Act 2 — Scene V. In the Courtyard.

Matryòna (crosses stage with two plates, goes up to stable-door, and pushes it with her foot). Here, you ragamuffins! (Enter Coachmen from stable.) Bring the horses round; Madame wants to go.

Second C. You see, at that time, my master was angry with me about something, and wanted to sell me for a soldier.

First C. Bless my soul!

94Second C. So you see, my dear fellow, I’d got my head just full of the war, and never talked about anything but war with every man I met. And I got so worked up in my feelings like, that I was ready to go at the Circassians themselves.

First C. I’ve got a neighbour here, a friend of mine; he’s an officer’s servant, and he was with his master in the Hungarian campaign; and you should just hear what he can tell about the Austrians!

Second C. What about them?

First C. Why, my good fellow, they told him beforehand, with the Frenchmen standing by—there were Frenchmen, you know—“Do you think you can stand against me? If I choose, I’ll tear you in pieces.”

Second C. And they can do it too!

First C. Ah! that they can!

Second C. Because they’re so strong, you see!

First C. Nothing can stand against them. It’s like when they had the militia ... eleven vershkòv high, and could lift fifteen poods. And there they’d advance on you! Then, bang, bang, bang goes the big drum, and they all shout, Forwards! March! Treason! And there they come on and on, and what can you do?

Second C. In course they must get the better of them; that’s plain.

First C. You see, the one that wins, that’ll be which ever is strongest.

Matryòna. I’m perfectly tired of hearing you. You’re fine soldiers ... do your fighting sitting by the oven. War can’t be such a very dreadful thing after all.

First C. (glances sideways at Matryòna with absolute contempt): Brazen hussy!

Matryòna. Madame’s waiting; do you hear?

Second C. (hangs whip on right arm, and gives left hand to First C.). Good-bye!

95First C. Good-bye, my lad! (Exit behind house. Matryòna goes on to gallery.)