Leoníd Fédorovich. Let us go back to the house. Baroness, if you please.
(Exeunt all speaking together and interrupting each other.)
Anna Pávlovna (pulling Leonid Fédorovich's sleeve and stopping him). How many times have I told you not to give orders in the house! You know only your foolishness, and the house is on my shoulders. You will infect everybody.
Leoníd Fédorovich. Who? What? I do not understand a word.
Anna Pávlovna. You ask? People sick with diphtheria sleep in the kitchen, where there is a constant intercourse with the house!
Leoníd Fédorovich. I—
Anna Pávlovna. What I?
Leoníd Fédorovich. I do not know anything.
Anna Pávlovna. You ought to know, since you are the father of a family. You ought not to do this.
Leoníd Fédorovich. I did not think— I thought—
Anna Pávlovna. It makes me sick to listen to you!
(Leonid Fédorovich remains silent.)
Anna Pávlovna (to Fédor Iványch). Out with them this very minute! Let them not be in my kitchen! This is terrible. Nobody obeys me! Everything against me— I drive them away from one place, and they let them in here. (Becomes ever more agitated until tears appear.) Everything to spite me! Everything to spite
