welcome to do so; don't stand on ceremony.
KÓRSHUNOV. Will you give me a kiss, young lady?
LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA. If my father wants me to. [They exchange kisses.
KÓRSHUNOV. Well now, every one of them, right down the line.
ANNA IVÁNOVNA. I suppose so! I'm not proud.
MÁSHA. Oh, how embarrassing!
LÍZA. Well, there's nothing to be said; I must say it's a treat!
GORDÉY KÁRPYCH. [Going up to MÍTYA] Why are you here? Is this your place? "The crow has flown into the lofty palace!"
MÍTYA, GÚSLIN and RAZLYULYÁYEV go out.