The Power of Darkness

By Leo Tolstoy.

Translated by Louise Maude and Aylmer Maude.

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Dramatis Personae

Peter Ignátitch. A well-to-do peasant, forty-two years old, married for the second time, and sickly

Anísya. His wife, thirty-two years old, fond of dress

Akoulína. Peter’s daughter by his first marriage, sixteen years old, hard of hearing, mentally undeveloped

Nan (Anna Petróvna). His daughter by his second marriage, ten years old

Nikíta. Their labourer, twenty-five years old, fond of dress

Akím. Nikíta’s father, fifty years old, a plain-looking, God-fearing peasant

Matryóna. His wife and Nikíta’s mother, fifty years old

Marína. An orphan girl, twenty-two 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

Or, If a Claw Is Caught the Bird Is Lost

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, “Goodbye, 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 anyone. 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 icon. 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 hayfork it wouldn’t fetch blood. See if you don’t bury him before the spring. Then you’ll need someone 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 woolgathering; 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.

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 anyone 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 icon, 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 anyone 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 hardworking 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, anyone 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 icon. It was just as if someone 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?”

Reenter 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 stepmother. 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 anyone 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 someone 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! Goodbye, then, if it is to be. Oh, how I loved you! Goodbye 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 lookout!

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 anyone 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 anyone 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 icons.1 They started lamenting and got ready to lay him out.

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 tomorrow 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 samovar 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 tomorrow.

Matryóna
Yes, you had better. And we’ve had a wedding down in our parts.

Neighbour
What, in spring?2

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 stepdaughter an idiot; the old man rotten, sucking her lifeblood. 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 samovar 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 samovar.

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 tenderhearted. 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 samovar? 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 today, 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 samovar 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 everyone 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 today.﻿ ﻿… 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!

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 goodbye 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 samovar 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 samovar’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 today.

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 ﻿…

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 samovar 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. Merrymaking 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 lookout. 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 someone 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 stepfather!

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 today I mean, and some tomorrow; 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 doorpost. 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.

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 samovar with my parent. Go and light the samovar. 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 samovar?

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 samovar. 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 pocketbook, 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 samovar, 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 samovar. 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 samovar 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 samovar. 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, eighty kopecks, oil﻿ ﻿… Father, ten roubles.﻿ ﻿… Father, come let’s have some tea!

Silence. Akím sits on the oven and winds the bands round his legs. Enter Anísya with samovar.

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 wineglass 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.

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 hiccuping.

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 tomorrow. 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.

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 anyone; 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 tenderhearted. 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 stillborn. 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?

Reenter 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 nighttime. 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 the following variation may be read, and is the one usually acted.

Scene II

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!

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 tonight. 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 someone coming! Who is it? Oh gracious goodness! Who can it be?

Mítritch
Well, if someone’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!

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 henhouse! 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! Someone’s screaming awfully! Blest if someone 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 I

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 outbuildings 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 someone. 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

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 anyone!

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 everyone 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! Today 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 icon 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—Noncommissioned 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 bathhouse! 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!

Mítritch
Why fear such muck as they are? You look at ’em in the bathhouse!

Matryóna
From the yard. Well, are you coming?

Nikíta
Ah! Better so! I’m coming! Goes towards yard.

Scene II

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 Icon 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 stepfather 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 icon, 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.

Endnotes

It is customary to place a dying person under the icon. One or more icons hang in the hut of each Orthodox peasant. ↩︎

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. ↩︎

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. ↩︎

Loud public wailing of this kind is customary, and considered indispensable, among the peasants. ↩︎

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. ↩︎

The Foundlings’ Hospital in Moscow, where eighty to ninety percent of the children die. ↩︎

Nan calls Mítritch “daddy” merely as a term of endearment. ↩︎

Probably Kurds. ↩︎

This refers to the songs customary at the wedding of Russian peasants, praising the bride and bridegroom. ↩︎

It is etiquette for a bride to bewail the approaching loss of her maidenhood. ↩︎

Colophon

The Power of Darkness
was published in 1886 by
Leo Tolstoy.
It was translated from Russian in 1919 by
Louise Maude and Aylmer Maude.

This ebook was produced for
Standard Ebooks
by
Weijia Cheng,
and is based on a transcription produced in 2008 by
Bryan Ness, Jana Srna, and Distributed Proofreaders
for
Project Gutenberg
and on digital scans from the
HathiTrust Digital Library.

The cover page is adapted from
Portrait of a Girl,
a painting completed by
Ilya Repin.
The cover and title pages feature the
League Spartan and Sorts Mill Goudy
typefaces created in 2014 and 2009 by
The League of Moveable Type.

This edition was released on
February 4, 2026, 8:16 p.m.
and is based on
revision bd51da8.
The first edition of this ebook was released on
January 20, 2022, 7:35 p.m.
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Uncopyright

May you do good and not evil.
May you find forgiveness for yourself and forgive others.
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