Let Your Own Dogs Fight, Keep Away from Others'

Balziminova (one, sitting with a stocking in her hands). Misha must have some plans in his head again. He’ll rush in, have a quick lunch, and then he’s gone for the whole day. Somewhere out there, poor thing, is he wandering? He must be walking far, far away to some place!

He always comes back looking so exhausted, tired—his face has no expression at all—and he eats nothing, only sighs. I suppose he’s running around at Rogozhskoye; though maybe also in Lefortovo! He wants to get richer, the poor fellow.

Well, it’s fine—let him run; they say that’s even healthy. Now it’s summertime, and he doesn’t really have anything special to do; still better that he runs outside than sits in the room… and maybe some good will come of it. Only I keep worrying about him. I just don’t believe he’ll find himself a very wealthy bride. And what efforts he’s put into this! It’s even surprising to see it.

With his diligence, he should have had a millionaire woman long ago. Must be there’s no happiness! Without happiness, no matter how hard you try, nothing works out. They say that if you want to find mushrooms, you need happiness—and even more so when it comes to a bride.

There was once a case with Nika’s family—so why did they split? Just over nothing. He had to show up at the wrong time! And, of course, it had to be him bringing trouble at such a moment. Without him, we’d be living like cheese in butter by now.

There are such evil people in the world! So what did he need? He didn’t do any good for himself—he only hurt my Misha.