Ivan Turgenev

“ A most comical old chap and very good-natured," remarked Bazarov, as soon as Vassily Ivanovich had gone. "Just as queer a fish as yours, only in a different way. He chatters too much."
"And your mother seems a wonderful woman," remarked Arkady.
"Yes, there's no humbug about her. You just see what a dinner she'll give us."
"They weren't expecting you today, sir, they've not brought any beef," observed Timofeich, who was just dragging in Bazarov's trunk.
"We shall manage all right even without beef; you can't squeeze water from a stone. Poverty, they say, is no crime." ”

“ Bazarov bent down to her. "Gracious, how handsome you've grown!"
"Well, I don't know about being handsome," remarked Vassily Ivanovich. "But he's a man, as the saying goes--ommfay. And now I hope, Arina Vlasyevna, having satisfied your maternal heart, you will turn your thoughts to satisfying the appetites of our dear guests, because, as you know, even nightingales can't be fed on fairy tales." ”

“ The old lady rose from her chair. "This very minute, Vassily Ivanovich, the table shall be laid. I will myself run to the kitchen and order the samovar to be brought in; everything will be ready, everything. Why, for three whole years I have not seen him, have not been able to give him food or drink--is that nothing?"
"Well, you see to things, little hostess, bustle about, don't put us to shame; and you, gentlemen, I beg you to follow me. Here is Timofeich come to pay his respects to you, Evgeny. And the old dog, I dare say he too is delighted. Ay, aren't you delighted, old dog? ”