Forgive us Ivan Vassilevitch, we were all a little heated.”- Who is the speaker ? Who are referred to by 'us’ ? Why were the persons referred to ‘a little heated’? Why does the speaker ask for forgiveness ?

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CLASS-XII

“Forgive us Ivan Vassilevitch, we were all a little heated.”- Who is the speaker ? Who are referred to by 'us’ ? Why were the persons referred to ‘a little heated’? Why does the speaker ask for forgiveness ? 

Ans: In Anton Chekhov's one-act play “The Proposal”  Natalya Stepanovna is the speaker.

Natalya and her father are referred to by 'us’.

When Lomov had come to propose Natalya, they had a bitter argument with Lomov over the disputed land Oxen Meadows. During conversation Lomov mentioned Oxen meadows as his own land. Natalya protested instantly and quarrel started because neither of them was willing to accept that the land was not, of their own.

When Natalya comes to know from her father that Lomov has really come to propose her, she regrets her behavior. Actually she wants to forget that topic so that Lomov can make his proposal in front of her. She is also eager to marry Lomov.So she asks for forgiveness.