Anton Chekhov

“ Markovna helped herself to a large spoonful of jam, raised it to her lips, and swallowed it with a sidelong glance at Pavel Vasilitch. Next moment a sweet smile broke over her face, a smile almost as sweet as the jam itself.
"These preserves are perfectly delicious!" she exclaimed. "Did you make them yourself, Pelagia Ivanovna, dearie?"
"Yes, of course, who else could have made them? I do everything myself. Stepa, darling, was your tea too weak for you. ”

“ You must eat your meat !"
"But I want to go to bed !" whimpered Stepa.
"Then bring in the supper quick !" cried Pavel Vasilitch in a flutter. "Anna, what are you doing in there, you old slow-coach? Come quick and bring in the supper ! "
Pelagia Ivanovna threw up her hands and rushed into the kitchen as if the house were afire.
"Hurry ! Hurry !" rang through the house. "Stepa wants to go to bed ! Anna ! Oh, heavens, what is the matter? Hurry!"
In five minutes the supper was on the table. The cats appeared once more, stretching and arching their backs, with their tails in the air. ”

“ The happiest day must have an end. What do those tears mean? Are your lessons getting the better of you? It's hard to do lessons after eating pancakes ! That's what ails you, little sonny ! "
"Why do you laugh at the child?" calls Pelagia Ivanovna from the next room. "Show him how to do his lessons, instead of making fun of him ! Oh, what a trial he is ! He'll be sure to get a bad mark tomorrow!"
"What is it you don't understand?" asked Pavel Vasilitch of Stepa. ”