Act I

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

Peter Looking out of the window. The horses have got loose again. If we don’t look out they’ll be killing the colt. Nikíta! Hey, Nikíta! Is the fellow deaf? Listens. To the women. Shut up, one can’t hear anything. Nikíta From outside. What? Peter Drive the horses in. Nikíta We’ll drive ’em in. All in good time. Peter Shaking his head. Ah, these labourers! If I were well, I’d not keep one on no account.

There’s nothing but bother with ’em. Rises and sits down again. Nikíta!⁠ ⁠… It’s no good shouting. One of you’d better go. Go, Akoúl, drive ’em in. Akoulína What? The horses? Peter What else? Akoulína All right. Exit. Peter Ah, but he’s a loafer, that lad⁠ ⁠… no good at all. Won’t stir a finger if he can help it.

Anísya You’re so mighty brisk yourself. When you’re not sprawling on the top of the oven you’re squatting on the bench. To goad others to work is all you’re fit for. Peter If one weren’t to goad you on a bit, one’d have no roof left over one’s head before the year’s out. Oh what people! Anísya You go shoving a dozen jobs on to one’s shoulders, and then do nothing but scold. It’s easy to lie on the oven and give orders. Peter Sighing.

Oh, if ’twere not for this sickness that’s got hold of me, I’d not keep him on another day. Akoulína Off the scene. Gee up, gee, woo. A colt neighs, the stamping of horses’ feet and the creaking of the gate are heard. Peter Bragging, that’s what he’s good at. I’d like to sack him, I would indeed.

Anísya Mimicking him. “Like to sack him.” You buckle to yourself, and then talk. Akoulína Enters. It’s all I could do to drive ’em in. That piebald always will⁠ ⁠… Peter And where’s Nikíta? Akoulína Where’s Nikíta? Why, standing out there in the street. Peter What’s he standing there for? Akoulína What’s he standing there for? He stands there jabbering.

Peter One can’t get any sense out of her! Who’s he jabbering with? Akoulína Does not hear. Eh, what? Peter waves her off. She sits down to her spinning. Nan Running in to her mother. Nikíta’s father and mother have come. They’re going to take him away. It’s true! Anísya Nonsense! Nan Yes. Blest if they’re not! Laughing. I was just going by, and Nikíta, he says, “Goodbye, Anna Petróvna,” he says, “you must come and dance at my wedding. I’m leaving you,” he says, and laughs. Anísya To her husband. There now. Much he cares. You see, he wants to leave of himself. “Sack him” indeed! Peter Well, let him go. Just as if I couldn’t find somebody else.

Anísya And what about the money he’s had in advance? Nan stands listening at the door for awhile, and then exit. Peter Frowning. The money? Well, he can work it off in summer, anyhow. Anísya Well, of course you’ll be glad if he goes and you’ve not got to feed him. It’s only me as’ll have to work like a horse all the winter. That lass of yours isn’t over fond of work either. And you’ll be lying up on the oven. I know you. Peter What’s the good of wearing out one’s tongue before one has the hang of the matter? Anísya The yard’s full of cattle.

You’ve not sold the cow, and have kept all the sheep for the winter: feeding and watering ’em alone takes all one’s time, and you want to sack the labourer. But I tell you straight, I’m not going to do a man’s work! I’ll go and lie on the top of the oven same as you, and let everything go to pot! You may do what you like.

Peter To Akoulína. Go and see about the feeding, will you? it’s time. Akoulína The feeding? All right. Puts on a coat and takes a rope. Anísya I’m not going to work for you. You go and work yourself. I’ve had enough of it, so there! Peter That’ll do. What are you raving about? Like a sheep with the staggers! Anísya You’re a crazy cur, you are! One gets neither work nor pleasure from you.

Eating your fill, that’s all you do, you palsied cur, you! Peter Spits and puts on coat. Faugh! The Lord have mercy! I’d better go myself and see what’s up. Exit. Anísya After him. Scurvy long-nosed devil! Akoulína What are you swearing at dad for? Anísya Hold your noise, you idiot! Akoulína Going to the door. I know why you’re swearing at him. You’re an idiot yourself, you bitch. I’m not afraid of you. Anísya What do you mean? Jumps up and looks round for something to hit her with. Mind, or I’ll give you one with the poker.

Akoulína Opening the door. Bitch! devil! that’s what you are! Devil! bitch! bitch! devil! Runs off. Anísya Ponders. “Come and dance at my wedding!” What new plan is this? Marry? Mind, Nikíta, if that’s your intention, I’ll go and⁠ ⁠… No, I can’t live without him. I won’t let him go.

Nikíta Enters, looks round, and seeing Anísya alone approaches quickly. In a low tone. Here’s a go; I’m in a regular fix! That governor of mine wants to take me away⁠—tells me I’m to come home. Says quite straight I’m to marry and live at home.

Anísya Well, go and marry! What’s that to me? Nikíta Is that it? Why, here am I reckoning how best to consider matters, and just hear her! She tells me to go and marry. Why’s that? Winking. Has she forgotten? Anísya Yes, go and marry! What do I care? Nikíta What are you spitting for? Just see, she won’t even let me stroke her.⁠

⁠… What’s the matter? Anísya This! That you want to play me false.⁠ ⁠… If you do⁠—why, I don’t want you either. So now you know! Nikíta That’ll do, Anísya.

Do you think I’ll forget you? Never while I live! I’ll not play you false, that’s flat. I’ve been thinking that supposing they do go and make me marry, I’d still come back to you. If only he don’t make me live at home. Anísya Much need I’ll have of you, once you’re married. Nikíta There’s a go now. How is it possible to go against one’s father’s will? Anísya Yes, I daresay, shove it all on your father. You know it’s your own doing. You’ve long been plotting with that slut of yours, Marína. It’s she has put you up to it.

She didn’t come here for nothing t’other day. Nikíta Marína? What’s she to me? Much I care about her!⁠ ⁠… Plenty of them buzzing around. Anísya Then what has made your father come here? It’s you have told him to.

You’ve gone and deceived me. Cries. Nikíta Anísya, do you believe in a God or not? I never so much as dreamt of it. I know nothing at all about it. I never even dreamt of it⁠—that’s flat! My old dad has got it all out of his own pate. Anísya If you don’t wish it yourself who can force you? He can’t drive you like an ass. Nikíta Well, I reckon it’s not possible to go against one’s parent.

But it’s not by my wish. Anísya Don’t you budge, that’s all about it! Nikíta There was a fellow wouldn’t budge, and the village elder gave him such a hiding.⁠ ⁠… That’s what it might come to! I’ve no great wish for that sort of thing. They say it touches one up.⁠ ⁠… Anísya Shut up with your nonsense. Nikíta, listen to me: if you marry that Marína I don’t know what I won’t do to myself.⁠ ⁠… I shall lay hands on myself! I have sinned, I have gone against the law, but I can’t go back now. If you go away I’ll⁠ ⁠… Nikíta Why should I go? Had I wanted to go⁠—I should have gone long ago. There was Iván Semyónitch t’other day⁠—offered me a place as his coachman.⁠ ⁠… Only fancy what a life that would have been! But I did not go. Because, I reckon, I am good enough for anyone. Now if you did not love me it would be a different matter. Anísya Yes, and that’s what you should remember. My old man will die one of these fine days, I’m thinking; then we could cover our sin, make it all right and lawful, and then you’ll be master here.

Nikíta Where’s the good of making plans? What do I care? I work as hard as if I were doing it for myself. My master loves me, and his missus loves me. And if the wenches run after me, it’s not my fault, that’s flat. Anísya And you’ll love me? Nikíta Embracing her.

There, as you have ever been in my heart⁠ ⁠… Matryóna Enters, and crosses herself a long time before the icon. Nikíta and Anísya step apart. What I saw I didn’t perceive, what I heard I didn’t hearken to. Playing with the lass, eh? Well⁠—even a calf will play. Why shouldn’t one have some fun when one’s young? But your master is out in the yard a-calling you, sonnie. Nikíta I only came to get the axe. Matryóna I know, sonnie, I know; them sort of axes are mostly to be found where the women are. Nikíta Stooping to pick up axe.

I say, mother, is it true you want me to marry? As I reckon, that’s quite unnecessary. Besides, I’ve got no wish that way. Matryóna Eh, honey! why should you marry? Go on as you are. It’s all the old man. You’d better go, sonnie, we can talk these matters over without you. Nikíta It’s a queer go! One moment I’m to be married, the next, not. I can’t make head or tail of it.

Exit. Anísya What’s it all about then? Do you really wish him to get married? Matryóna Eh, why should he marry, my jewel? It’s all nonsense, all my old man’s drivel. “Marry, marry.” But he’s reckoning without his host. You know the saying, “From oats and hay, why should horses stray?” When you’ve enough and to spare, why look elsewhere? And so in this case. Winks. Don’t I see which way the wind blows? Anísya Where’s the good of my pretending to you, Mother Matryóna? You know all about it. I have sinned. I love your son.

Matryóna Dear me, here’s news! D’you think Mother Matryóna didn’t know? Eh, lassie⁠—Mother Matryóna’s been ground, and ground again, ground fine! This much I can tell you, my jewel: Mother Matryóna can see through a brick wall three feet thick. I know it all, my jewel! I know what young wives need sleeping draughts for, so I’ve brought some along. Unties a knot in her handkerchief and brings out paper-packets.

As much as is wanted, I see, and what’s not wanted I neither see nor perceive! There! Mother Matryóna has also been young. I had to know a thing or two to live with my old fool. I know seventy-and-seven dodges. But I see your old man’s quite seedy, quite seedy! How’s one to live with such as him? Why, if you pricked him with a hayfork it wouldn’t fetch blood. See if you don’t bury him before the spring. Then you’ll need someone in the house. Well, what’s wrong with my son? He’ll do as well as another. Then where’s the advantage of my taking him away from a good place? Am I my child’s enemy? Anísya Oh, if only he does not go away.

Matryóna He won’t go away, birdie. It’s all nonsense. You know my old man. His wits are always woolgathering; yet sometimes he takes a thing into his pate, and it’s as if it were wedged in, you can’t knock it out with a hammer. Anísya And what started this business? Matryóna Well, you see, my jewel, you yourself know what a fellow with women the lad is⁠—and he’s handsome too, though I say it as shouldn’t.

Well, you know, he was living at the railway, and they had an orphan wench there to cook for them. Well, that same wench took to running after him. Anísya Marína? Matryóna Yes, the plague seize her! Whether anything happened or not, anyhow something got to my old man’s ears. Maybe he heard from the neighbours, maybe she’s been and blabbed⁠ ⁠… Anísya Well, she is a bold hussy! Matryóna So my old man⁠—the old blockhead⁠—off he goes: “Marry, marry,” he says, “he must marry her and cover the sin,” he says. “We must take the lad home,” he says, “and he shall marry,” he says. Well, I did my best to make him change his mind, but, dear me, no. So, all right, thinks I⁠—I’ll try another dodge.

One always has to entice them fools in this way, just pretend to be of their mind, and when it comes to the point one goes and turns it all one’s own way. You know, a woman has time to think seventy-and-seven thoughts while falling off the oven, so how’s such as he to see through it? “Well, yes,” says I, “it would be a good job⁠—only we must consider well beforehand.

Why not go and see our son, and talk it over with Peter Ignátitch and hear what he has to say?” So here we are. Anísya Oh dear, oh dear, how will it all end? Supposing his father just orders him to marry her? Matryóna Orders, indeed. Chuck his orders to the dogs! Don’t you worry; that affair will never come off. I’ll go to your old man myself, and sift and strain this matter clear⁠—there will be none of it left. I have come here only for the look of the thing.

A very likely thing! Here’s my son living in happiness and expecting happiness, and I’ll go and match him with a slut! No fear, I’m not a fool! Anísya And she⁠—this Marína⁠—came dangling after him here! Mother, would you believe, when they said he was going to marry, it was as if a knife had gone right through my heart. I thought he cared for her. Matryóna Oh, my jewel! Why, you don’t think him such a fool, that he should go and care for a homeless baggage like that? Nikíta is a sensible fellow, you see. He knows whom to love.

So don’t you go and fret, my jewel. We’ll not take him away, and we won’t marry him. No, we’ll let him stay on, if you’ll only oblige us with a little money. Anísya All I know is, that I could not live if Nikíta went away. Matryóna Naturally, when one’s young it’s no easy matter! You, a wench in full bloom, to be living with the dregs of a man like that husband of yours.

Anísya Mother Matryóna, would you believe it? I’m that sick of him, that sick of this long-nosed cur of mine, I can hardly bear to look at him. Matryóna Yes, I see, it’s one of them cases. Just look here, looks round and whispers I’ve been to see that old man, you know⁠—he’s given me simples of two kinds. This, you see, is a sleeping draught. “Just give him one of these powders,” he says, “and he’ll sleep so sound you might jump on him!” And this here, “This is that kind of simple,” he says, “that if you give one some of it to drink it has no smell whatever, but its strength is very great. There are seven doses here, a pinch at a time.

Give him seven pinches,” he says, “and she won’t have far to look for freedom,” he says. Anísya O-o-oh! What’s that? Matryóna “No sign whatever,” he says. He’s taken a rouble for it. “Can’t sell it for less,” he says. Because it’s no easy matter to get ’em, you know. I paid him, dearie, out of my own money. If she takes them, thinks I, it’s all right; if she don’t, I can let old Michael’s daughter have them. Anísya O-o-oh! But mayn’t some evil come of them? I’m frightened! Matryóna What evil, my jewel? If your old man was hale and hearty, ’twould be a different matter, but he’s neither alive nor dead as it is. He’s not for this world. Such things often happen.

Anísya O-o-oh, my poor head! I’m afeared, Mother Matryóna, lest some evil come of them. No. That won’t do. Matryóna Just as you like. I might even return them to him. Anísya And are they to be used in the same way as the others? Mixed in water? Matryóna Better in tea, he says. “You can’t notice anything,” he says, “no smell nor nothing.” He’s a cute old fellow too.

Anísya Taking the powder. O-oh, my poor head! Could I have ever thought of such a thing if my life were not a very hell? Matryóna You’ll not forget that rouble? I promised to take it to the old man. He’s had some trouble, too. Anísya Of course? Goes to her box and hides the powders. Matryóna And now, my jewel, keep it as close as you can, so that no one should find it out.

Heaven defend that it should happen, but if anyone notices it, tell ’em it’s for the black-beetles. Takes the rouble. It’s also used for beetles. Stops short. Enter Akím, who crosses himself in front of the icon, and then Peter, who sits down. Peter Well then, how’s it to be, Daddy Akím? Akím As it’s best, Peter Ignátitch, as it’s best⁠ ⁠… I mean⁠—as it’s best. ’Cos why? I’m afeared of what d’you call ’ems, some tomfoolery, you know. I’d like to, what d’you call it⁠ ⁠… to start, you know, start the lad honest, I mean. But supposing you’d rather, what d’you call it, we might, I mean, what’s name? As it’s best⁠ ⁠… Peter All right. All right. Sit down and let’s talk it over. Akím sits down. Well then, what’s it all about? You want him to marry? Matryóna As to marrying, he might bide a while, Peter Ignátitch.

You know our poverty, Peter Ignátitch. What’s he to marry on? We’ve hardly enough to eat ourselves. How can he marry then?⁠ ⁠… Peter You must consider what will be best. Matryóna Where’s the hurry for him to get married? Marriage is not that sort of thing, it’s not like ripe raspberries that drop off if not picked in time. Peter If he were to get married, ’twould be a good thing in a way. Akím We’d like to⁠ ⁠… what d’you call it? ’Cos why, you see. I’ve what d’you call it⁠ ⁠… a job.

I mean, I’ve found a paying job in town, you know. Matryóna And a fine job too⁠—cleaning out cesspools. The other day when he came home, I could do nothing but spew and spew. Faugh! Akím It’s true, at first it does seem what d’you call it⁠ ⁠… knocks one clean over, you know⁠—the smell, I mean. But one gets used to it, and then it’s nothing, no worse than malt grain, and then it’s, what d’you call it,⁠ ⁠… pays, pays, I mean.

And as to the smell being, what d’you call it, it’s not for the likes of us to complain. And one changes one’s clothes. So we’d like to take what’s his name⁠ ⁠… Nikíta I mean, home. Let him manage things at home while I, what d’you call it⁠—earn something in town. Peter You want to keep your son at home? Yes, that would be well: but how about the money he has had in advance? Akím That’s it, that’s it! It’s just as you say, Ignátitch, it’s just what d’you call it. ’Cos why? If you go into service, it’s as good as if you had sold yourself, they say. That will be all right. I mean he may stay and serve his time, only he must, what d’you call it, get married. I mean⁠—so: you let him off for a little while, that he may, what d’you call it? Peter Yes, we could manage that.

Matryóna Ah, but it’s not yet settled between ourselves, Peter Ignátitch. I’ll speak to you as I would before God, and you may judge between my old man and me. He goes on harping on that marriage. But just ask⁠—who it is he wants him to marry. If it were a girl of the right sort now⁠—I am not my child’s enemy, but the wench is not honest. Akím No, that’s wrong! Wrong, I say. ’Cos why? She, that same girl⁠—it’s my son as has offended, offended the girl I mean.

Peter How offended? Akím That’s how. She’s what d’you call it, with him, with my son, Nikíta. With Nikíta, what d’you call it, I mean. Matryóna You wait a bit, my tongue runs smoother⁠—let me tell it. You know, this lad of ours lived at the railway before he came to you. There was a girl there as kept dangling after him. A girl of no account, you know, her name’s Marína. She used to cook for the men. So now this same girl accuses our son, Nikíta, that he, so to say, deceived her.

Peter Well, there’s nothing good in that. Matryóna But she’s no honest girl herself; she runs after the fellows like a common slut. Akím There you are again, old woman, and it’s not at all what d’you call it, it’s all not what d’you call it, I mean⁠ ⁠… Matryóna There now, that’s all the sense one gets from my old owl⁠—“what d’you call it, what d’you call it,” and he doesn’t know himself what he means. Peter Ignátitch, don’t listen to me, but go yourself and ask anyone you like about the girl, everybody will say the same. She’s just a homeless good-for-nothing. Peter You know, Daddy Akím, if that’s how things are, there’s no reason for him to marry her. A daughter-in-law’s not like a shoe, you can’t kick her off. Akím Excitedly. It’s false, old woman, it’s what d’you call it, false; I mean, about the girl; false! ’Cos why? The lass is a good lass, a very good lass, you know. I’m sorry, sorry for the lassie, I mean.

Matryóna It’s an old saying: “For the wide world old Miriam grieves, and at home without bread her children she leaves.” He’s sorry for the girl, but not sorry for his own son! Sling her round your neck and carry her about with you! That’s enough of such empty cackle! Akím No, it’s not empty. Matryóna There, don’t interrupt, let me have my say. Akím Interrupts. No, not empty! I mean, you twist things your own way, about the lass or about yourself. Twist them, I mean, to make it better for yourself; but God, what d’you call it, turns them His way. That’s how it is. Matryóna Eh! One only wears out one’s tongue with you. Akím The lass is hardworking and spruce, and keeps everything round herself⁠ ⁠… what d’you call it.

And in our poverty, you know, it’s a pair of hands, I mean; and the wedding needn’t cost much. But the chief thing’s the offence, the offence to the lass, and she’s a what d’you call it, an orphan, you know; that’s what she is, and there’s the offence. Matryóna Eh! they’ll all tell you a tale of that sort⁠ ⁠… Anísya Daddy Akím, you’d better listen to us women; we can tell you a thing or two. Akím And God, how about God? Isn’t she a human being, the lass? A what d’you call it⁠—also a human being I mean, before God.

And how do you look at it? Matryóna Eh!⁠ ⁠… started off again?⁠ ⁠… Peter Wait a bit, Daddy Akím. One can’t believe all these girls say, either. The lad’s alive, and not far away; send for him, and find out straight from him if it’s true. He won’t wish to lose his soul.

Go and call the fellow, Anísya rises and tell him his father wants him. Exit Anísya. Matryóna That’s right, dear friend; you’ve cleared the way clean, as with water. Yes, let the lad speak for himself. Nowadays, you know, they’ll not let you force a son to marry; one must first of all ask the lad. He’ll never consent to marry her and disgrace himself, not for all the world.

To my thinking, it’s best he should go on living with you and serving you as his master. And we need not take him home for the summer either; we can hire a help. If you would only give us ten roubles now, we’ll let him stay on. Peter All in good time.

First let us settle one thing before we start another. Akím You see, Peter Ignátitch, I speak. ’Cos why? you know how it happens. We try to fix things up as seems best for ourselves, you know; and as to God, we what d’you call it, we forget Him. We think it’s best so, turn it our own way, and lo! we’ve got into a fix, you know. We think it will be best, I mean; and lo! it turns out much worse⁠—without God, I mean.

Peter Of course one must not forget God. Akím It turns out worse! But when it’s the right way⁠—God’s way⁠—it what d’you call it, it gives one joy; seems pleasant, I mean. So I reckon, you see, get him, the lad, I mean, get him to marry her, to keep him from sin, I mean, and let him what d’you call it at home, as it’s lawful, I mean, while I go and get the job in town. The work is of the right sort⁠—it’s payin’, I mean. And in God’s sight it’s what d’you call it⁠—it’s best, I mean. Ain’t she an orphan? Here, for example, a year ago some fellows went and took timber from the steward⁠—thought they’d do the steward, you know. Yes, they did the steward, but they couldn’t what d’you call it⁠—do God, I mean. Well, and so⁠ ⁠… Enter Nikíta and Nan. Nikíta You called me? Sits down and takes out his tobacco-pouch.

Peter In a low, reproachful voice. What are you thinking about⁠—have you no manners? Your father is going to speak to you, and you sit down and fool about with tobacco. Come, get up! Nikíta rises, leans carelessly with his elbow on the table, and smiles. Akím It seems there’s a complaint, you know, about you, Nikíta⁠—a complaint, I mean, a complaint. Nikíta Who’s been complaining? Akím Complaining? It’s a maid, an orphan maid, complaining, I mean. It’s her, you know⁠—a complaint against you, from Marína, I mean. Nikíta Laughs. Well, that’s a good one. What’s the complaint? And who’s told you⁠—she herself? Akím It’s I am asking you, and you must now, what d’you call it, give me an answer. Have you got mixed up with the lass, I mean⁠—mixed up, you know? Nikíta I don’t know what you mean. What’s up? Akím Foolin’, I mean, what d’you call it? foolin’. Have you been foolin’ with her, I mean? Nikíta Never mind what’s been! Of course one does have some fun with a cook now and then to while away the time. One plays the concertina and gets her to dance.

What of that? Peter Don’t shuffle, Nikíta, but answer your father straight out. Akím Solemnly. You can hide it from men but not from God, Nikíta. You, what d’you call it⁠—think, I mean, and don’t tell lies. She’s an orphan; so, you see, anyone is free to insult her. An orphan, you see. So you should say what’s rightest. Nikíta But what if I have nothing to say? I have told you everything⁠—because there isn’t anything to tell, that’s flat! Getting excited. She can go and say anything about me, same as if she was speaking of one as is dead. Why don’t she say anything about Fédka Mikíshin? Besides, how’s this, that one mayn’t even have a bit of fun nowadays? And as for her, well, she’s free to say anything she likes. Akím Ah, Nikíta, mind! A lie will out. Did anything happen? Nikíta Aside. How he sticks to it; it’s too bad.

To Akím. I tell you, I know nothing more. There’s been nothing between us. Angrily. By God! and may I never leave this spot crosses himself if I know anything about it. Silence. Then still more excitedly. Why! have you been thinking of getting me to marry her? What do you mean by it?⁠—it’s a confounded shame. Besides, nowadays you’ve got no such rights as to force a fellow to marry. That’s plain enough. Besides, haven’t I sworn I know nothing about it? Matryóna To her husband.

There now, that’s just like your silly pate, to believe all they tell you. He’s gone and put the lad to shame all for nothing. The best thing is to let him live as he is living, with his master. His master will help us in our present need, and give us ten roubles, and when the time comes⁠ ⁠… Peter Well, Daddy Akím, how’s it to be? Akím Looks at his son, clicking his tongue disapprovingly.

Mind, Nikíta, the tears of one that’s been wronged never, what d’you call it⁠—never fall beside the mark but always on, what’s name⁠—the head of the man as did the wrong. So mind, don’t what d’you call it. Nikíta Sits down. What’s there to mind? mind yourself. Nan Aside.

I must run and tell mother. Exit. Matryóna To Peter. That’s always the way with this old mumbler of mine, Peter Ignátitch. Once he’s got anything wedged in his pate there’s no knocking it out. We’ve gone and troubled you all for nothing. The lad can go on living as he has been. Keep him; he’s your servant. Peter Well, Daddy Akím, what do you say? Akím Why, the lad’s his own master, if only he what d’you call it.⁠ ⁠… I only wish that, what d’you call it, I mean. Matryóna You don’t know yourself what you’re jawing about.

The lad himself has no wish to leave. Besides, what do we want with him at home? We can manage without him. Peter Only one thing, Daddy Akím⁠—if you are thinking of taking him back in summer, I don’t want him here for the winter. If he is to stay at all, it must be for the whole year. Matryóna And it’s for a year he’ll bind himself. If we want help when the press of work comes, we can hire help, and the lad shall remain with you.

Only give us ten roubles now.⁠ ⁠… Peter Well then, is it to be for another year? Akím Sighing. Yes, it seems, it what d’you call it⁠ ⁠… if it’s so, I mean, it seems that it must be what d’you call it. Matryóna For a year, counting from St. Dimítry’s day. We know you’ll pay him fair wages. But give us ten roubles now. Help us out of our difficulties. Gets up and bows to Peter.

Enter Nan and Anísya. The latter sits down at one side. Peter Well, if that’s settled we might step across to the inn and have a drink. Come, Daddy Akím, what do you say to a glass of vódka? Akím No, I never drink that sort of thing. Peter Well, you’ll have some tea? Akím Ah, tea! yes, I do sin that way. Yes, tea’s the thing. Peter And the women will also have some tea. Come.

And you, Nikíta, go and drive the sheep in and clear away the straw. Nikíta All right. Exeunt all but Nikíta. Nikíta lights a cigarette. It grows darker. Just see how they bother one. Want a fellow to tell ’em how he larks about with the wenches! It would take long to tell ’em all those stories⁠—“Marry her,” he says.

Marry them all! One would have a good lot of wives! And what need have I to marry? Am as good as married now! There’s many a chap as envies me. Yet how strange it felt when I crossed myself before the icon. It was just as if someone shoved me. The whole web fell to pieces at once. They say it’s frightening to swear what’s not true. That’s all humbug. It’s all talk, that is. It’s simple enough. Akoulína Enters with a rope, which she puts down. She takes off her outdoor things and goes into closet. You might at least have got a light.

Nikíta What, to look at you? I can see you well enough without. Akoulína Oh, bother you! Nan enters and whispers to Nikíta. Nan Nikíta, there’s a person wants you. There is! Nikíta What person? Nan Marína from the railway; she’s out there, round the corner.

Nikíta Nonsense! Nan Blest if she isn’t! Nikíta What does she want? Nan She wants you to come out. She says, “I only want to say a word to Nikíta.” I began asking, but she won’t tell, but only says, “Is it true he’s leaving you?” And I say, “No, only his father wanted to take him away and get him to marry, but he won’t, and is going to stay with us another year.” And she says, “For goodness’ sake send him out to me. I must see him,” she says, “I must say a word to him somehow.”

She’s been waiting a long time. Why don’t you go? Nikíta Bother her! What should I go for? Nan She says, “If he don’t come, I’ll go into the hut to him.” Blest if she didn’t say she’d come in! Nikíta Not likely. She’ll wait a bit and then go away. Nan “Or is it,” she says, “that they want him to marry Akoulína?” Re-enter Akoulína, passing near Nikíta to take her distaff.

Akoulína Marry whom to Akoulína? Nan Why, Nikíta. Akoulína A likely thing! Who says it? Nikíta Looks at her and laughs. It seems people do say it. Would you marry me, Akoulína? Akoulína Who, you? Perhaps I might have afore, but I won’t now. Nikíta And why not now? Akoulína ’Cos you wouldn’t love me. Nikíta Why not? Akoulína ’Cos you’d be forbidden to. Laughs. Nikíta Who’d forbid it? Akoulína Who? My stepmother. She does nothing but grumble, and is always staring at you.

Nikíta Laughing. Just hear her! Ain’t she cute? Akoulína Who? Me? What’s there to be cute about? Am I blind? She’s been rowing and rowing at dad all day. The fat-muzzled witch! Goes into closet. Nan Looking out of the window. Look, Nikíta, she’s coming! I’m blest if she isn’t! I’ll go away. Exit. Marína Enters. What are you doing with me? Nikíta Doing? I’m not doing anything.

Marína You mean to desert me. Nikíta Gets up angrily. What does this look like, your coming here? Marína Oh, Nikíta! Nikíta Well, you are strange! What have you come for? Marína Nikíta! Nikíta That’s my name. What do you want with Nikíta? Well, what next? Go away, I tell you! Marína I see, you do want to throw me over.

Nikíta Well, and what’s there to remember? You yourself don’t know. When you stood out there round the corner and sent Nan for me, and I didn’t come, wasn’t it plain enough that you’re not wanted? It seems pretty simple. So there⁠—go! Marína Not wanted! So now I’m not wanted! I believed you when you said you would love me. And now that you’ve ruined me, I’m not wanted. Nikíta Where’s the good of talking? This is quite improper.

You’ve been telling tales to father. Now, do go away, will you? Marína You know yourself I never loved anyone but you. Whether you married me or not, I’d not have been angry. I’ve done you no wrong, then why have you left off caring for me? Why? Nikíta Where’s the use of baying at the moon? You go away.

Goodness me! what a duffer! Marína It’s not that you deceived me when you promised to marry me that hurts, but that you’ve left off loving. No, it’s not that you’ve stopped loving me either, but that you’ve changed me for another, that’s what hurts.

I know who it is! Nikíta Comes up to her viciously. Eh! what’s the good of talking to the likes of you, that won’t listen to reason? Be off, or you’ll drive me to do something you’ll be sorry for. Marína What, will you strike me, then? Well then, strike me! What are you turning away for? Ah, Nikíta! Nikíta Supposing someone came in. Of course, it’s quite improper.

And what’s the good of talking? Marína So this is the end of it! What has been has flown. You want me to forget it? Well then, Nikíta, listen. I kept my maiden honour as the apple of my eye. You have ruined me for nothing, you have deceived me. You have no pity on a fatherless and motherless girl! Weeping. You have deserted, you have killed me, but I bear you no malice.

God forgive you! If you find a better one you’ll forget me, if a worse one you’ll remember me. Yes, you will remember, Nikíta! Goodbye, then, if it is to be. Oh, how I loved you! Goodbye for the last time. Takes his head in her hands and tries to kiss him. Nikíta Tossing his head back. I’m not going to talk with the likes of you.

If you won’t go away I will, and you may stay here by yourself. Marína Screams. You are a brute. In the doorway. God will give you no joy. Exit, crying. Akoulína Comes out of closet. You’re a dog, Nikíta! Nikíta What’s up? Akoulína What a cry she gave! Cries. Nikíta What’s up with you? Akoulína What’s up? You’ve hurt her so.

That’s the way you’ll hurt me also. You’re a dog. Exit into closet. Silence. Nikíta Here’s a fine muddle. I’m as sweet as honey on the lasses, but when a fellow’s sinned with ’em it’s a bad lookout!

Curtain.