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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Power of Darkness, by Leo Tolstoy
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: The Power of Darkness
+
+Author: Leo Tolstoy
+
+Translator: Louise Maude
+            Aylmer Maude
+
+Release Date: September 22, 2008 [EBook #26661]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE POWER OF DARKNESS ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Bryan Ness, Jana Srna and the Online Distributed
+Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+  [ Transcriber's Note:
+    This e-book belongs to Tolstoy's Plays (Complete Edition). The
+    front matter, including the table of contents, can be found in
+    e-book #26660; it lists the other plays in the collection.
+
+    Every effort has been made to replicate this text as faithfully as
+    possible; changes (corrections of spelling and punctuation) made to
+    the original text are listed at the end of this file.
+  ]
+
+
+
+
+                         THE POWER OF DARKNESS
+
+                                   OR
+
+                  IF A CLAW IS CAUGHT THE BIRD IS LOST
+
+                          A DRAMA IN FIVE ACTS
+
+                                 (1886)
+
+
+
+
+CHARACTERS
+
+
+PETER IGNÁTITCH. A well-to-do peasant, 42 years old, married for the
+second time, and sickly.
+
+ANÍSYA. His wife, 32 years old, fond of dress.
+
+AKOULÍNA. Peter's daughter by his first marriage, 16 years old, hard of
+hearing, mentally undeveloped.
+
+NAN (ANNA PETRÓVNA). His daughter by his second marriage, 10 years old.
+
+NIKÍTA. Their labourer, 26 years old, fond of dress.
+
+AKÍM. Nikíta's father, 50 years old, a plain-looking, God-fearing
+peasant.
+
+MATRYÓNA. His wife and Nikíta's mother, 50 years old.
+
+MARÍNA. An orphan girl, 22 years old.
+
+MARTHA. Peter's sister.
+
+MÍTRITCH. An old labourer, ex-soldier.
+
+SIMON. Marína's husband.
+
+BRIDEGROOM. Engaged to Akoulína.
+
+IVÁN. His father.
+
+A NEIGHBOUR.
+
+FIRST GIRL.
+
+SECOND GIRL.
+
+POLICE OFFICER.
+
+DRIVER.
+
+BEST-MAN.
+
+MATCHMAKER.
+
+VILLAGE ELDER.
+
+VISITORS, WOMEN, GIRLS, AND PEOPLE come to see the wedding.
+
+N.B.--The 'oven' mentioned is the usual large, brick, Russian
+baking-oven. The top of it outside is flat, so that more than one
+person can lie on it.
+
+
+
+
+                         THE POWER OF DARKNESS
+
+
+
+
+ACT I
+
+    The Act takes place in autumn in a large village. The Scene
+    represents Peter's roomy hut. Peter is sitting on a wooden bench,
+    mending a horse-collar. Anísya and Akoulína are spinning, and
+    singing a part-song.
+
+
+PETER [looking out of the window] The horses have got loose again. If we
+don't look out they'll be killing the colt. Nikíta! Hey, Nikíta! Is the
+fellow deaf? [Listens. To the women] Shut up, one can't hear anything.
+
+NIKÍTA [from outside] What?
+
+PETER. Drive the horses in.
+
+NIKÍTA. We'll drive 'em in. All in good time.
+
+PETER [shaking his head] Ah, these labourers! If I were well, I'd not
+keep one on no account. There's nothing but bother with 'em. [Rises and
+sits down again] Nikíta!... It's no good shouting. One of you'd better
+go. Go, Akoúl, drive 'em in.
+
+AKOULÍNA. What? The horses?
+
+PETER. What else?
+
+AKOULÍNA. All right. [Exit].
+
+PETER. Ah, but he's a loafer, that lad ... no good at all. Won't stir a
+finger if he can help it.
+
+ANÍSYA. You're so mighty brisk yourself. When you're not sprawling on
+the top of the oven you're squatting on the bench. To goad others to
+work is all you're fit for.
+
+PETER. If one weren't to goad you on a bit, one'd have no roof left
+over one's head before the year's out. Oh what people!
+
+ANÍSYA. You go shoving a dozen jobs on to one's shoulders, and then do
+nothing but scold. It's easy to lie on the oven and give orders.
+
+PETER [sighing] Oh, if 'twere not for this sickness that's got hold of
+me, I'd not keep him on another day.
+
+AKOULÍNA [off the scene] Gee up, gee, woo. [A colt neighs, the stamping
+of horses' feet and the creaking of the gate are heard].
+
+PETER. Bragging, that's what he's good at. I'd like to sack him, I would
+indeed.
+
+ANÍSYA [mimicking him] "Like to sack him." You buckle to yourself, and
+then talk.
+
+AKOULÍNA [enters] It's all I could do to drive 'em in. That piebald
+always will ...
+
+PETER. And where's Nikíta?
+
+AKOULÍNA. Where's Nikíta? Why, standing out there in the street.
+
+PETER. What's he standing there for?
+
+AKOULÍNA. What's he standing there for? He stands there jabbering.
+
+PETER. One can't get any sense out of her! Who's he jabbering with?
+
+AKOULÍNA [does not hear] Eh, what?
+
+    Peter waves her off. She sits down to her spinning.
+
+NAN [running in to her mother] Nikíta's father and mother have come.
+They're going to take him away. It's true!
+
+ANÍSYA. Nonsense!
+
+NAN. Yes. Blest if they're not! [Laughing] I was just going by, and
+Nikíta, he says, "Good-bye, Anna Petróvna," he says, "you must come and
+dance at my wedding. I'm leaving you," he says, and laughs.
+
+ANÍSYA [to her husband] There now. Much he cares. You see, he wants to
+leave of himself. "Sack him" indeed!
+
+PETER. Well, let him go. Just as if I couldn't find somebody else.
+
+ANÍSYA. And what about the money he's had in advance?
+
+    Nan stands listening at the door for awhile, and then exit.
+
+PETER [frowning] The money? Well, he can work it off in summer, anyhow.
+
+ANÍSYA. Well, of course you'll be glad if he goes and you've not got to
+feed him. It's only me as'll have to work like a horse all the winter.
+That lass of yours isn't over fond of work either. And you'll be lying
+up on the oven. I know you.
+
+PETER. What's the good of wearing out one's tongue before one has the
+hang of the matter?
+
+ANÍSYA. The yard's full of cattle. You've not sold the cow, and have
+kept all the sheep for the winter: feeding and watering 'em alone takes
+all one's time, and you want to sack the labourer. But I tell you
+straight, I'm not going to do a man's work! I'll go and lie on the top
+of the oven same as you, and let everything go to pot! You may do what
+you like.
+
+PETER [to Akoulína] Go and see about the feeding, will you? it's time.
+
+AKOULÍNA. The feeding? All right. [Puts on a coat and takes a rope].
+
+ANÍSYA. I'm not going to work for you. You go and work yourself. I've
+had enough of it, so there!
+
+PETER. That'll do. What are you raving about? Like a sheep with the
+staggers!
+
+ANÍSYA. You're a crazy cur, you are! One gets neither work nor pleasure
+from you. Eating your fill, that's all you do, you palsied cur, you!
+
+PETER [spits and puts on coat] Faugh! The Lord have mercy! I'd better go
+myself and see what's up. [Exit].
+
+ANÍSYA [after him] Scurvy long-nosed devil!
+
+AKOULÍNA. What are you swearing at dad for?
+
+ANÍSYA. Hold your noise, you idiot!
+
+AKOULÍNA [going to the door] I know why you're swearing at him. You're
+an idiot yourself, you bitch. I'm not afraid of you.
+
+ANÍSYA. What do you mean? [Jumps up and looks round for something to hit
+her with] Mind, or I'll give you one with the poker.
+
+AKOULÍNA [opening the door] Bitch! devil! that's what you are! Devil!
+bitch! bitch! devil! [Runs off].
+
+ANÍSYA [ponders] "Come and dance at my wedding!" What new plan is this?
+Marry? Mind, Nikíta, if that's your intention, I'll go and ... No, I
+can't live without him. I won't let him go.
+
+NIKÍTA [enters, looks round, and seeing Anísya alone approaches quickly.
+In a low tone] Here's a go; I'm in a regular fix! That governor of mine
+wants to take me away,--tells me I'm to come home. Says quite straight
+I'm to marry and live at home.
+
+ANÍSYA. Well, go and marry! What's that to me?
+
+NIKÍTA. Is that it? Why, here am I reckoning how best to consider
+matters, and just hear her! She tells me to go and marry. Why's that?
+[Winking] Has she forgotten?
+
+ANÍSYA. Yes, go and marry! What do I care?
+
+NIKÍTA. What are you spitting for? Just see, she won't even let me
+stroke her.... What's the matter?
+
+ANÍSYA. This! That you want to play me false.... If you do,--why, I
+don't want you either. So now you know!
+
+NIKÍTA. That'll do, Anísya. Do you think I'll forget you? Never while I
+live! I'll not play you false, that's flat. I've been thinking that
+supposing they do go and make me marry, I'd still come back to you. If
+only he don't make me live at home.
+
+ANÍSYA. Much need I'll have of you, once you're married.
+
+NIKÍTA. There's a go now. How is it possible to go against one's
+father's will?
+
+ANÍSYA. Yes, I daresay, shove it all on your father. You know it's your
+own doing. You've long been plotting with that slut of yours, Marína.
+It's she has put you up to it. She didn't come here for nothing t'other
+day.
+
+NIKÍTA. Marína? What's she to me? Much I care about her!... Plenty of
+them buzzing around.
+
+ANÍSYA. Then what has made your father come here? It's you have told him
+to. You've gone and deceived me. [Cries].
+
+NIKÍTA. Anísya, do you believe in a God or not? I never so much as
+dreamt of it. I know nothing at all about it. I never even dreamt of
+it--that's flat! My old dad has got it all out of his own pate.
+
+ANÍSYA. If you don't wish it yourself who can force you? He can't drive
+you like an ass.
+
+NIKÍTA. Well, I reckon it's not possible to go against one's parent. But
+it's not by my wish.
+
+ANÍSYA. Don't you budge, that's all about it!
+
+NIKÍTA. There was a fellow wouldn't budge, and the village elder gave
+him such a hiding.... That's what it might come to! I've no great wish
+for that sort of thing. They say it touches one up....
+
+ANÍSYA. Shut up with your nonsense. Nikíta, listen to me: if you marry
+that Marína I don't know what I won't do to myself.... I shall lay hands
+on myself! I have sinned, I have gone against the law, but I can't go
+back now. If you go away I'll ...
+
+NIKÍTA. Why should I go? Had I wanted to go--I should have gone long
+ago. There was Iván Semyónitch t'other day--offered me a place as his
+coachman.... Only fancy what a life that would have been! But I did not
+go. Because, I reckon, I am good enough for any one. Now if you did not
+love me it would be a different matter.
+
+ANÍSYA. Yes, and that's what you should remember. My old man will die
+one of these fine days, I'm thinking; then we could cover our sin, make
+it all right and lawful, and then you'll be master here.
+
+NIKÍTA. Where's the good of making plans? What do I care? I work as hard
+as if I were doing it for myself. My master loves me, and his missus
+loves me. And if the wenches run after me, it's not my fault, that's
+flat.
+
+ANÍSYA. And you'll love me?
+
+NIKÍTA [embracing her] There, as you have ever been in my heart ...
+
+MATRYÓNA [enters, and crosses herself a long time before the icón.
+Nikíta and Anísya step apart] What I saw I didn't perceive, what I heard
+I didn't hearken to. Playing with the lass, eh? Well,--even a calf will
+play. Why shouldn't one have some fun when one's young? But your master
+is out in the yard a-calling you, sonnie.
+
+NIKÍTA. I only came to get the axe.
+
+MATRYÓNA. I know, sonnie, I know; them sort of axes are mostly to be
+found where the women are.
+
+NIKÍTA [stooping to pick up axe] I say, mother, is it true you want me
+to marry? As I reckon, that's quite unnecessary. Besides, I've got no
+wish that way.
+
+MATRYÓNA. Eh, honey! why should you marry? Go on as you are. It's all
+the old man. You'd better go, sonnie, we can talk these matters over
+without you.
+
+NIKÍTA. It's a queer go! One moment I'm to be married, the next, not. I
+can't make head or tail of it. [Exit].
+
+ANÍSYA. What's it all about then? Do you really wish him to get married?
+
+MATRYÓNA. Eh, why should he marry, my jewel? It's all nonsense, all my
+old man's drivel. "Marry, marry." But he's reckoning without his host.
+You know the saying, "From oats and hay, why should horses stray?" When
+you've enough and to spare, why look elsewhere? And so in this case.
+[Winks] Don't I see which way the wind blows?
+
+ANÍSYA. Where's the good of my pretending to you, Mother Matryóna? You
+know all about it. I have sinned. I love your son.
+
+MATRYÓNA. Dear me, here's news! D'you think Mother Matryóna didn't know?
+Eh, lassie,--Mother Matryóna's been ground, and ground again, ground
+fine! This much I can tell you, my jewel: Mother Matryóna can see
+through a brick wall three feet thick. I know it all, my jewel! I know
+what young wives need sleeping draughts for, so I've brought some along.
+[Unties a knot in her handkerchief and brings out paper-packets] As much
+as is wanted, I see, and what's not wanted I neither see nor perceive!
+There! Mother Matryóna has also been young. I had to know a thing or two
+to live with my old fool. I know seventy-and-seven dodges. But I see
+your old man's quite seedy, quite seedy! How's one to live with such as
+him? Why, if you pricked him with a hay-fork it wouldn't fetch blood.
+See if you don't bury him before the spring. Then you'll need some one
+in the house. Well, what's wrong with my son? He'll do as well as
+another. Then where's the advantage of my taking him away from a good
+place? Am I my child's enemy?
+
+ANÍSYA. Oh, if only he does not go away.
+
+MATRYÓNA. He won't go away, birdie. It's all nonsense. You know my old
+man. His wits are always wool-gathering; yet sometimes he takes a thing
+into his pate, and it's as if it were wedged in, you can't knock it out
+with a hammer.
+
+ANÍSYA. And what started this business?
+
+MATRYÓNA. Well, you see, my jewel, you yourself know what a fellow with
+women the lad is,--and he's handsome too, though I say it as shouldn't.
+Well, you know, he was living at the railway, and they had an orphan
+wench there to cook for them. Well, that same wench took to running
+after him.
+
+ANÍSYA. Marína?
+
+MATRYÓNA. Yes, the plague seize her! Whether anything happened or not,
+anyhow something got to my old man's ears. Maybe he heard from the
+neighbours, maybe she's been and blabbed ...
+
+ANÍSYA. Well, she is a bold hussy!
+
+MATRYÓNA. So my old man--the old blockhead--off he goes: "Marry, marry,"
+he says, "he must marry her and cover the sin," he says. "We must take
+the lad home," he says, "and he shall marry," he says. Well, I did my
+best to make him change his mind, but, dear me, no. So, all right,
+thinks I,--I'll try another dodge. One always has to entice them fools
+in this way, just pretend to be of their mind, and when it comes to the
+point one goes and turns it all one's own way. You know, a woman has
+time to think seventy-and-seven thoughts while falling off the oven, so
+how's such as he to see through it? "Well, yes," says I, "it would be a
+good job,--only we must consider well beforehand. Why not go and see our
+son, and talk it over with Peter Ignátitch and hear what he has to say?"
+So here we are.
+
+ANÍSYA. Oh dear, oh dear, how will it all end? Supposing his father just
+orders him to marry her?
+
+MATRYÓNA. Orders, indeed. Chuck his orders to the dogs! Don't you worry;
+that affair will never come off. I'll go to your old man myself, and
+sift and strain this matter clear--there will be none of it left. I have
+come here only for the look of the thing. A very likely thing! Here's my
+son living in happiness and expecting happiness, and I'll go and match
+him with a slut! No fear, I'm not a fool!
+
+ANÍSYA. And she--this Marína--came dangling after him here! Mother,
+would you believe, when they said he was going to marry, it was as if a
+knife had gone right through my heart. I thought he cared for her.
+
+MATRYÓNA. Oh, my jewel! Why, you don't think him such a fool, that he
+should go and care for a homeless baggage like that? Nikíta is a
+sensible fellow, you see. He knows whom to love. So don't you go and
+fret, my jewel. We'll not take him away, and we won't marry him. No,
+we'll let him stay on, if you'll only oblige us with a little money.
+
+ANÍSYA. All I know is, that I could not live if Nikíta went away.
+
+MATRYÓNA. Naturally, when one's young it's no easy matter! You, a wench
+in full bloom, to be living with the dregs of a man like that husband of
+yours.
+
+ANÍSYA. Mother Matryóna, would you believe it? I'm that sick of him,
+that sick of this long-nosed cur of mine, I can hardly bear to look at
+him.
+
+MATRYÓNA. Yes, I see, it's one of them cases. Just look here, [looks
+round and whispers] I've been to see that old man, you know--he's given
+me simples of two kinds. This, you see, is a sleeping draught. "Just
+give him one of these powders," he says, "and he'll sleep so sound you
+might jump on him!" And this here, "This is that kind of simple," he
+says, "that if you give one some of it to drink it has no smell
+whatever, but its strength is very great. There are seven doses here, a
+pinch at a time. Give him seven pinches," he says, "and she won't have
+far to look for freedom," he says.
+
+ANÍSYA. O-o-oh! What's that?
+
+MATRYÓNA. "No sign whatever," he says. He's taken a rouble for it.
+"Can't sell it for less," he says. Because it's no easy matter to get
+'em, you know. I paid him, dearie, out of my own money. If she takes
+them, thinks I, it's all right; if she don't, I can let old Michael's
+daughter have them.
+
+ANÍSYA. O-o-oh! But mayn't some evil come of them? I'm frightened!
+
+MATRYÓNA. What evil, my jewel? If your old man was hale and hearty,
+'twould be a different matter, but he's neither alive nor dead as it is.
+He's not for this world. Such things often happen.
+
+ANÍSYA. O-o-oh, my poor head! I'm afeared, Mother Matryóna, lest some
+evil come of them. No. That won't do.
+
+MATRYÓNA. Just as you like. I might even return them to him.
+
+ANÍSYA. And are they to be used in the same way as the others? Mixed in
+water?
+
+MATRYÓNA. Better in tea, he says. "You can't notice anything," he says,
+"no smell nor nothing." He's a cute old fellow too.
+
+  [Illustration: THE POWER OF DARKNESS. ACT I.
+
+  MATRYÓNA GIVES ANÍSYA THE POWDERS.]
+
+ANÍSYA. [taking the powder] O-oh, my poor head! Could I have ever
+thought of such a thing if my life were not a very hell?
+
+MATRYÓNA. You'll not forget that rouble? I promised to take it to the
+old man. He's had some trouble, too.
+
+ANÍSYA. Of course? [Goes to her box and hides the powders].
+
+MATRYÓNA. And now, my jewel, keep it as close as you can, so that no one
+should find it out. Heaven defend that it should happen, but _if_ any
+one notices it, tell 'em it's for the black-beetles. [Takes the rouble]
+It's also used for beetles. [Stops short].
+
+    Enter Akím, who crosses himself in front of the icón, and then
+    Peter, who sits down.
+
+PETER. Well then, how's it to be, Daddy Akím?
+
+AKÍM. As it's best, Peter Ignátitch, as it's best ... I mean--as it's
+best. 'Cos why? I'm afeared of what d'you call 'ems, some tomfoolery,
+you know. I'd like to, what d'you call it ... to start, you know, start
+the lad honest, I mean. But supposing you'd rather, what d'you call it,
+we might, I mean, what's name? As it's best ...
+
+PETER. All right. All right. Sit down and let's talk it over. [Akím sits
+down] Well then, what's it all about? You want him to marry?
+
+MATRYÓNA. As to marrying, he might bide a while, Peter Ignátitch. You
+know our poverty, Peter Ignátitch. What's he to marry on? We've hardly
+enough to eat ourselves. How can he marry then?...
+
+PETER. You must consider what will be best.
+
+MATRYÓNA. Where's the hurry for him to get married? Marriage is not that
+sort of thing, it's not like ripe raspberries that drop off if not
+picked in time.
+
+PETER. If he were to get married, 'twould be a good thing in a way.
+
+AKÍM. We'd like to ... what d'you call it? 'Cos why, you see. I've what
+d'you call it ... a job. I mean, I've found a paying job in town, you
+know.
+
+MATRYÓNA. And a fine job too--cleaning out cesspools. The other day when
+he came home, I could do nothing but spew and spew. Faugh!
+
+AKÍM. It's true, at first it does seem what d'you call it ... knocks one
+clean over, you know,--the smell, I mean. But one gets used to it, and
+then it's nothing, no worse than malt grain, and then it's, what d'you
+call it, ... pays, pays, I mean. And as to the smell being, what d'you
+call it, it's not for the likes of us to complain. And one changes one's
+clothes. So we'd like to take what's his name ... Nikíta I mean, home.
+Let him manage things at home while I, what d'you call it,--earn
+something in town.
+
+PETER. You want to keep your son at home? Yes, that would be well: but
+how about the money he has had in advance?
+
+AKÍM. That's it, that's it! It's just as you say, Ignátitch, it's just
+what d'you call it. 'Cos why? If you go into service, it's as good as if
+you had sold yourself, they say. That will be all right. I mean he may
+stay and serve his time, only he must, what d'you call it, get married.
+I mean--so: you let him off for a little while, that he may, what d'you
+call it?
+
+PETER. Yes, we could manage that.
+
+MATRYÓNA. Ah, but it's not yet settled between ourselves, Peter
+Ignátitch. I'll speak to you as I would before God, and you may judge
+between my old man and me. He goes on harping on that marriage. But just
+ask--who it is he wants him to marry. If it were a girl of the right
+sort now-- I am not my child's enemy, but the wench is not honest.
+
+AKÍM. No, that's wrong! Wrong, I say. 'Cos why? She, that same
+girl--it's my son as has offended, offended the girl I mean.
+
+PETER. How offended?
+
+AKÍM. That's how. She's what d'you call it, with him, with my son,
+Nikíta. With Nikíta, what d'you call it, I mean.
+
+MATRYÓNA. You wait a bit, my tongue runs smoother--let me tell it. You
+know, this lad of ours lived at the railway before he came to you. There
+was a girl there as kept dangling after him. A girl of no account, you
+know, her name's Marína. She used to cook for the men. So now this same
+girl accuses our son, Nikíta, that he, so to say, deceived her.
+
+PETER. Well, there's nothing good in that.
+
+MATRYÓNA. But she's no honest girl herself; she runs after the fellows
+like a common slut.
+
+AKÍM. There you are again, old woman, and it's not at all what d'you
+call it, it's all not what d'you call it, I mean ...
+
+MATRYÓNA. There now, that's all the sense one gets from my old
+owl--"what d'you call it, what d'you call it," and he doesn't know
+himself what he means. Peter Ignátitch, don't listen to me, but go
+yourself and ask any one you like about the girl, everybody will say the
+same. She's just a homeless good-for-nothing.
+
+PETER. You know, Daddy Akím, if that's how things are, there's no reason
+for him to marry her. A daughter-in-law's not like a shoe, you can't
+kick her off.
+
+AKÍM [excitedly] It's false, old woman, it's what d'you call it, false;
+I mean, about the girl; false! 'Cos why? The lass is a good lass, a very
+good lass, you know. I'm sorry, sorry for the lassie, I mean.
+
+MATRYÓNA. It's an old saying: "For the wide world old Miriam grieves,
+and at home without bread her children she leaves." He's sorry for the
+girl, but not sorry for his own son! Sling her round your neck and carry
+her about with you! That's enough of such empty cackle!
+
+AKÍM. No, it's not empty.
+
+MATRYÓNA. There, don't interrupt, let me have my say.
+
+AKÍM [interrupts] No, not empty! I mean, you twist things your own way,
+about the lass or about yourself. Twist them, I mean, to make it better
+for yourself; but God, what d'you call it, turns them His way. That's
+how it is.
+
+MATRYÓNA. Eh! One only wears out one's tongue with you.
+
+AKÍM. The lass is hard-working and spruce, and keeps everything round
+herself ... what d'you call it. And in our poverty, you know, it's a
+pair of hands, I mean; and the wedding needn't cost much. But the chief
+thing's the offence, the offence to the lass, and she's a what d'you
+call it, an orphan, you know; that's what she is, and there's the
+offence.
+
+MATRYÓNA. Eh! they'll all tell you a tale of that sort ...
+
+ANÍSYA. Daddy Akím, you'd better listen to us women; we can tell you a
+thing or two.
+
+AKÍM. And God, how about God? Isn't she a human being, the lass? A what
+d'you call it,--also a human being I mean, before God. And how do you
+look at it?
+
+MATRYÓNA. Eh!... started off again?...
+
+PETER. Wait a bit, Daddy Akím. One can't believe all these girls say,
+either. The lad's alive, and not far away; send for him, and find out
+straight from him if it's true. He won't wish to lose his soul. Go and
+call the fellow, [Anísya rises] and tell him his father wants him. [Exit
+Anísya].
+
+MATRYÓNA. That's right, dear friend; you've cleared the way clean, as
+with water. Yes, let the lad speak for himself. Nowadays, you know,
+they'll not let you force a son to marry; one must first of all ask the
+lad. He'll never consent to marry her and disgrace himself, not for all
+the world. To my thinking, it's best he should go on living with you and
+serving you as his master. And we need not take him home for the summer
+either; we can hire a help. If you would only give us ten roubles now,
+we'll let him stay on.
+
+PETER. All in good time. First let us settle one thing before we start
+another.
+
+AKÍM. You see, Peter Ignátitch, I speak. 'Cos why? you know how it
+happens. We try to fix things up as seems best for ourselves, you know;
+and as to God, we what d'you call it, we forget Him. We think it's best
+so, turn it our own way, and lo! we've got into a fix, you know. We
+think it will be best, I mean; and lo! it turns out much worse--without
+God, I mean.
+
+PETER. Of course one must not forget God.
+
+AKÍM. It turns out worse! But when it's the right way--God's way--it
+what d'you call it, it gives one joy; seems pleasant, I mean. So I
+reckon, you see, get him, the lad, I mean, get him to marry her, to keep
+him from sin, I mean, and let him what d'you call it at home, as it's
+lawful, I mean, while I go and get the job in town. The work is of the
+right sort--it's payin', I mean. And in God's sight it's what d'you call
+it--it's best, I mean. Ain't she an orphan? Here, for example, a year
+ago some fellows went and took timber from the steward,--thought they'd
+do the steward, you know. Yes, they did the steward, but they couldn't
+what d'you call it--do God, I mean. Well, and so ...
+
+    Enter Nikíta and Nan.
+
+NIKÍTA. You called me? [Sits down and takes out his tobacco-pouch].
+
+PETER [in a low, reproachful voice] What are you thinking about--have
+you no manners? Your father is going to speak to you, and you sit down
+and fool about with tobacco. Come, get up!
+
+    Nikíta rises, leans carelessly with his elbow on the table, and
+    smiles.
+
+AKÍM. It seems there's a complaint, you know, about you, Nikíta--a
+complaint, I mean, a complaint.
+
+NIKÍTA. Who's been complaining?
+
+AKÍM. Complaining? It's a maid, an orphan maid, complaining, I mean.
+It's her, you know--a complaint against you, from Marína, I mean.
+
+NIKÍTA [laughs] Well, that's a good one. What's the complaint? And who's
+told you--she herself?
+
+AKÍM. It's I am asking you, and you must now, what d'you call it, give
+me an answer. Have you got mixed up with the lass, I mean--mixed up, you
+know?
+
+NIKÍTA. I don't know what you mean. What's up?
+
+AKÍM. Foolin', I mean, what d'you call it? foolin'. Have you been
+foolin' with her, I mean?
+
+NIKÍTA. Never mind what's been! Of course one does have some fun with a
+cook now and then to while away the time. One plays the concertina and
+gets her to dance. What of that?
+
+PETER. Don't shuffle, Nikíta, but answer your father straight out.
+
+AKÍM [solemnly] You can hide it from men but not from God, Nikíta. You,
+what d'you call it--think, I mean, and don't tell lies. She's an orphan;
+so, you see, any one is free to insult her. An orphan, you see. So you
+should say what's rightest.
+
+NIKÍTA. But what if I have nothing to say? I have told you
+everything--because there isn't anything to tell, that's flat! [Getting
+excited] She can go and say anything about me, same as if she was
+speaking of one as is dead. Why don't she say anything about Fédka
+Mikíshin? Besides, how's this, that one mayn't even have a bit of fun
+nowadays? And as for her, well, she's free to say anything she likes.
+
+AKÍM. Ah, Nikíta, mind! A lie will out. Did anything happen?
+
+NIKÍTA [aside] How he sticks to it; it's too bad. [To Akím] I tell you,
+I know nothing more. There's been nothing between us. [Angrily] By God!
+and may I never leave this spot [crosses himself] if I know anything
+about it. [Silence. Then still more excitedly] Why! have you been
+thinking of getting me to marry her? What do you mean by it?--it's a
+confounded shame. Besides, nowadays you've got no such rights as to
+force a fellow to marry. That's plain enough. Besides, haven't I sworn I
+know nothing about it?
+
+MATRYÓNA [to her husband] There now, that's just like your silly pate,
+to believe all they tell you. He's gone and put the lad to shame all for
+nothing. The best thing is to let him live as he is living, with his
+master. His master will help us in our present need, and give us ten
+roubles, and when the time comes ...
+
+PETER. Well, Daddy Akím, how's it to be?
+
+AKÍM [looks at his son, clicking his tongue disapprovingly] Mind,
+Nikíta, the tears of one that's been wronged never, what d'you call
+it--never fall beside the mark but always on, what's name--the head of
+the man as did the wrong. So mind, don't what d'you call it.
+
+NIKÍTA [sits down] What's there to mind? mind yourself.
+
+NAN [aside] I must run and tell mother. [Exit].
+
+MATRYÓNA [to Peter] That's always the way with this old mumbler of mine,
+Peter Ignátitch. Once he's got anything wedged in his pate there's no
+knocking it out. We've gone and troubled you all for nothing. The lad
+can go on living as he has been. Keep him; he's your servant.
+
+PETER. Well, Daddy Akím, what do you say?
+
+AKÍM. Why, the lad's his own master, if only he what d'you call it.... I
+only wish that, what d'you call it, I mean.
+
+MATRYÓNA. You don't know yourself what you're jawing about. The lad
+himself has no wish to leave. Besides, what do we want with him at home?
+We can manage without him.
+
+PETER. Only one thing, Daddy Akím--if you are thinking of taking him
+back in summer, I don't want him here for the winter. If he is to stay
+at all, it must be for the whole year.
+
+MATRYÓNA. And it's for a year he'll bind himself. If we want help when
+the press of work comes, we can hire help, and the lad shall remain with
+you. Only give us ten roubles now....
+
+PETER. Well then, is it to be for another year?
+
+AKÍM. [sighing] Yes, it seems, it what d'you call it ... if it's so, I
+mean, it seems that it must be what d'you call it.
+
+MATRYÓNA. For a year, counting from St. Dimítry's day. We know you'll
+pay him fair wages. But give us ten roubles now. Help us out of our
+difficulties. [Gets up and bows to Peter].
+
+    Enter Nan and Anísya. The latter sits down at one side.
+
+PETER. Well, if that's settled we might step across to the inn and have
+a drink. Come, Daddy Akím, what do you say to a glass of vódka?
+
+AKÍM. No, I never drink that sort of thing.
+
+PETER. Well, you'll have some tea?
+
+AKÍM. Ah, tea! yes, I do sin that way. Yes, tea's the thing.
+
+PETER. And the women will also have some tea. Come. And you, Nikíta, go
+and drive the sheep in and clear away the straw.
+
+NIKÍTA. All right. [Exeunt all but Nikíta. Nikíta lights a cigarette. It
+grows darker] Just see how they bother one. Want a fellow to tell 'em
+how he larks about with the wenches! It would take long to tell 'em all
+those stories--"Marry her," he says. Marry them all! One would have a
+good lot of wives! And what need have I to marry? Am as good as married
+now! There's many a chap as envies me. Yet how strange it felt when I
+crossed myself before the icón. It was just as if some one shoved me.
+The whole web fell to pieces at once. They say it's frightening to swear
+what's not true. That's all humbug. It's all talk, that is. It's simple
+enough.
+
+AKOULÍNA [enters with a rope, which she puts down. She takes off her
+outdoor things and goes into closet] You might at least have got a
+light.
+
+NIKÍTA. What, to look at you? I can see you well enough without.
+
+AKOULÍNA. Oh, bother you!
+
+    Nan enters and whispers to Nikíta.
+
+NAN. Nikíta, there's a person wants you. There is!
+
+NIKÍTA. What person?
+
+NAN. Marína from the railway; she's out there, round the corner.
+
+NIKÍTA. Nonsense!
+
+NAN. Blest if she isn't!
+
+NIKÍTA. What does she want?
+
+NAN. She wants you to come out. She says, "I only want to say a word to
+Nikíta." I began asking, but she won't tell, but only says, "Is it true
+he's leaving you?" And I say, "No, only his father wanted to take him
+away and get him to marry, but he won't, and is going to stay with us
+another year." And she says, "For goodness' sake send him out to me. I
+must see him," she says, "I must say a word to him somehow." She's been
+waiting a long time. Why don't you go?
+
+NIKÍTA. Bother her! What should I go for?
+
+NAN. She says, "If he don't come, I'll go into the hut to him." Blest if
+she didn't say she'd come in!
+
+NIKÍTA. Not likely. She'll wait a bit and then go away.
+
+NAN. "Or is it," she says, "that they want him to marry Akoulína?"
+
+    Re-enter Akoulína, passing near Nikíta to take her distaff.
+
+AKOULÍNA. Marry whom to Akoulína?
+
+NAN. Why, Nikíta.
+
+AKOULÍNA. A likely thing! Who says it?
+
+NIKÍTA [looks at her and laughs] It seems people do say it. Would you
+marry me, Akoulína?
+
+AKOULÍNA. Who, you? Perhaps I might have afore, but I won't now.
+
+NIKÍTA. And why not now?
+
+AKOULÍNA. 'Cos you wouldn't love me.
+
+NIKÍTA. Why not?
+
+AKOULÍNA. 'Cos you'd be forbidden to. [Laughs].
+
+NIKÍTA. Who'd forbid it?
+
+AKOULÍNA. Who? My step-mother. She does nothing but grumble, and is
+always staring at you.
+
+NIKÍTA [laughing] Just hear her! Ain't she cute?
+
+AKOULÍNA. Who? Me? What's there to be cute about? Am I blind? She's been
+rowing and rowing at dad all day. The fat-muzzled witch! [Goes into
+closet].
+
+NAN [looking out of the window] Look, Nikíta, she's coming! I'm blest if
+she isn't! I'll go away. [Exit].
+
+MARÍNA [enters] What are you doing with me?
+
+NIKÍTA. Doing? I'm not doing anything.
+
+MARÍNA. You mean to desert me.
+
+NIKÍTA [gets up angrily] What does this look like, your coming here?
+
+MARÍNA. Oh, Nikíta!
+
+NIKÍTA. Well, you are strange! What have you come for?
+
+MARÍNA. Nikíta!
+
+NIKÍTA. That's my name. What do you want with Nikíta? Well, what next?
+Go away, I tell you!
+
+MARÍNA. I see, you do want to throw me over.
+
+NIKÍTA. Well, and what's there to remember? You yourself don't know.
+When you stood out there round the corner and sent Nan for me, and I
+didn't come, wasn't it plain enough that you're not wanted? It seems
+pretty simple. So there--go!
+
+MARÍNA. Not wanted! So now I'm not wanted! I believed you when you said
+you would love me. And now that you've ruined me, I'm not wanted.
+
+NIKÍTA. Where's the good of talking? This is quite improper. You've been
+telling tales to father. Now, do go away, will you?
+
+MARÍNA. You know yourself I never loved any one but you. Whether you
+married me or not, I'd not have been angry. I've done you no wrong, then
+why have you left off caring for me? Why?
+
+NIKÍTA. Where's the use of baying at the moon? You go away. Goodness me!
+what a duffer!
+
+MARÍNA. It's not that you deceived me when you promised to marry me that
+hurts, but that you've left off loving. No, it's not that you've stopped
+loving me either, but that you've changed me for another, that's what
+hurts. I know who it is!
+
+NIKÍTA [comes up to her viciously] Eh! what's the good of talking to the
+likes of you, that won't listen to reason? Be off, or you'll drive me to
+do something you'll be sorry for.
+
+MARÍNA. What, will you strike me, then? Well then, strike me! What are
+you turning away for? Ah, Nikíta!
+
+NIKÍTA. Supposing some one came in. Of course, it's quite improper. And
+what's the good of talking?
+
+MARÍNA. So this is the end of it! What has been has flown. You want me
+to forget it? Well then, Nikíta, listen. I kept my maiden honour as the
+apple of my eye. You have ruined me for nothing, you have deceived me.
+You have no pity on a fatherless and motherless girl! [Weeping] You have
+deserted, you have killed me, but I bear you no malice. God forgive you!
+If you find a better one you'll forget me, if a worse one you'll remember
+me. Yes, you will remember, Nikíta! Good-bye, then, if it is to be. Oh,
+how I loved you! Good-bye for the last time. [Takes his head in her
+hands and tries to kiss him].
+
+NIKÍTA [tossing his head back] I'm not going to talk with the likes of
+you. If you won't go away I will, and you may stay here by yourself.
+
+MARÍNA [screams] You are a brute. [In the doorway] God will give you no
+joy. [Exit, crying].
+
+AKOULÍNA [comes out of closet] You're a dog, Nikíta!
+
+NIKÍTA. What's up?
+
+AKOULÍNA. What a cry she gave! [Cries].
+
+NIKÍTA. What's up with you?
+
+AKOULÍNA. What's up? You've hurt her so. That's the way you'll hurt me
+also. You're a dog. [Exit into closet].
+
+    Silence.
+
+NIKÍTA. Here's a fine muddle. I'm as sweet as honey on the lasses, but
+when a fellow's sinned with 'em it's a bad look-out!
+
+
+                                Curtain.
+
+
+
+
+ACT II
+
+    The scene represents the village street. To the left the outside of
+    Peter's hut, built of logs, with a porch in the middle; to the right
+    of the hut the gates and a corner of the yard buildings. Anísya is
+    beating hemp in the street near the corner of the yard. Six months
+    have elapsed since the First Act.
+
+
+ANÍSYA [stops and listens] Mumbling something again. He's probably got
+off the stove.
+
+    Akoulína enters, carrying two pails on a yoke.
+
+ANÍSYA. He's calling. You go and see what he wants, kicking up such a
+row.
+
+AKOULÍNA. Why don't you go?
+
+ANÍSYA. Go, I tell you! [Exit Akoulína into hut] He's bothering me to
+death. Won't let out where the money is, and that's all about it. He was
+out in the passage the other day. He must have been hiding it there.
+Now, I don't know myself where it is. Thank goodness he's afraid of
+parting with it, so that at least it will stay in the house. If only I
+could manage to find it. He hadn't it on him yesterday. Now I don't know
+where it can be. He has quite worn the life out of me.
+
+    Enter Akoulína, tying her kerchief over her head.
+
+ANÍSYA. Where are you off to?
+
+AKOULÍNA. Where? Why, he's told me to go for Aunt Martha. "Fetch my
+sister," he says. "I am going to die," he says. "I have a word to say to
+her."
+
+ANÍSYA [aside] Asking for his sister? Oh my poor head! Sure he wants to
+give it her. What shall I do? Oh! [To Akoulína] Don't go! Where are you
+off to?
+
+AKOULÍNA. To call Aunt.
+
+ANÍSYA. Don't go I tell you, I'll go myself. You go and take the clothes
+to the river to rinse. Else you'll not have finished by the evening.
+
+AKOULÍNA. But he told me to go.
+
+ANÍSYA. You go and do as you're bid. I tell you I'll fetch Martha
+myself. Take the shirts off the fence.
+
+AKOULÍNA. The shirts? But maybe you'll not go. He's given the order.
+
+ANÍSYA. Didn't I say I'd go? Where's Nan?
+
+AKOULÍNA. Nan? Minding the calves.
+
+ANÍSYA. Send her here. I dare say they'll not run away. [Akoulína
+collects the clothes, and exit].
+
+ANÍSYA. If one doesn't go he'll scold. If one goes he'll give the money
+to his sister. All my trouble will be wasted. I don't myself know what
+I'm to do. My poor head's splitting. [Continues to work].
+
+    Enter Matryóna, with a stick and a bundle, in outdoor clothes.
+
+MATRYÓNA. May the Lord help you, honey.
+
+ANÍSYA [looks round, stops working, and claps her hands with joy] Well,
+I never expected this! Mother Matryóna, God has sent the right guest at
+the right time.
+
+MATRYÓNA. Well, how are things?
+
+ANÍSYA. Ah, I'm driven well-nigh crazy. It's awful!
+
+MATRYÓNA. Well, still alive, I hear?
+
+ANÍSYA. Oh, don't talk about it. He doesn't live and doesn't die!
+
+MATRYÓNA. But the money--has he given it to anybody?
+
+ANÍSYA. He's just sending for his sister Martha--probably about the
+money.
+
+MATRYÓNA. Well, naturally! But hasn't he given it to any one else?
+
+ANÍSYA. To no one. I watch like a hawk.
+
+MATRYÓNA. And where is it?
+
+ANÍSYA. He doesn't let out. And I can't find out in any way. He hides it
+now here, now there, and I can't do anything because of Akoulína. Idiot
+though she is, she keeps watch, and is always about. Oh my poor head!
+I'm bothered to death.
+
+MATRYÓNA. Oh, my jewel, if he gives the money to any one but you, you'll
+never cease regretting it as long as you live! They'll turn you out of
+house and home without anything. You've been worriting, and worriting
+all your life with one you don't love, and will have to go a-begging
+when you are a widow.
+
+ANÍSYA. No need to tell me, mother. My heart's that weary, and I don't
+know what to do. No one to get a bit of advice from. I told Nikíta, but
+he's frightened of the job. The only thing he did was to tell me
+yesterday it was hidden under the floor.
+
+MATRYÓNA. Well, and did you look there?
+
+ANÍSYA. I couldn't. The old man himself was in the room. I notice that
+sometimes he carries it about on him, and sometimes he hides it.
+
+MATRYÓNA. But you, my lass, must remember that if once he gives you the
+slip there's no getting it right again! [Whispering] Well, and did you
+give him the strong tea?
+
+ANÍSYA. Oh! oh!... [About to answer, but sees neighbour and stops].
+
+    The neighbour (a woman) passes the hut, and listens to a call from
+    within.
+
+NEIGHBOUR [to Anísya] I say, Anísya! Eh, Anísya! There's your old man
+calling, I think.
+
+ANÍSYA. That's the way he always coughs,--just as if he were screaming.
+He's getting very bad.
+
+NEIGHBOUR [approaches Matryóna] How do you do, granny? Have you come
+far?
+
+MATRYÓNA. Straight from home, dear. Come to see my son. Brought him
+some shirts--can't help thinking of these things, you see, when it's
+one's own child.
+
+NEIGHBOUR. Yes, that's always so. [To Anísya] And I was thinking of
+beginning to bleach the linen, but it is a bit early, no one has begun
+yet.
+
+ANÍSYA. Where's the hurry?
+
+MATRYÓNA. Well, and has he had communion?
+
+ANÍSYA. Oh dear yes, the priest was here yesterday.
+
+NEIGHBOUR. I had a look at him yesterday. Dearie me! one wonders his
+body and soul keep together. And, O Lord, the other day he seemed just
+at his last gasp, so that they laid him under the holy icóns.[1] They
+started lamenting and got ready to lay him out.
+
+  [1] It is customary to place a dying person under the icón. One or
+  more icóns hang in the hut of each Orthodox peasant.
+
+ANÍSYA. He came to, and creeps about again.
+
+MATRYÓNA. Well, and is he to have extreme unction?
+
+ANÍSYA. The neighbours advise it. If he lives till to-morrow we'll send
+for the priest.
+
+NEIGHBOUR. Oh, Anísya dear, I should think your heart must be heavy. As
+the saying goes, "Not he is sick that's ill in bed, but he that sits and
+waits in dread."
+
+ANÍSYA. Yes, if it were only over one way or other!
+
+NEIGHBOUR. Yes, that's true, dying for a year, it's no joke. You're
+bound hand and foot like that.
+
+MATRYÓNA. Ah, but a widow's lot is also bitter. It's all right as long
+as one's young, but who'll care for you when you're old? Oh yes, old age
+is not pleasure. Just look at me. I've not walked very far, and yet am
+so footsore I don't know how to stand. Where's my son?
+
+ANÍSYA. Ploughing. But you come in and we'll get the samovár ready; the
+tea'll set you up again.
+
+MATRYÓNA [sitting down] Yes, it's true, I'm quite done up, my dears. As
+to extreme unction, that's absolutely necessary. Besides, they say it's
+good for the soul.
+
+ANÍSYA. Yes, we'll send to-morrow.
+
+MATRYÓNA. Yes, you had better. And we've had a wedding down in our
+parts.
+
+NEIGHBOUR. What, in spring?[2]
+
+  [2] Peasant weddings are usually in autumn. They are forbidden in
+  Lent, and soon after Easter the peasants become too busy to marry till
+  harvest is over.
+
+MATRYÓNA. Ah, now if it were a poor man, then, as the saying is, it's
+always unseasonable for a poor man to marry. But it's Simon Matvéyitch,
+he's married that Marína.
+
+ANÍSYA. What luck for her!
+
+NEIGHBOUR. He's a widower. I suppose there are children?
+
+MATRYÓNA. Four of 'em. What decent girl would have him! Well, so he's
+taken her, and she's glad. You see, the vessel was not sound, so the
+wine trickled out.
+
+NEIGHBOUR. Oh my! And what do people say to it? And he, a rich peasant!
+
+MATRYÓNA. They are living well enough so far.
+
+NEIGHBOUR. Yes, it's true enough. Who wants to marry where there are
+children? There now, there's our Michael. He's such a fellow, dear me ...
+
+PEASANT'S VOICE. Hullo, Mávra. Where the devil are you? Go and drive the
+cow in.
+
+    Exit Neighbour.
+
+MATRYÓNA [while the Neighbour is within hearing speaks in her ordinary
+voice] Yes, lass, thank goodness, she's married. At any rate my old fool
+won't go bothering about Nikíta. Now [suddenly changing her tone], she's
+gone! [Whispers] I say, did you give him the tea?
+
+ANÍSYA. Don't speak about it. He'd better die of himself. It's no
+use--he doesn't die, and I have only taken a sin on my soul. O-oh, my
+head, my head! Oh, why did you give me those powders?
+
+MATRYÓNA. What of the powders? The sleeping powders, lass,--why not give
+them? No evil can come of them.
+
+ANÍSYA. I am not talking of the sleeping ones, but the others, the white
+ones.
+
+MATRYÓNA. Well, honey, those powders are medicinal.
+
+ANÍSYA [sighs] I know, yet it's frightening. Though he's worried me to
+death.
+
+MATRYÓNA. Well, and did you use many?
+
+ANÍSYA. I gave two doses.
+
+MATRYÓNA. Was anything noticeable?
+
+ANÍSYA. I had a taste of the tea myself--just a little bitter. And he
+drank them with the tea and says, "Even tea disgusts me," and I say,
+"Everything tastes bitter when one's sick." But I felt that scared,
+mother.
+
+MATRYÓNA. Don't go thinking about it. The more one thinks the worse it
+is.
+
+ANÍSYA. I wish you'd never given them to me and led me into sin. When I
+think of it something seems to tear my heart. Oh dear, why did you give
+them to me?
+
+MATRYÓNA. What do you mean, honey? Lord help you! Why are you turning it
+on to me? Mind, lass, don't go twisting matters from the sick on to the
+healthy. If anything were to happen, I stand aside! I know nothing! I'm
+aware of nothing! I'll kiss the cross on it; I never gave you any kind
+of powders, never saw any, never heard of any, and never knew there were
+such powders. You think about yourself, lass. Why, we were talking about
+you the other day. "Poor thing, what torture she endures. The
+step-daughter an idiot; the old man rotten, sucking her life-blood. What
+wouldn't one be ready to do in such a case!"
+
+ANÍSYA. I'm not going to deny it. A life such as mine could make one do
+worse than that. It could make you hang yourself or throttle him. Is
+this a life?
+
+MATRYÓNA. That's just it. There's no time to stand gaping; the money
+must be found one way or other, and then he must have his tea.
+
+ANÍSYA. O-oh, my head, my head! I can't think what to do. I am so
+frightened; he'd better die of himself. I don't want to have it on my
+soul.
+
+MATRYÓNA [viciously] And why doesn't he show the money? Does he mean to
+take it along with him? Is no one to have it? Is that right? God forbid
+such a sum should be lost all for nothing. Isn't that a sin? What's he
+doing? Is he worth considering?
+
+ANÍSYA. I don't know anything. He's worried me to death.
+
+MATRYÓNA. What is it you don't know? The business is clear. If you make
+a slip now, you'll repent it all your life. He'll give the money to his
+sister and you'll be left without.
+
+ANÍSYA. O-oh dear! Yes, and he did send for her--I must go.
+
+MATRYÓNA. You wait a bit and light the samovár first. We'll give him
+some tea and search him together--we'll find it, no fear.
+
+ANÍSYA. Oh dear, oh dear; supposing something were to happen.
+
+MATRYÓNA. What now? What's the good of waiting? Do you want the money to
+slip from your hand when it's just in sight? You go and do as I say.
+
+ANÍSYA. Well, I'll go and light the samovár.
+
+MATRYÓNA. Go, honey, do the business so as not to regret it afterwards.
+That's right! [Anísya turns to go. Matryóna calls her back].
+
+MATRYÓNA. Just a word. Don't tell Nikíta about the business. He's silly.
+God forbid he should find out about the powders. The Lord only knows
+what he would do. He's so tender-hearted. D'you know, he usen't to be
+able to kill a chicken. Don't tell him. 'Twould be a fine go, he
+wouldn't understand things. [Stops horror-struck as Peter appears in the
+doorway].
+
+PETER [holding on to the wall, creeps out into the porch and calls with
+a faint voice] How's it one can't make you hear? Oh, oh, Anísya! Who's
+there? [Drops on the bench].
+
+ANÍSYA [steps from behind the corner] Why have you come out? You should
+have stayed where you were lying.
+
+PETER. Has the girl gone for Martha? It's very hard.... Oh, if only
+death would come quicker!
+
+ANÍSYA. She had no time. I sent her to the river. Wait a bit, I'll go
+myself when I'm ready.
+
+PETER. Send Nan. Where's she? Oh, I'm that bad! Oh, death's at hand!
+
+ANÍSYA. I've sent for her already.
+
+PETER. Oh dear! Then where is she?
+
+ANÍSYA. Where's she got to, the plague seize her!
+
+PETER. Oh, dear! I can't bear it. All my inside's on fire. It's as if a
+gimlet were boring me. Why have you left me as if I were a dog?... no
+one to give me a drink.... Oh ... send Nan to me.
+
+ANÍSYA. Here she is. Nan, go to father.
+
+    Nan runs in. Anísya goes behind the corner of the house.
+
+PETER. Go you. Oh ... to Aunt Martha, tell her father wants her; say
+she's to come, I want her.
+
+NAN. All right.
+
+PETER. Wait a bit. Tell her she's to come quick. Tell her I'm dying.
+O-oh!
+
+NAN. I'll just get my shawl and be off. [Runs off].
+
+MATRYÓNA [winking] Now then, mind and look sharp, lass. Go into the hut,
+hunt about everywhere, like a dog that's hunting for fleas: look under
+everything, and I'll search him.
+
+ANÍSYA [to Matryóna] I feel a bit bolder, somehow, now you're here.
+[Goes up to porch. To Peter] Hadn't I better light the samovár? Here's
+Mother Matryóna come to see her son; you'll have a cup of tea with her?
+
+PETER. Well then, light it. [Anísya goes into the house. Matryóna comes
+up to the porch].
+
+PETER. How do you do?
+
+MATRYÓNA [bowing] How d'you do, my benefactor; how d'you do, my precious
+... still ill, I see. And my old man, he's that sorry! "Go," says he,
+"see how he's getting on." He sends his respects to you. [Bows again].
+
+PETER. I'm dying.
+
+MATRYÓNA. Ah yes, Peter Ignátitch, now I look at you I see, as the
+saying has it, "Sickness lives where men live." You've shrivelled,
+shrivelled, all to nothing, poor dear, now I come to look at you. Seems
+illness does not add to good looks.
+
+PETER. My last hour has come.
+
+MATRYÓNA. Oh well, Peter Ignátitch, it's God's will you know, you've had
+communion, and you'll have unction, God willing. Your missus is a wise
+woman, the Lord be thanked; she'll give you a good burial, and have
+prayers said for your soul, all most respectable! And my son, he'll look
+after things meanwhile.
+
+PETER. There'll be no one to manage things! She's not steady. Has her
+head full of folly--why, I know all about it, I know. And my girl is
+silly and young. I've got the homestead together, and there's no one to
+attend to things. One can't help feeling it. [Whimpers].
+
+MATRYÓNA. Why, if it's money, or something, you can leave orders.
+
+PETER [to Anísya inside the house] Has Nan gone?
+
+MATRYÓNA [aside] There now, he's remembered!
+
+ANÍSYA [from inside] She went then and there. Come inside, won't you?
+I'll help you in.
+
+PETER. Let me sit here a bit for the last time. The air's so stuffy
+inside. Oh, how bad I feel! Oh, my heart's burning.... Oh, if death
+would only come.
+
+MATRYÓNA. If God don't take a soul, the soul can't go out. Death and
+life are in God's will, Peter Ignátitch. You can't be sure of death
+either. Maybe you'll recover yet. There was a man in our village just
+like that, at the very point of death ...
+
+PETER. No, I feel I shall die to-day, I feel it. [Leans back and shuts
+his eyes].
+
+ANÍSYA [enters] Well now, are you coming in or not? You do keep one
+waiting. Peter! eh, Peter!
+
+MATRYÓNA [steps aside and beckons to Anísya with her finger] Well?
+
+ANÍSYA [comes down the porch steps] Not there.
+
+MATRYÓNA. But have you searched everywhere? Under the floor?
+
+ANÍSYA. No, it's not there either. In the shed perhaps; he was rummaging
+there yesterday.
+
+MATRYÓNA. Go, search, search for all you're worth. Go all over
+everywhere, as if you licked with your tongue! But I see he'll die this
+very day, his nails are turning blue and his face looks earthy. Is the
+samovár ready?
+
+ANÍSYA. Just on the boil.
+
+NIKÍTA [comes from the other side, if possible on horseback, up to the
+gate, and does not see Peter. To Matryóna] How d'you do, mother, is all
+well at home?
+
+MATRYÓNA. The Lord be thanked, we're all alive and have a crust to bite.
+
+NIKÍTA. Well, and how's master?
+
+MATRYÓNA. Hush, there he sits. [Points to porch].
+
+NIKÍTA. Well, let him sit. What's it to me?
+
+PETER [opens his eyes] Nikíta, I say, Nikíta, come here! [Nikíta
+approaches. Anísya and Matryóna whisper together].
+
+PETER. Why have you come back so early?
+
+NIKÍTA. I've finished ploughing.
+
+PETER. Have you done the strip beyond the bridge?
+
+NIKÍTA. It's too far to go there.
+
+PETER. Too far? From here it's still farther. You'll have to go on
+purpose now. You might have made one job of it. [Anísya, without showing
+herself, stands and listens].
+
+MATRYÓNA [approaches] Oh, sonnie, why don't you take more pains for your
+master? Your master is ill and depends on you; you should serve him as
+you would your own father, straining every muscle just as I always tell
+you to.
+
+PETER. Well then--o-oh!... Get out the seed potatoes, and the women will
+go and sort them.
+
+ANÍSYA [aside] No fear, I'm not going. He's again sending every one
+away; he must have the money on him now, and wants to hide it somewhere.
+
+PETER. Else ... o-oh! when the time comes for planting, they'll all be
+rotten. Oh, I can't stand it! [Rises].
+
+MATRYÓNA [runs up into the porch and holds Peter up] Shall I help you
+into the hut?
+
+PETER. Help me in. [Stops] Nikíta!
+
+NIKÍTA [angrily] What now?
+
+PETER. I shan't see you again ... I'll die to-day.... Forgive me,[3] for
+Christ's sake, forgive me if I have ever sinned against you ... If I
+have sinned in word or deed ... There's been all sorts of things.
+Forgive me!
+
+  [3] A formal request for forgiveness is customary among Russians, but
+  it is often no mere formality. Nikíta's first reply is evasive; his
+  second reply, "God will forgive you," is the correct one sanctioned by
+  custom.
+
+NIKÍTA. What's there to forgive? I'm a sinner myself.
+
+MATRYÓNA. Ah, sonnie, have some feeling.
+
+PETER. Forgive me, for Christ's sake. [Weeps].
+
+NIKÍTA [snivels] God will forgive you, Daddy Peter. I have no cause to
+complain of you. You've never done me any wrong. You forgive me; maybe
+I've sinned worse against you. [Weeps].
+
+    Peter goes in whimpering, Matryóna supporting him.
+
+ANÍSYA. Oh, my poor head! It's not without some reason he's hit on that.
+[Approaches Nikíta] Why did you say the money was under the floor? It's
+not there.
+
+NIKÍTA [does not answer, but cries] I have never had anything bad from
+him, nothing but good, and what have I gone and done!
+
+ANÍSYA. Enough now! Where's the money?
+
+NIKÍTA [angrily] How should I know? Go and look for it yourself!
+
+ANÍSYA. What's made you so tender?
+
+NIKÍTA. I am sorry for him,--that sorry. How he cried! Oh dear!
+
+ANÍSYA. Look at him,--seized with pity! He has found someone to pity
+too! He's been treating you like a dog, and even just now was giving
+orders to have you turned out of the house. You'd better show me some
+pity!
+
+NIKÍTA. What are you to be pitied for?
+
+ANÍSYA. If he dies, and the money's been hidden away ...
+
+NIKÍTA. No fear, he'll not hide it ...
+
+ANÍSYA. Oh, Nikíta darling! he's sent for his sister, and wants to give
+it to her. It will be a bad lookout for us. How are we going to live, if
+he gives her the money? They'll turn me out of the house! You try and
+manage somehow! You said he went to the shed last night.
+
+NIKÍTA. I saw him coming from there, but where he's shoved it to, who
+can tell?
+
+ANÍSYA. Oh, my poor head! I'll go and have a look there. [Nikíta steps
+aside].
+
+MATRYÓNA [comes out of the hut and down the steps of the porch to Anísya
+and Nikíta] Don't go anywhere. He's got the money on him. I felt it on a
+string round his neck.
+
+ANÍSYA. Oh my head, my head!
+
+MATRYÓNA. If you don't keep wide awake now, then you may whistle for it.
+If his sister comes--then good-bye to it!
+
+ANÍSYA. That's true. She'll come and he'll give it her. What's to be
+done? Oh my poor head!
+
+MATRYÓNA. What is to be done? Why, look here; the samovár is boiling, go
+and make the tea and pour him out a cup, and then [whispers] put in all
+that's left in the paper. When he's drunk the cup, then just take it.
+He'll not tell, no fear.
+
+ANÍSYA. Oh! I'm afeared!
+
+MATRYÓNA. Don't be talking now, but look alive, and I'll keep his sister
+off if need be. Mind, don't make a blunder! Get hold of the money and
+bring it here, and Nikíta will hide it.
+
+ANÍSYA. Oh my head, my head! I don't know how I'm going to ...
+
+MATRYÓNA. Don't talk about it I tell you, do as I bid you. Nikíta!
+
+NIKÍTA. What is it?
+
+MATRYÓNA. You stay here--sit down--in case something is wanted.
+
+NIKÍTA [waves his hand] Oh these women, what won't they be up to? Muddle
+one up completely. Bother them! I'll really go and fetch out the
+potatoes.
+
+MATRYÓNA [catches him by the arm] Stay here, I tell you.
+
+    Nan enters.
+
+ANÍSYA. Well?
+
+NAN. She was down in her daughter's vegetable plot--she's coming.
+
+ANÍSYA. Coming! What shall we do?
+
+MATRYÓNA. There's plenty of time if you do as I tell you.
+
+ANÍSYA. I don't know what to do; I know nothing, my brain's all in a
+whirl. Nan! Go, daughter, and see to the calves, they'll have run away,
+I'm afraid.... Oh dear, I haven't the courage.
+
+MATRYÓNA. Go on! I should think the samovár's boiling over.
+
+ANÍSYA. Oh my head, my poor head! [Exit].
+
+MATRYÓNA [approaches Nikíta] Now then, sonnie. [Sits down beside him]
+Your affairs must also be thought about, and not left anyhow.
+
+NIKÍTA. What affairs?
+
+MATRYÓNA. Why, this affair--how you're to live your life.
+
+NIKÍTA. How to live my life? Others live, and I shall live!
+
+MATRYÓNA. The old man will probably die to-day.
+
+NIKÍTA. Well, if he dies, God give him rest! What's that to me?
+
+MATRYÓNA [keeps looking towards the porch while she speaks] Eh, sonnie!
+Those that are alive have to think about living. One needs plenty of
+sense in these matters, honey. What do you think? I've tramped all over
+the place after your affairs, I've got quite footsore bothering about
+matters. And you must not forget me when the time comes.
+
+NIKÍTA. And what's it you've been bothering about?
+
+MATRYÓNA. About your affairs, about your future. If you don't take
+trouble in good time you'll get nothing. You know Iván Moséitch? Well,
+I've been to him too. I went there the other day. I had something else
+to settle, you know. Well, so I sat and chatted awhile and then came to
+the point. "Tell me, Iván Moséitch," says I, "how's one to manage an
+affair of this kind? Supposing," says I, "a peasant as is a widower
+married a second wife, and supposing all the children he has is a
+daughter by the first wife, and a daughter by the second. Then," says I,
+"when that peasant dies, could an outsider get hold of the homestead by
+marrying the widow? Could he," says I, "give both the daughters in
+marriage and remain master of the house himself?" "Yes, he could," says
+he, "but," says he, "it would mean a deal of trouble; still the thing
+could be managed by means of money, but if there's no money it's no good
+trying."
+
+NIKÍTA [laughs] That goes without saying, only fork out the money. Who
+does not want money?
+
+MATRYÓNA. Well then, honey, so I spoke out plainly about the affair. And
+he says, "First and foremost, your son will have to get himself on the
+register of that village--that will cost something. The elders will have
+to be treated. And they, you see, they'll sign. Everything," says he,
+"must be done sensibly." Look, [unwraps her kerchief and takes out a
+paper] he's written out this paper; just read it, you're a scholar, you
+know. [Nikíta reads].
+
+NIKÍTA. This paper's only a decision for the elders to sign. There's no
+great wisdom needed for that.
+
+MATRYÓNA. But you just hear what Iván Moséitch bids us do. "Above all,"
+he says, "mind and don't let the money slip away, dame. If she don't get
+hold of the money," he says, "they'll not let her do it. Money's the
+great thing!" So look out, sonnie, things are coming to a head.
+
+NIKÍTA. What's that to me? The money's hers--so let her look out.
+
+MATRYÓNA. Ah, sonnie, how you look at it! How can a woman manage such
+affairs? Even if she does get the money, is she capable of arranging it
+all? One knows what a woman is! You're a man anyhow. You can hide it,
+and all that. You see, you've after all got more sense, in case of
+anything happening.
+
+NIKÍTA. Oh, your woman's notions are all so inexpedient!
+
+MATRYÓNA. Why inexpedient? You just collar the money, and the woman's in
+your hands. And then should she ever turn snappish you'd be able to
+tighten the reins!
+
+NIKÍTA. Bother you all,--I'm going.
+
+ANÍSYA [quite pale, runs out of the hut and round the corner to
+Matryóna] So it was, it was on him! Here it is! [Shows that she has
+something under her apron].
+
+MATRYÓNA. Give it to Nikíta, he'll hide it. Nikíta, take it and hide it
+somewhere.
+
+NIKÍTA. All right, give here!
+
+ANÍSYA. O-oh, my poor head! No, I'd better do it myself. [Goes towards
+the gate].
+
+MATRYÓNA [seizing her by the arm] Where are you going to? You'll be
+missed. There's the sister coming; give it him; he knows what to do. Eh,
+you blockhead!
+
+ANÍSYA [stops irresolutely] Oh, my head, my head!
+
+NIKÍTA. Well, give it here. I'll shove it away somewhere.
+
+ANÍSYA. Where will you shove it to?
+
+NIKÍTA [laughing] Why, are you afraid?
+
+    Enter Akoulína, carrying clothes from the wash.
+
+ANÍSYA. O-oh, my poor head! [Gives the money] Mind, Nikíta.
+
+NIKÍTA. What are you afraid of? I'll hide it so that I'll not be able to
+find it myself. [Exit].
+
+ANÍSYA [stands in terror] Oh dear, and supposing he ...
+
+MATRYÓNA. Well, is he dead?
+
+ANÍSYA. Yes, he seems dead. He did not move when I took it.
+
+MATRYÓNA. Go in, there's Akoulína.
+
+ANÍSYA. Well there, I've done the sin and he has the money....
+
+MATRYÓNA. Have done and go in! There's Martha coming!
+
+ANÍSYA. There now, I've trusted him. What's going to happen now? [Exit].
+
+MARTHA [enters from one side, Akoulína enters from the other. To
+Akoulína] I should have come before, but I was at my daughter's. Well,
+how's the old man? Is he dying?
+
+AKOULÍNA [puts down the clothes] Don't know, I've been to the river.
+
+MARTHA [pointing to Matryóna] Who's that?
+
+MATRYÓNA. I'm from Zoúevo. I'm Nikíta's mother from Zoúevo, my dearie.
+Good afternoon to you. He's withering, withering away, poor dear--your
+brother, I mean. He came out himself. "Send for my sister," he said,
+"because," said he ... Dear me, why, I do believe, he's dead!
+
+ANÍSYA [runs out screaming. Clings to a post, and begins wailing][4] Oh,
+oh, ah! who-o-o-m have you left me to, why-y-y have you dese-e-e-e-rted
+me--a miserable widow ... to live my life alone ... Why have you closed
+your bright eyes ...
+
+  [4] Loud public wailing of this kind is customary, and considered
+  indispensable, among the peasants.
+
+    Enter Neighbour. Matryóna and Neighbour catch hold of Anísya under
+    the arms to support her. Akoulína and Martha go into the hut. A
+    crowd assembles.
+
+A VOICE IN THE CROWD. Send for the old women to lay out the body.
+
+MATRYÓNA [rolls up her sleeves] Is there any water in the copper? But I
+daresay the samovár is still hot. I'll also go and help a bit.
+
+
+                                Curtain.
+
+
+
+
+ACT III
+
+    The same hut. Winter. Nine months have passed since Act II. Anísya,
+    plainly dressed, sits before a loom weaving. Nan is on the oven.
+
+
+MÍTRITCH [an old labourer, enters, and slowly takes off his outdoor
+things] Oh Lord, have mercy! Well, hasn't the master come home yet?
+
+ANÍSYA. What?
+
+MÍTRITCH. Nikíta isn't back from town, is he?
+
+ANÍSYA. No.
+
+MÍTRITCH. Must have been on the spree. Oh Lord!
+
+ANÍSYA. Have you finished in the stackyard?
+
+MÍTRITCH. What d'you think? Got it all as it should be, and covered
+everything with straw! I don't like doing things by halves! Oh Lord!
+holy Nicholas! [Picks at the corns on his hands] But it's time he was
+back.
+
+ANÍSYA. What need has he to hurry? He's got money. Merry-making with
+that girl, I daresay ...
+
+MÍTRITCH. Why shouldn't one make merry if one has the money? And why did
+Akoulína go to town?
+
+ANÍSYA. You'd better ask her. How do I know what the devil took her
+there!
+
+MÍTRITCH. What! to town? There's all sorts of things to be got in town
+if one's got the means. Oh Lord!
+
+NAN. Mother, I heard myself. "I'll get you a little shawl," he says,
+blest if he didn't; "you shall choose it yourself," he says. And she got
+herself up so fine; she put on her velveteen coat and the French shawl.
+
+ANÍSYA. Really, a girl's modesty reaches only to the door. Step over the
+threshold and it's forgotten. She is a shameless creature.
+
+MÍTRITCH. Oh my! What's the use of being ashamed? While there's plenty
+of money make merry. Oh Lord! It is too soon to have supper, eh? [Anísya
+does not answer] I'll go and get warm meanwhile. [Climbs on the stove]
+Oh Lord! Blessed Virgin Mother! holy Nicholas!
+
+NEIGHBOUR [enters] Seems your goodman's not back yet?
+
+ANÍSYA. No.
+
+NEIGHBOUR. It's time he was. Hasn't he perhaps stopped at our inn? My
+sister, Thekla, says there's heaps of sledges standing there as have
+come from the town.
+
+ANÍSYA. Nan! Nan, I say!
+
+NAN. Yes?
+
+ANÍSYA. You run to the inn and see! Mayhap, being drunk, he's gone
+there.
+
+NAN [jumps down from the oven and dresses] All right.
+
+NEIGHBOUR. And he's taken Akoulína with him?
+
+ANÍSYA. Else he'd not have had any need of going. It's because of her
+he's unearthed all the business there. "Must go to the bank," he says;
+"it's time to receive the payments," he says. But it's all her fooling.
+
+NEIGHBOUR [shakes her head] It's a bad look-out. [Silence].
+
+NAN [at the door] And if he's there, what am I to say?
+
+ANÍSYA. You only see if he's there.
+
+NAN. All right. I'll be back in a winking. [Long silence].
+
+MÍTRITCH [roars] Oh Lord! merciful Nicholas!
+
+NEIGHBOUR [starting] Oh, how he scared me? Who is it?
+
+ANÍSYA. Why, Mítritch, our labourer.
+
+NEIGHBOUR. Oh dear, oh dear, what a fright he did give me! I had quite
+forgotten. But tell me, dear, I've heard someone's been wooing
+Akoulína?
+
+ANÍSYA [gets up from the loom and sits down by the table] There was some
+one from Dédlovo; but it seems the affair's got wind there too. They
+made a start, and then stopped; so the thing fell through. Of course,
+who'd care to?
+
+NEIGHBOUR. And the Lizounófs from Zoúevo?
+
+ANÍSYA. They made some steps too, but it didn't come off either. They
+won't even see us.
+
+NEIGHBOUR. Yet it's time she was married.
+
+ANÍSYA. Time and more than time! Ah, my dear, I'm that impatient to get
+her out of the house; but the matter does not come off. He does not wish
+it, nor she either. He's not yet had enough of his beauty, you see.
+
+NEIGHBOUR. Eh, eh, eh, what doings! Only think of it. Why, he's her
+step-father!
+
+ANÍSYA. Ah, friend, they've taken me in completely. They've done me so
+fine it's beyond saying. I, fool that I was, noticed nothing, suspected
+nothing, and so I married him. I guessed nothing, but they already
+understood one another.
+
+NEIGHBOUR. Oh dear, what goings on!
+
+ANÍSYA. So it went on from bad to worse, and I see they begin hiding
+from me. Ah, friend, I was that sick--that sick of my life! It's not as
+if I didn't love him.
+
+NEIGHBOUR. That goes without saying.
+
+ANÍSYA. Ah, how hard it is to bear such treatment from him! Oh, how it
+hurts!
+
+NEIGHBOUR. Yes, and I've heard say he's becoming too free with his
+fists?
+
+ANÍSYA. And that too! There was a time when he was gentle when he'd had
+a drop. He used to hit out before, but of me he was always fond! But now
+when he's in a temper he goes for me and is ready to trample me under
+his feet. The other day he got both hands entangled in my hair so that I
+could hardly get away. And the girl's worse than a serpent; it's a
+wonder the earth bears such furies.
+
+NEIGHBOUR. Ah, ah, my dear, now I look at you, you are a sufferer! To
+suffer like that is no joke. To have given shelter to a beggar, and he
+to lead you such a dance! Why don't you pull in the reins?
+
+ANÍSYA. Ah, but my dear, if it weren't for my heart! Him as is gone was
+stern enough, still I could twist him about any way I liked; but with
+this one I can do nothing. As soon as I see him all my anger goes. I
+haven't a grain of courage before him; I go about like a drowned hen.
+
+NEIGHBOUR. Ah, neighbour, you must be under a spell. I've heard that
+Matryóna goes in for that sort of thing. It must be her.
+
+ANÍSYA. Yes, dear; I think so myself sometimes. Gracious me, how hurt I
+feel at times! I'd like to tear him to pieces. But when I set eyes on
+him, my heart won't go against him.
+
+NEIGHBOUR. It's plain you're bewitched. It don't take long to blight a
+body. There now, when I look at you, what you have dwindled to!
+
+ANÍSYA. Growing a regular spindle-shanks. And just look at that fool
+Akoulína. Wasn't the girl a regular untidy slattern, and just look at
+her now! Where has it all come from? Yes, he has fitted her out. She's
+grown so smart, so puffed up, just like a bubble that's ready to burst.
+And, though she's a fool, she's got it into her head, "I'm the
+mistress," she says; "the house is mine; it's me father wanted him to
+marry." And she's that vicious! Lord help us, when she gets into a rage
+she's ready to tear the thatch off the house.
+
+NEIGHBOUR. Oh dear, what a life yours is, now I come to look at you. And
+yet there's people envying you: "They're rich," they say; but it seems
+that gold don't keep tears from falling.
+
+ANÍSYA. Much reason for envy indeed! And the riches, too, will soon be
+made ducks and drakes of. Dear me, how he squanders money!
+
+NEIGHBOUR. But how's it, dear, you've been so simple to give up the
+money? It's yours.
+
+ANÍSYA. Ah, if you knew all! The thing is that I've made one little
+mistake.
+
+NEIGHBOUR. Well, if I were you, I'd go straight and have the law of him.
+The money's yours; how dare he squander it? There's no such rights.
+
+ANÍSYA. They don't pay heed to that nowadays.
+
+NEIGHBOUR. Ah, my dear, now I come to look at you, you've got that weak.
+
+ANÍSYA. Yes, quite weak, dear, quite weak. He's got me into a regular
+fix. I don't myself know anything. Oh, my poor head!
+
+NEIGHBOUR [listening] There's someone coming, I think. [The door opens
+and Akím enters].
+
+AKÍM [crosses himself, knocks the snow off his feet, and takes off his
+coat] Peace be to this house! How do you do? Are you well, daughter?
+
+ANÍSYA. How d'you do, father? Do you come straight from home?
+
+AKÍM. I've been a-thinking, I'll go and see what's name, go to see my
+son, I mean,--my son. I didn't start early--had my dinner, I mean; I
+went, and it's so what d'you call it--so snowy, hard walking, and so
+there I'm what d'you call it--late, I mean. And my son--is he at home?
+At home? My son, I mean.
+
+ANÍSYA. No; he's gone to the town.
+
+AKÍM [sits down on a bench] I've some business with him, d'you see, some
+business, I mean. I told him t'other day, told him I was in need--told
+him, I mean, that our horse was done for, our horse, you see. So we must
+what d'ye call it, get a horse, I mean, some kind of a horse, I mean. So
+there, I've come, you see.
+
+ANÍSYA. Nikíta told me. When he comes back you'll have a talk. [Goes to
+the oven] Have some supper now, and he'll soon come. Mítritch, eh
+Mítritch, come have your supper.
+
+MÍTRITCH. Oh Lord! merciful Nicholas!
+
+ANÍSYA. Come to supper.
+
+NEIGHBOUR. I shall go now. Good-night. [Exit].
+
+MÍTRITCH [gets down from the oven] I never noticed how I fell asleep. Oh
+Lord! gracious Nicholas! How d'you do, Daddy Akím?
+
+AKÍM. Ah, Mítritch! What are you, what d'ye call it, I mean?...
+
+MÍTRITCH. Why, I'm working for your son, Nikíta.
+
+AKÍM. Dear me! What d'ye call ... working for my son, I mean. Dear me!
+
+MÍTRITCH. I was living with a tradesman in town, but drank all I had
+there. Now I've come back to the village. I've no home, so I've gone
+into service. [Gapes] Oh Lord!
+
+AKÍM. But how's that, what d'you call it, or what's name, Nikíta, what
+does he do? Has he some business, I mean besides, that he should hire a
+labourer, a labourer I mean, hire a labourer?
+
+ANÍSYA. What business should he have? He used to manage, but now he's
+other things on his mind, so he's hired a labourer.
+
+MÍTRITCH. Why shouldn't he, seeing he has money?
+
+AKÍM. Now that's what d'you call it, that's wrong, I mean, quite wrong,
+I mean. That's spoiling oneself.
+
+ANÍSYA. Oh, he has got spoilt, that spoilt, it's just awful.
+
+AKÍM. There now, what d'you call it, one thinks how to make things
+better, and it gets worse I mean. Riches spoil a man, spoil, I mean.
+
+MÍTRITCH. Fatness makes even a dog go mad; how's one not to get spoilt
+by fat living? Myself now; how I went on with fat living. I drank for
+three weeks without being sober. I drank my last breeches. When I had
+nothing left, I gave it up. Now I've determined not to. Bother it!
+
+AKÍM. And where's what d'you call, your old woman?
+
+MÍTRITCH. My old woman has found her right place, old fellow. She's
+hanging about the gin-shops in town. She's a swell too; one eye knocked
+out, and the other black, and her muzzle twisted to one side. And she's
+never sober; drat her!
+
+AKÍM. Oh, oh, oh, how's that?
+
+MÍTRITCH. And where's a soldier's wife to go? She has found her right
+place. [Silence].
+
+AKÍM [to Anísya] And Nikíta,--has he what d'you call it, taken anything
+up to town? I mean, anything to sell?
+
+ANÍSYA [laying the table and serving up] No, he's taken nothing. He's
+gone to get money from the bank.
+
+AKÍM [sitting down to supper] Why? D'you wish to put it to another use,
+the money I mean?
+
+ANÍSYA. No, we don't touch it. Only some twenty or thirty roubles as
+have come due; they must be taken.
+
+AKÍM. Must be taken. Why take it, the money I mean? You'll take some
+to-day I mean, and some to-morrow; and so you'll what d'you call it,
+take it all, I mean.
+
+ANÍSYA. We get this besides. The money is all safe.
+
+AKÍM. All safe? How's that, safe? You take it, and it what d'you call
+it, it's all safe. How's that? You put a heap of meal into a bin, or a
+barn, I mean, and go on taking meal, will it remain there what d'you
+call it, all safe I mean? That's, what d'you call it, it's cheating.
+You'd better find out, or else they'll cheat you. Safe indeed! I mean
+you what d'ye call ... you take it and it remains all safe there?
+
+ANÍSYA. I know nothing about it. Iván Moséitch advised us at the time.
+"Put the money in the bank," he said, "the money will be safe, and
+you'll get interest," he said.
+
+MÍTRITCH [having finished his supper] That's so. I've lived with a
+tradesman. They all do like that. Put the money in the bank, then lie
+down on the oven and it will keep coming in.
+
+AKÍM. That's queer talk. How's that--what d'ye call, coming in, how's
+that coming in, and they, who do they get it from I mean, the money I
+mean?
+
+ANÍSYA. They take the money out of the bank.
+
+MÍTRITCH. Get along! 'Tain't a thing a woman can understand! You look
+here, I'll make it all clear to you. Mind and remember. You see, suppose
+you've got some money, and I, for instance, have spring coming on, my
+land's idle, I've got no seeds, or I have to pay taxes. So, you see, I
+go to you. "Akím," I say, "give us a ten-rouble note, and when I've
+harvested in autumn I'll return it, and till two acres for you besides,
+for having obliged me!" And you, seeing I've something to fall back
+on--a horse say, or a cow--you say, "No, give two or three roubles for
+the obligation," and there's an end of it. I'm stuck in the mud, and
+can't do without. So I say, "All right!" and take a tenner. In the
+autumn, when I've made my turnover, I bring it back, and you squeeze the
+extra three roubles out of me.
+
+AKÍM. Yes, but that's what peasants do when they what d'ye call it, when
+they forget God. It's not honest, I mean, it's no good, I mean.
+
+MÍTRITCH. You wait. You'll see it comes just to the same thing. Now
+don't forget how you've skinned me. And Anísya, say, has got some money
+lying idle. She does not know what to do with it, besides, she's a
+woman, and does not know how to use it. She comes to you. "Couldn't you
+make some profit with my money too?" she says. "Why not?" say you, and
+you wait. Before the summer I come again and say, "Give me another
+tenner, and I'll be obliged." Then you find out if my hide isn't all
+gone, and if I can be skinned again you give me Anísya's money. But
+supposing I'm clean shorn,--have nothing to eat,--then you see I can't
+be fleeced any more, and you say, "Go your way, friend," and you look
+out for another, and lend him your own and Anísya's money and skin him.
+That's what the bank is. So it goes round and round. It's a cute thing,
+old fellow!
+
+AKÍM [excitedly] Gracious me, whatever is that like? It's what d'ye call
+it, it's filthy! The peasants--what d'ye call it, the peasants do so I
+mean, and know it's, what d'ye call it, a sin! It's what d'you call, not
+right, not right, I mean. It's filthy! How can people as have learnt ...
+what d'ye call it ...
+
+MÍTRITCH. That, old fellow, is just what they're fond of! And remember,
+them that are stupid, or the women folk, as can't put their money into
+use themselves, they take it to the bank, and they there, deuce take
+'em, clutch hold of it, and with this money they fleece the people. It's
+a cute thing!
+
+AKÍM [sighing] Oh dear, I see, what d'ye call it, without money it's
+bad, and with money it's worse! How's that? God told us to work, but
+you, what d'ye call ... I mean you put money into the bank and go to
+sleep, and the money will what d'ye call it, will feed you while you
+sleep. It's filthy, that's what I call it; it's not right.
+
+MÍTRITCH. Not right? Eh, old fellow, who cares about that nowadays? And
+how clean they pluck you, too! That's the fact of the matter.
+
+AKÍM [sighs] Ah yes, seems the time's what d'ye call it, the time's
+growing ripe. There, I've had a look at the closets in town. What
+they've come to! It's all polished and polished I mean, it's fine, it's
+what d'ye call it, it's like inside an inn. And what's it all for?
+What's the good of it? Oh, they've forgotten God. Forgotten, I mean.
+We've forgotten, forgotten God, God I mean! Thank you, my dear, I've
+had enough. I'm quite satisfied. [Rises. Mítritch climbs on to the
+oven].
+
+ANÍSYA [eats, and collects the dishes] If his father would only take him
+to task! But I'm ashamed to tell him.
+
+AKÍM. What d'you say?
+
+ANÍSYA. Oh! it's nothing.
+
+    Enter Nan.
+
+AKÍM. Here's a good girl, always busy! You're cold, I should think?
+
+NAN. Yes, I am, terribly. How d'you do, grandfather?
+
+ANÍSYA. Well? Is he there?
+
+NAN. No. But Andriyán is there. He's been to town, and he says he saw
+them at an inn in town. He says Dad's as drunk as drunk can be!
+
+ANÍSYA. Do you want anything to eat? Here you are.
+
+NAN [goes to the oven] Well, it _is_ cold. My hands are quite numb.
+[Akím takes off his leg-bands and bast-shoes. Anísya washes up].
+
+ANÍSYA. Father!
+
+AKÍM. Well, what is it?
+
+ANÍSYA. And is Marína living well?
+
+AKÍM. Yes, she's living all right. The little woman is what d'ye call
+it, clever and steady; she's living, and what d'ye call it, doing her
+best. She's all right; the little woman's of the right sort I mean;
+painstaking and what d'ye call it, submissive; the little woman's all
+right I mean, all right, you know.
+
+ANÍSYA. And is there no talk in your village that a relative of Marína's
+husband thinks of marrying our Akoulína? Have you heard nothing of it?
+
+AKÍM. Ah; that's Mirónof. Yes, the women did chatter something. But I
+didn't pay heed, you know. It don't interest me I mean, I don't know
+anything. Yes, the old women did say something, but I've a bad memory,
+bad memory, I mean. But the Mirónofs are what d'ye call it, they're
+all right, I mean they're all right.
+
+ANÍSYA. I'm that impatient to get her settled.
+
+AKÍM. And why?
+
+NAN [listens] They've come!
+
+ANÍSYA. Well, don't you go bothering them. [Goes on washing the spoons
+without turning her head].
+
+NIKÍTA [enters] Anísya! Wife! who has come? [Anísya looks up and turns
+away in silence].
+
+NIKÍTA [severely] Who has come? Have you forgotten?
+
+ANÍSYA. Now don't humbug. Come in!
+
+NIKÍTA [still more severely] Who's come?
+
+ANÍSYA [goes up and takes him by the arm] Well then, husband has come.
+Now then, come in!
+
+NIKÍTA [holds back] Ah, that's it! Husband! And what's husband called?
+Speak properly.
+
+ANÍSYA. Oh bother you! Nikíta!
+
+NIKÍTA. Where have you learnt manners? The full name.
+
+ANÍSYA. Nikíta Akímitch! Now then!
+
+NIKÍTA [still in the doorway] Ah, that's it! But now--the surname?
+
+ANÍSYA [laughs and pulls him by the arm] Tchilíkin. Dear me, what airs!
+
+NIKÍTA. Ah, that's it. [Holds on to the door-post] No, now say with
+which foot Tchilíkin steps into this house!
+
+ANÍSYA. That's enough! You're letting the cold in!
+
+NIKÍTA. Say with which foot he steps? You've got to say it,--that's
+flat.
+
+ANÍSYA [aside] He'll go on worrying. [To Nikíta] Well then, with the
+left. Come in!
+
+NIKÍTA. Ah, that's it.
+
+ANÍSYA. You look who's in the hut!
+
+NIKÍTA. Ah, my parent! Well, what of that? I'm not ashamed of my
+parent. I can pay my respects to my parent. How d'you do, father? [Bows
+and puts out his hand] My respects to you.
+
+  [Illustration: THE POWER OF DARKNESS. ACT III.
+
+  ANÍSYA. Come in!
+
+  NIKÍTA. Ah, that's it.
+
+  ANÍSYA. You look who's in the hut!
+
+  NIKÍTA. Ah, my parent! Well, what of that? I'm not ashamed of my
+  parent.]
+
+AKÍM [does not answer] Drink, I mean drink, what it does! It's filthy!
+
+NIKÍTA. Drink, what's that? I've been drinking? I'm to blame, that's
+flat! I've had a glass with a friend, drank his health.
+
+ANÍSYA. Go and lie down, I say.
+
+NIKÍTA. Wife, say where am I standing?
+
+ANÍSYA. Now then, it's all right, lie down!
+
+NIKÍTA. No, I'll first drink a samovár with my parent. Go and light the
+samovár. Akoulína, I say, come here!
+
+    Enter Akoulína, smartly dressed and carrying their purchases.
+
+AKOULÍNA. Why have you thrown everything about? Where's the yarn?
+
+NIKÍTA. The yarn? The yarn's there. Hullo, Mítritch, where are you?
+Asleep? Asleep? Go and put the horse up.
+
+AKÍM [not seeing Akoulína but looking at his son] Dear me, what is he
+doing? The old man's what d'ye call it, quite done up, I mean,--been
+thrashing,--and look at him, what d'ye call it, putting on airs! Put up
+the horse! Faugh, what filth!
+
+MÍTRITCH [climbs down from the oven, and puts on felt boots] Oh,
+merciful Lord! Is the horse in the yard? Done it to death, I dare say.
+Just see how he's been swilling, the deuce take him. Up to his very
+throat. Oh Lord, holy Nicholas! [Puts on sheepskin, and exit].
+
+NIKÍTA [sits down] You must forgive me, father. It's true I've had a
+drop; well, what of that? Even a hen will drink. Ain't it true? So you
+must forgive me. Never mind Mítritch, he doesn't mind, he'll put it up.
+
+ANÍSYA. Shall I really light the samovár?
+
+NIKÍTA. Light it! My parent has come. I wish to talk to him, and shall
+drink tea with him. [To Akoulína] Have you brought all the parcels?
+
+AKOULÍNA. The parcels? I've brought mine, the rest's in the sledge. Hi,
+take this, this isn't mine!
+
+    Throws a parcel on the table and puts the others into her box. Nan
+    watches her while she puts them away. Akím does not look at his son,
+    but puts his leg-bands and bast-shoes on the oven.
+
+ANÍSYA [going out with the samovár] Her box is full as it is, and still
+he's bought more!
+
+  [Illustration: THE POWER OF DARKNESS. ACT III.
+
+  NIKÍTA. Have you brought all the parcels?
+
+  AKOULÍNA. The parcels? I've brought mine, the rest's in the sledge.
+
+  ANÍSYA. Her box is full as it is, and still he's bought more!]
+
+NIKÍTA [pretending to be sober] You must not be cross with me, father.
+You think I'm drunk? I am all there, that's flat! As they say, "Drink,
+but keep your wits about you." I can talk with you at once, father. I
+can attend to any business. You told me about the money; your horse is
+worn-out,--I remember! That can all be managed. That's all in our hands.
+If it was an enormous sum that's wanted, then we might wait; but as it
+is I can do everything. That's the case.
+
+AKÍM [goes on fidgeting with the leg-bands] Eh, lad, "It's ill sledging
+when the thaw has set in."
+
+NIKÍTA. What d'you mean by that? "And it's ill talking with one who is
+drunk"? But don't you worry, let's have some tea. And I can do anything;
+that's flat! I can put everything to rights.
+
+AKÍM [shakes his head] Eh, eh, eh!
+
+NIKÍTA. The money, here it is. [Puts his hand in his pocket, pulls out
+pocket-book, handles the notes in it and takes out a ten-rouble note]
+Take this to get a horse; I can't forget my parent. I shan't forsake
+him, that's flat. Because he's my parent! Here you are, take it! Really
+now, I don't grudge it. [Comes up and pushes the note towards Akím who
+won't take it. Nikíta catches hold of his father's hand] Take it, I tell
+you. I don't grudge it.
+
+AKÍM. I can't, what d'you call it, I mean, can't take it! And can't what
+d'ye call it, talk to you, because you're not yourself, I mean.
+
+NIKÍTA. I'll not let you go! Take it! [Puts the money into Akím's hand].
+
+ANÍSYA [enters, and stops] You'd better take it, he'll give you no
+peace!
+
+AKÍM [takes it, and shakes his head] Oh! that liquor. Not like a man, I
+mean!
+
+NIKÍTA. That's better! If you repay it you'll repay it, if not I'll make
+no bother. That's what I am! [Sees Akoulína] Akoulína, show your
+presents.
+
+AKOULÍNA. What?
+
+NIKÍTA. Show your presents.
+
+AKOULÍNA. The presents, what's the use of showing 'em? I've put 'em
+away.
+
+NIKÍTA. Get them, I tell you. Nan will like to see 'em. Undo the shawl.
+Give it here.
+
+AKÍM. Oh, oh! It's sickening! [Climbs on the oven].
+
+AKOULÍNA [gets out the parcels and puts them on the table] Well, there
+you are,--what's the good of looking at 'em?
+
+NAN. Oh how lovely! It's as good as Stepanída's.
+
+AKOULÍNA. Stepanída's? What's Stepanída's compared to this? [Brightening
+up and undoing the parcels] Just look here,--see the quality! It's a
+French one.
+
+NAN. The print _is_ fine! Mary has a dress like it, only lighter on a
+blue ground. This _is_ pretty.
+
+NIKÍTA. Ah, that's it!
+
+    Anísya passes angrily into the closet, returns with a tablecloth and
+    the chimney of the samovár, and goes up to the table.
+
+ANÍSYA. Drat you, littering the table!
+
+NIKÍTA. You look here!
+
+ANÍSYA. What am I to look at? Have I never seen anything? Put it away!
+[Sweeps the shawl on to the floor with her arm].
+
+AKOULÍNA. What are you pitching things down for? You pitch your own
+things about! [Picks up the shawl].
+
+NIKÍTA. Anísya! Look here!
+
+ANÍSYA. Why am I to look?
+
+NIKÍTA. You think I have forgotten you? Look here! [Shows her a parcel
+and sits down on it] It's a present for you. Only you must earn it!
+Wife, where am I sitting?
+
+ANÍSYA. Enough of your humbug. I'm not afraid of you. Whose money are
+you spreeing on and buying your fat wench presents with? Mine!
+
+AKOULÍNA. Yours indeed? No fear! You wished to steal it, but it did not
+come off! Get out of the way! [Pushes her while trying to pass].
+
+ANÍSYA. What are you shoving for? I'll teach you to shove!
+
+AKOULÍNA. Shove me? You try! [Presses against Anísya].
+
+NIKÍTA. Now then, now then, you women. Have done now! [Steps between
+them].
+
+AKOULÍNA. Comes shoving herself in! You ought to keep quiet and remember
+your doings! You think no one knows!
+
+ANÍSYA. Knows what? Out with it, out with it! What do they know?
+
+AKOULÍNA. I know something about you!
+
+ANÍSYA. You're a slut who goes with another's husband!
+
+AKOULÍNA. And you did yours to death!
+
+ANÍSYA [throwing herself on Akoulína] You're raving!
+
+NIKÍTA [holding her back] Anísya, you seem to have forgotten!
+
+ANÍSYA. Want to frighten me! I'm not afraid of you!
+
+NIKÍTA [turns Anísya round and pushes her out] Be off!
+
+ANÍSYA. Where am I to go? I'll not go out of my own house!
+
+NIKÍTA. Be off, I tell you, and don't dare to come in here!
+
+ANÍSYA. I won't go! [Nikíta pushes her, Anísya cries and screams and
+clings to the door] What! am I to be turned out of my own house by the
+scruff of the neck? What are you doing, you scoundrel? Do you think
+there's no law for you? You wait a bit!
+
+NIKÍTA. Now then!
+
+ANÍSYA. I'll go to the Elder! To the policeman!
+
+NIKÍTA. Off, I tell you! [Pushes her out].
+
+ANÍSYA [behind the door] I'll hang myself!
+
+NIKÍTA. No fear!
+
+NAN. Oh, oh, oh! Mother, dear, darling! [Cries].
+
+NIKÍTA. Me frightened of her! A likely thing! What are you crying for?
+She'll come back, no fear. Go and see to the samovár. [Exit Nan].
+
+AKOULÍNA [collects and folds her presents] The mean wretch, how she's
+messed it up. But wait a bit, I'll cut up her jacket for her! Sure I
+will!
+
+NIKÍTA. I've turned her out, what more do you want?
+
+AKOULÍNA. She's dirtied my new shawl. If that bitch hadn't gone away,
+I'd have torn her eyes out!
+
+NIKÍTA. That's enough. Why should you be angry? Now if I loved her ...
+
+AKOULÍNA. Loved her? She's worth loving, with her fat mug! If you'd have
+given her up, then nothing would have happened. You should have sent her
+to the devil. And the house was mine all the same, and the money was
+mine! Says she is the mistress, but what sort of mistress is she to her
+husband? She's a murderess, that's what she is! She'll serve you the
+same way!
+
+NIKÍTA. Oh dear, how's one to stop a woman's jaw? You don't yourself
+know what you're jabbering about!
+
+AKOULÍNA. Yes, I do. I'll not live with her! I'll turn her out of the
+house! She can't live here with me. The mistress indeed! She's not the
+mistress,--that jailbird!
+
+NIKÍTA. That's enough! What have you to do with her? Don't mind her. You
+look at me! I am the master! I do as I like. I've ceased to love her,
+and now I love you. I love who I like! The power is mine, she's under
+me. That's where I keep her. [Points to his feet] A pity we've no
+concertina. [Sings].
+
+        "We have loaves on the stoves,
+         We have porridge on the shelf.
+         So we'll live and be gay,
+         Making merry every day,
+         And when death comes,
+         Then we'll die!
+         We have loaves on the stoves,
+         We have porridge on the shelf ..."
+
+    Enter Mítritch. He takes off his outdoor things and climbs on the
+    oven.
+
+MÍTRITCH. Seems the women have been fighting again! Tearing each other's
+hair. Oh Lord, gracious Nicholas!
+
+AKÍM [sitting on the edge of the oven, takes his leg-bands and shoes and
+begins putting them on] Get in, get into the corner.
+
+MÍTRITCH. Seems they can't settle matters between them. Oh Lord!
+
+NIKÍTA. Get out the liquor, we'll have some with our tea.
+
+NAN [to Akoulína] Sister, the samovár is just boiling over.
+
+NIKÍTA. And where's your mother?
+
+NAN. She's standing and crying out there in the passage.
+
+NIKÍTA. Oh, that's it! Call her, and tell her to bring the samovár. And
+you, Akoulína, get the tea things.
+
+AKOULÍNA. The tea things? All right. [Brings the things].
+
+NIKÍTA [unpacks spirits, rusks, and salt herrings] That's for myself.
+This is yarn for the wife. The paraffin is out there in the passage, and
+here's the money. Wait a bit, [takes a counting-frame] I'll add it up.
+[Adds] Wheat-flour, 80 kopéykas, oil ... Father, 10 roubles.... Father,
+come let's have some tea!
+
+    Silence. Akím sits on the oven and winds the bands round his legs.
+    Enter Anísya with samovár.
+
+ANÍSYA. Where shall I put it?
+
+NIKÍTA. Here on the table. Well! have you been to the Elder? Ah, that's
+it! Have your say and then eat your words. Now then, that's enough.
+Don't be cross, sit down and drink this. [Fills a wine-glass for her]
+And here's your present. [Gives her the parcel he had been sitting on.
+Anísya takes it silently and shakes her head].
+
+AKÍM [gets down and puts on his sheepskin, then comes up to the table
+and puts down the money] Here, take your money back! Put it away.
+
+NIKÍTA [does not see the money] Why have you put on your things?
+
+AKÍM. I'm going, going I mean; forgive me for the Lord's sake. [Takes up
+his cap and belt].
+
+NIKÍTA. My gracious! Where are you going to at this time of night?
+
+AKÍM. I can't, I mean what d'ye call 'em, in your house, what d'ye call
+'em, can't stay I mean, stay, can't stay, forgive me.
+
+NIKÍTA. But are you going without having any tea?
+
+AKÍM [fastens his belt] Going, because, I mean, it's not right in your
+house, I mean, what d'you call it, not right, Nikíta, in the house, what
+d'ye call it, not right! I mean, you are living a bad life, Nikíta,
+bad,--I'll go.
+
+NIKÍTA. Eh now! Have done talking! Sit down and drink your tea!
+
+ANÍSYA. Why, father, you'll shame us before the neighbours. What has
+offended you?
+
+AKÍM. Nothing what d'ye call it, nothing has offended me, nothing at
+all! I mean only, I see, what d'you call it, I mean, I see my son, to
+ruin I mean, to ruin, I mean my son's on the road to ruin, I mean.
+
+NIKÍTA. What ruin? Just prove it!
+
+AKÍM. Ruin, ruin; you're in the midst of it! What did I tell you that
+time?
+
+NIKÍTA. You said all sorts of things!
+
+AKÍM. I told you, what d'ye call it, I told you about the orphan lass.
+That you had wronged an orphan--Marína, I mean, wronged her!
+
+NIKÍTA. Eh! he's at it again. Let bygones be bygones ... All that's
+past!
+
+AKÍM [excited] Past! No, lad, it's not past. Sin, I mean, fastens on to
+sin--drags sin after it, and you've stuck fast, Nikíta, fast in sin!
+Stuck fast in sin! I see you're fast in sin. Stuck fast, sunk in sin, I
+mean!
+
+NIKÍTA. Sit down and drink your tea, and have done with it!
+
+AKÍM. I can't, I mean can't what d'ye call it, can't drink tea. Because
+of your filth, I mean; I feel what d'ye call it, I feel sick, very sick!
+I can't what d'ye call it, I can't drink tea with you.
+
+NIKÍTA. Eh! There he goes rambling! Come to the table.
+
+AKÍM. You're in your riches same as in a net--you're in a net, I mean.
+Ah, Nikíta, it's the soul that God needs!
+
+NIKÍTA. Now really, what right have you to reprove me in my own house?
+Why do you keep on at me? Am I a child that you can pull by the hair?
+Nowadays those things have been dropped!
+
+AKÍM. That's true. I have heard that nowadays, what d'ye call it, that
+nowadays children pull their fathers' beards, I mean! But that's ruin,
+that's ruin, I mean!
+
+NIKÍTA [angrily] We are living without help from you, and it's you who
+came to us with your wants!
+
+AKÍM. The money? There's your money! I'll go begging, begging I mean,
+before I'll take it, I mean.
+
+NIKÍTA. That's enough! Why be angry and upset the whole company! [Holds
+him by the arm].
+
+AKÍM [shrieks] Let go! I'll not stay. I'd rather sleep under some fence
+than in the midst of your filth! Faugh! God forgive me! [Exit].
+
+NIKÍTA. Here's a go!
+
+AKÍM [reopens the door] Come to your senses, Nikíta! It's the soul that
+God wants! [Exit].
+
+AKOULÍNA [takes cups] Well, shall I pour out the tea? [Takes a cup. All
+are silent].
+
+MÍTRITCH [roars] Oh Lord, be merciful to me a sinner! [All start].
+
+NIKÍTA [lies down on the bench] Oh, it's dull, it's dull! [To Akoulína]
+Where's the concertina?
+
+AKOULÍNA. The concertina? He's bethought himself of it. Why, you took it
+to be mended. I've poured out your tea. Drink it!
+
+NIKÍTA. I don't want it! Put out the light ... Oh, how dull I feel, how
+dull! [Sobs].
+
+
+                                Curtain.
+
+
+
+
+ACT IV
+
+    Autumn. Evening. The moon is shining. The stage represents the
+    interior of courtyard. The scenery at the back shows, in the middle,
+    the back porch of the hut. To the right the winter half of the hut
+    and the gate; to the left the summer half and the cellar. To the
+    right of the stage is a shed. The sound of tipsy voices and shouts
+    are heard from the hut.[5] Second Neighbour Woman comes out of the
+    hut and beckons to First Neighbour Woman.
+
+  [5] Where not otherwise mentioned in the stage directions, it is
+  always the winter half of the hut that is referred to as "the hut."
+  The summer half is not heated, and not used in winter under ordinary
+  circumstances.
+
+
+SECOND NEIGHBOUR. How's it Akoulína has not shown herself?
+
+FIRST NEIGHBOUR. Why hasn't she shown herself? She'd have been glad to;
+but she's too ill, you know. The suitor's relatives have come, and want
+to see the girl; and she, my dear, she's lying in the cold hut and can't
+come out, poor thing!
+
+SECOND NEIGHBOUR. But how's that?
+
+FIRST NEIGHBOUR. They say she's been bewitched by an evil eye! She's got
+pains in the stomach!
+
+SECOND NEIGHBOUR. You don't say so?
+
+FIRST NEIGHBOUR. What else could it be? [Whispers].
+
+SECOND NEIGHBOUR. Dear me! There's a go! But his relatives will surely
+find it out?
+
+FIRST NEIGHBOUR. They find it out! They're all drunk! Besides, they are
+chiefly after her dowry. Just think what they give with the girl! Two
+furs, my dear, six dresses, a French shawl, and I don't know how many
+pieces of linen, and money as well,--two hundred roubles, it's said!
+
+SECOND NEIGHBOUR. That's all very well, but even money can't give much
+pleasure in the face of such a disgrace.
+
+FIRST NEIGHBOUR. Hush!... There's his father, I think.
+
+    They cease talking, and go into the hut.
+
+    The Suitor's Father comes out of the hut hiccoughing.
+
+THE FATHER. Oh, I'm all in a sweat. It's awfully hot! Will just cool
+myself a bit. [Stands puffing] The Lord only knows what--something is
+not right. I can't feel happy.--Well, it's the old woman's affair.
+
+    Enter Matryóna from hut.
+
+MATRYÓNA. And I was just thinking, where's the father? Where's the
+father? And here you are, dear friend.... Well, dear friend, the Lord be
+thanked! Everything is as honourable as can be! When one's arranging a
+match one should not boast. And I have never learnt to boast. But as
+you've come about the right business, so with the Lord's help, you'll be
+grateful to me all your life! She's a wonderful girl! There's no other
+like her in all the district!
+
+THE FATHER. That's true enough, but how about the money?
+
+MATRYÓNA. Don't you trouble about the money! All she had from her father
+goes with her. And it's more than one gets easily, as things are
+nowadays. Three times fifty roubles!
+
+THE FATHER. We don't complain, but it's for our own child. Naturally we
+want to get the best we can.
+
+MATRYÓNA. I'll tell you straight, friend: if it hadn't been for me,
+you'd never have found anything like her! They've had an offer from the
+Karmílins, but I stood out against it. And as for the money, I'll tell
+you truly: when her father, God be merciful to his soul, was dying, he
+gave orders that the widow should take Nikíta into the homestead--of
+course I know all about it from my son,--and the money was to go to
+Akoulína. Why, another one might have thought of his own interests, but
+Nikíta gives everything clean! It's no trifle. Fancy what a sum it is!
+
+THE FATHER. People are saying, that more money was left her? The lad's
+sharp too!
+
+MATRYÓNA. Oh, dear soul alive! A slice in another's hand always looks
+big; all she had will be handed over. I tell you, throw doubts to the
+wind and make all sure! What a girl she is! as fresh as a daisy!
+
+THE FATHER. That's so. But my old woman and I were only wondering about
+the girl; why has she not come out? We've been thinking, suppose she's
+sickly?
+
+MATRYÓNA. Oh, ah.... Who? She? Sickly? Why, there's none to compare with
+her in the district. The girl's as sound as a bell; you can't pinch her.
+But you saw her the other day! And as for work, she's wonderful! She's a
+bit deaf, that's true, but there are spots on the sun, you know. And her
+not coming out, you see, it's from an evil eye! A spell's been cast on
+her! And I know the bitch who's done the business! They know of the
+betrothal and they bewitched her. But I know a counter-spell. The girl
+will get up to-morrow. Don't you worry about the girl!
+
+THE FATHER. Well, of course, the thing's settled.
+
+MATRYÓNA. Yes, of course! Don't you turn back. And don't forget me, I've
+had a lot of trouble. Don't forget ...
+
+    A woman's voice from the hut.
+
+VOICE. If we are to go, let's go. Come along, Iván!
+
+THE FATHER. I'm coming. [Exeunt. Guests crowd together in the passage
+and prepare to go away].
+
+NAN [runs out of the hut and calls to Anísya] Mother!
+
+ANÍSYA [from inside] What d'you want?
+
+NAN. Mother, come here, or they'll hear.
+
+    Anísya enters and they go together to the shed.
+
+ANÍSYA. Well? What is it? Where's Akoulína?
+
+NAN. She's gone into the barn. It's awful what's she's doing there! I'm
+blest! "I can't bear it," she says. "I'll scream," she says, "I'll
+scream out loud." Blest if she didn't.
+
+ANÍSYA. She'll have to wait. We'll see our visitors off first.
+
+NAN. Oh mother! She's so bad! And she's angry too. "What's the good of
+their drinking my health?" she says. "I shan't marry," she says. "I
+shall die," she says. Mother, supposing she does die! It's awful. I'm so
+frightened!
+
+ANÍSYA. No fear, she'll not die. But don't you go near her. Come along.
+[Exit Anísya and Nan].
+
+MÍTRITCH [comes in at the gate and begins collecting the scattered hay]
+Oh Lord! Merciful Nicholas! What a lot of liquor they've been and
+swilled, and the smell they've made! It smells even out here! But no, I
+don't want any, drat it! See how they've scattered the hay about. They
+don't eat it, but only trample it under foot. A truss gone before you
+know it. Oh, that smell, it seems to be just under my nose! Drat it!
+[Yawns] It's time to go to sleep! But I don't care to go into the hut.
+It seems to float just round my nose! It has a strong scent, the damned
+stuff! [The guests are heard driving off] They're off at last. Oh Lord!
+Merciful Nicholas! There they go, binding themselves and gulling one
+another. And it's all gammon!
+
+    Enter Nikíta.
+
+NIKÍTA. Mítritch, you get off to sleep and I'll put this straight.
+
+MÍTRITCH. All right, you throw it to the sheep. Well, have you seen 'em
+all off?
+
+NIKÍTA. Yes, they're off! But things are not right! I don't know what to
+do!
+
+MÍTRITCH. It's a fine mess. But there's the Foundlings'[6] for that sort
+of thing. Whoever likes may drop one there; they'll take 'em all. Give
+'em as many as you like, they ask no questions, and even pay--if the
+mother goes in as a wet-nurse. It's easy enough nowadays.
+
+  [6] The Foundlings' Hospital in Moscow, where 80 to 90 per cent. of
+  the children die.
+
+NIKÍTA. But mind, Mítritch, don't go blabbing.
+
+MÍTRITCH. It's no concern of mine. Cover the tracks as you think best.
+Dear me, how you smell of liquor! I'll go in. Oh Lord! [Exit, yawning].
+
+    Nikíta is long silent. Sits down on a sledge.
+
+NIKÍTA. Here's a go!
+
+    Enter Anísya.
+
+ANÍSYA. Where are you?
+
+NIKÍTA. Here.
+
+ANÍSYA. What are you doing there? There's no time to be lost! We must
+take it out directly!
+
+NIKÍTA. What are we to do?
+
+ANÍSYA. I'll tell you what you are to do. And you'll have to do it!
+
+NIKÍTA. You'd better take it to the Foundlings'--if anything.
+
+ANÍSYA. Then you'd better take it there yourself if you like! You've a
+hankering for smut, but you're weak when it comes to settling up, I see!
+
+NIKÍTA. What's to be done?
+
+ANÍSYA. Go down into the cellar, I tell you, and dig a hole!
+
+NIKÍTA. Couldn't you manage, somehow, some other way?
+
+ANÍSYA [imitating him] "Some other way?" Seems we can't "some other
+way!" You should have thought about it a year ago. Do what you're told
+to!
+
+NIKÍTA. Oh dear, what a go!
+
+    Enter Nan.
+
+NAN. Mother! Grandmother's calling! I think sister's got a baby! I'm
+blest if it didn't scream!
+
+ANÍSYA. What are you babbling about? Plague take you! It's kittens
+whining there. Go into the hut and sleep, or I'll give it you!
+
+NAN. Mammy dear, truly, I swear ...
+
+ANÍSYA [raising her arm as if to strike] I'll give it you! You be off
+and don't let me catch sight of you! [Nan runs into hut. To Nikíta] Do
+as you're told, or else mind! [Exit].
+
+NIKÍTA [alone. After a long silence] Here's a go! Oh these women! What a
+fix! Says you should have thought of it a year ago. When's one to think
+beforehand? When's one to think? Why, last year this Anísya dangled
+after me. What was I to do? Am I a monk? The master died; and I covered
+my sin as was proper, so I was not to blame there. Aren't there lots of
+such cases? And then those powders. Did I put her up to that? Why, had I
+known what the bitch was up to, I'd have killed her! I'm sure I should
+have killed her! She's made me her partner in these horrors--that jade!
+And she became loathsome to me from that day! She became loathsome,
+loathsome to me as soon as mother told me about it. I can't bear the
+sight of her! Well then, how could I live with her? And then it
+begun.... That wench began hanging round. Well, what was I to do! If I
+had not done it, someone else would. And this is what comes of it! Still
+I'm not to blame in this either. Oh, what a go! [Sits thinking] They are
+bold, these women! What a plan to think of! But I won't have a hand in
+it!
+
+    Enter Matryóna with a lantern and spade, panting.
+
+MATRYÓNA. Why are you sitting there like a hen on a perch? What did your
+wife tell you to do? You just get things ready!
+
+NIKÍTA. What do you mean to do?
+
+MATRYÓNA. We know what to do. You do your share!
+
+NIKÍTA. You'll be getting me into a mess!
+
+MATRYÓNA. What? You're not thinking of backing out, are you? Now it's
+come to this, and you back out!
+
+NIKÍTA. Think what a thing it would be! It's a living soul.
+
+MATRYÓNA. A living soul indeed! Why, it's more dead than alive. And
+what's one to do with it? Go and take it to the Foundlings'--it will die
+just the same, and the rumour will get about, and people will talk, and
+the girl be left on our hands.
+
+NIKÍTA. And supposing it's found out?
+
+MATRYÓNA. Not manage to do it in one's own house? We'll manage it so
+that no one will have an inkling. Only do as I tell you. We women can't
+do it without a man. There, take the spade, and get it done there,--I'll
+hold the light.
+
+NIKÍTA. What am I to get done?
+
+MATRYÓNA [in a low voice] Dig a hole; then we'll bring it out and get it
+out of the way in a trice! There, she's calling again. Now then, get in,
+and I'll go.
+
+NIKÍTA. Is it dead then?
+
+MATRYÓNA. Of course it is. Only you must be quick, or else people will
+notice! They'll see or they'll hear! The rascals must needs know
+everything. And the policeman went by this evening. Well then, you see
+[gives him the spade], you get down into the cellar and dig a hole right
+in the corner; the earth is soft there, and you'll smooth it over.
+Mother earth will not blab to any one; she'll keep it close. Go then;
+go, dear.
+
+NIKÍTA. You'll get me into a mess, bother you! I'll go away! You do it
+alone as best you can!
+
+ANÍSYA [through the doorway] Well? Has he dug it?
+
+MATRYÓNA. Why have you come away? What have you done with it?
+
+ANÍSYA. I've covered it with rags. No one can hear it. Well, has he dug
+it?
+
+MATRYÓNA. He doesn't want to!
+
+ANÍSYA [springs out enraged] Doesn't want to! How will he like feeding
+vermin in prison! I'll go straight away and tell everything to the
+police! It's all the same if one must perish. I'll go straight and tell!
+
+NIKÍTA [taken aback] What will you tell?
+
+ANÍSYA. What? Everything! Who took the money? You! [Nikíta is silent]
+And who gave the poison? I did! But you knew! You knew! You knew! We
+were in agreement!
+
+MATRYÓNA. That's enough now. Nikíta dear, why are you obstinate? What's
+to be done now? One must take some trouble. Go, honey.
+
+ANÍSYA. See the fine gentleman! He doesn't like it! You've put upon me
+long enough! You've trampled me under foot! Now it's my turn! Go, I tell
+you, or else I'll do what I said.... There, take the spade; there, now
+go!
+
+NIKÍTA. Drat you! Can't you leave a fellow alone! [Takes the spade, but
+shrinks] If I don't choose to, I'll not go!
+
+ANÍSYA. Not go? [Begins to shout] Neighbours! Heh! heh!
+
+MATRYÓNA [closes her mouth] What are you about? You're mad! He'll go....
+Go, sonnie; go, my own.
+
+ANÍSYA. I'll cry murder!
+
+NIKÍTA. Now stop! Oh what people! You'd better be quick.... As well be
+hung for a sheep as a lamb! [Goes towards the cellar].
+
+MATRYÓNA. Yes, that's just it, honey. If you know how to amuse yourself,
+you must know how to hide the consequences.
+
+ANÍSYA [still excited] He's trampled on me ... he and his slut! But it's
+enough! I'm not going to be the only one! Let him also be a murderer!
+Then he'll know how it feels!
+
+MATRYÓNA. There, there! How she flares up! Don't you be cross, lass, but
+do things quietly little by little, as it's best. You go to the girl,
+and he'll do the work. [Follows Nikíta to the cellar with a lantern. He
+descends into the cellar].
+
+ANÍSYA. And I'll make him strangle his dirty brat! [Still excited] I've
+worried myself to death all alone, with Peter's bones weighing on my
+mind! Let him feel it too! I'll not spare myself; I've said I'll not
+spare myself!
+
+NIKÍTA [from the cellar] Show a light!
+
+MATRYÓNA [holds up the lantern to him. To Anísya] He's digging. Go and
+bring it.
+
+ANÍSYA. You stay with him, or he'll go away, the wretch! And I'll go and
+bring it.
+
+MATRYÓNA. Mind, don't forget to baptize it, or I will if you like. Have
+you a cross?
+
+ANÍSYA. I'll find one. I know how to do it. [Exit].
+
+    See at end of Act, Variation, which may be used instead of the
+    following.
+
+MATRYÓNA. How the woman bristled up! But one must allow she's been put
+upon. Well, but with the Lord's help, when we've covered this business,
+there'll be an end of it. We'll shove the girl off without any trouble.
+My son will live in comfort. The house, thank God, is as full as an egg.
+They'll not forget me either. Where would they have been without
+Matryóna? They'd not have known how to contrive things. [Peering into
+the cellar] Is it ready, sonnie?
+
+NIKÍTA [puts out his head] What are you about there? Bring it quick!
+What are you dawdling for? If it is to be done, let it be done.
+
+MATRYÓNA [goes towards door of the hut and meets Anísya. Anísya comes
+out with a baby wrapped in rags] Well, have you baptized it?
+
+ANÍSYA. Why, of course! It was all I could do to take it away--she
+wouldn't give it up! [Comes forward and hands it to Nikíta].
+
+NIKÍTA [does not take it] You bring it yourself!
+
+ANÍSYA. Take it, I tell you! [Throws the baby to him].
+
+NIKÍTA [catches it] It's alive! Gracious me, it's moving! It's alive!
+What am I to ...
+
+ANÍSYA [snatches the baby from him and throws it into the cellar] Be
+quick and smother it, and then it won't be alive! [Pushes Nikíta down]
+It's your doing, and you must finish it.
+
+MATRYÓNA [sits on the doorstep of the hut] He's tender-hearted. It's
+hard on him, poor dear. Well, what of that? Isn't it also his sin?
+
+    Anísya stands by the cellar.
+
+MATRYÓNA [sits looking at her and discourses] Oh, oh, oh! How frightened
+he was: well, but what of that? If it _is_ hard, it's the only thing to
+be done. Where was one to put it? And just think, how often it happens
+that people pray to God to have children! But no, God gives them none;
+or they are all still-born. Look at our priest's wife now.... And here,
+where it's not wanted, here it lives. [Looks towards the cellar] I
+suppose he's finished. [To Anísya] Well?
+
+ANÍSYA [looking into the cellar] He's put a board on it and is sitting
+on it. It must be finished!
+
+MATRYÓNA. Oh, oh! One would be glad not to sin, but what's one to do?
+
+    Re-enter Nikíta from cellar, trembling all over.
+
+NIKÍTA. It's still alive! I can't! It's alive!
+
+ANÍSYA. If it's alive, where are you off to? [Tries to stop him].
+
+NIKÍTA [rushes at her] Go away! I'll kill you! [Catches hold of her
+arms; she escapes, he runs after her with the spade. Matryóna runs
+towards him and stops him. Anísya runs into the porch. Matryóna tries to
+wrench the spade from him. To his mother] I'll kill you! I'll kill you!
+Go away! [Matryóna runs to Anísya in the porch. Nikíta stops] I'll kill
+you! I'll kill you all!
+
+MATRYÓNA. That's because he's so frightened! Never mind, it will pass!
+
+NIKÍTA. What have they made me do? What have they made me do? How it
+whimpered.... How it crunched under me! What have they done with me?...
+And it's really alive, still alive! [Listens in silence] It's whimpering
+... There, it's whimpering. [Runs to the cellar].
+
+MATRYÓNA [to Anísya] He's going; it seems he means to bury it. Nikíta,
+you'd better take the lantern!
+
+NIKÍTA [does not heed her, but listens by the cellar door] I can hear
+nothing! I suppose it was fancy! [Moves away, then stops] How the little
+bones crunched under me. Krr ... kr ... What have they made me do?
+[Listens again] Again whimpering! It's really whimpering! What can it
+be? Mother! Mother, I say! [Goes up to her].
+
+MATRYÓNA. What is it, sonnie?
+
+NIKÍTA. Mother, my own mother, I can't do any more! Can't do any more!
+My own mother, have some pity on me!
+
+MATRYÓNA. Oh dear, how frightened you are, my darling! Come, come, drink
+a drop to give you courage!
+
+NIKÍTA. Mother, mother! It seems my time has come! What have you done
+with me? How the little bones crunched, and how it whimpered! My own
+mother! What have you done with me? [Steps aside and sits down on the
+sledge].
+
+MATRYÓNA. Come, my own, have a drink! It certainly does seem uncanny at
+night-time. But wait a bit. When the day breaks, you know, and one day
+and another passes, you'll forget even to think of it. Wait a bit; when
+the girl's married we'll even forget to think of it. But you go and have
+a drink; have a drink! I'll go and put things straight in the cellar
+myself.
+
+NIKÍTA [rouses himself] Is there any drink left? Perhaps I can drink it
+off! [Exit].
+
+    Anísya, who has stood all the time by the door, silently makes way
+    for him.
+
+MATRYÓNA. Go, go, honey, and I'll set to work! I'll go down myself and
+dig! Where has he thrown the spade to? [Finds the spade, and goes down
+into the cellar] Anísya, come here! Hold the light, will you?
+
+ANÍSYA. And what of him?
+
+MATRYÓNA. He's so frightened! You've been too hard with him. Leave him
+alone, he'll come to his senses. God help him! I'll set to work myself.
+Put the lantern down here. I can see.
+
+    Matryóna disappears into the cellar.
+
+ANÍSYA [looking towards the door by which Nikíta entered the hut] Well,
+have you had enough spree? You've been puffing yourself up, but now
+you'll know how it feels! You'll lose some of your bluster!
+
+NIKÍTA [rushes out of the hut towards the cellar] Mother! mother, I say!
+
+MATRYÓNA [puts out her head] What is it, sonnie?
+
+NIKÍTA [listening] Don't bury it, it's alive! Don't you hear? Alive!
+There--it's whimpering! There ... quite plain!
+
+MATRYÓNA. How can it whimper? Why, you've flattened it into a pancake!
+The whole head is smashed to bits!
+
+NIKÍTA. What is it then? [Stops his ears] It's still whimpering! I am
+lost! Lost! What have they done with me?... Where shall I go? [Sits down
+on the step].
+
+
+                                Curtain.
+
+
+VARIATION
+
+    Instead of the end of Act IV. (from the words, "ANÍSYA. I'll find
+    one. I know how to do it. [Exit]") the following variation may be
+    read, and is the one usually acted.
+
+
+SCENE 2.
+
+    The interior of the hut as in Act I.
+
+    Nan lies on the bench, and is covered with a coat. Mítritch is
+    sitting on the oven smoking.
+
+MÍTRITCH. Dear me! How they've made the place smell! Drat 'em! They've
+been spilling the fine stuff. Even tobacco don't get rid of the smell!
+It keeps tickling one's nose so. Oh Lord! But it's bedtime, I guess.
+[Approaches the lamp to put it out].
+
+NAN [jumps up, and remains sitting up] Daddy dear,[7] don't put it out!
+
+  [7] Nan calls Mítritch "daddy" merely as a term of endearment.
+
+MÍTRITCH. Not put it out? Why?
+
+NAN. Didn't you hear them making a row in the yard? [Listens] D'you
+hear, there in the barn again now?
+
+MÍTRITCH. What's that to you? I guess no one's asked you to mind! Lie
+down and sleep! And I'll turn down the light. [Turns down lamp].
+
+NAN. Daddy darling! Don't put it right out; leave a little bit if only
+as big as a mouse's eye, else it's so frightening!
+
+MÍTRITCH [laughs] All right, all right. [Sits down by her] What's there
+to be afraid of?
+
+NAN. How can one help being frightened, daddy! Sister did go on so! She
+was beating her head against the box! [Whispers] You know, I know ... a
+little baby is going to be born.... It's already born, I think....
+
+MÍTRITCH. Eh, what a little busybody it is! May the frogs kick her! Must
+needs know everything. Lie down and sleep! [Nan lies down] That's right!
+[Tucks her up] That's right! There now, if you know too much you'll grow
+old too soon.
+
+NAN. And you are going to lie on the oven?
+
+MÍTRITCH. Well, of course! What a little silly you are, now I come to
+look at you! Must needs know everything. [Tucks her up again, then
+stands up to go] There now, lie still and sleep! [Goes up to the oven].
+
+NAN. It gave just one cry, and now there's nothing to be heard.
+
+MÍTRITCH. Oh Lord! Gracious Nicholas! What is it you can't hear?
+
+NAN. The baby.
+
+MÍTRITCH. There is none, that's why you can't hear it.
+
+NAN. But I heard it! Blest if I didn't hear it! Such a thin voice!
+
+MÍTRITCH. Heard indeed! Much you heard! Well, if you know,--why then it
+was just such a little girl as you that the bogey popped into his bag
+and made off with.
+
+NAN. What bogey?
+
+MÍTRITCH. Why, just his very self! [Climbs up on to the oven] The oven
+is beautifully warm to-night. Quite a treat! Oh Lord! Gracious Nicholas!
+
+NAN. Daddy! are you going to sleep?
+
+MÍTRITCH. What else? Do you think I'm going to sing songs?
+
+    Silence.
+
+NAN. Daddy! Daddy, I say! They are digging! they're digging--don't you
+hear? Blest if they're not, they're digging!
+
+MÍTRITCH. What are you dreaming about? Digging! Digging in the night!
+Who's digging? The cow's rubbing herself, that's all. Digging indeed! Go
+to sleep I tell you, else I'll just put out the light!
+
+NAN. Daddy darling, don't put it out! I won't ... truly, truly, I won't.
+It's so frightful!
+
+MÍTRITCH. Frightful? Don't be afraid and then it won't be frightful.
+Look at her, she's afraid, and then says it's frightful. How can it help
+being frightful if you are afraid? Eh, what a stupid little girl!
+
+    Silence. The cricket chirps.
+
+NAN [whispers] Daddy! I say, daddy! Are you asleep?
+
+MÍTRITCH. Now then, what d'you want?
+
+NAN. What's the bogey like?
+
+MÍTRITCH. Why, like this! When he finds such a one as you, who won't
+sleep, he comes with a sack and pops the girl into it, then in he gets
+himself, head and all, lifts her dress, and gives her a fine whipping!
+
+NAN. What with?
+
+MÍTRITCH. He takes a birch-broom with him.
+
+NAN. But he can't see there--inside the sack!
+
+MÍTRITCH. He'll see, no fear!
+
+NAN. But I'll bite him.
+
+MÍTRITCH. No, friend, him you can't bite!
+
+NAN. Daddy, there's some one coming! Who is it? Oh gracious goodness!
+Who can it be?
+
+MÍTRITCH. Well, if some one's coming, let them come! What's the matter
+with you? I suppose it's your mother!
+
+    Enter Anísya.
+
+ANÍSYA. Nan! [Nan pretends to be asleep] Mítritch!
+
+MÍTRITCH. What?
+
+ANÍSYA. What's the lamp burning for? We are going to sleep in the
+summer-hut.
+
+MÍTRITCH. Why, you see I've only just got straight. I'll put the light
+out all right.
+
+ANÍSYA [rummages in her box and grumbles] When a thing's wanted one
+never can find it!
+
+MÍTRITCH. Why, what is it you are looking for?
+
+ANÍSYA. I'm looking for a cross. Suppose it were to die unbaptized! It
+would be a sin, you know!
+
+MÍTRITCH. Of course it would! Everything in due order.... Have you found
+it?
+
+ANÍSYA. Yes, I've found it. [Exit].
+
+MÍTRITCH. That's right, else I'd have lent her mine. Oh Lord!
+
+NAN [jumps up trembling] Oh, oh, daddy! Don't go to sleep; for goodness'
+sake, don't! It's so frightful!
+
+MÍTRITCH. What's frightful?
+
+NAN. It will die--the little baby will! At Aunt Irene's the old woman
+also baptized the baby, and it died!
+
+MÍTRITCH. If it dies, they'll bury it!
+
+NAN. But maybe it wouldn't have died, only old Granny Matryóna's there!
+Didn't I hear what granny was saying? I heard her! Blest if I didn't!
+
+MÍTRITCH. What did you hear? Go to sleep, I tell you. Cover yourself up,
+head and all, and let's have an end of it!
+
+NAN. If it lived, I'd nurse it!
+
+MÍTRITCH [roars] Oh Lord!
+
+NAN. Where will they put it?
+
+MÍTRITCH. In the right place! It's no business of yours! Go to sleep I
+tell you, else mother will come; she'll give it you! [Silence].
+
+NAN. Daddy! Eh, daddy! That girl, you know, you were telling about--they
+didn't kill her?
+
+MÍTRITCH. That girl? Oh yes. That girl turned out all right!
+
+NAN. How was it? You were saying you found her?
+
+MÍTRITCH. Well, we just found her!
+
+NAN. But where did you find her? Do tell!
+
+MÍTRITCH. Why, in their own house; that's where! We came to a village,
+the soldiers began hunting about in the house, when suddenly there's
+that same little girl lying on the floor, flat on her stomach. We were
+going to give her a knock on the head, but all at once I felt that
+sorry, that I took her up in my arms; but no, she wouldn't let me! Made
+herself so heavy, quite a hundredweight, and caught hold where she could
+with her hands, so that one couldn't get them off! Well, so I began
+stroking her head. It was so bristly,--just like a hedgehog! So I
+stroked and stroked, and she quieted down at last. I soaked a bit of
+rusk and gave it her. She understood that, and began nibbling. What were
+we to do with her? We took her; took her, and began feeding and feeding
+her, and she got so used to us that we took her with us on the march,
+and so she went about with us. Ah, she was a fine girl!
+
+NAN. Yes, and not baptized?
+
+MÍTRITCH. Who can tell! They used to say, not altogether. 'Cos why,
+those people weren't our own.
+
+NAN. Germans?
+
+MÍTRITCH. What an idea! Germans! Not Germans, but Asiatics. They are
+just the same as Jews, but still not Jews. Polish, yet Asiatics. Curls
+... or, Curdlys is their name.... I've forgotten what it is![8] We
+called the girl Sáshka. She was a fine girl, Sáshka was! There now, I've
+forgotten everything I used to know! But that girl--the deuce take
+her--seems to be before my eyes now! Out of all my time of service, I
+remember how they flogged me, and I remember that girl. That's all I
+remember! She'd hang round one's neck, and one 'ud carry her so. That
+was a girl,--if you wanted a better you'd not find one! We gave her away
+afterwards. The captain's wife took her to bring up as her daughter.
+So--she was all right! How sorry the soldiers were to let her go!
+
+  [8] Probably Kurds.
+
+NAN. There now, daddy, and I remember when father was dying,--you were
+not living with us then. Well, he called Nikíta and says, "Forgive me,
+Nikíta!" he says, and begins to cry. [Sighs] That also felt very sad!
+
+MÍTRITCH. Yes; there now, so it is ...
+
+NAN. Daddy! Daddy, I say! There they are again, making a noise in the
+cellar! Oh gracious heavens! Oh dear! Oh dear! Oh, daddy! They'll do
+something to it! They'll make away with it, and it's so little! Oh, oh!
+[Covers up her head and cries].
+
+MÍTRITCH [listening] Really they're up to some villainy, blow them to
+shivers! Oh, these women are vile creatures! One can't say much for men
+either; but women!... They are like wild beasts, and stick at nothing!
+
+NAN [rising] Daddy; I say, daddy!
+
+MÍTRITCH. Well, what now?
+
+NAN. The other day a traveller stayed the night; he said that when an
+infant died its soul goes up straight to heaven. Is that true?
+
+MÍTRITCH. Who can tell. I suppose so. Well?
+
+NAN. Oh, it would be best if I died too. [Whimpers].
+
+MÍTRITCH. Then you'd be off the list!
+
+NAN. Up to ten one's an infant, and maybe one's soul would go to God.
+Else one's sure to go to the bad!
+
+MÍTRITCH. And how to the bad? How should the likes of you not go to the
+bad? Who teaches you? What do you see? What do you hear? Only vileness!
+I, though I've not been taught much, still know a thing or two. I'm not
+quite like a peasant woman. A peasant woman, what is she? Just mud!
+There are many millions of the likes of you in Russia, and all as blind
+as moles--knowing nothing! All sorts of spells: how to stop the
+cattle-plague with a plough, and how to cure children by putting them
+under the perches in the hen-house! That's what they know!
+
+NAN. Yes, mother also did that!
+
+MÍTRITCH. Yes,--there it is,--just so! So many millions of girls and
+women, and all like beasts in a forest! As she grows up, so she dies!
+Never sees anything; never hears anything. A peasant,--he may learn
+something at the pub, or maybe in prison, or in the army,--as I did. But
+a woman? Let alone about God, she doesn't even know rightly what Friday
+it is! Friday! Friday! But ask her what's Friday? She don't know!
+They're like blind puppies, creeping about and poking their noses into
+the dung-heap.... All they know are their silly songs. Ho, ho, ho, ho!
+But what they mean by ho-ho, they don't know themselves!
+
+NAN. But I, daddy, I do know half the Lord's Prayer!
+
+MÍTRITCH. A lot you know! But what can one expect of you? Who teaches
+you? Only a tipsy peasant--with the strap perhaps! That's all the
+teaching you get! I don't know who'll have to answer for you. For a
+recruit, the drill-sergeant or the corporal has to answer; but for the
+likes of you there's no one responsible! Just as the cattle that have no
+herdsman are the most mischievous, so with you women--you are the
+stupidest class! The most foolish class is yours!
+
+NAN. Then what's one to do?
+
+MÍTRITCH. That's what one has to do.... You just cover up your head and
+sleep! Oh Lord!
+
+    Silence. The cricket chirps.
+
+NAN [jumps up] Daddy! Some one's screaming awfully! Blest if some one
+isn't screaming! Daddy darling, it's coming here!
+
+MÍTRITCH. Cover up your head, I tell you!
+
+    Enter Nikíta, followed by Matryóna.
+
+NIKÍTA. What have they done with me? What have they done with me?
+
+MATRYÓNA. Have a drop, honey; have a drop of drink! What's the matter?
+[Fetches the spirits and sets the bottle before him].
+
+NIKÍTA. Give it here! Perhaps the drink will help me!
+
+MATRYÓNA. Mind! They're not asleep! Here you are, have a drop!
+
+NIKÍTA. What does it all mean? Why did you plan it? You might have taken
+it somewhere!
+
+MATRYÓNA [whispers] Sit still a bit and drink a little more, or have a
+smoke. It will ease your thoughts!
+
+NIKÍTA. My own mother! My turn seems to have come! How it began to
+whimper, and how the little bones crunched ... krr ... I'm not a man
+now!
+
+MATRYÓNA. Eh, now, what's the use of talking so silly! Of course it does
+seem fearsome at night, but wait till the daylight comes, and a day or
+two passes, and you'll forget to think of it! [Goes up to Nikíta and
+puts her hand on his shoulder].
+
+NIKÍTA. Go away from me! What have you done with me?
+
+MATRYÓNA. Come, come, sonnie! Now really, what's the matter with you?
+[Takes his hand].
+
+NIKÍTA. Go away from me! I'll kill you! It's all one to me now! I'll
+kill you!
+
+MATRYÓNA. Oh, oh, how frightened he's got! You should go and have a
+sleep now!
+
+NIKÍTA. I have nowhere to go; I'm lost!
+
+MATRYÓNA [shaking her head] Oh, oh, I'd better go and tidy things up.
+He'll sit and rest a bit, and it will pass! [Exit].
+
+    Nikíta sits with his face in his hands. Mítritch and Nan seem
+    stunned.
+
+NIKÍTA. It's whining! It's whining! It is really--there, there, quite
+plain! She'll bury it, really she will! [Runs to the door] Mother, don't
+bury it, it's alive....
+
+    Enter Matryóna.
+
+MATRYÓNA [whispers] Now then, what is it? Heaven help you! Why won't you
+get to rest? How can it be alive? All its bones are crushed!
+
+NIKÍTA. Give me more drink! [Drinks].
+
+MATRYÓNA. Now go, sonnie. You'll fall asleep now all right.
+
+NIKÍTA [stands listening] Still alive ... there ... it's whining! Don't
+you hear?... There!
+
+MATRYÓNA [whispers] No! I tell you!
+
+NIKÍTA. Mother! My own mother! I've ruined my life! What have you done
+with me? Where am I to go? [Runs out of the hut; Matryóna follows him].
+
+NAN. Daddy dear, darling, they've smothered it!
+
+MÍTRITCH [angrily] Go to sleep, I tell you! Oh dear, may the frogs kick
+you! I'll give it to you with the broom! Go to sleep, I tell you!
+
+NAN. Daddy, my treasure! Something is catching hold of my shoulders,
+something is catching hold with its paws! Daddy dear ... really, really
+... I must go! Daddy, darling! let me get up on the oven with you! Let
+me, for Heaven's sake! Catching hold ... catching hold! Oh! [Runs to the
+stove].
+
+MÍTRITCH. See how they've frightened the girl.... What vile creatures
+they are! May the frogs kick them! Well then, climb up.
+
+NAN [climbs on oven] But don't you go away!
+
+MÍTRITCH. Where should I go to? Climb up, climb up! Oh Lord! Gracious
+Nicholas! Holy Mother!... How they have frighted the girl. [Covers her
+up] There's a little fool--really a little fool! How they've frighted
+her; really, they are vile creatures! The deuce take 'em!
+
+
+                                Curtain.
+
+
+
+
+ACT V
+
+
+SCENE 1.
+
+    In front of scene a stack-stand, to the left a thrashing ground, to
+    the right a barn. The barn doors are open. Straw is strewn about in
+    the doorway. The hut with yard and out-buildings is seen in the
+    background, whence proceed sounds of singing and of a tambourine.
+    Two Girls are walking past the barn towards the hut.
+
+FIRST GIRL. There, you see we've managed to pass without so much as
+getting our boots dirty! But to come by the street is terribly muddy!
+[Stop and wipe their boots on the straw. First Girl looks at the straw
+and sees something] What's that?
+
+SECOND GIRL [looks where the straw lies and sees some one] It's
+Mítritch, their labourer. Just look how drunk he is!
+
+FIRST GIRL. Why, I thought he didn't drink.
+
+SECOND GIRL. It seems he didn't, until it was going around.
+
+FIRST GIRL. Just see! He must have come to fetch some straw. Look! he's
+got a rope in his hand, and he's fallen asleep.
+
+SECOND GIRL [listening] They're still singing the praises.[9] So I
+s'pose the bride and bridegroom have not yet been blessed! They say
+Akoulína didn't even lament![10]
+
+  [9] This refers to the songs customary at the wedding of Russian
+  peasants, praising the bride and bridegroom.
+
+  [10] It is etiquette for a bride to bewail the approaching loss of her
+  maidenhood.
+
+FIRST GIRL. Mammie says she is marrying against her will. Her
+stepfather threatened her, or else she'd not have done it for the world!
+Why, you know what they've been saying about her?
+
+MARÍNA [catching up the Girls] How d'you do, lassies?
+
+GIRLS. How d'you do?
+
+MARÍNA. Going to the wedding, my dears?
+
+FIRST GIRL. It's nearly over! We've come just to have a look.
+
+MARÍNA. Would you call my old man for me? Simon, from Zoúevo; but surely
+you know him?
+
+FIRST GIRL. To be sure we do; he's a relative of the bridegroom's, I
+think?
+
+MARÍNA. Of course; he's my old man's nephew, the bridegroom is.
+
+SECOND GIRL. Why don't you go yourself? Fancy not going to a wedding!
+
+MARÍNA. I have no mind for it, and no time either. It's time for us to
+be going home. We didn't mean to come to the wedding. We were taking
+oats to town. We only stopped to feed the horse, and they made my old
+man go in.
+
+FIRST GIRL. Where did you put up then? At Fyódoritch's?
+
+MARÍNA. Yes. Well then, I'll stay here and you go and call him, my
+dear--my old man. Call him, my pet, and say "Your missis, Marína, says
+you must go now!" His mates are harnessing.
+
+FIRST GIRL. Well, all right--if you won't go in yourself.
+
+    The Girls go away towards the house along a footpath. Sounds of
+    songs and tambourine.
+
+MARÍNA [alone, stands thinking] I might go in, but I don't like to,
+because I have not met him since that day he threw me over. It's more
+than a year now. But I'd have liked to have a peep and see how he lives
+with his Anísya. People say they don't get on. She's a coarse woman, and
+with a character of her own. I should think he's remembered me more
+than once. He's been caught by the idea of a comfortable life and has
+changed me for it. But, God help him, I don't cherish ill-will! Then it
+hurt! Oh dear, it was pain! But now it's worn away and been forgotten.
+But I'd like to have seen him. [Looks towards hut and sees Nikíta] Look
+there! Why, he is coming here! Have the girls told him? How's it he has
+left his guests? I'll go away! [Nikíta approaches, hanging his head
+down, swinging his arms, and muttering] And how sullen he looks!
+
+NIKÍTA [sees and recognises Marína] Marína, dearest friend, little
+Marína, what do you want?
+
+MARÍNA. I have come for my old man.
+
+NIKÍTA. Why didn't you come to the wedding? You might have had a look
+round, and a laugh at my expense!
+
+MARÍNA. What have I to laugh at? I've come for my husband.
+
+NIKÍTA. Ah, Marína dear! [Tries to embrace her].
+
+MARÍNA [steps angrily aside] You'd better drop that sort of thing,
+Nikíta! What has been, is past! I've come for my husband. Is he in your
+house?
+
+NIKÍTA. So I must not remember the past? You won't let me?
+
+MARÍNA. It's no use recalling the past! What used to be is over now!
+
+NIKÍTA. And can never come back, you mean?
+
+MARÍNA. And will never come back! But why have you gone away? You, the
+master,--and to go away from the feast!
+
+NIKÍTA [sits down on the straw] Why have I gone away? Eh, if you knew,
+if you had any idea ... I'm dull, Marína, so dull that I wish my eyes
+would not see! I rose from the table and left them, to get away from the
+people. If I could only avoid seeing any one!
+
+MARÍNA [coming nearer to him] How's that?
+
+NIKÍTA. This is how it is: when I eat, it's there! When I drink, it's
+there! When I sleep, it's there! I'm so sick of it--so sick! But it's
+chiefly because I'm all alone that I'm so sick, little Marína. I have no
+one to share my trouble.
+
+MARÍNA. You can't live your life without trouble, Nikíta. However, I've
+wept over mine and wept it away.
+
+NIKÍTA. The former, the old trouble! Ah, dear friend, you've wept yours
+away, and I've got mine up to there! [Puts his hand to his throat].
+
+MARÍNA. But why?
+
+NIKÍTA. Why, I'm sick of my whole life! I am sick of myself! Ah, Marína,
+why did you not know how to keep me? You've ruined me, and yourself too!
+Is this life?
+
+MARÍNA [stands by the barn crying, but restrains herself] I do not
+complain of my life, Nikíta! God grant every one a life like mine. I do
+not complain. I confessed to my old man at the time, and he forgave me.
+And he does not reproach me. I'm not discontented with my life. The old
+man is quiet, and is fond of me, and I keep his children clothed and
+washed! He is really kind to me. Why should I complain? It seems God
+willed it so. And what's the matter with your life? You are rich ...
+
+NIKÍTA. My life!... It's only that I don't wish to disturb the wedding
+feast, or I'd take this rope here [takes hold of the rope on the straw]
+and throw it across that rafter there. Then I'd make a noose and stretch
+it out, and I'd climb on to that rafter and jump down with my head in
+the noose! That's what my life is!
+
+MARÍNA. That's enough! Lord help you!
+
+NIKÍTA. You think I'm joking? You think I'm drunk? I'm not drunk! To-day
+even drink takes no hold on me! I'm devoured by misery! Misery is eating
+me up completely, so that I care for nothing! Oh, little Marína, it's
+only with you I ever lived! Do you remember how we used to while away
+the nights together at the railway?
+
+MARÍNA. Don't you rub the sores, Nikíta! I'm bound legally now, and you
+too. My sin has been forgiven, don't disturb ...
+
+NIKÍTA. What shall I do with my heart? Where am I to turn to?
+
+MARÍNA. What's there to be done? You've got a wife. Don't go looking at
+others, but keep to your own! You loved Anísya, then go on loving her!
+
+NIKÍTA. Oh, that Anísya, she's gall and wormwood to me, but she's round
+my feet like rank weeds!
+
+MARÍNA. Whatever she is, still she's your wife.... But what's the use of
+talking; you'd better go to your visitors, and send my husband to me.
+
+NIKÍTA. Oh dear, if you knew the whole business ... but there's no good
+talking!
+
+    Enter Marína's husband, red and tipsy, and Nan.
+
+MARÍNA'S HUSBAND. Marína! Missis! My old woman! are you here?
+
+NIKÍTA. There's your husband calling you. Go!
+
+MARÍNA. And you?
+
+NIKÍTA. I? I'll lie down here for a bit! [Lies down on the straw].
+
+HUSBAND. Where is she then?
+
+NAN. There she is, near the barn.
+
+HUSBAND. What are you standing there for? Come to the feast! The hosts
+want you to come and do them honour! The wedding party is just going to
+start, and then we can go too.
+
+MARÍNA [going towards her husband] I didn't want to go in.
+
+HUSBAND. Come on, I tell you! You'll drink a glass to our nephew Peter's
+health, the rascal! Else the hosts might take offence! There's plenty of
+time for our business. [Marína's husband puts his arm around her, and
+goes reeling out with her].
+
+NIKÍTA [rises and sits down on the straw] Ah, now that I've seen her,
+life seems more sickening than ever! It was only with her that I ever
+really lived! I've ruined my life for nothing! I've done for myself!
+[Lies down] Where can I go? If mother earth would but open and swallow
+me!
+
+NAN [sees Nikíta, and runs towards him] Daddy, I say, daddy! They're
+looking for you! Her godfather and all of them have already blessed her.
+Truly they have, they're getting cross!
+
+NIKÍTA [aside] Where can I go to?
+
+NAN. What? What are you saying?
+
+NIKÍTA. I'm not saying anything! Don't bother!
+
+NAN. Daddy! Come, I say! [Nikíta is silent, Nan pulls him by the hand]
+Dad, go and bless them! My word, they're angry, they're grumbling!
+
+NIKÍTA [drags away his hand] Leave me alone!
+
+NAN. Now then!
+
+NIKÍTA [threatens her with the rope] Go, I say! I'll give it you!
+
+NAN. Then I'll send mother! [Runs away].
+
+NIKÍTA [rises] How can I go? How can I take the holy icón in my hands?
+How am I to look her in the face! [Lies down again] Oh, if there were a
+hole in the ground, I'd jump in! No one should see me, and I should see
+no one! [Rises again] No, I shan't go ... May they all go to the devil,
+I shan't go! [Takes the rope and makes a noose, and tries it on his
+neck] That's the way!
+
+    Enter Matryóna. Nikíta sees his mother, takes the rope off his neck,
+    and again lies down in the straw.
+
+MATRYÓNA [comes in hurriedly] Nikíta! Nikíta, I say! He don't even
+answer! Nikíta, what's the matter? Have you had a drop too much? Come,
+Nikíta dear; come, honey! The people are tired of waiting.
+
+NIKÍTA. Oh dear, what have you done with me? I'm a lost man!
+
+MATRYÓNA. But what is the matter then? Come, my own; come, give them
+your blessing, as is proper and honourable, and then it'll all be over!
+Why, the people are waiting!
+
+NIKÍTA. How can I give blessings?
+
+MATRYÓNA. Why, in the usual way! Don't you know?
+
+NIKÍTA. I know, I know! But who is it I am to bless? What have I done to
+her?
+
+MATRYÓNA. What have you done? Eh, now he's going to remember it! Why,
+who knows anything about it? Not a soul! And the girl is going of her
+own accord.
+
+NIKÍTA. Yes, but how?
+
+MATRYÓNA. Because she's afraid, of course. But still she's going.
+Besides, what's to be done now? She should have thought sooner! Now she
+can't refuse. And his kinsfolk can't take offence either. They saw the
+girl twice, and get money with her too! It's all safe and sound!
+
+NIKÍTA. Yes, but what's in the cellar?
+
+MATRYÓNA [laughs] In the cellar? Why, cabbages, mushrooms, potatoes, I
+suppose! Why remember the past?
+
+NIKÍTA. I'd be only too glad to forget it; but I can't! When I let my
+mind go, it's just as if I heard.... Oh, what have you done with me?
+
+MATRYÓNA. Now, what are you humbugging for?
+
+NIKÍTA [turns face downward] Mother! Don't torment me! I've got it up to
+there! [Puts his hand to his throat].
+
+MATRYÓNA. Still it has to be done! As it is, people are talking. "The
+master's gone away and won't come; he can't make up his mind to give his
+blessing." They'll be putting two and two together. As soon as they see
+you're frightened they'll begin guessing. "The thief none suspect who
+walks bold and erect!" But you'll be getting out of the frying-pan into
+the fire! Above all, lad, don't show it; don't lose courage, else
+they'll find out all the more!
+
+NIKÍTA. Oh dear! You have snared me into a trap!
+
+MATRYÓNA. That'll do, I tell you; come along! Come in and give your
+blessing, as is right and honourable;--and there's an end of the matter!
+
+NIKÍTA [lies face down] I can't!
+
+MATRYÓNA [aside] What has come over him? He seemed all right, and
+suddenly this comes over him! It seems he's bewitched! Get up, Nikíta!
+See! There's Anísya coming; she's left her guests!
+
+    Anísya enters, dressed up, red and tipsy.
+
+ANÍSYA. Oh, how nice it is, mother! So nice, so respectable! And how the
+people are pleased.... But where is he?
+
+MATRYÓNA. Here, honey, he's here; he's laid down on the straw and there
+he lies! He won't come!
+
+NIKÍTA [looking at his wife] Just see, she's tipsy too! When I look at
+her my heart seems to turn! How can one live with her? [Turns on his
+face] I'll kill her some day! It'll be worse then!
+
+ANÍSYA. Only look, how he's got all among the straw! Is it the drink?
+[Laughs] I'd not mind lying down there with you, but I've no time! Come,
+I'll lead you! It is so nice in the house! It's a treat to look on! A
+concertina! And the women singing so well! All tipsy! Everything so
+respectable, so nice!
+
+NIKÍTA. What's nice?
+
+ANÍSYA. The wedding--such a jolly wedding! They all say it's quite an
+uncommon fine wedding! All so respectable, so nice! Come along! We'll go
+together! I have had a drop, but I can give you a hand yet! [Takes his
+hand].
+
+NIKÍTA [pulls it back with disgust] Go alone! I'll come!
+
+ANÍSYA. What are you humbugging for? We've got rid of all the bother,
+we've got rid of her as came between us; now we have nothing to do but
+to live and be merry! And all so respectable, and quite legal! I'm so
+pleased! I have no words for it! It's just as if I were going to marry
+you over again! And oh, the people, they _are_ pleased! They're all
+thanking us! And the guests are all of the best: Iván Moséitch is there,
+and the Police Officer; they've also been singing songs of praise!
+
+NIKÍTA. Then you should have stayed with them! What have you come for?
+
+ANÍSYA. True enough, I must go back! Else what does it look like! The
+hosts both go and leave the visitors! And the guests are all of the
+best!
+
+NIKÍTA [gets up and brushes the straw off himself] Go, and I'll come at
+once!
+
+MATRYÓNA. Just see! He listens to the young bird, but wouldn't listen to
+the old one! He would not hear me, but he follows his wife at once!
+[Matryóna and Anísya turn to go] Well, are you coming?
+
+NIKÍTA. I'll come directly! You go and I'll follow! I'll come and give
+my blessing! [The women stop] Go on! I'll follow! Now then, go! [Exit
+women. Sits down and takes his boots off] Yes, I'm going! A likely
+thing! No, you'd better look at the rafter for me! I'll fix the noose
+and jump with it from the rafter, then you can look for me! And the rope
+is here just handy. [Ponders] I'd have got over it, over any sorrow--I'd
+have got over that. But this now--here it is, deep in my heart, and I
+can't get over it! [Looks towards the yard] Surely she's not coming
+back? [Imitates Anísya] "So nice, so nice. I'd lie down here with you."
+Oh, the baggage! Well then, here I am! Come and cuddle when they've
+taken me down from the rafter! There's only one way! [Takes the rope and
+pulls it].
+
+    Mítritch, who is tipsy, sits up and won't let go of the rope.
+
+MÍTRITCH. Shan't give it up! Shan't give it to no one! I'll bring it
+myself! I said I'd bring the straw--and so I will! Nikíta, is that you?
+[Laughs] Oh, the devil! Have you come to get the straw?
+
+NIKÍTA. Give me the rope!
+
+MÍTRITCH. No, you wait a bit! The peasants sent me! I'll bring it ...
+[Rises to his feet and begins getting the straw together, but reels
+for a time, then falls] It has beaten me. It's stronger ...
+
+NIKÍTA. Give me the rope!
+
+MÍTRITCH. Didn't I say I won't! Oh, Nikíta, you're as stupid as a hog!
+[Laughs] I love you, but you're a fool! You see that I'm drunk ... devil
+take you! You think I need you?... You just look at me; I'm a Non ...
+fool, can't say it--Non-commissioned Officer of Her Majesty's very First
+Regiment of Grenadier Guards! I've served Tsar and country, loyal and
+true! But who am I? You think I'm a warrior? No, I'm not a warrior; I'm
+the very least of men, a poor lost orphan! I swore not to drink, and now
+I had a smoke, and ... Well then, do you think I'm afraid of you? No
+fear; I'm afraid of no man! I've taken to drink, and I'll drink! Now
+I'll go it for a fortnight; I'll go it hard! I'll drink my last shirt;
+I'll drink my cap; I'll pawn my passport; and I'm afraid of no one! They
+flogged me in the army to stop me drinking! They switched and switched!
+"Well," they say, "will you leave off?" "No," says I! Why should I be
+afraid of them? Here I am! Such as I am, God made me! I swore off
+drinking, and didn't drink. Now I've took to drink, and I'll drink! And
+I fear no man! 'Cos I don't lie; but just as ... Why should one mind
+them--such muck as they are! "Here you are," I say; that's me. A priest
+told me, the devil's the biggest bragger! "As soon," says he, "as you
+begin to brag, you get frightened; and as soon as you fear men, then the
+hoofed one just collars you and pushes you where he likes!" But as I
+don't fear men, I'm easy! I can spit in the devil's beard, and at the
+sow his mother! He can't do me no harm! There, put that in your pipe!
+
+NIKÍTA [crossing himself] True enough! What was I about? [Throws down
+the rope].
+
+MÍTRITCH. What?
+
+NIKÍTA [rises] You tell me not to fear men?
+
+MÍTRITCH. Why fear such muck as they are? You look at 'em in the
+bath-house! All made of one paste! One has a bigger belly, another a
+smaller; that's all the difference there is! Fancy being afraid of 'em!
+Deuce take 'em!
+
+  [Illustration: THE POWER OF DARKNESS. ACT V.
+
+  NIKÍTA. True enough! What was I about?
+
+  MÍTRITCH. What?
+
+  NIKÍTA. You tell me not to fear men?
+
+  MÍTRITCH. Why fear such muck as they are? You look at 'em in the
+  bath-house!]
+
+MATRYÓNA [from the yard] Well, are you coming?
+
+NIKÍTA. Ah! Better so! I'm coming! [Goes towards yard].
+
+
+SCENE 2.
+
+    Interior of hut, full of people, some sitting round tables and
+    others standing. In the front corner Akoulína and the Bridegroom. On
+    one of the tables an Icón and a loaf of rye-bread. Among the
+    visitors are Marína, her husband, and a Police Officer, also a Hired
+    Driver, the Matchmaker, and the Best Man. The women are singing.
+    Anísya carries round the drink. The singing stops.
+
+THE DRIVER. If we are to go, let's go! The church ain't so near.
+
+THE BEST MAN. All right; you wait a bit till the step-father has given
+his blessing. But where is he?
+
+ANÍSYA. He is coming--coming at once, dear friends! Have another glass
+all of you; don't refuse!
+
+THE MATCHMAKER. Why is he so long? We've been waiting such a time!
+
+ANÍSYA. He's coming; coming directly, coming in no time! He'll be here
+before one could plait a girl's hair who's had her hair cropped! Drink,
+friends! [Offers the drink] Coming at once! Sing again, my pets,
+meanwhile!
+
+THE DRIVER. They've sung all their songs, waiting here!
+
+    The women sing. Nikíta and Akím enter during the singing.
+
+NIKÍTA [holds his father's arm and pushes him in before him] Go, father;
+I can't do without you!
+
+AKÍM. I don't like--I mean what d'ye call it ...
+
+NIKÍTA [to the women] Enough! Be quiet! [Looks round the hut] Marína,
+are you there?
+
+THE MATCHMAKER. Go, take the icón, and give them your blessing!
+
+NIKÍTA. Wait a while! [Looks round] Akoulína, are you there?
+
+MATCHMAKER. What are you calling everybody for? Where should she be? How
+queer he seems!
+
+ANÍSYA. Gracious goodness! Why, he's barefoot!
+
+NIKÍTA. Father, you are here! Look at me! Christian Commune, you are all
+here, and I am here! I am ... [Falls on his knees].
+
+ANÍSYA. Nikíta darling, what's the matter with you? Oh my head, my head!
+
+MATCHMAKER. Here's a go!
+
+MATRYÓNA. I did say he was taking too much of that French wine! Come to
+your senses; what are you about?
+
+    They try to lift him; he takes no heed of them, but looks in front
+    of him.
+
+NIKÍTA. Christian Commune! I have sinned, and I wish to confess!
+
+MATRYÓNA [shakes him by the shoulder] Are you mad? Dear friends, he's
+gone crazy! He must be taken away!
+
+NIKÍTA [shakes her off] Leave me alone! And you, father, hear me! And
+first, Marína, look here! [Bows to the ground to her and rises] I have
+sinned towards you! I promised to marry you, I tempted you, and forsook
+you! Forgive me, in Christ's name! [Again bows to the ground before
+her].
+
+ANÍSYA. And what are you drivelling about? It's not becoming! No one
+wants to know! Get up! It's like your impudence!
+
+MATRYÓNA. Oh, oh, he's bewitched! And however did it happen? It's a
+spell! Get up! what nonsense are you jabbering? [Pulls him].
+
+NIKÍTA [shakes his head] Don't touch me! Forgive me my sin towards you,
+Marína! Forgive me, for Christ's sake!
+
+    Marína covers her face with her hands in silence.
+
+ANÍSYA. Get up, I tell you! Don't be so impudent! What are you thinking
+about--to recall it? Enough humbug! It's shameful! Oh my poor head! He's
+quite crazy!
+
+NIKÍTA [pushes his wife away and turns to Akoulína] Akoulína, now I'll
+speak to you! Listen, Christian Commune! I'm a fiend, Akoulína! I have
+sinned against you! Your father died no natural death! He was poisoned!
+
+ANÍSYA [screams] Oh my head! What's he about?
+
+MATRYÓNA. The man's beside himself! Lead him away!
+
+    The folk come up and try to seize him.
+
+AKÍM [motions them back with his arms] Wait! You lads, what d'ye call
+it, wait, I mean!
+
+NIKÍTA. Akoulína, I poisoned him! Forgive me, in Christ's name!
+
+AKOULÍNA [jumps up] He's telling lies! I know who did it!
+
+MATCHMAKER. What are you about? You sit still!
+
+AKÍM. Oh Lord, what sins, what sins!
+
+POLICE OFFICER. Seize him, and send for the Elder! We must draw up an
+indictment and have witnesses to it! Get up and come here!
+
+AKÍM [to Police Officer] Now you--with the bright buttons--I mean, you
+wait! Let him, what d'ye call it, speak out, I mean!
+
+POLICE OFFICER. Mind, old man, and don't interfere! I have to draw up an
+indictment!
+
+AKÍM. Eh, what a fellow you are; wait, I say! Don't talk, I mean, about,
+what d'ye call it, 'ditements! Here God's work is being done.... A man
+is confessing, I mean! And you, what d'ye call it ... 'ditements!
+
+POLICE OFFICER. The Elder!
+
+AKÍM. Let God's work be done, I mean, and then you, I mean, you do your
+business!
+
+NIKÍTA. And, Akoulína, my sin is great towards you; I seduced you;
+forgive me in Christ's name! [Bows to the ground before her].
+
+AKOULÍNA [leaves the table] Let me go! I shan't be married! He told me
+to, but I shan't now!
+
+POLICE OFFICER. Repeat what you have said.
+
+NIKÍTA. Wait, sir, let me finish!
+
+AKÍM [with rapture] Speak, my son! Tell everything--you'll feel better!
+Confess to God, don't fear men! God--God! It is He!
+
+NIKÍTA. I poisoned the father, dog that I am, and I ruined the daughter!
+She was in my power, and I ruined her, and her baby!
+
+AKOULÍNA. True, that's true!
+
+NIKÍTA. I smothered the baby in the cellar with a board! I sat on it and
+smothered it--and its bones crunched! [Weeps] And I buried it! I did it,
+all alone!
+
+AKOULÍNA. He raves! I told him to!
+
+NIKÍTA. Don't shield me! I fear no one now! Forgive me, Christian
+Commune! [Bows to the ground].
+
+    Silence.
+
+POLICE OFFICER. Bind him! The marriage is evidently off!
+
+    Men come up with their belts.
+
+NIKÍTA. Wait, there's plenty of time! [Bows to the ground before his
+father] Father, dear father, forgive me too,--fiend that I am! You told
+me from the first, when I took to bad ways, you said then, "If a claw is
+caught, the bird is lost!" I would not listen to your words, dog that I
+was, and it has turned out as you said! Forgive me, for Christ's sake!
+
+AKÍM [rapturously] God will forgive you, my own son! [Embraces him] You
+have had no mercy on yourself, He will show mercy on you! God--God! It
+is He!
+
+    Enter Elder.
+
+ELDER. There are witnesses enough here.
+
+POLICE OFFICER. We will have the examination at once.
+
+    Nikíta is bound.
+
+AKOULÍNA [goes and stands by his side] I shall tell the truth! Ask me!
+
+NIKÍTA [bound] No need to ask! I did it all myself. The design was mine,
+and the deed was mine. Take me where you like. I will say no more!
+
+
+                                Curtain.
+
+
+                    END OF "THE POWER OF DARKNESS."
+
+
+
+
+[ Transcriber's Note:
+
+  The following is a list of corrections made to the original. The first
+  line is the original line, the second the corrected one.
+
+about the lass or about yourself Twist them, I mean, to make it better
+about the lass or about yourself. Twist them, I mean, to make it better
+
+daresay the samovár is still hot I'll also go and help a bit.
+daresay the samovár is still hot. I'll also go and help a bit.
+
+NIKÍTA. I don't want it! Put out the light . . Oh, how dull I feel, how
+NIKÍTA. I don't want it! Put out the light ... Oh, how dull I feel, how
+
+SCENE 1
+SCENE 1.
+
+thanking us! And the guests are all of the best: Ivan Moséitch is there,
+thanking us! And the guests are all of the best: Iván Moséitch is there,
+
+  MÍTRICH. What?
+  MÍTRITCH. What?
+
+  NIKÍTA. You tell me not to fear men.
+  NIKÍTA. You tell me not to fear men?
+
+  MÍTRICH. Why fear such muck as they are? You look at 'em in the
+  MÍTRITCH. Why fear such muck as they are? You look at 'em in the
+
+ANÍSYA. Nikíta darling, what's the matter with you. Oh my head, my head!
+ANÍSYA. Nikíta darling, what's the matter with you? Oh my head, my head!
+]
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Power of Darkness, by Leo Tolstoy
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