THE POWER OF DARKNESS
OR
IF A CLAW IS CAUGHT THE BIRD IS LOST
A DRAMA IN FIVE ACTS

(1886)

PETER IGNÁTITCH. A prosperous farmer, 42 years old, married for the second time, and not in great health.

ANÍSYA. His wife, 32 years old, loves fashion.

AKOULÍNA. Peter's daughter from his first marriage, 16 years old, hearing impaired, and developmentally behind.

NAN (ANNA PETROVNA). His daughter from his second marriage, 10 years old.

Nikita. Their worker, 25 years old, likes nice clothes.

AKÍM. Nikita's father, 50 years old, an ordinary-looking, God-fearing farmer.

MATRYONA. His wife and Nikíta's mom, 50 years old.

MARÍNA. A 22-year-old orphan.

MARTHA. Peter's sis.

MÍTRITCH. An elderly worker, former soldier.

SIMON. Marína's spouse.

BRIDEGROOM. Engaged to Akoulína.

IVÁN. His dad.

A NEIGHBOUR.

GIRL ONE.

SECOND GIRL.

Officer.

DRIVER.

Best Man.

MATCHMAKER.

VILLAGE ELDER.

Visitors, women, girls, and people come to see the wedding.

N.B.—The ‘oven’ mentioned is the typical large, brick, Russian baking oven. The top is flat, allowing more than one person to lie on it.

THE POWER OF DARKNESS

The Act takes place in autumn in a large village. The Scene represents Peter's spacious hut. Peter is sitting on a wooden bench, fixing a horse-collar. Anísya and Akoulína are spinning and singing a part-song.

PETER [looking out of the window] The horses are loose again. If we’re not careful, they’ll hurt the colt. Nikíta! Hey, Nikíta! Is he deaf? [Listens. To the women] Quiet down, you can’t hear anything.

What?

PETER. Bring the horses in.

Nikita. We'll get them in. Just wait for the right moment.

PETER [shaking his head] Ah, these workers! If I were feeling better, I wouldn’t keep any of them around. They just cause trouble. [Rises and sits down again] Nikíta!… There’s no point in yelling. One of you should just go. Go, Akoúl, and bring them in.

What? The horses?

What else?

AKOULÍNA. Okay. [Exit].

PETER. Oh, but he's just a slacker, that guy … not good for anything. Won't lift a finger if he can avoid it.

ANÍSYA. You're so full of energy yourself. When you're not lounging on top of the oven, you're sitting on the bench. All you're good for is getting others to work.

PETER. If you didn’t push you a little, you’d end up with no roof over your head by the end of the year. Oh, what people!

ANÍSYA. You pile a dozen tasks on someone and then just scold them. It's easy to lounge around and boss others around.

PETER [sighing] Oh, if it weren't for this illness I've got, I wouldn't keep him for another day.

AKOULÍNA [off the scene] Hurry up, come on, woo. [A colt neighs, the sound of horses' hooves stomping and the gate creaking are heard].

PETER. Bragging, that's what he's best at. I’d really like to fire him, I truly would.

ANÍSYA [mimicking him] “You want to take him down.” You hold back, and then you speak.

AKOULÍNA [enters] I did my best to get them in. That spotted one always will…

PETER. So, where's Nikíta?

AKOULÍNA. Where's Nikíta? Oh, he's just out there on the street.

What's he standing there for?

AKOULÍNA. Why’s he just standing there? He’s just babbling.

PETER. You can't make any sense out of her! Who's he talking to?

Eh, what?

Peter waves goodbye to her. She sits down to start spinning.

NAN [running in to her mother] Nikíta's parents are here. They're going to take him away. It's true!

ANÍSYA. Ridiculous!

N/A Yeah. I swear they are! [Laughing] I was just passing by, and Nikíta says, “See you later, Anna Petróvna,” he says, “you have to come and dance at my wedding. I’m off,” he says, and laughs.

ANÍSYA [to her husband] Look at that. He really doesn't care. You see, he wants to quit. “Fire him” sure!

PETER. Fine, let him leave. Like I can't find someone else.

ANÍSYA. What about the money he's already received?

Nan stands by the door, listening for a moment, and then leaves.

PETER [frowning] The money? Well, he can earn it back over the summer, anyway.

ANÍSYA. Of course, you’ll be happy if he leaves and you don’t have to feed him. I’m the only one who will have to work like crazy all winter. That girl of yours isn’t exactly a fan of hard work either. And you’ll just be lounging on the stove. I know you.

PETER. What's the point of wearing out your tongue before you understand what’s going on?

ANÍSYA. The yard is full of cattle. You haven't sold the cow, and you've kept all the sheep for the winter: just feeding and watering them takes up all your time, and you want to fire the worker. But I'm telling you right now, I'm not going to do a man's job! I'll go lie on top of the oven just like you, and let everything fall apart! You can do whatever you want.

PETER [to Akoulína] Can you go check on the feeding? It's time.

AKOULÍNA. The feeding? Sure thing. [Puts on a coat and grabs a rope].

ANÍSYA. I'm not going to work for you. You can go and do it yourself. I've had enough of this, so there!

PETER. That's enough. What are you going on about? You’re acting like a dizzy sheep!

ANÍSYA. You're a crazy dog, you know that? You bring nothing but trouble and no joy. All you do is stuff your face, you useless mutt!

PETER [spits and puts on coat] Ugh! God help us! I should go check it out myself. [Exit].

Scurvy long-nosed jerk!

AKOULÍNA. Why are you cursing at dad?

ANÍSYA. Be quiet, you idiot!

AKOULÍNA [heading to the door] I get why you’re cursing at him. You’re just as much of an idiot, you jerk. I’m not scared of you.

ANÍSYA. What do you mean? [Jumps up and looks around for something to hit her with] Watch out, or I'll hit you with the poker.

AKOULÍNA [opening the door] You foul! You're a devil! That's what you are! Devil! You foul! You foul! Devil! [Runs off].

ANÍSYA [ponders] “Come and dance at my wedding!” What new scheme is this? Marry? Listen, Nikíta, if that’s what you want, I’ll go and … No, I can’t live without him. I won’t let him go.

Nikita [enters, looks around, and seeing Anísya alone approaches quickly. In a low tone] I've got a problem; I'm in a real jam! That boss of mine wants to take me away—tells me I have to come home. He says flat out that I'm supposed to get married and live at home.

ANÍSYA. Fine, go ahead and get married! What do I care?

Nikita. Is that it? I'm here trying to think things through, and listen to her! She tells me to just go marry someone. Why is that? [Winking] Has she forgotten?

ANÍSYA. Sure, go ahead and get married! Why should I care?

Nikita. Why are you acting like that? Look, she won't even let me pet her... What's going on?

ANÍSYA. This! You want to betray me.… If you do, then I don't want you either. So now you know!

Nikita. That’s enough, Anísya. Do you think I’ll forget you? Never as long as I’m alive! I won’t betray you, that’s for sure. I’ve been thinking that even if they do force me to marry, I’d still return to you. As long as he doesn’t make me live at home.

ANÍSYA. I'm really going to need you once you're married.

Nikita. There's a way now. How can you go against your father's wishes?

ANÍSYA. Yeah, I bet you’ll just blame your dad for everything. You know you’re the one behind it. You've been scheming with that girl, Marína, for a while now. She didn't come over the other day for no reason.

Nikita. Marína? What do I care about her? Not much at all!… There are plenty of others around.

ANÍSYA. So, what made your dad come here? You must have told him to. You've tricked me. [Cries].

Nikita. Anísya, do you believe in God or not? I never even thought about it. I know nothing about it at all. I never even dreamed of it—that's for sure! My dad made it all up himself.

ANÍSYA. If you don’t want it yourself, who can make you? He can’t push you around like a donkey.

Nikita. Well, I guess it's not possible to go against your parents. But it's not what I want.

ANÍSYA. Don't move, that's all there is to it!

Nikita. There was a guy who wouldn't move, and the village elder gave him a real beating.… That's what might happen! I don’t really want that kind of thing. They say it gets to you.…

ANÍSYA. Stop with your nonsense. Nikíta, hear me out: if you marry that Marína, I don’t know what I’ll do to myself.… I might harm myself! I’ve messed up, I’ve gone against the rules, but I can’t go back now. If you leave, I’ll…

Nikita. Why should I leave? If I wanted to, I would have left a long time ago. The other day, Iván Semyónitch offered me a job as his driver.… Just think about how different my life would be! But I didn't go. Because, honestly, I believe I'm worth a lot to anyone. If you didn’t love me, it would be a different story.

ANÍSYA. Yes, and that's what you need to keep in mind. My dad will pass away one of these days, I believe; then we can cover up our mistake, make everything right and legal, and then you'll be in charge here.

Nikita. What's the point of making plans? I don't care. I work just as hard as if I were doing it for myself. My boss likes me, and his wife likes me. And if the girls chase after me, that's not my fault, plain and simple.

And you’ll love me?

NIKÍTA [embracing her] There, as you have always been in my heart…

MATRYONA [enters, and crosses herself for a long time before the icon. Nikíta and Anísya step aside] What I saw didn't register, and what I heard went right over my head. Playing with the girl, huh? Well, even a calf will play. Why shouldn’t one enjoy themselves when they’re young? But your master is in the yard calling for you, son.

Nikita. I just came to grab the axe.

MATRYONA. I know, sweetheart, I know; those kinds of axes are usually found where the women are.

Nikita [stooping to pick up axe] Hey, Mom, is it true that you want me to get married? Honestly, I don’t think that's necessary. Plus, I'm not really interested in that.

MATRYONA. Hey, sweetheart! Why do you need to get married? Just keep living your life. It's all about that old man. You should go, dear, we can discuss this without you.

Nikita. It's a strange situation! One minute I'm supposed to be getting married, and the next, I'm not. I can't figure it out. [Exit].

ANÍSYA. What's this all about? Do you really want him to get married?

MATRYONA. Hey, why should he get married, my darling? It’s all nonsense, just my old man’s nonsense. “Get married, get married.” But he’s not considering his audience. You know the saying, “Why should horses stray when there’s oats and hay?” When you have more than enough, why look for something else? And it’s the same here. [Winks] Can’t you see which way the wind is blowing?

ANÍSYA. What's the point of pretending to you, Mother Matryóna? You already know everything. I've messed up. I love your son.

MATRYONA. Oh my, look at this news! You think Mother Matryóna didn’t know? Oh, dear girl, Mother Matryóna's been through it all, time and time again, finely ground! Let me tell you this, my dear: Mother Matryóna can see through a brick wall three feet thick. I know it all, my dear! I know why young wives need sleeping potions, so I brought some with me. [Unties a knot in her handkerchief and brings out paper packets] As much as you need, that’s what I see, and what’s not needed, I don't see or notice! There! Mother Matryóna has been young too. I had to learn a thing or two to deal with my old fool. I know seventy-seven tricks. But I can tell your old man is really worn out, really worn out! How are you supposed to live with someone like him? Honestly, if you poked him with a hay fork, it wouldn’t draw blood. Just watch, you might end up burying him before spring. Then you’ll need someone in the house. So, what’s wrong with my son? He'll be just fine! Then what’s the point of me taking him away from a good situation? Am I an enemy to my child?

ANÍSYA. Oh, I really hope he doesn’t leave.

MATRYONA. He won't leave, dear. It's all ridiculous. You know my husband. His mind is always wandering; yet sometimes he gets an idea stuck in his head, and it’s like it’s been jammed in there—you can’t get it out with a hammer.

ANÍSYA. And what started this thing?

MATRYONA. Well, you see, my dear, you know how much of a ladies' man the guy is—and he’s good-looking too, if I do say so myself. So, he was living near the railway station, and they had a young orphan girl there to cook for them. And that same girl started chasing after him.

Marina?

MATRYONA. Yes, the plague take her! Whether something happened or not, something definitely got to my husband's ears. Maybe he heard it from the neighbors, or maybe she came and spilled the beans...

ANÍSYA. Well, she's quite the daring girl!

MATRYONA. So my husband—the old fool—just takes off: “He must marry her,” he says, “and make it right,” he says. “We need to bring the boy home,” he says, “and he’ll marry,” he says. Well, I tried my best to change his mind, but, oh no, that didn’t work. So I thought to myself, I’ll try something different. You have to play these fools like that, just act like you agree with them, and when the time comes, you turn it to your advantage. You know, a woman has time to think about a hundred things while she’s falling off the oven, so how’s he supposed to figure it out? “Well, sure,” I said, “it would be a good idea—but we need to think it through first. Why not go see our son, talk it over with Peter Ignátitch, and get his opinion?” So here we are.

ANÍSYA. Oh no, oh no, how is this going to end? What if his dad just tells him to marry her?

MATRYONA. Orders, really. Throw his orders to the dogs! Don’t worry; that’s never going to happen. I’ll go to your guy myself and get to the bottom of this—there won’t be anything left of it. I only came here to check things out. Like that’s ever going to happen! Here’s my son living happily and expecting happiness, and I’m supposed to set him up with some loser? No way, I’m not an idiot!

ANÍSYA. And she—this Marína—came trailing after him here! Mom, can you believe it? When I heard he was going to marry, it felt like a knife went straight through my heart. I really thought he cared for her.

MATRYONA. Oh, my dear! You don’t honestly believe he’s so foolish as to care for a homeless person like that, do you? Nikíta is a smart guy, you know. He knows who to love. So don’t worry, my dear. We won’t take him away or marry him. No, we’ll let him stay, as long as you can help us out with a little money.

ANÍSYA. All I know is that I couldn't live if Nikíta left.

MATRYONA. Of course, when you're young, it's not easy! You, a beautiful young woman, having to live with a loser like that husband of yours.

ANÍSYA. Mother Matryóna, can you believe it? I'm so fed up with him, so tired of this long-nosed dog of mine, I can barely stand to look at him.

MATRYONA. Yeah, I get it, it's one of those situations. Just take a look, [looks around and whispers] I went to see that old man, you know—he's given me two kinds of herbs. This here is a sleeping powder. “Just give him one of these packets,” he says, “and he'll sleep so deeply you could jump on him!” And this one here, “This is the kind of herb,” he says, “that if you give someone to drink, it has no smell at all, but its power is really strong. There are seven doses here, a pinch at a time. Give him seven pinches,” he says, “and she won’t have to look far for freedom,” he says.

ANÍSYA. O-o-oh! What’s that?

MATRYONA. “No sign at all,” he says. He took a rouble for it. “Can't sell it for less,” he says. Because getting them isn’t easy, you know. I paid him, sweetheart, with my own money. If she wants them, great; if not, I can give them to old Michael's daughter.

ANÍSYA. O-o-oh! But could something bad happen because of them? I'm scared!

MATRYONA. What’s wrong, my dear? If your husband was healthy and strong, it would be a different story, but he’s not really alive or dead right now. He’s just not meant for this world. These things happen sometimes.

ANÍSYA. Oh, my poor head! I'm worried, Mother Matryóna, that something bad might happen because of them. No. That won't work.

MATRYONA. Sure, whatever you want. I might even give them back to him.

ANÍSYA. So, are they supposed to be used like the others? Mixed in water?

MATRYÓNA. He says it's better in tea. “You can't notice anything,” he says, “no smell or anything.” He’s a sweet old guy too.

ANÍSYA. [taking the powder] Oh, my poor head! Could I have ever thought of something like this if my life weren't such a nightmare?

MATRYONA. You won’t forget that rouble, right? I said I’d take it to the old man. He’s been going through some tough times, too.

ANÍSYA. Of course? [Goes to her box and hides the powders].

MATRYONA. And now, my dear, keep it as secret as possible, so that nobody discovers it. God forbid that it should happen, but if anyone notices, just tell them it's for the cockroaches. [Takes the rouble] It's also used for the bugs. [Stops short].

Enter Akím, who makes the sign of the cross in front of the icon, and then Peter, who takes a seat.

PETER. So, what's it going to be, Dad Akím?

AKÍM. The way I see it, Peter Ignátitch, the best way is… I mean—as it is best. Why? I'm worried about what you call those things, some nonsense, you know. I'd like to, what do you say… to get the kid started right, I mean. But if you’d prefer, what do you say, we could, I mean, what's the term? The best way…

PETER. Okay. Okay. Sit down and let’s discuss this. [Akím sits down] So, what’s going on? You want him to get married?

MATRYONA. When it comes to marriage, he can wait a bit, Peter Ignátitch. You know our situation, Peter Ignátitch. What does he have to marry on? We can barely feed ourselves. How is he supposed to marry then?…

PETER. You need to think about what will be best.

MATRYONA. Why the rush for him to get married? Marriage isn't something like ripe raspberries that fall off if you don't pick them in time.

PETER. If he were to get married, it would be a good thing in some ways.

AKÍM. We’d like to… what do you call it? Because, you see, I’ve got what you might call… a job. I mean, I’ve found a paying job in town, you know.

MATRYONA. And what a great job that is—cleaning out cesspools. The other day when he got home, I couldn’t help but vomit and vomit. Gross!

AKÍM. It's true, at first it seems overwhelming, you know—the smell, I mean. But you get used to it, and then it’s nothing, no worse than malt grain, and then, what do you call it… it pays, pays, I mean. And as for the smell being, you know, it’s not really our place to complain. Plus, we can change our clothes. So we’d like to take, what’s his name… Nikíta, I mean, home. Let him take care of things while I, you know—earn something in town.

PETER. You want to keep your son at home? Sure, that sounds good, but what about the money he's already received in advance?

AKÍM. That's right, that's right! Just like you said, Ignátitch, it's exactly what you call it. Why? Because if you go into service, it's basically like selling yourself, they say. That will work out fine. I mean he can stay and serve his time, but he must, you know, get married. I mean—so: give him a break for a little while, so that he can, you know?

PETER. Yes, we can handle that.

MATRYONA. Ah, but this isn't settled between us yet, Peter Ignátitch. I’ll speak to you as I would before God, and you can judge between my husband and me. He keeps going on about that marriage. But just ask—who does he want him to marry? If it were a girl of the right kind— I don’t wish any harm to my child, but that girl isn’t trustworthy.

AKÍM. No, that's not right! Not at all, I say. Why? Because that same girl—it's my son who has offended, offended the girl I'm talking about.

How offended are you?

AKÍM. That's how it is. She's, what do you call it, with him, with my son, Nikíta. With Nikíta, I mean, what do you call it.

MATRYONA. Just give me a moment, my words will flow better—let me explain. You see, our boy used to live by the railway before he came to you. There was a girl there who kept chasing after him. She wasn’t much to speak of, her name is Marína. She would cook for the guys. And now this same girl is claiming that our son, Nikíta, somehow tricked her.

PETER. That's not good.

MATRYONA. But she's not an honest girl either; she chases after guys like a cheap slut.

AKÍM. There you are again, old woman, and it's not at all what you think it is, it's all really not what you think it is, I mean …

MATRYONA. See, that's all the wisdom I get from my old owl—“what do you call it, what do you call it,” and he doesn’t even know what he means himself. Peter Ignátitch, don’t pay attention to me, but go and ask anyone about the girl, and everyone will tell you the same thing. She's just a lost cause.

PETER. You know, Dad Akím, if that's how things are, there's no reason for him to marry her. A daughter-in-law isn't like a shoe; you can't just kick her out.

AKÍM [excitedly] It’s not true, old woman, it’s what you call false; I mean, about the girl; false! Why? The girl is a good girl, a really good girl, you know. I feel bad, bad for the girl, I mean.

MATRYONA. There's an old saying: “Miriam cries for the world outside, while at home her kids go without food.” He feels bad for the girl, but not for his own son! Why don't you just take her and carry her around? That's enough of this pointless talk!

AKÍM. No, it's not vacant.

MATRYONA. There, don't interrupt me; let me finish what I'm saying.

AKÍM [interrupts] No, not empty! I mean, you spin things your own way, about the girl or about yourself. Twist them, I mean, to make it work better for you; but God, what do you call it, turns them His way. That's how it is.

MATRYONA. Ugh! Talking to you is just a waste of breath.

AKÍM. The girl is diligent and tidy, and manages everything around her... what do you call it? And given our situation, you know, it's important to have an extra pair of hands, I mean; and the wedding doesn't have to be expensive. But the main issue is the offense, the offense to the girl, and she's a, what do you call it, an orphan, you know; that's what she is, and that's the offense.

MATRYONA. Ugh! they'll all spin you a story like that...

ANÍSYA. Dad Akím, you should really listen to us women; we can teach you a thing or two.

AKÍM. And God, what about God? Isn't she just a human being, that girl? What do you call it—she's also a human being, I mean, in front of God. And how do you see it?

MATRYÓNA. Oh!… did it start again?…

PETER. Hold on a second, Dad Akím. You can't believe everything these girls say. The guy is alive and not too far away; call for him and check with him directly if it's true. He wouldn't want to lose his soul. Go and get the guy, [Anísya rises] and tell him his dad wants to see him. [Exit Anísya].

MATRYONA. That's right, my dear friend; you’ve made everything clear, like water. Yes, let the young man speak for himself. These days, you know, you can’t just force a son to marry; you have to ask him first. He won’t agree to marry her and embarrass himself, not for anything. Honestly, I think it’s best if he continues living with you and serving you as his master. And we don’t even have to take him home for the summer; we can hire help. If you could just give us ten roubles now, we’ll let him stay.

PETER. All in good time. First, let's settle one thing before we start the next.

AKÍM. You see, Peter Ignátitch, I talk. Why? Because you know how it goes. We try to make things work out in a way that seems best for us, right? And when it comes to God, we kind of forget about Him. We think we’re doing the right thing, going our own way, and suddenly—we're in trouble, you know? We believe it's going to be better, I mean; and then it ends up being a lot worse—without God, I mean.

PETER. Of course, we shouldn't forget about God.

AKÍM. It turns out worse! But when it's the right way—God's way—it brings joy; it feels nice, I mean. So I think, you see, get him, the kid, I mean, get him to marry her, to keep him from sin, I mean, and let him what do you call it at home, as it’s allowed, I mean, while I go get the job in town. The work is good—it's paying, I mean. And in God's eyes, it's what do you call it—it's best, I mean. Isn't she an orphan? Here, for example, a year ago some guys went and took timber from the steward—thought they’d get one over on the steward, you know. Yes, they got the steward, but they couldn't what do you call it—get one over on God, I mean. Well, and so…

Enter Nikíta and Nan.

Nikita. Did you call me? [Sits down and pulls out his tobacco pouch].

PETER [in a low, reproachful voice] What are you thinking? Have you lost your manners? Your dad is about to talk to you, and you’re just sitting there messing around with tobacco. Come on, get up!

Nikíta stands up, casually leans 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.

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.

Nikita [laughs] Well, that's a good one. What's the issue? And who let you know—did she tell you herself?

AKÍM. I'm asking you, and you need to give me an answer now. Have you gotten involved with the girl, I mean—gotten involved, you know?

Nikita. I’m not sure what you mean. What’s going on?

AKÍM. Fooling, I mean, what do you call it? Fooling. Have you been messing around with her, I mean?

Nikita. Forget about the past! Sure, you have some fun with a cook every now and then to pass the time. You play the concertina and get her to dance. So what?

PETER. Don’t hesitate, Nikíta, just answer your dad directly.

AKÍM [solemnly] You can hide it from people but not from God, Nikíta. You, what do you call it—think, I mean, and don’t lie. She’s an orphan; so, you see, anyone feels free to insult her. An orphan, you see. So you should say what’s right.

Nikita. But what if I have nothing to say? I've told you everything—because there’s really nothing more to say, that’s the truth! [Getting excited] She can say whatever she wants about me, just like talking about someone who's dead. Why doesn’t she say anything about Fédka Mikíshin? And what's up with the fact that you can’t even have a little fun nowadays? As for her, she can say whatever she pleases.

AKÍM. Ah, Nikíta, be careful! The truth will come out. Did something happen?

Nikita [aside] He’s really stuck on this; what a shame. [To Akím] I’m telling you, I don’t know anything else. There’s been nothing between us. [Angrily] Seriously! I swear I’m not moving from this spot [crosses himself] if I know anything about it. [Silence. Then even more excitedly] Wait! Are you thinking of making me marry her? What’s that all about? It’s a total disgrace. Plus, these days, you can’t just make someone marry against their will. That’s crystal clear. And haven’t I already sworn I don’t know anything about it?

MATRYÓNA [to her husband] Look at you, believing everything you hear. He’s embarrassed the kid for no good reason. The best thing to do is let him keep living the way he is, with his boss. His boss will help us out now and give us ten roubles, and when the time comes…

PETER. So, Daddy Akím, how's it going?

AKÍM [looks at his son, clicking his tongue disapprovingly] Just remember, Nikíta, the tears of someone who’s been mistreated never, what do you call it—never land where they should but always, what's the word—on the head of the person who did the wrong. So be careful, don’t what do you call it.

Nikita [sits down] What’s there to worry about? Take care of yourself.

NAN [aside] I need to go tell Mom. [Exit].

MATRYÓNA [to Peter] That's just how it is with my old mumbler, Peter Ignátitch. Once he gets something stuck in his head, there's no changing his mind. We've bothered all of you for nothing. The kid can keep living as he has been. Keep him; he's your servant.

PETER. So, Dad Akím, what do you think?

AKÍM. Well, the guy's his own boss, if only he what do you call it... I just wish that, what do you call it, I mean.

MATRYONA. You don’t even know what you’re talking about. The guy doesn’t want to leave. Plus, what do we need him for at home? We can handle things without him.

PETER. Just one thing, Dad Akím—if you're planning to take him back in the summer, I don't want him here for the winter. If he's going to stay, it has to be for the entire year.

Matryona. And he’ll commit for a year. If we need extra help when things get busy, we can hire someone, and the guy will stay with you. Just give us ten roubles now.…

PETER. So, is it going to be for another year?

AKÍM. [sighing] Yeah, it looks like, what do you call it ... if that's the case, I mean, it seems like it has to be what you call it.

Matriona. It's been a year since St. Dimítry's day. We know you'll pay him a decent wage. But can you give us ten roubles now? We really need some help. [Stands up and bows to Peter].

Enter Nan and Anísya. Anísya takes a seat on one side.

PETER. Well, if that's settled, we could head over to the inn and grab a drink. Come on, Daddy Akím, how about a shot of vodka?

AKÍM. No, I never drink that kind of stuff.

PETER. So, are you having tea?

AKÍM. Ah, tea! Yes, I do indulge in that. Yes, tea is the thing.

PETER. And the women will also have some tea. Come on. And you, Nikíta, go and bring in the sheep and clean up the straw.

Nikita. All right. [Everyone leaves except Nikíta. Nikíta lights a cigarette. It gets darker] Just look at how they hassle someone. They want a guy to spill all the details about how he messes around with the girls! It would take forever to share all those stories—“Marry her,” he says. Marry them all! I’d end up with a bunch of wives! And why do I need to get married? I’m practically married already! A lot of guys are jealous of me. Yet it felt so weird when I crossed myself in front of the icon. It was like someone pushed me. Suddenly, everything fell apart. They say it’s scary to swear to something that’s not true. That’s all nonsense. It’s just talk, really. It’s pretty straightforward.

AKOULÍNA [enters with a rope, which she puts down. She takes off her outdoor clothes and goes into the closet] You could have at least gotten a light.

Nikita. What, just to look at you? I can see you just fine without it.

Oh, come on!

Nan walks in and whispers to Nikíta.

N/A. Nikíta, someone is looking for you. There is!

What person are you talking about?

N/A. Marína from the train station; she's out there, just around the corner.

NIKÍTA. That's ridiculous!

NAN. Blessed if she isn't!

What does she want?

N/A She wants you to come out. She says, “I just want to say one thing to Nikíta.” I started to ask her, but she won't say anything, only asks, “Is it true he's leaving you?” I told her, “No, his father just wanted to take him away and get him married, but he won’t, and he’s going to stay with us for another year.” And she says, “For heaven's sake, send him out to me. I need to see him,” she says, “I must talk to him somehow.” She's been waiting a long time. Why don’t you go?

Nikita. Annoy her! What am I supposed to do?

N/A. She says, “If he doesn’t come, I’ll go into the hut to see him.” I swear she said she’d come in!

Nikita. I doubt it. She'll hang around for a while and then leave.

N/A “Or is it,” she says, “that they want him to marry Akoulína?”

Akoulína comes back, walking by Nikíta to grab her distaff.

Marry who to Akoulína?

NAN. Why, Nikíta?

AKOULÍNA. Seriously? Who's saying that?

Nikita [looks at her and laughs] It looks like people really do say that. Will you marry me, Akoulína?

AKOULÍNA. Who, you? Maybe I did before, but I won't now.

NIKÍTA: And why not now?

AKOULÍNA. 'Cause you wouldn't love me.

Why not?

AKOULÍNA. 'Because you wouldn't be allowed to. [Laughs].

Who would stop it?

AKOULÍNA. Who? My step-mom. She just complains all the time and is always watching you.

Nikita [laughing] Just listen to her! Isn't she adorable?

AKOULÍNA. Who? Me? What’s so cute about that? Am I blind? She’s been at it with Dad all day. That fat-muzzled witch! [Goes into closet].

NAN [looking out of the window] Look, Nikíta, she’s on her way! I swear it’s really her! I’m leaving now. [Exit].

MARINA [enters] What are you doing to me?

Doing? I'm not up to anything.

MARÍNA. You mean to leave me.

Nikita [gets up angrily] What is this all about, you showing up here?

MARÍNA. Oh, Nikíta!

Nikita. Well, you’re odd! What do you want?

Nikíta!

Nikita. That's my name. What do you want with Nikíta? So, what's next? Just leave me alone, I said!

MARINA. I get it, you really do want to ditch me.

Nikita. Well, what’s there to remember? You don’t even know. When you stood out there around the corner and had Nan call for me, and I didn’t come, wasn’t it obvious that you’re not wanted? It seems pretty straightforward. So there—just go!

MARINA. Not wanted! So I’m not wanted now! I believed you when you said you loved me. And now that you’ve messed things up for me, I'm not wanted.

Nikita. What's the point of talking? This is really inappropriate. You've been spreading stories to dad. Now, please just leave, okay?

MARINA. You know that I've only ever loved you. It wouldn't have mattered to me if you married me or not; I wouldn't have been upset. I haven't done anything to hurt you, so why have you stopped caring about me? Why?

Nikita. What's the point of howling at the moon? Just leave. Wow! What a fool!

MARINA. It’s not that you lied to me when you promised to marry me that hurts, but that you’ve stopped loving me. No, it’s not that you’ve stopped loving me either, but that you’ve chosen someone else, that’s what really hurts. I know who it is!

Nikita [comes up to her aggressively] Hey! What's the point of talking to someone like you who won't hear me out? Just leave, or you'll push me to do something you'll regret.

MARINA. What, you’re going to hit me now? Go ahead, hit me! Why are you turning away? Ah, Nikíta!

Nikita. What if someone came in? Obviously, it's not appropriate. And what's the point of talking?

MARINA. So this is it! What’s done is done. You want me to forget everything? Well then, Nikíta, listen up. I held my purity like it was the most precious thing. You’ve ruined me for nothing, you’ve lied to me. You have no compassion for a girl who’s lost both her parents! [Weeping] You’ve abandoned me, you’ve destroyed me, but I hold no grudge against you. God forgive you! If you find someone better, you’ll forget me; if someone worse, you’ll think of me. Yes, you will remember, Nikíta! Goodbye then, if that’s how it has to be. Oh, how I loved you! Goodbye for the final time. [Takes his head in her hands and tries to kiss him].

NIKITA [throwing his head back] I’m not going to talk to someone like you. If you don’t leave, I will, and you can just stay here alone.

MARINA [screams] You’re a monster. [In the doorway] God won’t bring you any happiness. [Exit, crying].

AKOULÍNA [comes out of closet] You're such a dog, Nikíta!

NIKÍTA. What's going on?

AKOULÍNA. What a scream she let out! [Screams].

NIKÍTA. What's going on with you?

AKOULÍNA. What's going on? You’ve hurt her so much. You’ll hurt me too like that. You’re a jerk. [Exit into closet].

Silence.

Nikita. This is a real mess. I'm all charm with the girls, but when a guy has messed around with them, it’s not a good situation!

Closing curtain.

The scene shows the village street. On the left is the outside of Peter's log cabin, featuring a porch in the center; on the right of the cabin are the gates and a part of the yard buildings. Anísya is beating hemp in the street near the corner of the yard. Six months have passed since the First Act.

ANÍSYA [stops and listens] He's mumbling something again. He probably got sidetracked from the stove.

Akoulína walks in, carrying two buckets on a yoke.

ANÍSYA. He's calling. Go check out what he wants, making such a racket.

AKOULÍNA. Why don’t you leave?

ANISHA. Go on, I’m serious! [Exit Akoulína into hut] He’s driving me crazy. He won’t say where the money is, and that’s all there is to it. He was out in the hallway the other day. He must have been stashing it there. Now, I’m clueless about where it could be. Thank goodness he’s too scared to part with it, so at least it stays in the house. If only I could figure out how to find it. He didn’t have it on him yesterday. Now I have no idea where it might be. He has completely drained me.

Enter Akoulína, tying her scarf around her head.

ANÍSYA. Where are you going?

AKOULÍNA. Where? Well, he told me to get Aunt Martha. “Bring my sister,” he says. “I'm going to die,” he says. “I have something to tell her.”

ANÍSYA [aside] Looking for his sister? Oh my poor head! Of course, he wants to hand it to her. What am I going to do? Oh! [To Akoulína] Don’t leave! Where are you going?

Call Aunt.

ANÍSYA. Don't leave, I’ll handle it myself. You go and take the clothes to the river to wash them. Otherwise, you won’t be done by this evening.

AKOULÍNA. But he told me to leave.

ANÍSYA. You go and do what you're told. I’ll get Martha myself. Take the shirts off the fence.

AKOULÍNA. The shirts? But maybe you won't go. He's given the order.

ANÍSYA. Didn't I say I would go? Where's Nan?

AKOULÍNA. Huh? Taking care of the calves.

ANÍSYA. Bring her here. I bet they won't try to escape. [Akoulína gathers the clothes and leaves].

ANÍSYA. If he doesn't go, he'll be mad. If he goes, he'll give the money to his sister. All my efforts will be for nothing. I don't even know what I'm supposed to do. My poor head is killing me. [Continues to work].

Enter Matryóna, with a walking stick and a bundle, dressed in outdoor clothes.

May God help you, dear.

ANÍSYA [looks around, stops working, and claps her hands with joy] Wow, I can't believe this! Mother Matryóna, it seems God has sent the perfect guest at the perfect time.

MATRYÓNA. So, how's it going?

ANÍSYA. Ugh, I'm almost going crazy. It's terrible!

MATRYÓNA. So, you're still alive?

ANÍSYA. Oh, don’t even mention it. He’s neither truly living nor really dead!

MATRYONA. But the money—has he given it to anyone?

ANÍSYA. He's just calling for his sister Martha—probably about the money.

MATRYONA. Well, of course! But hasn’t he given it to anyone else?

ANÍSYA. To no one. I keep a close eye on everything.

And where is that?

ANÍSYA. He won’t come out. And I can’t figure it out at all. He keeps hiding it here and there, and I can’t do anything because of Akoulína. As clueless as she is, she’s always watching and never leaves. Oh my poor head! I’m so stressed out.

MATRYONA. Oh, my dear, if he gives the money to anyone but you, you'll regret it for the rest of your life! They'll kick you out without a penny to your name. You've been worried and stressed your whole life over someone you don’t even love, and you'll end up begging when you become a widow.

ANÍSYA. No need to tell me, Mom. My heart is so heavy, and I don't know what to do. There's no one to get advice from. I talked to Nikíta, but he's scared of the job. The only thing he said yesterday was that it’s hidden under the floor.

MATRYÓNA. So, did you look there?

ANÍSYA. I couldn't. The old man was right there in the room. I've noticed that sometimes he keeps it on him, and other times he hides it away.

MATRYONA. But you, my girl, need to remember that if he slips away once, you won't be able to fix it again! [Whispering] So, did you give him the strong tea?

ANÍSYA. Oh! oh!… [About to respond, but notices neighbor and stops].

The neighbor (a woman) walks past the hut and hears a call from inside.

NEIGHBOR [to Anísya] Hey, Anísya! Hey, Anísya! I think your dad is calling you.

ANISYA. That's how he always coughs—like he's shouting. He's getting really bad.

Neighbor [approaches Matryóna] How’s it going, grandma? Did you travel far?

MATRYONA. Just came from home, dear. I came to see my son. I brought him some shirts—I can’t help but think about these things, you know, when it’s your own child.

Neighbor. Yes, that’s always the case. [To Anísya] I was considering starting to bleach the linens, but it’s a bit early; no one has started yet.

ANÍSYA. What's the rush?

MATRYÓNA. So, has he had communion?

ANÍSYA. Oh wow, the priest came by yesterday.

Neighbor. I saw him yesterday. Goodness! It's a wonder his body and soul are still connected. And, oh man, the other day he looked like he was on his last breath, so they put him under the holy icons.[1] They started crying and got ready to prepare him for burial.

ANÍSYA. He regained consciousness and is moving around again.

MATRYONA. So, is he getting last rites?

ANÍSYA. The neighbors suggest it. If he makes it until tomorrow, we'll call for the priest.

Neighbor. Oh, Anísya dear, I bet your heart is feeling heavy. As the saying goes, “It's not the one who's sick in bed who's truly ill, but the one who sits and waits in fear.”

ANÍSYA. Yeah, if it was just one way or another!

Neighbor. Yeah, that's true, going through a year of that is no joke. You feel completely trapped like that.

MATRYONA. Ah, but being a widow is tough too. It’s okay while you’re young, but who will take care of you when you’re old? Oh yes, old age isn't enjoyable. Just look at me. I haven't walked far, and yet my feet are so sore I don't know how to stand. Where's my son?

ANÍSYA. Plowing. But come on in and we'll get the samovar ready; the tea will perk you up again.

MATRYÓNA [sitting down] Yes, it's true, I'm all dressed up, my dears. When it comes to the last rites, that's definitely needed. Plus, they say it's good for the soul.

ANÍSYA. Yes, we'll send it tomorrow.

MATRYONA. Yes, you really should. And we had a wedding in our area.

NEIGHBOUR. What, in spring? __A_TAG_PLACEHOLDER_0__

MATRYÓNA. Ah, if it were a poor guy, then, as the saying goes, it's never a good time for a poor guy to get married. But it's Simon Matvéyitch; he’s married that Marína.

What luck for her!

Neighbor. He's lost his spouse. I guess he has kids?

MATRYONA. Four of them. What good girl would want him! Well, he’s got her, and she’s happy. You see, the vessel wasn’t good, so the wine leaked out.

Neighbor. Oh wow! What do people say about that? And he, a wealthy farmer!

MATRYONA. They are doing pretty well so far.

Neighbor. Yeah, that’s true. Who wants to get married when there are kids involved? Look at our Michael. He’s really something, I swear…

Peasant's voice. Hey, Mávra. Where are you? Go and bring the cow in.

Leave Neighbor.

MATRYÓNA [while the Neighbour is within hearing speaks in her normal voice] Yes, girl, thank goodness, she's married. At least my old fool won't be nagging about Nikíta anymore. Now [suddenly changing her tone], she's gone! [Whispers] By the way, did you give him the tea?

ANÍSYA. Don't talk about it. He might as well die on his own. It’s pointless—he’s not dying, and I've just taken on a burden I can’t bear. Ouch, my head, my head! Oh, why did you give me those pills?

MATRYONA. What about the powders? The sleeping powders, girl—why not use them? They can’t do any harm.

ANÍSYA. I'm not talking about the sleeping ones, but the others, the white ones.

MATRYONA. Well, sweetie, those powders are medicine.

ANÍSYA [sighs] I get it, but it’s still scary. Even so, he’s made me really anxious.

MATRYONA. So, did you use a lot?

I gave two doses.

MATRYÓNA. Anything stand out?

ANÍSYA. I tried the tea myself—it's a bit bitter. And he drank it with the tea and said, “Even tea makes me sick,” and I replied, “Everything tastes bitter when you’re not feeling well.” But I felt really scared, mom.

MATRYONA. Don't overthink it. The more you think, the worse it gets.

ANÍSYA. I wish you had never given them to me and made me sin. Whenever I think about it, it feels like my heart is being shredded. Oh, why did you have to give them to me?

MATRYONA. What do you mean, honey? God help you! Why are you putting this on me? Listen, girl, don't go mixing up the sick with the healthy. If anything happens, I’m not involved! I know nothing! I'm not aware of anything! I'll kiss the cross; I never gave you any kind of medicine, never saw any, never heard of any, and I never knew those kinds of medicines existed. You need to think about yourself, girl. We were just talking about you the other day. “Poor thing, what torture she’s going through. The stepdaughter is clueless; the old man is draining her dry. What wouldn’t someone do in her situation!”

ANÍSYA. I won’t deny it. A life like mine could drive someone to do worse. It could push you to hang yourself or strangle him. Is this even a life?

MATRYONA. That's the thing. There's no time to just stand around staring; the money needs to be found one way or another, and then he has to have his tea.

ANÍSYA. Oh, my head, my head! I can't figure out what to do. I'm so scared; he better just die on his own. I don't want that on my conscience.

MATRYÓNA [viciously] And why isn’t he showing the money? Does he plan to take it with him? Is no one else supposed to have it? Is that how it is? God forbid that such a huge amount would be wasted for nothing. Isn't that a sin? What’s he doing? Is he even worth our attention?

ANÍSYA. I don't know anything. He has worried me to death.

MATRYONA. What is it that you don’t understand? The situation is straightforward. If you mess up now, you’ll regret it for the rest of your life. He’ll hand the money to his sister, and you’ll end up with nothing.

ANÍSYA. Oh no! Yes, he did ask for her—I have to go.

MATRYONA. Just wait a moment and light the samovar first. We’ll make him some tea and search him together—we’ll definitely find it.

ANÍSYA. Oh no, oh no; what if something were to happen?

MATRYONA. What now? What's the point of waiting? Do you want the money to slip through your fingers when it's right there? Just go and do what I say.

ANÍSYA. Well, I'll go and light the samovar.

MATRYONA. Go on, sweetheart, take care of it now so you won’t regret it later. That's right! [Anísya turns to go. Matryóna calls her back].

MATRYONA. Just a word. Don't mention the business to Nikíta. He's not very bright. God forbid he finds out about the powders. Who knows what he would do? He's so soft-hearted. You know, he used to be unable to kill a chicken. Don’t tell him. It would be a real mess; he wouldn’t get it. [Stops in shock as Peter appears in the doorway].

PETER [holding on to the wall, creeps out onto the porch and calls with a weak voice] Why can't you hear me? Oh, Anísya! Who's there? [Sinks onto the bench].

ANÍSYA [steps from behind the corner] Why did you come out? You should have stayed where you were.

PETER. Has the girl gone to find Martha? It's really tough.… Oh, if only death would come faster!

ANÍSYA. She didn't have time. I sent her to the river. Just hold on, I'll go myself when I'm ready.

PETER. Send Nan. Where is she? Oh, I'm that terrible! Oh, death is approaching!

I've already called her.

PETER. Oh no! So, where is she?

ANÍSYA. Where has she gone? I hope she's okay!

PETER. Oh, man! I can't take it. I'm burning up inside. It's like someone is drilling into me. Why have you abandoned me like I'm nothing?… no one to get me a drink.… Oh … send Nan to me.

ANISYA. Here she is. Nan, go see Dad.

Nan runs inside. Anísya goes around the corner of the house.

PETER. Go ahead. Oh … tell Aunt Martha that Dad wants her; say she needs to come, I need her.

Okay.

PETER. Hold on a second. Tell her to come quickly. Tell her I'm dying. Oh no!

N/A I'll grab my shawl and head out. [Runs off].

MATRYÓNA [winking] Alright, pay attention and be quick, girl. Go into the hut and search everywhere, like a dog looking for fleas: check under everything while I search him.

ANÍSYA [to Matryóna] I feel a bit more confident now that you’re here. [Goes up to the porch. To Peter] Should I go ahead and start the samovar? Mother Matryóna is here to see her son; are you going to have a cup of tea with her?

PETER. Alright then, light it. [Anísya goes inside the house. Matryóna walks up to the porch.]

PETER. How's it going?

MATRYÓNA [bowing] How are you, my benefactor? How are you, my dear … still unwell, I see. And my husband, he’s really worried! “Go,” he says, “check on how he’s doing.” He sends his regards to you. [Bows again].

I'm dying.

MATRYONA. Ah yes, Peter Ignátitch, now that I see you, I realize, as the saying goes, “Sickness lives where people live.” You've withered away, all the way to nothing, poor thing, now that I come to look at you. It seems illness doesn’t do any favors for good looks.

PETER. My final hour has arrived.

MATRYONA. Well, Peter Ignátitch, it's God's will, you know. You've had communion, and you'll receive unction, hopefully. Your wife is a wise woman, thank the Lord; she'll ensure you have a proper burial and have prayers said for your soul, all very respectable! And my son will take care of everything in the meantime.

PETER. There won't be anyone to handle things! She's unpredictable. Her mind is full of nonsense—believe me, I know. And my girl is naive and young. I've put the homestead in order, but there's no one to take care of everything. It's hard not to feel that way. [Whimpers].

MATRYONA. Well, if it’s about money or something, you can go ahead and give orders.

PETER [to Anísya inside the house] Has Nan left?

There you go, he remembers!

ANÍSYA [from inside] She went right away. Come on in, will you? I'll assist you.

PETER. Let me sit here for a moment for the last time. The air inside is so stuffy. Oh, I feel awful! My heart feels like it’s on fire.… Oh, if only death would come.

MATRYONA. If God doesn’t take a soul, the soul can’t leave. Life and death are in God’s hands, Peter Ignátitch. You can’t be certain about death either. Maybe you’ll get better after all. There was a man in our village just like that, right on the brink of death…

PETER. No, I feel like I'm going to die today, I can sense it. [Leans back and shuts his eyes].

ANÍSYA [enters] So, are you coming in or not? You really make someone wait. Peter! Hey, Peter!

MATRYÓNA [steps aside and gestures to Anísya with her finger] So?

ANÍSYA [comes down the porch steps] Not here.

MATRYONA. But have you looked everywhere? Under the floor?

ANÍSYA. No, it’s not here either. Maybe it’s in the shed; he was digging around in there yesterday.

MATRYONA. Go, look for him, put in all your effort. Search everywhere, like you're trying to soak it all in! But I can tell he's going to die today; his nails are turning blue and his face looks pale. Is the samovar ready?

Just starting to boil.

NIKITA [comes from the other side, if possible on horseback, up to the gate, and does not see Peter. To Matryóna] How's it going, mom? Is everything okay at home?

MATRYONA. Thank God we’re all alive and have something to eat.

NIKÍTA. So, how's the boss?

MATRYONA. Quiet, he's sitting right there. [Points to porch].

Nikita. Well, let him stay. What do I care?

PETER [opens his eyes] Nikíta, I’m calling you, Nikíta, come here! [Nikíta approaches. Anísya and Matryóna whisper together].

PETER. Why did you come back so soon?

I've finished plowing.

PETER. Have you finished the area beyond the bridge?

It's too far to go.

PETER. Too far? From here it’s still farther. You’ll have to go on purpose now. You could have done it all in one trip. [Anísya, without showing herself, stands and listens].

MATRYÓNA [approaches] Oh, sonny, why don't you put in more effort for your master? Your master is sick and relies on you; you should take care of him like you would your own father, giving it your all just like 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 way, I'm not leaving. He's sending everyone away again; he must have the money on him now, and wants to stash it somewhere.

PETER. Otherwise … o-oh! when it’s time to plant, they’ll all be spoiled. Oh, I can’t take it! [Gets up].

MATRYÓNA [runs up onto the porch and supports Peter] Do you need help getting into the hut?

PETER. Help me get in. [Stops] Nikíta!

NIKÍTA [angrily] What’s happening now?

PETER. I won’t see you again … I’m going to die today.… Please forgive me, [3] for Christ's sake, forgive me if I’ve ever wronged you … If I've sinned in what I said or did … There have been so many things. Please forgive me!

Nikita. What’s there to forgive? I’m a sinner too.

MATRYÓNA. Ah, sweetheart, have some empathy.

PETER. I'm so sorry, for God's sake. [Cries].

Nikita [snivels] God will forgive you, Dad Peter. I have no reason to complain about you. You've never wronged me. You forgive me; maybe I've sinned even more against you. [Weeps].

Peter enters whining, with Matryóna helping him.

ANÍSYA. Oh, my poor head! There's a good reason he's figured that out. [Approaches Nikíta] Why did you say the money was under the floor? It's not there.

Nikita [does not answer, but cries] I've never had anything bad from him, only good, and look at what I've done!

Enough already! Where's the cash?

Nikita [angrily] How am I supposed to know? You go look for it yourself!

ANÍSYA. What made you so soft?

Nikita. I feel bad for him—really bad. He cried so much! Oh man!

ANISYA. Look at him—overcome with pity! He’s found someone to feel sorry for too! He’s been treating you like dirt, and just now he was ordering you to be thrown out of the house. You should show me some pity!

Nikita. Why should anyone feel sorry for you?

ANÍSYA. If he dies, and the money's stashed away…

Nikita. Don't worry, he won't keep it a secret…

ANÍSYA. Oh, Nikíta, sweetheart! He’s called for his sister and wants to give the money to her. This is going to be a disaster for us. How are we supposed to get by if he gives her the money? They’ll kick me out of the house! You need to figure something out! You mentioned he went to the shed last night.

Nikita. I saw him coming from over there, but who knows where he put it?

ANÍSYA. Oh, my poor head! I’ll go check it out. [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 with him. I felt it on a string around his neck.

Oh my head!

MATRYONA. If you don't stay alert now, you might as well forget it. If his sister shows up—then it's over!

ANÍSYA. That’s right. She’ll come and he’ll give it to her. What can we do? Oh, my poor head!

MATRYÓNA. What should we do? Well, look; the samovar is boiling, go make the tea and pour him a cup, and then [whispers] add everything that's left in the paper. Once he's finished the cup, just take it away. He won't say anything, no worries.

ANÍSYA. Oh! I'm scared!

MATRYONA. Don't talk right now, but stay alert, and I'll keep his sister away if necessary. Just be careful not to mess it up! Grab the money and bring it here, and Nikíta will stash it.

ANÍSYA. Oh my head, my head! I don't know how I'm going to …

MATRYONA. Don't talk about it, I'm telling you, just do as I say. Nikíta!

What’s going on?

MATRYONA. You stay here—have a seat—in case someone needs anything.

Nikita [waves his hand] Oh these women, what won’t they get into? They completely mix everything up. They can be so annoying! I’m really going to go and get the potatoes.

MATRYÓNA [catches him by the arm] Stay right here, I'm telling you.

Nan arrives.

ANÍSYA. So?

N/A. She was in her daughter's vegetable garden—she's on her way.

Coming! What should we do?

MATRYONA. There's enough time if you follow my advice.

ANÍSYA. I don't know what to do; I'm completely lost, my brain is all over the place. Nan! Go, daughter, and check on the calves, I'm worried they might have escaped.… Oh dear, I just don't have the courage.

MATRYONA. Come on! I imagine the samovar is boiling over.

ANÍSYA. Oh, my head, my poor head! [Exit].

MATRYÓNA [approaches Nikíta] Alright, son. [Sits down beside him] You need to think about your matters too, not just leave them to chance.

What matters?

MATRYONA. So, this whole situation—how are you going to live your life?

Nikita. How should I live my life? Others are living, so I will live too!

MATRYONA. The old man will likely pass away today.

Nikita. Well, if he dies, may God give him peace! What does that have to do with me?

MATRYÓNA [keeps looking towards the porch while she speaks] Hey, son! Those who are alive need to focus on living. It takes a lot of smarts in these situations, sweetheart. What do you think? I've walked all over for your sake, and my feet are sore from worrying about things. And don't forget about me when the time comes.

Nikita. So, what have you been stressing over?

MATRYONA. About your situation, about your future. If you don't put in the effort early, you'll end up with nothing. Do you know Iván Moséitch? Well, I went to see him too. I visited him the other day. I had something else to take care of, you know. So, I sat down and talked for a while, then got to the point. “Tell me, Iván Moséitch,” I said, “how does one handle a case like this? Let’s say,” I continued, “a widowed peasant remarries, and the only children he has are a daughter from the first marriage and a daughter from the second. Then,” I said, “when that peasant dies, could an outsider take over the homestead by marrying the widow? Could he,” I asked, “marry off both daughters and still be in charge of the house?” “Yes, he could,” he replied, “but,” he added, “it would involve a lot of trouble; however, it could be sorted out with money, but if there’s no money, it’s not worth the effort.”

Nikita [laughs] That's obvious, just pay up. Who doesn't want money?

MATRYONA. Alright then, dear, I laid everything out about the situation. And he says, “First of all, your son needs to register in that village—that'll cost some money. The elders need to be taken care of. And they’ll, you know, they’ll sign. Everything,” he says, “has to be done sensibly.” Look, [unwraps her kerchief and takes out a paper] he's written this paper; just read it, you're educated, you can do it. [Nikíta reads].

Nikita. This paper just needs the elders to sign it. There's no real wisdom required for that.

MATRYONA. But just listen to what Iván Moséitch is telling us to do. “First of all,” he says, “be careful and don’t let the money get away, dear. If she doesn’t get the money,” he says, “they won’t let her go through with it. Money is the most important thing!” So pay attention, son, things are getting serious.

Nikita. What’s it to me? The money belongs to her, so she can deal with it.

MATRYONA. Ah, son, how you see it! How can a woman handle these things? Even if she gets the money, can she really manage it all? Everyone knows what women are like! You're a man, after all. You can keep it under wraps and all that. You see, you've got more sense if anything goes wrong.

Nikita. Oh, your woman's ideas are all so impractical!

MATRYONA. Why is that a bad idea? You just take the money, and the woman will be yours. And if she ever gets feisty, you'll be able to pull the reins!

I'm out of here.

ANÍSYA [looking pale, rushes out of the hut and around the corner to Matryóna] So it was, it was him! Here it is! [Displays that she has something under her apron].

MATRYONA. Give it to Nikíta, he’ll stash it away. Nikíta, take it and hide it somewhere.

NIKÍTA. Okay, hand it over!

ANISYA. Oh, my poor head! No, I should just do it myself. [Goes towards the gate].

MATRYÓNA [grabbing her by the arm] Where do you think you're going? They'll notice you're gone. Here comes the sister; give it to him; he knows what to do. Hey, you fool!

ANÍSYA [pauses uncertainly] Oh, my head, my head!

Nikita. Alright, hand it over. I'll put it away somewhere.

ANÍSYA. Where will you place it?

NIKÍTA [laughing] Why, are you scared?

Enter Akoulína, bringing in clothes from the laundry.

ANÍSYA. Oh, my poor head! [Hands over the money] Hey, Nikíta.

Nikita. What are you scared of? I'll hide it so well that I won't be able to find it either. [Exit].

ANÍSYA [stands in terror] Oh no, what if he …

MATRYÓNA. So, is he dead?

ANÍSYA. Yeah, he looks dead. He didn’t move when I took it.

MATRYÓNA. Go in, Akoulína's inside.

ANÍSYA. Well, I've committed the sin and he has the money.…

MATRYONA. Stop it and go inside! Martha's coming!

ANÍSYA. There, I've put my trust in him. What's going to happen now? [Exit].

MARTHA [enters from one side, Akoulína enters from the other. To Akoulína] I should have come earlier, but I was at my daughter's. So, how's the old man? Is he dying?

AKOULÍNA [puts down the clothes] I don’t know, I’ve been to the river.

MARTHA [pointing to Matryóna] Who's she?

MATRYONA. I'm from Zoúevo. I'm Nikíta's mom from Zoúevo, sweetheart. Good afternoon to you. He's fading away, poor thing—your brother, I mean. He came out himself. “Call my sister,” he said, “because,” he said... Oh my, I do believe he's dead!

ANÍSYA [runs out screaming. Clings to a post, and begins wailing][4] Oh, oh, ah! Who have you left me with, why have you abandoned me—a miserable widow … to live my life alone … Why have you closed your bright eyes …

Enter Neighbor. Matryóna and Neighbor help Anísya by supporting her under the arms. Akoulína and Martha head into the hut. A crowd gathers.

A voice in the crowd. Get the old women to prepare the body.

MATRYÓNA [rolls up her sleeves] Is there any water in the kettle? But I bet the samovar is still hot. I'll go and help a little.

Curtains.

The same hut. Winter. Nine months have passed since Act II. Anísya, dressed simply, sits at a loom weaving. Nan is at the stove.

MÍTRITCH [an old laborer, enters, and slowly takes off his outdoor clothes] Oh God, have mercy! So, the boss still hasn't come home?

ANÍSYA. What’s up?

MÍTRITCH. Nikíta still hasn’t returned from town, has he?

No.

MÍTRITCH. They must have been out partying. Oh man!

ANÍSYA. Are you done in the stackyard?

Mítritch. What do you think? I've done everything just right and covered it all with straw! I don't like doing things halfway! Oh man! holy Nicholas! [Picks at the corns on his hands] But it's time he came back.

ANÍSYA. Why does he need to rush? He has money. Partying with that girl, I bet...

MÍTRITCH. Why shouldn't someone celebrate if they have the cash? And what was Akoulína doing in town?

ANÍSYA. You should ask her. How am I supposed to know what in the world took her there!

Mítritch. What! going to town? You can get all kinds of things in town if you've got the money. Oh man!

N/A Mom, I heard myself. “I'll get you a little shawl,” he says, and bless him if he didn't; “you can pick it out yourself,” he says. And she got all dressed up; she put on her velveteen coat and the French shawl.

ANISYA. Honestly, a girl's modesty only goes up to the door. Once you step over the threshold, it’s like it never existed. She’s a totally shameless person.

MÍTRITCH. Oh my! What’s the point of being embarrassed? While there’s a lot of money, let’s have a good time. Oh Lord! Isn't it too soon for dinner, huh? [Anísya doesn’t respond] I’ll go warm up in the meantime. [Climbs on the stove] Oh Lord! Blessed Virgin Mother! Holy Nicholas!

Neighbor [enters] Looks like your partner hasn't returned yet?

Nope.

Neighbor. It's about time he showed up. Hasn't he maybe stopped by our inn? My sister, Thekla, says there are tons of sledges parked there that have come from the town.

ANÍSYA. Grandma! Grandma, I tell you!

NAN. Yeah?

ANISYA. Hurry to the inn and check! Maybe he went there because he's drunk.

NAN [jumps down from the oven and gets dressed] All right.

Neighbor. So he's taken Akoulína with him?

ANÍSYA. Otherwise, he wouldn't have needed to go. It's because of her that he's dug up all this stuff. “I need to go to the bank,” he says; “it's time to collect the payments,” he says. But it's all her trickery.

Neighbor [shakes her head] This doesn’t look good. [Silence].

NAN [at the door] And if he’s there, what should I say?

ANÍSYA. You only notice if he's around.

NAN. Okay. I’ll be back in a flash. [Long silence].

Oh Lord! Merciful Nicholas!

NEIGHBOR [starting] Oh, he really scared me! Who is it?

ANÍSYA. Why, Mítritch, our worker.

Neighbor. Oh no, oh no, what a scare he gave me! I totally forgot. But tell me, dear, I've heard someone has been trying to win over Akoulína?

ANÍSYA [gets up from the loom and sits down by the table] There was someone from Dédlovo, but it looks like the news got out there too. They started something, but then they backed off, so it all fell apart. I mean, who would really care to?

NEIGHBOUR. And the Lizounófs from Zoúevo?

ANÍSYA. They tried to take a few steps, but it didn't work out either. They won't even notice us.

Neighbor. But it’s time for her to get married.

ANÍSYA. Time and more time! Ah, my dear, I'm so eager to get her out of the house; but it’s just not happening. He doesn't want it, and neither does she. He hasn’t had his fill of his beauty yet, you know.

Neighbor. Eh, eh, eh, what a situation! Just imagine it. He's her stepdad!

ANÍSYA. Ah, friend, they really got to me. They've done such a good job, it's hard to even describe. I, being the fool I was, noticed nothing, suspected nothing, and that's why I married him. I had no idea, but they were already on the same page.

NEIGHBOUR. Oh no, what's happening!

ANÍSYA. It just kept getting worse, and now I can see they’re starting to avoid me. Oh, friend, I was so sick—so done with my life! It's not like I didn't love him.

That goes without saying.

ANÍSYA. Ah, how difficult it is to handle this kind of treatment from him! Oh, how it hurts!

Neighbor. Yeah, and I've heard that he's getting a bit too comfortable throwing punches?

ANÍSYA. And that's not all! There was a time when he was nice after he had a drink. He used to lash out before, but he always cared for me! Now when he's angry, he targets me and acts like he wants to stomp on me. Just the other day, he got both hands tangled in my hair, and I could barely escape. And that girl is more vicious than a snake; it's a miracle the world can handle such wildness.

Neighbor. Ah, my dear, now that I see you, you really are going through it! Suffering like that is no joke. To have taken in a beggar, and for him to cause you so much trouble! Why don’t you take control?

ANÍSYA. Oh, but my love, if it weren't for my heart! The one who left was tough enough, but I could manipulate him however I wanted; but with this one, I can't do anything. The moment I see him, all my anger disappears. I have no courage around him; I walk around like a soggy chicken.

Neighbor. Hey, neighbor, you must be enchanted. I’ve heard that Matryóna is into that kind of stuff. It’s got to be her.

ANISHA. Yes, dear; I think that sometimes too. Oh my, how hurt I feel at times! I’d like to tear him apart. But when I see him, my heart just won’t let me.

NEIGHBOR. It's clear you're under a spell. It doesn’t take much to ruin someone. Just look at you now, at how far you've fallen!

ANÍSYA. Just look at her with those long legs. And what about that clueless Akoulína? She used to be such a messy girl, and just check her out now! Where did all this come from? Yeah, he’s transformed her. She’s become so flashy, so full of herself, just like a bubble that’s about to pop. And even though she’s not the brightest, she thinks, “I’m the lady of the house,” she says; “this place is mine; my dad wanted him to marry me.” And she’s really got a nasty side! God help us, when she gets angry, she’s ready to rip the roof off the house.

Neighbor. Oh man, what a life you have, now that I see you. And yet there are people who envy you: “They’re rich,” they say; but it seems that money doesn't stop the tears from flowing.

ANÍSYA. So much to be jealous of for sure! And soon enough, the wealth will just be wasted. Good grief, he throws money around like it's nothing!

Neighbor. But why, dear, have you been so naive to give up the money? It's yours.

ANÍSYA. Ah, if you only knew everything! The thing is, I made one small mistake.

Neighbor. Well, if I were you, I’d go right ahead and take legal action against him. The money is yours; how dare he waste it? That’s not how things work.

ANÍSYA. People don't pay attention to that these days.

NEIGHBOR. Ah, my dear, now that I take a good look at you, you seem really weak.

ANÍSYA. Yes, I'm really weak, dear, really weak. He's got me in a tough spot. I don't even know anything myself. Oh, my poor head!

NEIGHBOR [listening] I think someone's coming. [The door opens and Akím enters].

AKÍM [crosses himself, shakes the snow off his feet, and takes off his coat] Peace to this home! How's it going? Are you doing well, daughter?

ANÍSYA. How are you, dad? Did you come straight from home?

AKÍM. I've been thinking, I’ll go and see what's his name, go to see my son, I mean—my son. I didn't leave early—I had my dinner, that is; I went, and it’s really snowy, hard to walk in, and so now I'm what you call it—late, that is. And my son— is he at home? At home? My son, I mean.

ANÍSYA. Nope; he went to town.

AKÍM [sits down on a bench] I need to talk to him about something, you know? I mentioned the other day that I could use his help—like I said, our horse is worthless now, our horse, you know? So we have to, what do you call it, find a horse, I guess, some kind of horse, you know? That's why I’m here, you see.

ANÍSYA. Nikíta told me. When he comes back, you two will have a talk. [Goes to the oven] Eat some dinner now, and he'll be back soon. Mítritch, hey Mítritch, come eat your dinner.

Oh Lord! merciful Nicholas!

ANÍSYA. Come eat dinner.

Neighbor. I'm leaving now. Good night. [Exits].

MÍTRITCH [gets down from the oven] I didn’t realize how I fell asleep. Oh Lord! Kind Nicholas! How are you, Daddy Akím?

AKÍM. Ah, Mítritch! What are you, what do you call it, I mean?…

MÍTRITCH. I'm actually working for your son, Nikíta.

AKÍM. Oh my! What do you call … working for my son, I mean. Oh my!

MÍTRITCH. I was staying with a merchant in town, but I spent all my money there. Now I’ve returned to the village. I don’t have a home, so I’ve taken a job. [Gapes] Oh man!

AKÍM. But how's that, what do you call it, or what's his name, Nikíta, what does he do? Does he have a business, I mean besides needing to hire a laborer? A laborer, I mean, to hire a laborer?

ANÍSYA. What business does he have? He used to manage, but now he has other things on his mind, so he’s hired a worker.

MÍTRITCH. Why shouldn’t he? He has money, after all.

AKÍM. Now that's what you call it, that's wrong, I mean, really wrong. That's just indulging oneself.

ANÍSYA. Oh, he's become so spoiled, it's just terrible.

AKÍM. There it is, what do you call it, you try to improve things, and it just gets worse, I mean. Wealth ruins a person, ruins, I mean.

MÍTRITCH. Being overweight can drive anyone crazy; how can you not get messed up by an easy lifestyle? Just look at me; I was living large for a while. I drank for three weeks straight without sobering up. I even wore out my last pair of pants from it. When I ran out of everything, I finally quit. Now I've decided I’m done with that. Screw it!

AKÍM. And where's your partner?

MÍTRITCH. My wife's found her spot, buddy. She's loitering around the bars in town. She's quite the sight; one eye gone, the other one bruised, and her face all messed up. And she's never sober; damn her!

Oh, oh, oh, how's that?

MÍTRITCH. So where is a soldier's wife supposed to go? She has found her true place. [Silence].

AKÍM [to Anísya] And Nikíta,—has he, what do you call it, taken anything to town? I mean, anything to sell?

ANÍSYA [laying the table and serving up] No, he hasn't taken anything. He went to get money from the bank.

AKÍM [sitting down to supper] Why? Do you want to use the money for something else?

ANÍSYA. No, we don’t touch it. Just about twenty or thirty roubles that are due; we need to take those.

AKÍM. It has to be taken. Why take it, the money I mean? You'll take some today, and some tomorrow; and before you know it, you'll have taken it all, I mean.

ANÍSYA. We also have this. The money is all secure.

AKÍM. All good? What do you mean, good? You take it, and it’s what you call it, all good. How does that work? You fill a bin, or a barn, I mean, with a bunch of grain, and keep taking grain from it—will it really stay there, what you call it, all good? That’s, what do you call it, it’s dishonest. You better figure it out, or they’ll pull one over on you. Good, really! I mean, you what do you call it… you take it and it stays all good there?

ANÍSYA. I don’t know anything about it. Iván Moséitch told us back then, “Put the money in the bank. It'll be safe, and you’ll earn interest.”

MÍTРИЧ [having finished his supper] That's right. I've lived with a businessman. They all do that. Deposit the money in the bank, then lie down on the couch, and it will keep flowing in.

AKÍM. That’s strange talk. What’s that—what do you call it, coming in, how’s that coming in, and they, who do they get it from I mean, the money I mean?

ANÍSYA. They withdraw the money from the bank.

MÍTRITCH. Come on! A woman just won't get it! Listen, I'll explain it all to you. Pay attention. Imagine you have some money, and I, for example, have spring coming up, my land is empty, I have no seeds, or I need to pay taxes. So, I come to you. "Akím," I say, "lend me a ten-rouble note, and when I harvest in the fall, I’ll pay you back, and I’ll also farm two acres for you as a favor!" And you, seeing that I have something to rely on—a horse, maybe, or a cow—you say, “No, give me two or three roubles for the favor,” and that's that. I'm stuck and can't manage without it. So I say, “Fine!” and take the ten. In the fall, when I've made my profit, I bring it back, and you squeeze the extra three roubles out of me.

AKÍM. Yeah, but that's what peasants do when they, what do you call it, when they forget God. It's not honest, I mean, it's no good, you know?

MÍTRITCH. Just wait. You’ll see it all comes out the same. Don’t forget how you’ve taken advantage of me. And Anísya, let’s say she has some money sitting around. She doesn’t know what to do with it, and besides, she’s a woman and doesn’t know how to manage it. She comes to you, saying, “Can’t you make some profit with my money too?” And you say, “Sure, why not?” Then you wait. Before summer, I come back and say, “Lend me another ten bucks, and I’ll be grateful.” Then you check to see if I’m not completely drained, and if I can be taken advantage of again, you lend me Anísya’s money. But if I’m all tapped out—can’t even afford to eat—then you see I can’t be used anymore, and you say, “Get lost, buddy,” and start looking for someone else, lending him both your money and Anísya’s and taking advantage of him. That’s how banks work. It just goes around and around. It’s clever, my friend!

AKÍM [excitedly] Wow, what on earth is that like? It's, you know, disgusting! The peasants—what do you call it, the peasants do that, and they know it's, um, a sin! It's just not right, not right at all. It's gross! How can people who have learned... what do you call it...

MÍTCH. That’s exactly what they love! And keep in mind, those who are clueless, or the women who can’t manage their money themselves, they take it to the bank, and there, damn them, they grab hold of it, and with that money, they rip off the people. It's clever!

AKÍM [sighing] Oh man, I get it, what do you call it, being broke is rough, but having money is even tougher! How does that work? God told us to work, but you, what do you call it… I mean you put money in the bank and then just sleep, and the money will what do you call it, will take care of you while you sleep. It's disgusting, that's what I think; it’s not right.

MÍTRITCH. Not right? Hey, buddy, who even cares about that these days? And look how thoroughly they fleece you, too! That's the reality of it.

AKÍM [sighs] Ah yes, it seems like the moment has come, the moment is right. I’ve checked out the closets in town. Look at what they’ve become! Everything’s shiny and slick, I mean, it’s nice, it’s like being inside an inn. But what’s the point of it all? What good does it do? Oh, they’ve forgotten about God. Forgotten, I mean. We’ve forgotten, forgotten God, I mean! Thank you, my dear, I've had my fill. I'm quite satisfied. [Rises. Mítritch climbs on to the oven]

ANÍSYA [eats, and collects the dishes] If only his father would confront him! But I’m too embarrassed to tell him.

AKÍM. What do you say?

ANÍSYA. Oh! it's no big deal.

Nan enters.

AKÍM. Here's a good girl, always on the go! You're feeling cold, I assume?

N/A Yes, I am, really. How are you, grandfather?

ANÍSYA. So? Is he there?

N/A. 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 can be!

ANÍSYA. Do you want something to eat? Here you go.

NAN [goes to the oven] Well, it is cold. My hands are pretty numb. [Akím takes off his leg bands and bast shoes. Anísya washes up].

Dad!

AKÍM. So, what's up?

ANÍSYA. Is Marína doing okay?

AKÍM. Yeah, she's doing fine. The little lady is, you know, smart and reliable; she's getting by and really giving it her all. She's good; the little lady is the kind of person I mean; diligent and, you know, accommodating; the little lady is good I mean, really good, you know.

ANÍSYA. And is there no chatter in your village that a relative of Marína's husband is considering marrying our Akoulína? Haven't you heard anything about it?

AKÍM. Ah, that's Mirónof. Yeah, the women were talking about something. But I didn't really listen, you know. It doesn't interest me; I mean, I don't know anything. Yeah, the old women said something, but my memory’s not great, it’s just not good, you know? But the Mirónofs are, what do you call it, they're fine, I mean they're fine.

ANÍSYA. I'm really eager to get her settled.

AKÍM. And why is that?

They've arrived!

ANÍSYA. Well, don't you start bothering them. [Keeps washing the spoons without looking up].

Nikita [enters] Anísya! Honey! Who's here? [Anísya looks up and turns away in silence].

Nikita [harshly] Who's here? Have you forgotten?

ANÍSYA. Now don't mess around. Come in!

Who's here?

ANÍSYA [goes up and takes him by the arm] Well, look who’s here! Come on in!

Nikita [holds back] Ah, that’s it! Husband! And what do you call a husband? Speak clearly.

Oh, come on! Nikíta!

Nikita. Where did you learn your manners? The whole name.

Nikíta Akímitch! Let's go!

Nikita [still in the doorway] Ah, that's it! But now—the last name?

ANÍSYA [laughs and pulls him by the arm] Tchilíkin. Oh my, what a show-off!

Nikita. Ah, that's it. [Holds on to the door-post] No, now tell me which foot Tchilíkin uses to enter this house!

ANÍSYA. That's enough! You're letting the cold air in!

Nikita. You've got to say which foot he steps with. That's a must.

ANÍSYA [aside] He’ll keep worrying. [To Nikíta] Alright then, go ahead with the left. Come in!

NIKÍTA. Ah, that's it.

ANÍSYA. Check out who's in the hut!

Nikita. Ah, my parent! So what? I’m proud of my parent. I can show my respect to my parent. How are you, father? [Bows and extends his hand] My respects to you.

AKÍM [does not answer] Drink, I mean seriously, what it does! It's disgusting!

Nikita. Drink, what’s that? Have I been drinking? I guess it’s my fault, no doubt about it! I had a drink with a friend, raised a glass to his health.

ANÍSYA. Go lie down, I said.

NIKÍTA. Honey, where am I?

ANÍSYA. Alright, just relax and lie down!

Nikita. No, I’ll have a samovar with my parent first. Go and light the samovar. Akoulína, I’m calling you!

Akoulína walks in, dressed nicely and holding their shopping bags.

AKOULÍNA. Why did you mess everything up? Where's the yarn?

Nikita. The thread? The thread's here. Hey, Mítritch, where are you? Sleeping? Sleeping? Go ahead and take care of the horse.

AKÍM [not seeing Akoulína but looking at his son] Oh my, what is he doing? The old man is all worked up, I mean,—he's been beating— and look at him, acting all high and mighty! Put the horse away! Ugh, what a mess!

MÍTRITCH [climbs down from the oven and puts on felt boots] Oh, merciful Lord! Is the horse in the yard? I bet it's worn out. Just look at how he's been drinking, the devil take him. Up to his very throat. Oh Lord, holy Nicholas! [Puts on sheepskin and exits].

Nikita [sits down] You have to forgive me, Dad. It's true I've had a drink; so what? Even a chicken will drink. Isn't that right? So you have to forgive me. Don't worry about Mítritch, he doesn't care, he'll handle it.

ANÍSYA. Should I really light the samovar?

Nikita. Light it! My parent is here. I want to talk to him and have tea with him. [To Akoulína] Did you bring all the packages?

AKOULÍNA. The packages? I brought mine; the others are in the sled. Hey, take this—this isn't mine!

Throws a package on the table and puts the others into her box. Nan watches her as she puts them away. Akím doesn’t look at his son but places his leg bands and bast shoes on the oven.

ANÍSYA [going out with the samovár] Her box is as full as it gets, and he still bought more!

Nikita [pretending to be sober] You can't be angry with me, Dad. You think I'm drunk? I'm completely fine, really! As they say, “Drink, but stay sharp.” I can talk to you right now, Dad. I can handle any business. You mentioned the money; your horse is worn out—I remember! We can take care of all that. It's all manageable. If it was a huge amount we needed, then we could wait; but as it stands, I can take care of everything. That's the situation.

AKÍM [keeps fiddling with the leg bands] Hey, man, “It's hard to sledge when the thaw has begun.”

Nikita. What do you mean by that? “And it's pointless talking to someone who's drunk”? But don’t worry, let’s have some tea. I can handle anything; that's for sure! I can fix everything.

AKÍM [shakes his head] No, no, no!

Nikita. Here’s the money. [Takes his wallet out of his pocket, goes through the bills, and pulls out a ten-rouble note] Use this to buy a horse; I can't forget my dad. I won’t abandon him, period. Because he’s my dad! Here you go, take it! Honestly, I don’t mind giving it. [Moves closer and pushes the note toward Akím, who won’t take it. Nikíta grabs his father’s hand] Take it, I’m telling you. I don’t mind it.

AKÍM. I can't, you know, I just can't handle it! And I can't really talk to you because you're not acting like yourself, you know what I mean?

Nikita. I won't let you go! Here, take this! [Puts the money into Akím's hand].

ANÍSYA [enters, and stops] You should really take it; he won't leave you alone!

AKÍM [takes it, and shakes his head] Oh! that drink. Not like a real man, I mean!

Nikita. That's better! If you pay it back, great, if not, I won't make a fuss. That's just how I am! [Sees Akoulína] Akoulína, show off your gifts.

AKOULÍNA. Huh?

Show your gifts.

AKOULÍNA. The gifts, what’s the point of showing them off? I’ve put them away.

Nikita. Bring them to me, I’m telling you. Nan will want to see them. Take off the shawl. Hand it over.

AKÍM. Oh no! This is disgusting! [Climbs on the oven].

AKOULÍNA [takes out the packages and places them on the table] Well, here they are—what's the point of just staring at them?

NAN. Oh how beautiful! It's just as good as Stepanída's.

AKOULÍNA. Stepanída's? What’s Stepanída’s compared to this? [Brightening up and undoing the parcels] Just look here—check out the quality! It’s a French one.

N/A. The print is great! Mary has a dress like it, but it’s lighter on a blue background. This is nice.

NIKÍTA. Oh, that's it!

Anísya storms into the closet, grabs a tablecloth and the chimney of the samovar, and heads over to the table.

ANÍSYA. Ugh, stop littering the table!

NIKÍTA. Look here!

ANÍSYA. What am I supposed to look at? Haven't I seen anything before? Put it away! [Sweeps the shawl onto the floor with her arm].

AKOULÍNA. Why are you throwing things around? You should be taking care of your own stuff! [Picks up the shawl].

Anísya! Look over here!

ANÍSYA. Why should I look?

Nikita. You think I've forgotten you? Check this out! [Shows her a parcel and sits on it] It's a gift for you. But you have to earn it! Honey, where am I sitting?

ANÍSYA. Enough of your nonsense. I'm not scared of you. Whose money are you wasting on fancy gifts for your hefty girlfriend? Mine!

AKOULÍNA. Is it really yours? Not a chance! You tried to take it, but it didn’t work out! Move aside! [Pushing her while trying to pass].

ANÍSYA. Why are you pushing? I'll show you how to really push!

AKOULÍNA. Push me? Go ahead, try! [Presses against Anísya].

Nikita. Alright, alright, you ladies. That's enough now! [Steps between them].

AKOULÍNA. Comes barging in! You should be quiet and think about your actions! You think nobody knows!

ANÍSYA. What do they know? Just say it, say it! What do they know?

I know something about you!

ANÍSYA. You're a slut who hooks up with someone else's husband!

AKOULÍNA. And you took yours to the extreme!

ANÍSYA [throwing herself on Akoulína] You're out of your mind!

Nikita [holding her back] Anísya, it looks like you’ve forgotten!

ANÍSYA. You think you can scare me? I'm not scared of you!

Nikita [turns Anísya around and pushes her out] Get out of here!

ANÍSYA. Where am I supposed to go? I'm not leaving my own house!

Nikita. Get out, I'm telling you, and don't even think about coming in here!

ANISYA. I’m not leaving! [Nikíta shoves her, Anísya cries and screams, clinging to the door] What! Are you really going to kick me out of my own house? What are you doing, you jerk? Do you think you can just do whatever you want? Just wait!

NIKÍTA. Alright then!

ANÍSYA. I'm going to see the Elder! To the cop!

Nikita. Go away, I'm serious! [Pushing her out].

ANÍSYA [behind the door] I'm going to kill myself!

No worries!

N/A. Oh, oh, oh! Mom, sweetie, darling! [Cries].

Nikita. Me scared of her! As if! Why are you crying? She'll be back, no doubt about it. Go check on the samovar. [Exit Nan].

AKOULÍNA [collects and folds her presents] That awful person, how she’s ruined everything. But just wait, I’ll tear her jacket apart! You bet I will!

Nikita. I've kicked her out, what else do you want?

AKOULÍNA. She got my new shawl dirty. If that jerk hadn’t left, I would have clawed her eyes out!

Nikita. That's enough. Why are you upset? If I cared about her…

AKOULÍNA. Loved her? She's worth loving, with her ugly face! If you had let her go, nothing would have changed. You should have told her to take a hike. The house was still mine, and the money was mine! She claims she's in charge, but what kind of mistress is she to her husband? She's a killer, that's what she is! She'll treat you the same way!

Nikita. Oh man, how do you even stop a woman from talking? You don’t even know what you’re going on about!

AKOULÍNA. Yes, I do. I'm not living with her! I’ll kick her out of the house! She can’t stay here with me. The mistress, really! She’s not the mistress—she’s just a criminal!

Nikita. That's enough! What do you have to do with her? Don't worry about her. Focus on me! I'm in charge! I do what I want. I've stopped loving her, and now I'm in love with you. I love who I want! The control is mine; she's beneath me. That's where I keep her. [Points to his feet] Too bad we don't have a concertina. [Sings].

Enter Mítritch. He takes off his outdoor clothes and climbs onto the stove.

Mítritch. Looks like the women have been at it again! Pulling each other's hair. Oh man, gracious Nicholas!

AKÍM [sitting on the edge of the oven, takes his leg bands and shoes and starts putting them on] Get in, go to the corner.

MÍTRITCH. Looks like they can't figure things out between them. Oh man!

Nikita. Bring out the drinks, we'll have them with our tea.

NAN [to Akoulína] Sister, the samovar is boiling over.

And where's your mom?

N/A She's out in the hallway standing and crying.

Nikita. Oh, that's it! Call her and tell her to bring the samovar. And you, Akoulína, get the tea set.

AKOULÍNA. The tea set? Got it. [Brings the items].

Nikita [unpacks spirits, rusks, and salt herrings] This is for me. This yarn is for my wife. The paraffin is out in the hallway, and here’s the money. Hold on a moment, [takes a counting-frame] I’ll calculate it. [Adds] Wheat flour, 80 kopecks, oil… Dad, 10 roubles… Come on, let’s have some tea!

Silence. Akím sits on the stove and wraps the bands around his legs. Anísya enters with the samovar.

Where should I put it?

Nikita. Here on the table. So, have you talked to the Elder? Ah, I see! Speak your mind, then take it back. Alright, that's enough of that. Don’t be upset, have a seat and drink this. [Fills a wine glass for her] And here’s your gift. [Hands her the parcel he was sitting on. Anísya takes it silently and shakes her head].

AKÍM [kneels down and puts on his sheepskin, then stands up and places the money on the table] Here, take your money back! Just put it away.

Nikita [does not see the money] Why are you dressed?

AKÍM. I'm leaving, I mean; please forgive me for the Lord's sake. [Takes up his cap and belt].

Nikita. Wow! Where are you heading at this time of night?

AKÍM. I can't, I mean what do you call them, in your house, what do you call them, can't stay I mean, stay, can't stay, forgive me.

Nikita. But are you leaving without having any tea?

AKÍM [fastens his belt] I'm leaving because, honestly, it's not right in your house. I mean, what do you call it? It's just not right, Nikíta. The way you're living is wrong, Nikíta, really wrong—I'm going.

Nikita. Hey now! Stop talking! Sit down and drink your tea!

ANISHA. Dad, you're going to embarrass us in front of the neighbors. What upset you?

AKÍM. I haven’t been offended by anything, really! I just see—well, I see my son, you know, heading for disaster. That’s what I mean, my son is on the path to ruin, I’m telling you.

What ruin? Just show me!

AKÍM. Destruction, destruction; you're right in the middle of it! What did I tell you back then?

Nikita. You said all kinds of things!

AKÍM. I told you, what do you call it, I told you about the orphan girl. That you had hurt an orphan—Marína, I mean, you hurt her!

Nikita. Ugh! He's doing it again. Let's move on … It's all in the past!

AKÍM [excited] Past! No, kid, it's not the past. Sin, I mean, grabs onto sin—pulls sin along with it, and you're stuck, Nikíta, stuck in sin! Stuck in sin! I can see you're stuck in sin. Really stuck, drowned in sin, I mean!

Nikita. Sit down, drink your tea, and get it over with!

AKÍM. I can't, I mean, I can't drink tea. Because of your mess, I feel, what do you call it, I feel really sick! I can't, what do you call it, I can't drink tea with you.

Nikita. Ugh! There he goes again! Come to the table.

AKÍM. You're caught in your wealth just like in a net—you're trapped, I mean. Ah, Nikíta, it's your soul that God wants!

Nikita. Seriously, what gives you the right to scold me in my own home? Why do you keep bothering me? Do you think I'm a kid that you can just tug at? People don’t do that anymore!

AKÍM. That's true. I've heard that these days, kids are pulling their dads' beards, you know! But that’s just messed up, it really is!

NIKITA [angrily] We're managing without your help, and you're the one who came to us with your needs!

AKÍM. The money? There's your money! I'd rather go begging, I really mean it, before I take it, you know?

Nikita. That's enough! Why be angry and ruin the whole vibe! [Holds him by the arm].

AKÍM [shrieks] Let me go! I'm not staying. I’d rather sleep under a fence than be surrounded by your garbage! Gross! God forgive me! [Exit].

NIKÍTA: Here we go!

AKÍM [reopens the door] Get it together, Nikíta! It's your soul that God is after! [Exit].

AKOULÍNA [takes cups] So, should I pour the tea? [Takes a cup. Everyone is silent].

MÍTRITCH [shouts] Oh God, have mercy on me, a sinner! [Everyone reacts].

Nikita [lies down on the bench] Ugh, this is so boring, so boring! [To Akoulína] Where's the concertina?

AKOULÍNA. The concertina? He's thought about it. Well, you took it to get fixed. I've poured your tea. Drink it!

Nikita. I don’t want it! Turn off the light … Oh, I feel so bored, so bored! [Sobs].

Curtain.

Autumn. Evening. The moon is shining. The stage shows the inside of a courtyard. The backdrop features, in the center, the back porch of a hut. To the right is the winter section of the hut and the gate; to the left is the summer section and the cellar. To the right of the stage is a shed. Tipsy voices and shouts can be heard coming from the hut.[5] Second Neighbor Woman comes out of the hut and gestures to First Neighbor Woman.

Second Neighbor. Why hasn't Akoulína come out?

FIRST NEIGHBOR. Why hasn’t she come out? She would have liked to; but she’s too sick, you know. The suitor’s family is here and wants to see the girl; and she, my dear, she’s lying in the cold little house and can’t come out, poor thing!

SECOND NEIGHBOUR. But how does that work?

FIRST NEIGHBOR. They say she’s been cursed by an evil eye! She’s feeling pain in her stomach!

SECOND NEIGHBOUR. Are you serious?

FIRST NEIGHBOR. What else could it be? [Whispers].

SECOND NEIGHBOR. Wow! This is something! But his family will definitely find out, right?

FIRST NEIGHBOR. They figure it out! They're all wasted! Plus, they're mostly after her dowry. Just imagine what they're getting with the girl! Two fur coats, my dear, six dresses, a French shawl, and I don't know how many pieces of linen, and there's money too—two hundred rubles, they say!

SECOND NEIGHBOR. That's nice and all, but even money can't bring much happiness when faced with such a disgrace.

FIRST NEIGHBOR. Quiet!… I think that’s his dad.

They stop talking and head into the hut.

The Suitor's Father comes out of the hut, hiccuping.

DAD. Oh, I'm sweating like crazy. It's super hot! I'll just cool off for a bit. [Stands puffing] Who knows what's wrong—something doesn't feel right. I can't seem to be happy.—Well, it's the old woman's issue.

Matryóna enters from the hut.

MATRYÓNA. I was just wondering, where's the father? Where’s the father? And here you are, my dear friend.… Well, my friend, thank goodness! Everything is as good as it can be! When you’re setting up a match, you shouldn’t brag. And I’ve never been one to brag. But since you’re here for the right reasons, with the Lord’s help, you’ll be thankful to me for the rest of your life! She’s an amazing girl! There’s no one else like her in the whole area!

DAD. That's true, but what about the money?

MATRYONA. Don't worry about the money! Everything she got from her father is hers. And it's more than what you can easily find these days. Three times fifty rubles!

DAD. We don't complain, but it's for our own kid. Of course, we want to get the best we can.

Matriona. I'll be honest with you, friend: if it weren't for me, you would never have found someone like her! They've had an offer from the Karmílins, but I fought against it. And as for the money, I'll tell you honestly: when her father, may God rest his soul, was dying, he instructed that the widow should bring Nikíta into the household—of course I know all this from my son—and the money was supposed to go to Akoulína. Well, someone else might have thought about their own interests, but Nikíta gives everything away! It's no small matter. Just think about the amount!

DAD. People are saying that more money was left to her? The kid's pretty quick!

MATRYONA. Oh, my goodness! A piece in someone else's hand always looks bigger; everything she has will be given away. I'm telling you, throw your doubts aside and make sure everything is okay! What a girl she is! So lively and full of energy!

DAD. That's true. But my wife and I were just wondering about the girl; why hasn’t she come out? We’ve been thinking, what if she’s unwell?

MATRYONA. Oh, wow.… Who? Her? Sickly? There's no one like her in the area. The girl's perfectly healthy; you can't bring her down. But you saw her the other day! And when it comes to work, she's amazing! She's a bit hard of hearing, that's true, but nobody's perfect, right? And her not going out, well, that's due to an evil eye! Someone has put a spell on her! And I know who that witch is! They found out about the engagement and cast a charm on her. But I have a way to break the spell. The girl will be up tomorrow. Don’t worry about her!

DAD. Well, obviously, it's all taken care of.

MATRYONA. Yes, of course! Don't look back. And don't forget me, I've been through a lot. Don't forget…

A woman's voice came from the hut.

VOICE. If we're going to leave, let's do it. Come on, Iván!

DAD. I'm on my way. [Exit. Guests gather in the hallway and get ready to leave].

NAN [runs out of the hut and calls to Anísya] Mom!

ANÍSYA [from inside] What do you want?

N/A Mom, come over here, or they'll hear us.

Anísya walks in and they head to the shed together.

ANÍSYA. So? What’s going on? Where is Akoulína?

N/A. She's gone into the barn. It's terrible what she's doing in there! I'm shocked! “I can't take it,” she says. “I’ll scream,” she says, “I’ll scream really loud.” I swear she did.

ANÍSYA. She'll have to wait. We'll send our visitors off first.

N/A. Oh Mom! She's really terrible! And she's mad too. “What's the point of them toasting my health?” she says. “I'm not going to get married,” she says. “I'm going to die,” she says. Mom, what if she actually does die? It's horrific. I'm so scared!

ANÍSYA. Don't worry, she won't die. But stay away from her. Let's go. [Exit Anísya and Nan].

MÍTROITCH [enters through the gate and starts gathering the scattered hay] Oh God! Kind Nicholas! They've really gone overboard with the drinking, and what a stench they've left behind! You can even smell it out here! But no, I don't want any, for crying out loud! Look at how they've spread the hay everywhere. They don’t eat it, just stomp on it. A whole bundle wasted before you know it. Ugh, that smell is right under my nose! Dammit! [Yawns] It's time to sleep! But I really don’t want to go into the hut. It feels like the smell is just swirling around me! It’s so strong, that cursed stuff! [You can hear the guests leaving] Finally, they’re leaving. Oh God! Kind Nicholas! There they go, tying themselves up and fooling each other. It’s all nonsense!

Enter Nikita.

Nikita. Mítritch, you go ahead and sleep, and I'll take care of this.

MÍTRITCH. Okay, you toss it to the sheep. So, have you seen them all off?

Nikita. Yes, they’re gone! But something’s not right! I don’t know what to do!

MÍTRITCH. It's a real mess. But there's the Foundlings'[6] for stuff like that. Anyone can drop one off there; they'll take them all. You can give them as many as you want, they don’t ask any questions, and they even pay—if the mom goes in as a wet-nurse. It’s pretty easy these days.

Nikita But listen, Mítritch, don't go spilling the beans.

MÍTRITCH. It's not my problem. Hide the evidence however you like. Wow, you really reek of alcohol! I'm just going to head inside. Oh man! [Exit, yawning].

Nikíta is quiet for a long time. He sits down on a sled.

NIKÍTA. Let's do this!

Enter Anísya.

Where are you at?

Here.

ANÍSYA. What are you doing there? We can’t waste any time! We need to take it out right now!

NIKÍTA. What should we do?

ANÍSYA. I'll tell you what to do. And you have to do it!

Nikita. You should probably take it to the Foundlings'—if anything.

ANISYA. Then you'd better take it there yourself if you want! You’re craving some gossip, but you seem hesitant when it comes to facing the consequences, I see!

What should we do?

ANÍSYA. Go down to the basement, I’m telling you, and dig a hole!

Nikita. Couldn’t you figure out another way to handle this?

ANÍSYA [imitating him] “Another way?” It looks like we can’t do it “another way!” You should have thought about this a year ago. Just do what you're told!

NIKÍTA. Oh wow, what a mess!

Enter Grandma.

N/A. Mom! Grandma's calling! I think my sister had a baby! I swear I heard it scream!

ANÍSYA. What are you talking about? Get lost! It's just kittens meowing over there. Go into the house and sleep, or I’ll make you!

Mom, seriously, I swear …

ANÍSYA [raising her arm as if to strike] I'll give it to you! Get out of here and don't let me see you again! [Nan runs into hut. To Nikíta] Do what you're told, or else! [Exit].

Nikita [alone. After a long silence] Here we go! Oh these women! What a situation! You say I should have thought about this a year ago. When’s someone supposed to think ahead? When’s someone supposed to think? Last year, Anísya was all over me. What was I supposed to do? Am I a monk? The master died, and I covered my mistake as I should have, so I’m not to blame there. Aren't there plenty of situations like that? And those powders. Did I tell her to do that? If I had known what that woman was planning, I would have killed her! I'm sure I would have killed her! She’s dragged me into this mess— that piece of work! And she became disgusting to me from that moment! She became repulsive, repulsive to me as soon as my mother told me about it. I can’t stand the sight of her! So how could I live with her? And then it started… That girl began hanging around. Well, what was I supposed to do? If I hadn’t done it, someone else would have. And this is what happens! Still, I’m not to blame for this either. Oh, what a mess! [Sits thinking] These women are bold! What a scheme to come up with! But I won’t be a part of it!

Enter Matryóna with a lantern and a shovel, out of breath.

MATRYONA. Why are you sitting there like a chicken on a roost? What did your wife tell you to do? Just get things ready!

Nikita. What are you planning to do?

MATRYONA. We know what to do. You just do your part!

Nikita. You're going to get me into trouble!

MATRYONA. What? You’re not seriously thinking of backing out, are you? Now that it’s got to this point, you’re going to bail?

Nikita. Just imagine what that would be like! It's a living soul.

MATRYONA. A living soul for sure! But it’s more dead than alive. What can you really do with it? Take it to the orphanage—it’ll die there just the same, and then word will spread, people will gossip, and we’ll end up stuck with the girl.

NIKÍTA. What if they find out?

MATRYONA. Can't we handle this in our own home? We'll make sure no one suspects a thing. Just follow my lead. We women can't do this without a man. Here, take the shovel and get it done over there—I’ll hold the light.

Nikita. What do I need to do?

MATRYÓNA [in a low voice] Dig a hole; then we’ll take it out and sort it out fast! There, she’s calling again. Alright, get in, and I’ll go.

NIKÍTA. Is it dead now?

MATRYÓNA. Of course it is. Just be quick, or people will notice! They'll see or hear something! Those troublemakers have to know everything. And the cop passed by this evening. So, here you go [gives him the spade], get down into the cellar and dig a hole in the corner; the soil is soft there, and you can cover it up. Mother Earth won’t tell anyone; she’ll keep it secret. Go on then; go, my dear.

Nikita. You're going to get me in trouble, you know! I'm out of here! You can handle it on your own!

ANÍSYA [through the doorway] So? Did he dig it?

MATRYONA. Why did you leave? What did you do with it?

ANÍSYA. I've covered it with rags. No one can hear it. So, has he dug it up?

MATRYÓNA. He doesn't want to!

ANÍSYA [springs out enraged] Doesn't want to! How's he going to like feeding pests in prison! I'm going right now to tell everything to the police! It doesn't matter if someone has to suffer. I'm going straight to tell!

Nikita [surprised] What are you going to say?

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!

MATRYONA. That's enough now. Nikíta, why are you being so stubborn? What are we going to do now? We have to put in some effort. Go on, sweetheart.

ANÍSYA. Look at this gentleman! He isn't happy! You've pushed me around for too long! You've walked all over me! Now it's my turn! Go, I said, or I’ll do what I threatened.… Here, take the spade; there, now get out!

Nikita. Damn it! Can't you just let a guy be! [Takes the spade, but hesitates] If I don't want to, I'm not going!

ANÍSYA. Not going? [Starts to shout] Neighbors! Hey!

MATRYONA [closes her mouth] What are you doing? You're crazy! He'll leave.… Go on, dear; go, my little one.

I'll scream murder!

Nikita. Hold on a second! What a crowd! You might as well hurry up.… You might as well get hung for a big crime as a small one! [Heads towards the cellar].

MATRYONA. Yes, that's exactly it, sweetie. If you know how to have fun, you should also know how to cover up the aftermath.

ANÍSYA [still excited] He’s walked all over me… him and his mistress! But that’s it! I’m not going to be the only one! Let him be a murderer too! Then he’ll know how it feels!

MATRYONA. There, there! Look at her getting all worked up! Don’t be mad, girl; just take it easy and handle things bit by bit, like it should be done. You go to the girl, and he’ll take care of the work. [Follows Nikíta to the cellar with a lantern. He goes down into the cellar].

ANÍSYA. And I'll make him strangle his filthy kid! [Still excited] I've worried myself sick all alone, with Peter's bones weighing heavily on my mind! Let him feel it too! I won’t hold back; I’ve said I won’t hold back!

Nikita [from the cellar] Turn on a light!

MATRYÓNA [holds up the lantern to him. To Anísya] He's digging. Go and get it.

ANÍSYA. You stay with him, or he’ll leave, the poor guy! And I'll go get it.

MATRYONA. Just remember to get it baptized, or I can do it if you'd prefer. Do you have a cross?

ANÍSYA. I'll find one. I know how to do it. [Exit].

See at the end of Act, Variation, which can be used instead of the following.

MATRYONA. Wow, the woman really got riled up! But to be fair, she has been treated poorly. Well, with the Lord's help, once we've sorted this out, it’ll be over. We’ll easily send the girl on her way. My son will have a comfortable life. Thank goodness the house is full to the brim. They won’t forget me either. Where would they be without Matryóna? They wouldn't have figured things out. [Peering into the cellar] Is it ready, sweetheart?

Nikita [leans out eagerly] What are you doing over there? Hurry up! Why are you dragging your feet? If it needs to be done, just do it.

MATRYONA [goes towards the door of the hut and meets Anísya. Anísya comes out with a baby wrapped in rags] So, have you baptized the baby?

ANÍSYA. Of course! I had to really work to get it away from her—she wouldn't let go! [Steps forward and hands it to Nikíta].

Nikita [does not take it] You bring it yourself!

ANÍSYA. Take it, I'm serious! [Throws the baby to him].

Nikita [catches it] It's alive! Wow, it's moving! It's alive! What should I do…

ANÍSYA [grabs the baby from him and tosses it into the basement] Hurry up and suffocate it, and then it won’t be alive! [Shoves Nikíta down] This is your fault, and you have to take care of it.

MATRYONA [sits on the doorstep of the hut] He’s so softhearted. It’s tough for him, the poor thing. But what can you do? Isn’t it also his fault?

Anísya is by the cellar.

MATRYONA [sits looking at her and speaks] Oh wow! He was so scared: but what does that matter? If it’s tough, it’s just something we have to deal with. Where else could you put it? And think about how often people pray to God for children! But no, God doesn’t give them any; or they all end up being stillborn. Look at our priest's wife… And here, where it isn’t wanted, it’s alive and well. [Looks towards the cellar] I assume he’s done. [To Anísya] So?

ANÍSYA [looking into the cellar] He's laid a board across it and is sitting on it. It must be done!

MATRYONA. Oh, oh! It would be nice not to sin, but what can you do?

Re-enter Nikíta from the cellar, shaking all over.

Nikita. It's still alive! I can't believe it! It's alive!

ANÍSYA. If it's alive, where are you going? [Tries to stop him].

Nikita [rushes at her] Get out of here! I’ll kill you! [Grabs her arms; she gets away, and he chases after her with the spade. Matryóna runs toward him and stops him. Anísya runs into the porch. Matryóna tries to grab the spade from him. To his mother] I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you! Get out of here! [Matryóna runs to Anísya in the porch. Nikíta stops] I’ll kill you! I’ll kill all of you!

MATRYONA. That's because he's really scared! Don't worry, it'll blow over!

Nikita. What have they made me do? What have they made me do? It cried so softly.… How it crunched beneath me! What have they done to 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 leaving; looks like he intends to bury it. Nikíta, you should grab the lantern!

Nikita [ignores her, but listens by the cellar door] I can't hear anything! I guess it was just my imagination! [Moves away, then stops] How those tiny bones crunched beneath me. Krr … kr … What have they made me do? [Listens again] There's whimpering again! It's really whimpering! What could it be? Mom! Mom, I’m calling you! [Goes up to her].

MATRYÓNA. What’s up, son?

Nikita. Mom, my own mom, I can't take it anymore! Can't take it anymore! My own mom, please have some compassion for me!

MATRYONA. Oh sweetheart, you look so scared! Come on, have a drink to give you some courage!

Nikita. Mom, mom! I think my time has come! What have you done to me? I could feel the little bones crunching, and it howled! My own mom! What have you done to me? [Steps aside and sits down on the sledge].

MATRYONA. Come on, my dear, have a drink! It really feels strange at night. But just hold on. When morning comes, and the days go by, you won’t even think about it anymore. Just wait a bit; once the girl gets married, we’ll completely forget about it. But you go ahead and drink; have a drink! I’ll take care of things in the cellar myself.

Nikita [wakes up] Is there any drink left? Maybe I can finish it! [Exit].

Anísya, who has been standing by the door the entire time, silently steps aside for him.

MATRYONA. Go on, sweetie, and I'll get to work! I'll head down myself and dig! Where did he put the spade? [Finds the spade and goes down into the cellar] Anísya, come here! Can you hold the light?

ANÍSYA. And what about him?

MATRYONA. He's really scared! You've been too tough on him. Just leave him be, he’ll figure it out. God help him! I'll take care of it myself. Put the lantern down here. I can see.

Matryóna goes into the cellar.

ANÍSYA [looking towards the door where Nikíta just came in] So, are you done partying? You've been acting all high and mighty, but now you’ll see what it's really like! You’re about to lose some of that arrogance!

Nikita [rushes out of the hut towards the cellar] Mom! Mom, I’m talking to you!

MATRYÓNA [leans her head out] What’s up, sweetheart?

Nikita [listening] Don't bury it, it's alive! Can't you hear it? It's alive! Listen—it’s whimpering! Can you hear it … really obvious!

MATRYONA. How can it whimper? You’ve smashed it flat like a pancake! The whole head is crushed to pieces!

Nikita. What’s going on? [Covers his ears] It’s still crying! I’m doomed! Doomed! What have they done to me?… Where do I even go now? [Sits down on the step].

Curtain.

Instead of the end of Act IV. (from the words, “ANÍSYA. I'll find one. I know how to do it. [Exit]”) the following variation may be read, and is the one usually acted.

The interior of the hut is like in Act I.

Nan lies on the bench, covered with a coat. Mítritch is sitting on the stove, smoking.

MÍTRITCH. Oh my! What a smell they've created in here! Darn it! They've spilled the good stuff. Even tobacco can't mask the odor! It just keeps irritating my nose. Oh man! Well, I suppose it's bedtime now. [Walks over to the lamp to turn it off].

NAN [jumps up, and remains sitting up] Daddy, please[7] don't extinguish it!

MÍTRITCH. Not put it out? Why not?

N/A. Didn't you hear them making noise in the yard? [Listens] Do you hear them in the barn again now?

MÍTRITCH. What’s it to you? I doubt anyone asked you to worry! Just lie down and sleep! I’ll dim the light. [Dims lamp].

N/A. Daddy, sweetie! Don't put it all the way out; leave a little bit, even if it's just the size of a mouse's eye, otherwise it’s really scary!

MÍTRITCH [laughs] Okay, okay. [Sits down next to her] What’s there to be scared of?

N/A How can you not be scared, Dad! Sister was going on and on! She was banging her head against the box! [Whispers] You know, I know… a little baby is about to be born... I think it’s already been born...

MÍTRITCH. Ugh, what a nosy little thing! Hope the frogs get her! She has to know everything. Just lie down and sleep! [Nan lies down] That's it! [Tucks her up] There you go, if you know too much, you'll grow old way too fast.

N/A. Are you really going to lie on the oven?

MÍTRITCH. Well, of course! You’re such a silly little thing, now that I look at you! You have to know everything. [Tucks her in again, then stands up to leave] There you go, just lie still and sleep! [Goes up to the oven].

N/A It let out a single cry, and now there’s silence.

MÍTRITCH. Oh Lord! Kind Nicholas! What is it you can't hear?

The baby.

MÍTRITCH. There isn't one, that's why you can't hear it.

N/A But I heard it! I swear I heard it! Such a faint voice!

Mítritch. You really heard a lot, didn’t you! If you know what happened—then it was just a little girl like you that the bogey grabbed and took away.

What ghost?

Mítritch. Why, it’s really him! [Climbs up onto the oven] The oven is so nice and warm tonight. What a delight! Oh my! Goodness, Nicholas!

N/A. Dad! Are you going to sleep?

MÍTRITCH. What else? Do you really think I'm going to sing?

Silence.

NAN. Daddy! Daddy, can you hear me? They're digging! They're digging—don’t you hear it? I swear they're digging!

MÍTRITCH. What are you dreaming about? Digging! Digging in the night! Who's digging? The cow's just rubbing itself, that's all. Digging, really! Go to sleep, I’m telling you, or I’ll just turn off the light!

N/A. Daddy, please don’t put it out! I really, really won’t. It’s so scary!

MÍTRITCH. Scary? Don't be scared, and it won't be scary. Look at her, she’s scared, and then says it’s scary. How can it not be scary if you're scared? Ugh, what a silly little girl!

Silence. The cricket is chirping.

NAN [whispers] Daddy! I’m calling you, daddy! Are you awake?

MÍTRITCH. So, what do you need?

What's the ghost like?

MÍTRITCH. Well, like this! When he finds someone like you, who won't sleep, he shows up with a sack and puts the girl inside it, then climbs in himself, head and all, lifts her dress, and gives her a good spanking!

What for?

MÍTRITCH. He takes a birch broom with him.

N/A But he can't see in there—inside the bag!

He'll see, no worries!

NAN. But I'll take a bite.

MÍTRITCH. No, my friend, that's someone you can't take a jab at!

N/A Dad, someone is coming! Who is it? Oh my gosh! Who could it be?

MÍTRITCH. Well, if someone’s coming, let them come! What’s wrong with you? I guess it’s your mom!

Welcome Anísya.

ANÍSYA. Nah! [Nan pretends to be asleep] Mítritch!

What?

ANÍSYA. Why is the lamp on? We're going to sleep in the summer house.

MÍTRITCH. Well, I just got everything sorted out. I'll turn off the light for you.

ANÍSYA [searches through her box and complains] When you need something, it's always impossible to find!

MÍTRITCH. What are you searching for?

ANÍSYA. I'm searching for a cross. What if it were to die without being baptized? That would be a sin, you know!

MÍTRITCH. Of course it would! Everything in its proper order.… Have you found it?

ANÍSYA. Yes, I found it. [Exit].

MÎTRITCH. Exactly! Otherwise, I would have let her borrow mine. Oh my goodness!

NAN [jumps up trembling] Oh, oh, Dad! Please don't go to sleep; seriously, don't! It's really scary!

MÍTRITCH. What's scary?

N/A. 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 just bury it!

N/A. But maybe it wouldn't have died if old Granny Matryóna wasn't there! Didn't I hear what Granny was saying? I heard her! I swear I did!

MÍTRITCH. What did you hear? Go to sleep, I’m telling you. Wrap yourself up, head and all, and let’s put an end to this!

N/A. If it were alive, I'd take care of it!

MÍTRITCH [roars] Oh God!

NAN. Where will they put it?

Mítritch. Right where it should be! It's not your concern! Go to sleep, I’m telling you, or mom will come; she’ll take care of it! [Silence].

N/A. Dad! Hey, Dad! That girl you were talking about—they didn’t kill her, right?

MÍTRITCH. That girl? Oh yeah. That girl ended up just fine!

N/A. How did it go? You mentioned you found her?

MÍTRITCH. We just found her!

N/A. But where did you find her? Please share!

MÍTRITCH. Well, right in their own home; that's where! We arrived at a village, and the soldiers started searching the house when suddenly we spotted that same little girl lying on the floor, flat on her stomach. We were about to give her a whack on the head, but then I felt so sorry for her that I picked her up in my arms; but no, she wouldn’t let me! She made herself so heavy, like a hundred pounds, and grabbed on wherever she could with her hands, so it was impossible to pry them off! So, I started stroking her head. It was so prickly—just like a hedgehog! I kept stroking her, and eventually, she calmed down. I soaked a piece of rusk and offered it to her. She understood and began nibbling. What were we supposed to do with her? We took her in; we took her in and kept feeding her, and she got so accustomed to us that we brought her along on the march, and that’s how she ended up with us. Ah, she was a wonderful girl!

NAN. Yes, and not baptized?

MÍTRITCH. Who knows! They used to say, not entirely. 'Cause those people weren't really one of us.

NAN. Germans?

MÍTRITCH. What a thought! Germans! Not Germans, but Asiatics. They’re just like Jews, but still not Jews. Polish, yet Asiatics. Curls... or, Curdlys is what they’re called... I’ve forgotten what it is! [8] We called the girl Sáshka. She was a great girl, Sáshka was! Now look, I’ve forgotten everything I used to know! But that girl—the devil take her—seems to be right in front of me now! Out of all my time in service, I remember how they whipped me, and I remember that girl. That’s all I remember! She’d cling around your neck, and you’d carry her like that. That was a girl—if you wanted someone better, you wouldn’t find one! We gave her away later. The captain's wife took her to raise as her own daughter. So—she was all good! How sad the soldiers were to see her go!

N/A. There now, dad, and I remember when father was dying—you weren't living with us then. Well, he called Nikíta and said, “Forgive me, Nikíta!” and he started to cry. [Sighs] That felt really sad too!

Yes, there you have it...

N/A Dad! Dad, I’m telling you! They're back, making noise in the basement! Oh my goodness! Oh no! Oh no! Oh, Dad! They’re going to do something to it! They’ll take it away, and it’s so small! Oh, oh! [Covers up her head and cries].

MÍTRITCH [listening] They're definitely up to something shady, I tell you! Oh, these women are terrible! You can't say much about men, either; but women!… They're like wild animals and will stop at nothing!

NAN [rising] Dad; I’m saying, Dad!

MÍTRITCH. So, what now?

N/A. The other day a traveler spent the night; he said that when a baby dies, its soul goes straight to heaven. Is that true?

MÍTRITCH. Who knows? I guess so. So, what's up?

N/A. Oh, maybe I should just die too. [Whimpers].

MÍTRITCH. Then you'd be removed from the list!

N/A. Until you turn ten, you’re just a little kid, and maybe that’s when your soul heads to God. Otherwise, you’re definitely on the path to trouble!

Mítritch. And how could you not end up bad? Who teaches you? What do you see? What do you hear? Just filthy nonsense! I may not have learned much, but I know a thing or two. I'm not just some peasant woman. What’s a peasant woman, anyway? Just dirt! There are millions of people like you in Russia, all as clueless as moles—knowing nothing! They have all sorts of remedies: how to stop cattle disease with a plow, and how to cure kids by putting them under the bird perches in the henhouse! That’s what they know!

NAN. Yes, Mom did that too!

MÍTRITCH. Yeah, there it is—just like that! So many millions of girls and women, and they're all like animals in a forest! As they grow up, they just fade away! They never see anything; they never hear anything. A peasant might pick up something at the pub, or maybe in prison, or in the army—like I did. But a woman? Forget about knowing anything about God; she doesn't even really know what day Friday is! Friday! Friday! But ask her what Friday is? She has no clue! They're like blind puppies, stumbling around and sniffing in the garbage.… All they know are their silly songs. Ha, ha, ha, ha! But what they mean by "ha-ha," they don't even understand themselves!

N/A But I, Dad, I do know half of the Lord's Prayer!

Mítritch. You think you know so much! But what can we expect from you? Who's teaching you? Just a drunk peasant—maybe with a belt! That's all the education you get! I don't know who will be held accountable for you. For a soldier, the drill sergeant or the corporal is responsible; but for people like you, no one is! Just like cattle without a herder are the most troublesome, so it is with you women—you’re the dumbest group! Your group is the most foolish of all!

NAN. So what should one do?

Mítritch. That's what you need to do.… Just pull the covers over your head and sleep! Oh man!

Silence. The cricket sings.

N/A [jumps up] Dad! Someone's screaming really loudly! I swear, someone is screaming! Dad, it's coming this way!

MÍTRITCH. Put a hat on your head, I'm telling you!

Nikíta enters, followed by Matryóna.

Nikita. What have they done to me? What have they done to me?

MATRYONA. Have a drink, sweetie; have a drink! What's wrong? [Brings the spirits and places the bottle in front of him].

Nikita. Hand it over! Maybe the drink will do me some good!

MATRYONA. Watch out! They're not asleep! Here, take a drink!

Nikita. What does it all mean? Why did you plan this? You could have taken it somewhere!

MATRYÓNA [whispers] Just sit quietly for a bit and have another drink, or smoke a bit. It will help calm your mind!

Nikita. My own mom! It looks like my time has come! I could hear it start to whimper, and those tiny bones crunching … krr … I’m not even a man anymore!

MATRYONA. Oh, come on, why talk like that! It does seem scary at night, but just wait for the daylight to come, and after a day or two, you won’t even think about it! [She walks over to Nikíta and rests her hand on his shoulder].

Nikita. Leave me alone! What have you done to me?

MATRYONA. Come on, sweetie! Seriously, what's wrong with you? [Takes his hand].