The Poor Bride

Lord! Where have I put my glasses? Look for them, Masha, do me a favor. (Marya Andreyevna looks for the glasses).

Allow me, Mother, I will read it. I think you have no secrets from Platon Markych.

Read it, Masha! What secrets! I asked him about business. Such is a woman’s life. It is a pity to bother Platon Markych; he is an old man; but there is nothing to be done.

"Your High Excellency, gracious Madam, Anna Petrovna! I have the honor to inform you that I have executed all your instructions precisely and with pleasure, and I ask that you entrust such tasks to me in the future. Enclosed I send you the reports for yesterday’s date. Regarding that matter about which you asked me, I have been to the office you mentioned; there are no single civil servants worthy of Marya Andreyevna; there is one, but I doubt that he would please you, for he is very tall, much taller than usual, and pockmarked..."

(She looks up with a pleading expression). Mother!

Read, read.

"But, according to my inquiries with the secretary and his other colleagues, he proved to be of good moral character and a non-drinker, which, as I know, is very desirable to you. Would you like me to look in other offices, which I shall do with the greatest pleasure. Your case, due to oversights on your part, has taken a bad turn; but do not be concerned, Madam, for I have found a very knowledgeable person who can guide this matter. I will have the honor of explaining the rest to you at a personal meeting. I remain, always ready to serve, Platon Dobrotvorsky."

What are you,