The Contemporary (Sovremennik)

Tatyana Andrevna. I completely agree with you there.

Avdotya Alekseyevna. Of course, if Sashenka a diminutive of Alexandra had a good fortune, she would be even happier... But what can be done? Fate governs all... One must be content with what God has destined...

Aneta (to Varvara Vasilyevna). Do you live in the province?...

Varvara Vasilyevna. Yes, we only spend the summer in the country, but for the winter we always come to Moscow... You know, that requires even more expenses, but maman mother does not value expenses because those are such trifles... And then, brother Paul lives in Moscow permanently... He serves here... as a hussar...

Aneta. Yes, I see...

Varvara Vasilyevna. We arrive in Moscow in October or November and stay until spring... And all this time passes for me like a single minute... You know, we have so many acquaintances... Constant outings, visits, evenings... You don't have time to look around before that unbearable time, spring, arrives...

Aneta. You do not like spring!...

Varvara Vasilyevna. Yes, because it deprives one of metropolitan pleasures... Maman is such a housekeeper and absolutely insists on looking after the household herself, even though we have a manager... even two... But she absolutely must look into everything herself... and even wishes to train me... But I was created for metropolitan life... And does your brother serve?...

Aneta. I, truly, do not quite know... It seems... Michel, are you in the service?...

Mikhailo Ivanych. Yes... I suppose I am serving... that is, I am listed in the service... Why does that interest you so much?...

Aneta. No... It's just that m-lle mademoiselle asked me...

Mikhailo Ivanych. Ah... pardon! forgive me!

Varvara Vasilyevna (blushing). No... I meant... I wanted to know: do you live in Moscow permanently? We were talking about brother Paul's service...

Mikhailo Ivanych. You see: I serve so diligently that, truthfully, I do not even know well the department under which I am registered... However, I am not in the least bit worried about it... For now, I serve the world and society in general, and distinctions will come by themselves... I am fully convinced that I only need to occupy myself with some-