| Through nose singingly could say, But soon her mood could pass away: | Произносить умела в нос; Но скоро все перевелось: |
| To her it all seemed rather queer, She all forgot, replaced again | Корсет, альбом, княжну Алину, Стишков чувствительных тетрадь |
| Each name from France by Russian name, Forgot princess Alina dear; | Она забыла: стала звать Акулькой прежнюю Селину |
| And she herself renewed at last Night-cap and dressing-gown fast. | И обновила наконец На вате шлафор и чепец. |
| XXXIV | XXXIV |
| Her husband's love to wife was hearty, Her deeds he took for mere crank, | Но муж любил ее сердечно, В ее затеи не входил, |
| To trust his wife he was light-hearted, In dressing-gown ate and drank. | Во всем ей веровал беспечно, А сам в халате ел и пил; |
| His life was calm, without woe. Sometimes his neighbours in his home | Покойно жизнь его катилась; Под вечер иногда сходилась |
| Would come together at week-ends, Unceremonious dear friends, | Соседей добрая семья, Нецеремонные друзья, |
| To grieve, to talk of new affairs, To laugh, to gossip for a while, | И потужить, и позлословить, И посмеяться кой о чем. |
| And thus the time would pass; meanwhile They ask, and Olga tea prepares; | Проходит время; между тем Прикажут Ольге чай готовить, |
| Then supper... time to be in bed, And soon the guests all home get. | Там ужин, там и спать пора, И гости едут со двора. |
| XXXV | XXXV |
| They kept in peaceful life some customs Of dear old days; it means: | Они хранили в жизни мирной Привычки милой старины; |
| They were at Shrove-day accustomed To have the fattest Russian blins; | У них на масленице жирной Водились русские блины; |
| They had a fasting twice a year, They liked of round swing high gear, | Два раза в год они говели; Любили круглые качели, |
| The guessing songs and round dance, {7} On all Whitsundays caught a chance, | Подблюдны песни, хоровод; В день Троицын, когда народ, |
| While people yawn in church at prayer, To find a bunch of praying grassD{8} | Зевая, слушает молебен, Умильно на пучок зари |
| And drop some tears twice or thrice; They needed kvass not less than air, | Они роняли слезки три; Им квас как воздух был потребен, |
| At table each of dear guests Had course according to the ranks. | И за столом у них гостям Носили блюды по чинам. |
| XXXVI | XXXVI |
| And so grew they old both. | И так они старели оба. |
| But soon for husband, all at once, | И отворились наконец |
