At a Country House by Anton Chekhov. Short summary

5 seconds

The nobleman Rashevich, in a conversation with Meyer, insults the common people. The worker’s son Meyer is very offended. Rashevich’s daughters are angry at their father, for he has scared off a potential suitor.

1 minute

The nobleman and father of two daughters, Pavel Ilyich Rashevich, is visited by the forensic investigator Meyer. The host proves to his guest the theory of the superiority of the nobility over people of common descent. Meyer is tired of Rashevich’s long speeches, but he listens to him out of politeness.

The young investigator is pleasant to Pavel Ilyich and could make a worthy match for his eldest daughter Zhenya. Besides, in this case, Meyer will get all the trouble and not insignificant debts on the estate.

Rashevich speaks at length, his speeches growing sharper. Finally, he begins to openly insult the common people. Meyer is deeply offended by the words of Pavel Ilyich, and tells the nobleman that he was born into a simple family of workers. Rashevich is embarrassed, and Meyer leaves.

The daughters are offended at their father, realizing that because of him, Meyer will not show up again. Rashevich writes them a letter of apology.