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Title: The Power of Darkness
Author: Leo Tolstoy
Date: 1886
Language: en
Topics: play, realism
Source: https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/26661

Leo Tolstoy

The Power of Darkness

CHARACTERS

PETER IGNÁTITCH. A well-to-do peasant, 42 years old, married for the

second time, and sickly.

ANÍSYA. His wife, 32 years old, fond of dress.

AKOULÍNA. Peter’s daughter by his first marriage, 16 years old, hard of

hearing, mentally undeveloped.

NAN (ANNA PETRÓVNA). His daughter by his second marriage, 10 years old.

NIKÍTA. Their labourer, 26 years old, fond of dress.

AKÍM. Nikíta’s father, 50 years old, a plain-looking, God-fearing

peasant.

MATRYÓNA. His wife and Nikíta’s mother, 50 years old.

MARÍNA. An orphan girl, 22 years old.

MARTHA. Peter’s sister.

MÍTRITCH. An old labourer, ex-soldier.

SIMON. Marína’s husband.

BRIDEGROOM. Engaged to Akoulína.

IVÁN. His father.

A NEIGHBOUR.

FIRST GIRL.

SECOND GIRL.

POLICE OFFICER.

DRIVER.

BEST-MAN.

MATCHMAKER.

VILLAGE ELDER.

VISITORS, WOMEN, GIRLS, AND PEOPLE come to see the wedding.

N.B.—The ‘oven’ mentioned is the usual large, brick, Russian

baking-oven. The top of it outside is flat, so that more than one person

can lie on it.

ACT I

The Act takes place in autumn in a large village. The Scene represents

Peter’s roomy hut. Peter is sitting on a wooden bench, mending a

horse-collar. Anísya and Akoulína are spinning, and singing a part-song.

PETER [looking out of the window] The horses have got loose again. If we

don’t look out they’ll be killing the colt. Nikíta! Hey, Nikíta! Is the

fellow deaf? [Listens. To the women] Shut up, one can’t hear anything.

NIKÍTA [from outside] What?

PETER. Drive the horses in.

NIKÍTA. We’ll drive ‘em in. All in good time.

PETER [shaking his head] Ah, these labourers! If I were well, I’d not

keep one on no account. There’s nothing but bother with ‘em. [Rises and

sits down again] Nikíta!… It’s no good shouting. One of you’d better go.

Go, Akoúl, drive ‘em in.

AKOULÍNA. What? The horses?

PETER. What else?

AKOULÍNA. All right. [Exit].

PETER. Ah, but he’s a loafer, that lad … no good at all. Won’t stir a

finger if he can help it.

ANÍSYA. You’re so mighty brisk yourself. When you’re not sprawling on

the top of the oven you’re squatting on the bench. To goad others to

work is all you’re fit for.

PETER. If one weren’t to goad you on a bit, one’d have no roof left over

one’s head before the year’s out. Oh what people!

ANÍSYA. You go shoving a dozen jobs on to one’s shoulders, and then do

nothing but scold. It’s easy to lie on the oven and give orders.

PETER [sighing] Oh, if ‘twere not for this sickness that’s got hold of

me, I’d not keep him on another day.

AKOULÍNA [off the scene] Gee up, gee, woo. [A colt neighs, the stamping

of horses’ feet and the creaking of the gate are heard].

PETER. Bragging, that’s what he’s good at. I’d like to sack him, I would

indeed.

ANÍSYA [mimicking him] “Like to sack him.” You buckle to yourself, and

then talk.

AKOULÍNA [enters] It’s all I could do to drive ‘em in. That piebald

always will …

PETER. And where’s Nikíta?

AKOULÍNA. Where’s Nikíta? Why, standing out there in the street.

PETER. What’s he standing there for?

AKOULÍNA. What’s he standing there for? He stands there jabbering.

PETER. One can’t get any sense out of her! Who’s he jabbering with?

AKOULÍNA [does not hear] Eh, what?

Peter waves her off. She sits down to her spinning.

NAN [running in to her mother] Nikíta’s father and mother have come.

They’re going to take him away. It’s true!

ANÍSYA. Nonsense!

NAN. Yes. Blest if they’re not! [Laughing] I was just going by, and

Nikíta, he says, “Good-bye, Anna Petróvna,” he says, “you must come and

dance at my wedding. I’m leaving you,” he says, and laughs.

ANÍSYA [to her husband] There now. Much he cares. You see, he wants to

leave of himself. “Sack him” indeed!

PETER. Well, let him go. Just as if I couldn’t find somebody else.

ANÍSYA. And what about the money he’s had in advance?

Nan stands listening at the door for awhile, and then exit.

PETER [frowning] The money? Well, he can work it off in summer, anyhow.

ANÍSYA. Well, of course you’ll be glad if he goes and you’ve not got to

feed him. It’s only me as’ll have to work like a horse all the winter.

That lass of yours isn’t over fond of work either. And you’ll be lying

up on the oven. I know you.

PETER. What’s the good of wearing out one’s tongue before one has the

hang of the matter?

ANÍSYA. The yard’s full of cattle. You’ve not sold the cow, and have

kept all the sheep for the winter: feeding and watering ‘em alone takes

all one’s time, and you want to sack the labourer. But I tell you

straight, I’m not going to do a man’s work! I’ll go and lie on the top

of the oven same as you, and let everything go to pot! You may do what

you like.

PETER [to Akoulína] Go and see about the feeding, will you? it’s time.

AKOULÍNA. The feeding? All right. [Puts on a coat and takes a rope].

ANÍSYA. I’m not going to work for you. You go and work yourself. I’ve

had enough of it, so there!

PETER. That’ll do. What are you raving about? Like a sheep with the

staggers!

ANÍSYA. You’re a crazy cur, you are! One gets neither work nor pleasure

from you. Eating your fill, that’s all you do, you palsied cur, you!

PETER [spits and puts on coat] Faugh! The Lord have mercy! I’d better go

myself and see what’s up. [Exit].

ANÍSYA [after him] Scurvy long-nosed devil!

AKOULÍNA. What are you swearing at dad for?

ANÍSYA. Hold your noise, you idiot!

AKOULÍNA [going to the door] I know why you’re swearing at him. You’re

an idiot yourself, you bitch. I’m not afraid of you.

ANÍSYA. What do you mean? [Jumps up and looks round for something to hit

her with] Mind, or I’ll give you one with the poker.

AKOULÍNA [opening the door] Bitch! devil! that’s what you are! Devil!

bitch! bitch! devil! [Runs off].

ANÍSYA [ponders] “Come and dance at my wedding!” What new plan is this?

Marry? Mind, Nikíta, if that’s your intention, I’ll go and … No, I can’t

live without him. I won’t let him go.

NIKÍTA [enters, looks round, and seeing Anísya alone approaches quickly.

In a low tone] Here’s a go; I’m in a regular fix! That governor of mine

wants to take me away,—tells me I’m to come home. Says quite straight

I’m to marry and live at home.

ANÍSYA. Well, go and marry! What’s that to me?

NIKÍTA. Is that it? Why, here am I reckoning how best to consider

matters, and just hear her! She tells me to go and marry. Why’s that?

[Winking] Has she forgotten?

ANÍSYA. Yes, go and marry! What do I care?

NIKÍTA. What are you spitting for? Just see, she won’t even let me

stroke her.… What’s the matter?

ANÍSYA. This! That you want to play me false.… If you do,—why, I don’t

want you either. So now you know!

NIKÍTA. That’ll do, Anísya. Do you think I’ll forget you? Never while I

live! I’ll not play you false, that’s flat. I’ve been thinking that

supposing they do go and make me marry, I’d still come back to you. If

only he don’t make me live at home.

ANÍSYA. Much need I’ll have of you, once you’re married.

NIKÍTA. There’s a go now. How is it possible to go against one’s

father’s will?

ANÍSYA. Yes, I daresay, shove it all on your father. You know it’s your

own doing. You’ve long been plotting with that slut of yours, Marína.

It’s she has put you up to it. She didn’t come here for nothing t’other

day.

NIKÍTA. Marína? What’s she to me? Much I care about her!… Plenty of them

buzzing around.

ANÍSYA. Then what has made your father come here? It’s you have told him

to. You’ve gone and deceived me. [Cries].

NIKÍTA. Anísya, do you believe in a God or not? I never so much as

dreamt of it. I know nothing at all about it. I never even dreamt of

it—that’s flat! My old dad has got it all out of his own pate.

ANÍSYA. If you don’t wish it yourself who can force you? He can’t drive

you like an ass.

NIKÍTA. Well, I reckon it’s not possible to go against one’s parent. But

it’s not by my wish.

ANÍSYA. Don’t you budge, that’s all about it!

NIKÍTA. There was a fellow wouldn’t budge, and the village elder gave

him such a hiding.… That’s what it might come to! I’ve no great wish for

that sort of thing. They say it touches one up.…

ANÍSYA. Shut up with your nonsense. Nikíta, listen to me: if you marry

that Marína I don’t know what I won’t do to myself.… I shall lay hands

on myself! I have sinned, I have gone against the law, but I can’t go

back now. If you go away I’ll …

NIKÍTA. Why should I go? Had I wanted to go—I should have gone long ago.

There was Iván Semyónitch t’other day—offered me a place as his

coachman.… Only fancy what a life that would have been! But I did not

go. Because, I reckon, I am good enough for any one. Now if you did not

love me it would be a different matter.

ANÍSYA. Yes, and that’s what you should remember. My old man will die

one of these fine days, I’m thinking; then we could cover our sin, make

it all right and lawful, and then you’ll be master here.

NIKÍTA. Where’s the good of making plans? What do I care? I work as hard

as if I were doing it for myself. My master loves me, and his missus

loves me. And if the wenches run after me, it’s not my fault, that’s

flat.

ANÍSYA. And you’ll love me?

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

MATRYÓNA [enters, and crosses herself a long time before the icón.

Nikíta and Anísya step apart] What I saw I didn’t perceive, what I heard

I didn’t hearken to. Playing with the lass, eh? Well,—even a calf will

play. Why shouldn’t one have some fun when one’s young? But your master

is out in the yard a-calling you, sonnie.

NIKÍTA. I only came to get the axe.

MATRYÓNA. I know, sonnie, I know; them sort of axes are mostly to be

found where the women are.

NIKÍTA [stooping to pick up axe] I say, mother, is it true you want me

to marry? As I reckon, that’s quite unnecessary. Besides, I’ve got no

wish that way.

MATRYÓNA. Eh, honey! why should you marry? Go on as you are. It’s all

the old man. You’d better go, sonnie, we can talk these matters over

without you.

NIKÍTA. It’s a queer go! One moment I’m to be married, the next, not. I

can’t make head or tail of it. [Exit].

ANÍSYA. What’s it all about then? Do you really wish him to get married?

MATRYÓNA. Eh, why should he marry, my jewel? It’s all nonsense, all my

old man’s drivel. “Marry, marry.” But he’s reckoning without his host.

You know the saying, “From oats and hay, why should horses stray?” When

you’ve enough and to spare, why look elsewhere? And so in this case.

[Winks] Don’t I see which way the wind blows?

ANÍSYA. Where’s the good of my pretending to you, Mother Matryóna? You

know all about it. I have sinned. I love your son.

MATRYÓNA. Dear me, here’s news! D’you think Mother Matryóna didn’t know?

Eh, lassie,—Mother Matryóna’s been ground, and ground again, ground

fine! This much I can tell you, my jewel: Mother Matryóna can see

through a brick wall three feet thick. I know it all, my jewel! I know

what young wives need sleeping draughts for, so I’ve brought some along.

[Unties a knot in her handkerchief and brings out paper-packets] As much

as is wanted, I see, and what’s not wanted I neither see nor perceive!

There! Mother Matryóna has also been young. I had to know a thing or two

to live with my old fool. I know seventy-and-seven dodges. But I see

your old man’s quite seedy, quite seedy! How’s one to live with such as

him? Why, if you pricked him with a hay-fork it wouldn’t fetch blood.

See if you don’t bury him before the spring. Then you’ll need some one

in the house. Well, what’s wrong with my son? He’ll do as well as

another. Then where’s the advantage of my taking him away from a good

place? Am I my child’s enemy?

ANÍSYA. Oh, if only he does not go away.

MATRYÓNA. He won’t go away, birdie. It’s all nonsense. You know my old

man. His wits are always wool-gathering; yet sometimes he takes a thing

into his pate, and it’s as if it were wedged in, you can’t knock it out

with a hammer.

ANÍSYA. And what started this business?

MATRYÓNA. Well, you see, my jewel, you yourself know what a fellow with

women the lad is,—and he’s handsome too, though I say it as shouldn’t.

Well, you know, he was living at the railway, and they had an orphan

wench there to cook for them. Well, that same wench took to running

after him.

ANÍSYA. Marína?

MATRYÓNA. Yes, the plague seize her! Whether anything happened or not,

anyhow something got to my old man’s ears. Maybe he heard from the

neighbours, maybe she’s been and blabbed …

ANÍSYA. Well, she is a bold hussy!

MATRYÓNA. So my old man—the old blockhead—off he goes: “Marry, marry,”

he says, “he must marry her and cover the sin,” he says. “We must take

the lad home,” he says, “and he shall marry,” he says. Well, I did my

best to make him change his mind, but, dear me, no. So, all right,

thinks I,—I’ll try another dodge. One always has to entice them fools in

this way, just pretend to be of their mind, and when it comes to the

point one goes and turns it all one’s own way. You know, a woman has

time to think seventy-and-seven thoughts while falling off the oven, so

how’s such as he to see through it? “Well, yes,” says I, “it would be a

good job,—only we must consider well beforehand. Why not go and see our

son, and talk it over with Peter Ignátitch and hear what he has to say?”

So here we are.

ANÍSYA. Oh dear, oh dear, how will it all end? Supposing his father just

orders him to marry her?

MATRYÓNA. Orders, indeed. Chuck his orders to the dogs! Don’t you worry;

that affair will never come off. I’ll go to your old man myself, and

sift and strain this matter clear—there will be none of it left. I have

come here only for the look of the thing. A very likely thing! Here’s my

son living in happiness and expecting happiness, and I’ll go and match

him with a slut! No fear, I’m not a fool!

ANÍSYA. And she—this Marína—came dangling after him here! Mother, would

you believe, when they said he was going to marry, it was as if a knife

had gone right through my heart. I thought he cared for her.

MATRYÓNA. Oh, my jewel! Why, you don’t think him such a fool, that he

should go and care for a homeless baggage like that? Nikíta is a

sensible fellow, you see. He knows whom to love. So don’t you go and

fret, my jewel. We’ll not take him away, and we won’t marry him. No,

we’ll let him stay on, if you’ll only oblige us with a little money.

ANÍSYA. All I know is, that I could not live if Nikíta went away.

MATRYÓNA. Naturally, when one’s young it’s no easy matter! You, a wench

in full bloom, to be living with the dregs of a man like that husband of

yours.

ANÍSYA. Mother Matryóna, would you believe it? I’m that sick of him,

that sick of this long-nosed cur of mine, I can hardly bear to look at

him.

MATRYÓNA. Yes, I see, it’s one of them cases. Just look here, [looks

round and whispers] I’ve been to see that old man, you know—he’s given

me simples of two kinds. This, you see, is a sleeping draught. “Just

give him one of these powders,” he says, “and he’ll sleep so sound you

might jump on him!” And this here, “This is that kind of simple,” he

says, “that if you give one some of it to drink it has no smell

whatever, but its strength is very great. There are seven doses here, a

pinch at a time. Give him seven pinches,” he says, “and she won’t have

far to look for freedom,” he says.

ANÍSYA. O-o-oh! What’s that?

MATRYÓNA. “No sign whatever,” he says. He’s taken a rouble for it.

“Can’t sell it for less,” he says. Because it’s no easy matter to get

‘em, you know. I paid him, dearie, out of my own money. If she takes

them, thinks I, it’s all right; if she don’t, I can let old Michael’s

daughter have them.

ANÍSYA. O-o-oh! But mayn’t some evil come of them? I’m frightened!

MATRYÓNA. What evil, my jewel? If your old man was hale and hearty,

‘twould be a different matter, but he’s neither alive nor dead as it is.

He’s not for this world. Such things often happen.

ANÍSYA. O-o-oh, my poor head! I’m afeared, Mother Matryóna, lest some

evil come of them. No. That won’t do.

MATRYÓNA. Just as you like. I might even return them to him.

ANÍSYA. And are they to be used in the same way as the others? Mixed in

water?

MATRYÓNA. Better in tea, he says. “You can’t notice anything,” he says,

“no smell nor nothing.” He’s a cute old fellow too.

THE POWER OF DARKNESS. Act I.

Matryóna gives Anísya the powders.

ANÍSYA. [taking the powder] O-oh, my poor head! Could I have ever

thought of such a thing if my life were not a very hell?

MATRYÓNA. You’ll not forget that rouble? I promised to take it to the

old man. He’s had some trouble, too.

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

MATRYÓNA. And now, my jewel, keep it as close as you can, so that no one

should find it out. Heaven defend that it should happen, but if any one

notices it, tell ‘em it’s for the black-beetles. [Takes the rouble] It’s

also used for beetles. [Stops short].

Enter Akím, who crosses himself in front of the icón, and then Peter,

who sits down.

PETER. Well then, how’s it to be, Daddy Akím?

AKÍM. As it’s best, Peter Ignátitch, as it’s best … I mean—as it’s best.

‘Cos why? I’m afeared of what d’you call ‘ems, some tomfoolery, you

know. I’d like to, what d’you call it … to start, you know, start the

lad honest, I mean. But supposing you’d rather, what d’you call it, we

might, I mean, what’s name? As it’s best …

PETER. All right. All right. Sit down and let’s talk it over. [Akím sits

down] Well then, what’s it all about? You want him to marry?

MATRYÓNA. As to marrying, he might bide a while, Peter Ignátitch. You

know our poverty, Peter Ignátitch. What’s he to marry on? We’ve hardly

enough to eat ourselves. How can he marry then?…

PETER. You must consider what will be best.

MATRYÓNA. Where’s the hurry for him to get married? Marriage is not that

sort of thing, it’s not like ripe raspberries that drop off if not

picked in time.

PETER. If he were to get married, ‘twould be a good thing in a way.

AKÍM. We’d like to … what d’you call it? ‘Cos why, you see. I’ve what

d’you call it … a job. I mean, I’ve found a paying job in town, you

know.

MATRYÓNA. And a fine job too—cleaning out cesspools. The other day when

he came home, I could do nothing but spew and spew. Faugh!

AKÍM. It’s true, at first it does seem what d’you call it … knocks one

clean over, you know,—the smell, I mean. But one gets used to it, and

then it’s nothing, no worse than malt grain, and then it’s, what d’you

call it, … pays, pays, I mean. And as to the smell being, what d’you

call it, it’s not for the likes of us to complain. And one changes one’s

clothes. So we’d like to take what’s his name … Nikíta I mean, home. Let

him manage things at home while I, what d’you call it,—earn something in

town.

PETER. You want to keep your son at home? Yes, that would be well: but

how about the money he has had in advance?

AKÍM. That’s it, that’s it! It’s just as you say, Ignátitch, it’s just

what d’you call it. ‘Cos why? If you go into service, it’s as good as if

you had sold yourself, they say. That will be all right. I mean he may

stay and serve his time, only he must, what d’you call it, get married.

I mean—so: you let him off for a little while, that he may, what d’you

call it?

PETER. Yes, we could manage that.

MATRYÓNA. Ah, but it’s not yet settled between ourselves, Peter

Ignátitch. I’ll speak to you as I would before God, and you may judge

between my old man and me. He goes on harping on that marriage. But just

ask—who it is he wants him to marry. If it were a girl of the right sort

now— I am not my child’s enemy, but the wench is not honest.

AKÍM. No, that’s wrong! Wrong, I say. ‘Cos why? She, that same girl—it’s

my son as has offended, offended the girl I mean.

PETER. How offended?

AKÍM. That’s how. She’s what d’you call it, with him, with my son,

Nikíta. With Nikíta, what d’you call it, I mean.

MATRYÓNA. You wait a bit, my tongue runs smoother—let me tell it. You

know, this lad of ours lived at the railway before he came to you. There

was a girl there as kept dangling after him. A girl of no account, you

know, her name’s Marína. She used to cook for the men. So now this same

girl accuses our son, Nikíta, that he, so to say, deceived her.

PETER. Well, there’s nothing good in that.

MATRYÓNA. But she’s no honest girl herself; she runs after the fellows

like a common slut.

AKÍM. There you are again, old woman, and it’s not at all what d’you

call it, it’s all not what d’you call it, I mean …

MATRYÓNA. There now, that’s all the sense one gets from my old owl—“what

d’you call it, what d’you call it,” and he doesn’t know himself what he

means. Peter Ignátitch, don’t listen to me, but go yourself and ask any

one you like about the girl, everybody will say the same. She’s just a

homeless good-for-nothing.

PETER. You know, Daddy Akím, if that’s how things are, there’s no reason

for him to marry her. A daughter-in-law’s not like a shoe, you can’t

kick her off.

AKÍM [excitedly] It’s false, old woman, it’s what d’you call it, false;

I mean, about the girl; false! ‘Cos why? The lass is a good lass, a very

good lass, you know. I’m sorry, sorry for the lassie, I mean.

MATRYÓNA. It’s an old saying: “For the wide world old Miriam grieves,

and at home without bread her children she leaves.” He’s sorry for the

girl, but not sorry for his own son! Sling her round your neck and carry

her about with you! That’s enough of such empty cackle!

AKÍM. No, it’s not empty.

MATRYÓNA. There, don’t interrupt, let me have my say.

AKÍM [interrupts] No, not empty! I mean, you twist things your own way,

about the lass or about yourself. Twist them, I mean, to make it better

for yourself; but God, what d’you call it, turns them His way. That’s

how it is.

MATRYÓNA. Eh! One only wears out one’s tongue with you.

AKÍM. The lass is hard-working and spruce, and keeps everything round

herself … what d’you call it. And in our poverty, you know, it’s a pair

of hands, I mean; and the wedding needn’t cost much. But the chief

thing’s the offence, the offence to the lass, and she’s a what d’you

call it, an orphan, you know; that’s what she is, and there’s the

offence.

MATRYÓNA. Eh! they’ll all tell you a tale of that sort …

ANÍSYA. Daddy Akím, you’d better listen to us women; we can tell you a

thing or two.

AKÍM. And God, how about God? Isn’t she a human being, the lass? A what

d’you call it,—also a human being I mean, before God. And how do you

look at it?

MATRYÓNA. Eh!… started off again?…

PETER. Wait a bit, Daddy Akím. One can’t believe all these girls say,

either. The lad’s alive, and not far away; send for him, and find out

straight from him if it’s true. He won’t wish to lose his soul. Go and

call the fellow, [Anísya rises] and tell him his father wants him. [Exit

Anísya].

MATRYÓNA. That’s right, dear friend; you’ve cleared the way clean, as

with water. Yes, let the lad speak for himself. Nowadays, you know,

they’ll not let you force a son to marry; one must first of all ask the

lad. He’ll never consent to marry her and disgrace himself, not for all

the world. To my thinking, it’s best he should go on living with you and

serving you as his master. And we need not take him home for the summer

either; we can hire a help. If you would only give us ten roubles now,

we’ll let him stay on.

PETER. All in good time. First let us settle one thing before we start

another.

AKÍM. You see, Peter Ignátitch, I speak. ‘Cos why? you know how it

happens. We try to fix things up as seems best for ourselves, you know;

and as to God, we what d’you call it, we forget Him. We think it’s best

so, turn it our own way, and lo! we’ve got into a fix, you know. We

think it will be best, I mean; and lo! it turns out much worse—without

God, I mean.

PETER. Of course one must not forget God.

AKÍM. It turns out worse! But when it’s the right way—God’s way—it what

d’you call it, it gives one joy; seems pleasant, I mean. So I reckon,

you see, get him, the lad, I mean, get him to marry her, to keep him

from sin, I mean, and let him what d’you call it at home, as it’s

lawful, I mean, while I go and get the job in town. The work is of the

right sort—it’s payin’, I mean. And in God’s sight it’s what d’you call

it—it’s best, I mean. Ain’t she an orphan? Here, for example, a year ago

some fellows went and took timber from the steward,—thought they’d do

the steward, you know. Yes, they did the steward, but they couldn’t what

d’you call it—do God, I mean. Well, and so …

Enter Nikíta and Nan.

NIKÍTA. You called me? [Sits down and takes out his tobacco-pouch].

PETER [in a low, reproachful voice] What are you thinking about—have you

no manners? Your father is going to speak to you, and you sit down and

fool about with tobacco. Come, get up!

Nikíta rises, leans carelessly with his elbow on the table, and smiles.

AKÍM. It seems there’s a complaint, you know, about you, Nikíta—a

complaint, I mean, a complaint.

NIKÍTA. Who’s been complaining?

AKÍM. Complaining? It’s a maid, an orphan maid, complaining, I mean.

It’s her, you know—a complaint against you, from Marína, I mean.

NIKÍTA [laughs] Well, that’s a good one. What’s the complaint? And who’s

told you—she herself?

AKÍM. It’s I am asking you, and you must now, what d’you call it, give

me an answer. Have you got mixed up with the lass, I mean—mixed up, you

know?

NIKÍTA. I don’t know what you mean. What’s up?

AKÍM. Foolin’, I mean, what d’you call it? foolin’. Have you been

foolin’ with her, I mean?

NIKÍTA. Never mind what’s been! Of course one does have some fun with a

cook now and then to while away the time. One plays the concertina and

gets her to dance. What of that?

PETER. Don’t shuffle, Nikíta, but answer your father straight out.

AKÍM [solemnly] You can hide it from men but not from God, Nikíta. You,

what d’you call it—think, I mean, and don’t tell lies. She’s an orphan;

so, you see, any one is free to insult her. An orphan, you see. So you

should say what’s rightest.

NIKÍTA. But what if I have nothing to say? I have told you

everything—because there isn’t anything to tell, that’s flat! [Getting

excited] She can go and say anything about me, same as if she was

speaking of one as is dead. Why don’t she say anything about Fédka

Mikíshin? Besides, how’s this, that one mayn’t even have a bit of fun

nowadays? And as for her, well, she’s free to say anything she likes.

AKÍM. Ah, Nikíta, mind! A lie will out. Did anything happen?

NIKÍTA [aside] How he sticks to it; it’s too bad. [To Akím] I tell you,

I know nothing more. There’s been nothing between us. [Angrily] By God!

and may I never leave this spot [crosses himself] if I know anything

about it. [Silence. Then still more excitedly] Why! have you been

thinking of getting me to marry her? What do you mean by it?—it’s a

confounded shame. Besides, nowadays you’ve got no such rights as to

force a fellow to marry. That’s plain enough. Besides, haven’t I sworn I

know nothing about it?

MATRYÓNA [to her husband] There now, that’s just like your silly pate,

to believe all they tell you. He’s gone and put the lad to shame all for

nothing. The best thing is to let him live as he is living, with his

master. His master will help us in our present need, and give us ten

roubles, and when the time comes …

PETER. Well, Daddy Akím, how’s it to be?

AKÍM [looks at his son, clicking his tongue disapprovingly] Mind,

Nikíta, the tears of one that’s been wronged never, what d’you call

it—never fall beside the mark but always on, what’s name—the head of the

man as did the wrong. So mind, don’t what d’you call it.

NIKÍTA [sits down] What’s there to mind? mind yourself.

NAN [aside] I must run and tell mother. [Exit].

MATRYÓNA [to Peter] That’s always the way with this old mumbler of mine,

Peter Ignátitch. Once he’s got anything wedged in his pate there’s no

knocking it out. We’ve gone and troubled you all for nothing. The lad

can go on living as he has been. Keep him; he’s your servant.

PETER. Well, Daddy Akím, what do you say?

AKÍM. Why, the lad’s his own master, if only he what d’you call it.… I

only wish that, what d’you call it, I mean.

MATRYÓNA. You don’t know yourself what you’re jawing about. The lad

himself has no wish to leave. Besides, what do we want with him at home?

We can manage without him.

PETER. Only one thing, Daddy Akím—if you are thinking of taking him back

in summer, I don’t want him here for the winter. If he is to stay at

all, it must be for the whole year.

MATRYÓNA. And it’s for a year he’ll bind himself. If we want help when

the press of work comes, we can hire help, and the lad shall remain with

you. Only give us ten roubles now.…

PETER. Well then, is it to be for another year?

AKÍM. [sighing] Yes, it seems, it what d’you call it … if it’s so, I

mean, it seems that it must be what d’you call it.

MATRYÓNA. For a year, counting from St. Dimítry’s day. We know you’ll

pay him fair wages. But give us ten roubles now. Help us out of our

difficulties. [Gets up and bows to Peter].

Enter Nan and Anísya. The latter sits down at one side.

PETER. Well, if that’s settled we might step across to the inn and have

a drink. Come, Daddy Akím, what do you say to a glass of vódka?

AKÍM. No, I never drink that sort of thing.

PETER. Well, you’ll have some tea?

AKÍM. Ah, tea! yes, I do sin that way. Yes, tea’s the thing.

PETER. And the women will also have some tea. Come. And you, Nikíta, go

and drive the sheep in and clear away the straw.

NIKÍTA. All right. [Exeunt all but Nikíta. Nikíta lights a cigarette. It

grows darker] Just see how they bother one. Want a fellow to tell ‘em

how he larks about with the wenches! It would take long to tell ‘em all

those stories—“Marry her,” he says. Marry them all! One would have a

good lot of wives! And what need have I to marry? Am as good as married

now! There’s many a chap as envies me. Yet how strange it felt when I

crossed myself before the icón. It was just as if some one shoved me.

The whole web fell to pieces at once. They say it’s frightening to swear

what’s not true. That’s all humbug. It’s all talk, that is. It’s simple

enough.

AKOULÍNA [enters with a rope, which she puts down. She takes off her

outdoor things and goes into closet] You might at least have got a

light.

NIKÍTA. What, to look at you? I can see you well enough without.

AKOULÍNA. Oh, bother you!

Nan enters and whispers to Nikíta.

NAN. Nikíta, there’s a person wants you. There is!

NIKÍTA. What person?

NAN. Marína from the railway; she’s out there, round the corner.

NIKÍTA. Nonsense!

NAN. Blest if she isn’t!

NIKÍTA. What does she want?

NAN. She wants you to come out. She says, “I only want to say a word to

Nikíta.” I began asking, but she won’t tell, but only says, “Is it true

he’s leaving you?” And I say, “No, only his father wanted to take him

away and get him to marry, but he won’t, and is going to stay with us

another year.” And she says, “For goodness’ sake send him out to me. I

must see him,” she says, “I must say a word to him somehow.” She’s been

waiting a long time. Why don’t you go?

NIKÍTA. Bother her! What should I go for?

NAN. She says, “If he don’t come, I’ll go into the hut to him.” Blest if

she didn’t say she’d come in!

NIKÍTA. Not likely. She’ll wait a bit and then go away.

NAN. “Or is it,” she says, “that they want him to marry Akoulína?”

Re-enter Akoulína, passing near Nikíta to take her distaff.

AKOULÍNA. Marry whom to Akoulína?

NAN. Why, Nikíta.

AKOULÍNA. A likely thing! Who says it?

NIKÍTA [looks at her and laughs] It seems people do say it. Would you

marry me, Akoulína?

AKOULÍNA. Who, you? Perhaps I might have afore, but I won’t now.

NIKÍTA. And why not now?

AKOULÍNA. ‘Cos you wouldn’t love me.

NIKÍTA. Why not?

AKOULÍNA. ‘Cos you’d be forbidden to. [Laughs].

NIKÍTA. Who’d forbid it?

AKOULÍNA. Who? My step-mother. She does nothing but grumble, and is

always staring at you.

NIKÍTA [laughing] Just hear her! Ain’t she cute?

AKOULÍNA. Who? Me? What’s there to be cute about? Am I blind? She’s been

rowing and rowing at dad all day. The fat-muzzled witch! [Goes into

closet].

NAN [looking out of the window] Look, Nikíta, she’s coming! I’m blest if

she isn’t! I’ll go away. [Exit].

MARÍNA [enters] What are you doing with me?

NIKÍTA. Doing? I’m not doing anything.

MARÍNA. You mean to desert me.

NIKÍTA [gets up angrily] What does this look like, your coming here?

MARÍNA. Oh, Nikíta!

NIKÍTA. Well, you are strange! What have you come for?

MARÍNA. Nikíta!

NIKÍTA. That’s my name. What do you want with Nikíta? Well, what next?

Go away, I tell you!

MARÍNA. I see, you do want to throw me over.

NIKÍTA. Well, and what’s there to remember? You yourself don’t know.

When you stood out there round the corner and sent Nan for me, and I

didn’t come, wasn’t it plain enough that you’re not wanted? It seems

pretty simple. So there—go!

MARÍNA. Not wanted! So now I’m not wanted! I believed you when you said

you would love me. And now that you’ve ruined me, I’m not wanted.

NIKÍTA. Where’s the good of talking? This is quite improper. You’ve been

telling tales to father. Now, do go away, will you?

MARÍNA. You know yourself I never loved any one but you. Whether you

married me or not, I’d not have been angry. I’ve done you no wrong, then

why have you left off caring for me? Why?

NIKÍTA. Where’s the use of baying at the moon? You go away. Goodness me!

what a duffer!

MARÍNA. It’s not that you deceived me when you promised to marry me that

hurts, but that you’ve left off loving. No, it’s not that you’ve stopped

loving me either, but that you’ve changed me for another, that’s what

hurts. I know who it is!

NIKÍTA [comes up to her viciously] Eh! what’s the good of talking to the

likes of you, that won’t listen to reason? Be off, or you’ll drive me to

do something you’ll be sorry for.

MARÍNA. What, will you strike me, then? Well then, strike me! What are

you turning away for? Ah, Nikíta!

NIKÍTA. Supposing some one came in. Of course, it’s quite improper. And

what’s the good of talking?

MARÍNA. So this is the end of it! What has been has flown. You want me

to forget it? Well then, Nikíta, listen. I kept my maiden honour as the

apple of my eye. You have ruined me for nothing, you have deceived me.

You have no pity on a fatherless and motherless girl! [Weeping] You have

deserted, you have killed me, but I bear you no malice. God forgive you!

If you find a better one you’ll forget me, if a worse one you’ll

remember me. Yes, you will remember, Nikíta! Good-bye, then, if it is to

be. Oh, how I loved you! Good-bye for the last time. [Takes his head in

her hands and tries to kiss him].

NIKÍTA [tossing his head back] I’m not going to talk with the likes of

you. If you won’t go away I will, and you may stay here by yourself.

MARÍNA [screams] You are a brute. [In the doorway] God will give you no

joy. [Exit, crying].

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

NIKÍTA. What’s up?

AKOULÍNA. What a cry she gave! [Cries].

NIKÍTA. What’s up with you?

AKOULÍNA. What’s up? You’ve hurt her so. That’s the way you’ll hurt me

also. You’re a dog. [Exit into closet].

Silence.

NIKÍTA. Here’s a fine muddle. I’m as sweet as honey on the lasses, but

when a fellow’s sinned with ‘em it’s a bad look-out!

Curtain.

ACT II

The scene represents the village street. To the left the outside of

Peter’s hut, built of logs, with a porch in the middle; to the right of

the hut the gates and a corner of the yard buildings. Anísya is beating

hemp in the street near the corner of the yard. Six months have elapsed

since the First Act.

ANÍSYA [stops and listens] Mumbling something again. He’s probably got

off the stove.

Akoulína enters, carrying two pails on a yoke.

ANÍSYA. He’s calling. You go and see what he wants, kicking up such a

row.

AKOULÍNA. Why don’t you go?

ANÍSYA. Go, I tell you! [Exit Akoulína into hut] He’s bothering me to

death. Won’t let out where the money is, and that’s all about it. He was

out in the passage the other day. He must have been hiding it there.

Now, I don’t know myself where it is. Thank goodness he’s afraid of

parting with it, so that at least it will stay in the house. If only I

could manage to find it. He hadn’t it on him yesterday. Now I don’t know

where it can be. He has quite worn the life out of me.

Enter Akoulína, tying her kerchief over her head.

ANÍSYA. Where are you off to?

AKOULÍNA. Where? Why, he’s told me to go for Aunt Martha. “Fetch my

sister,” he says. “I am going to die,” he says. “I have a word to say to

her.”

ANÍSYA [aside] Asking for his sister? Oh my poor head! Sure he wants to

give it her. What shall I do? Oh! [To Akoulína] Don’t go! Where are you

off to?

AKOULÍNA. To call Aunt.

ANÍSYA. Don’t go I tell you, I’ll go myself. You go and take the clothes

to the river to rinse. Else you’ll not have finished by the evening.

AKOULÍNA. But he told me to go.

ANÍSYA. You go and do as you’re bid. I tell you I’ll fetch Martha

myself. Take the shirts off the fence.

AKOULÍNA. The shirts? But maybe you’ll not go. He’s given the order.

ANÍSYA. Didn’t I say I’d go? Where’s Nan?

AKOULÍNA. Nan? Minding the calves.

ANÍSYA. Send her here. I dare say they’ll not run away. [Akoulína

collects the clothes, and exit].

ANÍSYA. If one doesn’t go he’ll scold. If one goes he’ll give the money

to his sister. All my trouble will be wasted. I don’t myself know what

I’m to do. My poor head’s splitting. [Continues to work].

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

MATRYÓNA. May the Lord help you, honey.

ANÍSYA [looks round, stops working, and claps her hands with joy] Well,

I never expected this! Mother Matryóna, God has sent the right guest at

the right time.

MATRYÓNA. Well, how are things?

ANÍSYA. Ah, I’m driven well-nigh crazy. It’s awful!

MATRYÓNA. Well, still alive, I hear?

ANÍSYA. Oh, don’t talk about it. He doesn’t live and doesn’t die!

MATRYÓNA. But the money—has he given it to anybody?

ANÍSYA. He’s just sending for his sister Martha—probably about the

money.

MATRYÓNA. Well, naturally! But hasn’t he given it to any one else?

ANÍSYA. To no one. I watch like a hawk.

MATRYÓNA. And where is it?

ANÍSYA. He doesn’t let out. And I can’t find out in any way. He hides it

now here, now there, and I can’t do anything because of Akoulína. Idiot

though she is, she keeps watch, and is always about. Oh my poor head!

I’m bothered to death.

MATRYÓNA. Oh, my jewel, if he gives the money to any one but you, you’ll

never cease regretting it as long as you live! They’ll turn you out of

house and home without anything. You’ve been worriting, and worriting

all your life with one you don’t love, and will have to go a-begging

when you are a widow.

ANÍSYA. No need to tell me, mother. My heart’s that weary, and I don’t

know what to do. No one to get a bit of advice from. I told Nikíta, but

he’s frightened of the job. The only thing he did was to tell me

yesterday it was hidden under the floor.

MATRYÓNA. Well, and did you look there?

ANÍSYA. I couldn’t. The old man himself was in the room. I notice that

sometimes he carries it about on him, and sometimes he hides it.

MATRYÓNA. But you, my lass, must remember that if once he gives you the

slip there’s no getting it right again! [Whispering] Well, and did you

give him the strong tea?

ANÍSYA. Oh! oh!… [About to answer, but sees neighbour and stops].

The neighbour (a woman) passes the hut, and listens to a call from

within.

NEIGHBOUR [to Anísya] I say, Anísya! Eh, Anísya! There’s your old man

calling, I think.

ANÍSYA. That’s the way he always coughs,—just as if he were screaming.

He’s getting very bad.

NEIGHBOUR [approaches Matryóna] How do you do, granny? Have you come

far?

MATRYÓNA. Straight from home, dear. Come to see my son. Brought him some

shirts—can’t help thinking of these things, you see, when it’s one’s own

child.

NEIGHBOUR. Yes, that’s always so. [To Anísya] And I was thinking of

beginning to bleach the linen, but it is a bit early, no one has begun

yet.

ANÍSYA. Where’s the hurry?

MATRYÓNA. Well, and has he had communion?

ANÍSYA. Oh dear yes, the priest was here yesterday.

NEIGHBOUR. I had a look at him yesterday. Dearie me! one wonders his

body and soul keep together. And, O Lord, the other day he seemed just

at his last gasp, so that they laid him under the holy icóns.[1] They

started lamenting and got ready to lay him out.

ANÍSYA. He came to, and creeps about again.

MATRYÓNA. Well, and is he to have extreme unction?

ANÍSYA. The neighbours advise it. If he lives till to-morrow we’ll send

for the priest.

NEIGHBOUR. Oh, Anísya dear, I should think your heart must be heavy. As

the saying goes, “Not he is sick that’s ill in bed, but he that sits and

waits in dread.”

ANÍSYA. Yes, if it were only over one way or other!

NEIGHBOUR. Yes, that’s true, dying for a year, it’s no joke. You’re

bound hand and foot like that.

MATRYÓNA. Ah, but a widow’s lot is also bitter. It’s all right as long

as one’s young, but who’ll care for you when you’re old? Oh yes, old age

is not pleasure. Just look at me. I’ve not walked very far, and yet am

so footsore I don’t know how to stand. Where’s my son?

ANÍSYA. Ploughing. But you come in and we’ll get the samovár ready; the

tea’ll set you up again.

MATRYÓNA [sitting down] Yes, it’s true, I’m quite done up, my dears. As

to extreme unction, that’s absolutely necessary. Besides, they say it’s

good for the soul.

ANÍSYA. Yes, we’ll send to-morrow.

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

parts.

NEIGHBOUR. What, in spring?[2]

MATRYÓNA. Ah, now if it were a poor man, then, as the saying is, it’s

always unseasonable for a poor man to marry. But it’s Simon Matvéyitch,

he’s married that Marína.

ANÍSYA. What luck for her!

NEIGHBOUR. He’s a widower. I suppose there are children?

MATRYÓNA. Four of ‘em. What decent girl would have him! Well, so he’s

taken her, and she’s glad. You see, the vessel was not sound, so the

wine trickled out.

NEIGHBOUR. Oh my! And what do people say to it? And he, a rich peasant!

MATRYÓNA. They are living well enough so far.

NEIGHBOUR. Yes, it’s true enough. Who wants to marry where there are

children? There now, there’s our Michael. He’s such a fellow, dear me …

PEASANT’S VOICE. Hullo, Mávra. Where the devil are you? Go and drive the

cow in.

Exit Neighbour.

MATRYÓNA [while the Neighbour is within hearing speaks in her ordinary

voice] Yes, lass, thank goodness, she’s married. At any rate my old fool

won’t go bothering about Nikíta. Now [suddenly changing her tone], she’s

gone! [Whispers] I say, did you give him the tea?

ANÍSYA. Don’t speak about it. He’d better die of himself. It’s no use—he

doesn’t die, and I have only taken a sin on my soul. O-oh, my head, my

head! Oh, why did you give me those powders?

MATRYÓNA. What of the powders? The sleeping powders, lass,—why not give

them? No evil can come of them.

ANÍSYA. I am not talking of the sleeping ones, but the others, the white

ones.

MATRYÓNA. Well, honey, those powders are medicinal.

ANÍSYA [sighs] I know, yet it’s frightening. Though he’s worried me to

death.

MATRYÓNA. Well, and did you use many?

ANÍSYA. I gave two doses.

MATRYÓNA. Was anything noticeable?

ANÍSYA. I had a taste of the tea myself—just a little bitter. And he

drank them with the tea and says, “Even tea disgusts me,” and I say,

“Everything tastes bitter when one’s sick.” But I felt that scared,

mother.

MATRYÓNA. Don’t go thinking about it. The more one thinks the worse it

is.

ANÍSYA. I wish you’d never given them to me and led me into sin. When I

think of it something seems to tear my heart. Oh dear, why did you give

them to me?

MATRYÓNA. What do you mean, honey? Lord help you! Why are you turning it

on to me? Mind, lass, don’t go twisting matters from the sick on to the

healthy. If anything were to happen, I stand aside! I know nothing! I’m

aware of nothing! I’ll kiss the cross on it; I never gave you any kind

of powders, never saw any, never heard of any, and never knew there were

such powders. You think about yourself, lass. Why, we were talking about

you the other day. “Poor thing, what torture she endures. The

step-daughter an idiot; the old man rotten, sucking her life-blood. What

wouldn’t one be ready to do in such a case!”

ANÍSYA. I’m not going to deny it. A life such as mine could make one do

worse than that. It could make you hang yourself or throttle him. Is

this a life?

MATRYÓNA. That’s just it. There’s no time to stand gaping; the money

must be found one way or other, and then he must have his tea.

ANÍSYA. O-oh, my head, my head! I can’t think what to do. I am so

frightened; he’d better die of himself. I don’t want to have it on my

soul.

MATRYÓNA [viciously] And why doesn’t he show the money? Does he mean to

take it along with him? Is no one to have it? Is that right? God forbid

such a sum should be lost all for nothing. Isn’t that a sin? What’s he

doing? Is he worth considering?

ANÍSYA. I don’t know anything. He’s worried me to death.

MATRYÓNA. What is it you don’t know? The business is clear. If you make

a slip now, you’ll repent it all your life. He’ll give the money to his

sister and you’ll be left without.

ANÍSYA. O-oh dear! Yes, and he did send for her—I must go.

MATRYÓNA. You wait a bit and light the samovár first. We’ll give him

some tea and search him together—we’ll find it, no fear.

ANÍSYA. Oh dear, oh dear; supposing something were to happen.

MATRYÓNA. What now? What’s the good of waiting? Do you want the money to

slip from your hand when it’s just in sight? You go and do as I say.

ANÍSYA. Well, I’ll go and light the samovár.

MATRYÓNA. Go, honey, do the business so as not to regret it afterwards.

That’s right! [Anísya turns to go. Matryóna calls her back].

MATRYÓNA. Just a word. Don’t tell Nikíta about the business. He’s silly.

God forbid he should find out about the powders. The Lord only knows

what he would do. He’s so tender-hearted. D’you know, he usen’t to be

able to kill a chicken. Don’t tell him. ‘Twould be a fine go, he

wouldn’t understand things. [Stops horror-struck as Peter appears in the

doorway].

PETER [holding on to the wall, creeps out into the porch and calls with

a faint voice] How’s it one can’t make you hear? Oh, oh, Anísya! Who’s

there? [Drops on the bench].

ANÍSYA [steps from behind the corner] Why have you come out? You should

have stayed where you were lying.

PETER. Has the girl gone for Martha? It’s very hard.… Oh, if only death

would come quicker!

ANÍSYA. She had no time. I sent her to the river. Wait a bit, I’ll go

myself when I’m ready.

PETER. Send Nan. Where’s she? Oh, I’m that bad! Oh, death’s at hand!

ANÍSYA. I’ve sent for her already.

PETER. Oh dear! Then where is she?

ANÍSYA. Where’s she got to, the plague seize her!

PETER. Oh, dear! I can’t bear it. All my inside’s on fire. It’s as if a

gimlet were boring me. Why have you left me as if I were a dog?… no one

to give me a drink.… Oh … send Nan to me.

ANÍSYA. Here she is. Nan, go to father.

Nan runs in. Anísya goes behind the corner of the house.

PETER. Go you. Oh … to Aunt Martha, tell her father wants her; say she’s

to come, I want her.

NAN. All right.

PETER. Wait a bit. Tell her she’s to come quick. Tell her I’m dying.

O-oh!

NAN. I’ll just get my shawl and be off. [Runs off].

MATRYÓNA [winking] Now then, mind and look sharp, lass. Go into the hut,

hunt about everywhere, like a dog that’s hunting for fleas: look under

everything, and I’ll search him.

ANÍSYA [to Matryóna] I feel a bit bolder, somehow, now you’re here.

[Goes up to porch. To Peter] Hadn’t I better light the samovár? Here’s

Mother Matryóna come to see her son; you’ll have a cup of tea with her?

PETER. Well then, light it. [Anísya goes into the house. Matryóna comes

up to the porch].

PETER. How do you do?

MATRYÓNA [bowing] How d’you do, my benefactor; how d’you do, my precious

… still ill, I see. And my old man, he’s that sorry! “Go,” says he, “see

how he’s getting on.” He sends his respects to you. [Bows again].

PETER. I’m dying.

MATRYÓNA. Ah yes, Peter Ignátitch, now I look at you I see, as the

saying has it, “Sickness lives where men live.” You’ve shrivelled,

shrivelled, all to nothing, poor dear, now I come to look at you. Seems

illness does not add to good looks.

PETER. My last hour has come.

MATRYÓNA. Oh well, Peter Ignátitch, it’s God’s will you know, you’ve had

communion, and you’ll have unction, God willing. Your missus is a wise

woman, the Lord be thanked; she’ll give you a good burial, and have

prayers said for your soul, all most respectable! And my son, he’ll look

after things meanwhile.

PETER. There’ll be no one to manage things! She’s not steady. Has her

head full of folly—why, I know all about it, I know. And my girl is

silly and young. I’ve got the homestead together, and there’s no one to

attend to things. One can’t help feeling it. [Whimpers].

MATRYÓNA. Why, if it’s money, or something, you can leave orders.

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

MATRYÓNA [aside] There now, he’s remembered!

ANÍSYA [from inside] She went then and there. Come inside, won’t you?

I’ll help you in.

PETER. Let me sit here a bit for the last time. The air’s so stuffy

inside. Oh, how bad I feel! Oh, my heart’s burning.… Oh, if death would

only come.

MATRYÓNA. If God don’t take a soul, the soul can’t go out. Death and

life are in God’s will, Peter Ignátitch. You can’t be sure of death

either. Maybe you’ll recover yet. There was a man in our village just

like that, at the very point of death …

PETER. No, I feel I shall die to-day, I feel it. [Leans back and shuts

his eyes].

ANÍSYA [enters] Well now, are you coming in or not? You do keep one

waiting. Peter! eh, Peter!

MATRYÓNA [steps aside and beckons to Anísya with her finger] Well?

ANÍSYA [comes down the porch steps] Not there.

MATRYÓNA. But have you searched everywhere? Under the floor?

ANÍSYA. No, it’s not there either. In the shed perhaps; he was rummaging

there yesterday.

MATRYÓNA. Go, search, search for all you’re worth. Go all over

everywhere, as if you licked with your tongue! But I see he’ll die this

very day, his nails are turning blue and his face looks earthy. Is the

samovár ready?

ANÍSYA. Just on the boil.

NIKÍTA [comes from the other side, if possible on horseback, up to the

gate, and does not see Peter. To Matryóna] How d’you do, mother, is all

well at home?

MATRYÓNA. The Lord be thanked, we’re all alive and have a crust to bite.

NIKÍTA. Well, and how’s master?

MATRYÓNA. Hush, there he sits. [Points to porch].

NIKÍTA. Well, let him sit. What’s it to me?

PETER [opens his eyes] Nikíta, I say, Nikíta, come here! [Nikíta

approaches. Anísya and Matryóna whisper together].

PETER. Why have you come back so early?

NIKÍTA. I’ve finished ploughing.

PETER. Have you done the strip beyond the bridge?

NIKÍTA. It’s too far to go there.

PETER. Too far? From here it’s still farther. You’ll have to go on

purpose now. You might have made one job of it. [Anísya, without showing

herself, stands and listens].

MATRYÓNA [approaches] Oh, sonnie, why don’t you take more pains for your

master? Your master is ill and depends on you; you should serve him as

you would your own father, straining every muscle just as I always tell

you to.

PETER. Well then—o-oh!… Get out the seed potatoes, and the women will go

and sort them.

ANÍSYA [aside] No fear, I’m not going. He’s again sending every one

away; he must have the money on him now, and wants to hide it somewhere.

PETER. Else … o-oh! when the time comes for planting, they’ll all be

rotten. Oh, I can’t stand it! [Rises].

MATRYÓNA [runs up into the porch and holds Peter up] Shall I help you

into the hut?

PETER. Help me in. [Stops] Nikíta!

NIKÍTA [angrily] What now?

PETER. I shan’t see you again … I’ll die to-day.… Forgive me,[3] for

Christ’s sake, forgive me if I have ever sinned against you … If I have

sinned in word or deed … There’s been all sorts of things. Forgive me!

NIKÍTA. What’s there to forgive? I’m a sinner myself.

MATRYÓNA. Ah, sonnie, have some feeling.

PETER. Forgive me, for Christ’s sake. [Weeps].

NIKÍTA [snivels] God will forgive you, Daddy Peter. I have no cause to

complain of you. You’ve never done me any wrong. You forgive me; maybe

I’ve sinned worse against you. [Weeps].

Peter goes in whimpering, Matryóna supporting him.

ANÍSYA. Oh, my poor head! It’s not without some reason he’s hit on that.

[Approaches Nikíta] Why did you say the money was under the floor? It’s

not there.

NIKÍTA [does not answer, but cries] I have never had anything bad from

him, nothing but good, and what have I gone and done!

ANÍSYA. Enough now! Where’s the money?

NIKÍTA [angrily] How should I know? Go and look for it yourself!

ANÍSYA. What’s made you so tender?

NIKÍTA. I am sorry for him,—that sorry. How he cried! Oh dear!

ANÍSYA. Look at him,—seized with pity! He has found someone to pity too!

He’s been treating you like a dog, and even just now was giving orders

to have you turned out of the house. You’d better show me some pity!

NIKÍTA. What are you to be pitied for?

ANÍSYA. If he dies, and the money’s been hidden away …

NIKÍTA. No fear, he’ll not hide it …

ANÍSYA. Oh, Nikíta darling! he’s sent for his sister, and wants to give

it to her. It will be a bad lookout for us. How are we going to live, if

he gives her the money? They’ll turn me out of the house! You try and

manage somehow! You said he went to the shed last night.

NIKÍTA. I saw him coming from there, but where he’s shoved it to, who

can tell?

ANÍSYA. Oh, my poor head! I’ll go and have a look there. [Nikíta steps

aside].

MATRYÓNA [comes out of the hut and down the steps of the porch to Anísya

and Nikíta] Don’t go anywhere. He’s got the money on him. I felt it on a

string round his neck.

ANÍSYA. Oh my head, my head!

MATRYÓNA. If you don’t keep wide awake now, then you may whistle for it.

If his sister comes—then good-bye to it!

ANÍSYA. That’s true. She’ll come and he’ll give it her. What’s to be

done? Oh my poor head!

MATRYÓNA. What is to be done? Why, look here; the samovár is boiling, go

and make the tea and pour him out a cup, and then [whispers] put in all

that’s left in the paper. When he’s drunk the cup, then just take it.

He’ll not tell, no fear.

ANÍSYA. Oh! I’m afeared!

MATRYÓNA. Don’t be talking now, but look alive, and I’ll keep his sister

off if need be. Mind, don’t make a blunder! Get hold of the money and

bring it here, and Nikíta will hide it.

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

MATRYÓNA. Don’t talk about it I tell you, do as I bid you. Nikíta!

NIKÍTA. What is it?

MATRYÓNA. You stay here—sit down—in case something is wanted.

NIKÍTA [waves his hand] Oh these women, what won’t they be up to? Muddle

one up completely. Bother them! I’ll really go and fetch out the

potatoes.

MATRYÓNA [catches him by the arm] Stay here, I tell you.

Nan enters.

ANÍSYA. Well?

NAN. She was down in her daughter’s vegetable plot—she’s coming.

ANÍSYA. Coming! What shall we do?

MATRYÓNA. There’s plenty of time if you do as I tell you.

ANÍSYA. I don’t know what to do; I know nothing, my brain’s all in a

whirl. Nan! Go, daughter, and see to the calves, they’ll have run away,

I’m afraid.… Oh dear, I haven’t the courage.

MATRYÓNA. Go on! I should think the samovár’s boiling over.

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

MATRYÓNA [approaches Nikíta] Now then, sonnie. [Sits down beside him]

Your affairs must also be thought about, and not left anyhow.

NIKÍTA. What affairs?

MATRYÓNA. Why, this affair—how you’re to live your life.

NIKÍTA. How to live my life? Others live, and I shall live!

MATRYÓNA. The old man will probably die to-day.

NIKÍTA. Well, if he dies, God give him rest! What’s that to me?

MATRYÓNA [keeps looking towards the porch while she speaks] Eh, sonnie!

Those that are alive have to think about living. One needs plenty of

sense in these matters, honey. What do you think? I’ve tramped all over

the place after your affairs, I’ve got quite footsore bothering about

matters. And you must not forget me when the time comes.

NIKÍTA. And what’s it you’ve been bothering about?

MATRYÓNA. About your affairs, about your future. If you don’t take

trouble in good time you’ll get nothing. You know Iván Moséitch? Well,

I’ve been to him too. I went there the other day. I had something else

to settle, you know. Well, so I sat and chatted awhile and then came to

the point. “Tell me, Iván Moséitch,” says I, “how’s one to manage an

affair of this kind? Supposing,” says I, “a peasant as is a widower

married a second wife, and supposing all the children he has is a

daughter by the first wife, and a daughter by the second. Then,” says I,

“when that peasant dies, could an outsider get hold of the homestead by

marrying the widow? Could he,” says I, “give both the daughters in

marriage and remain master of the house himself?” “Yes, he could,” says

he, “but,” says he, “it would mean a deal of trouble; still the thing

could be managed by means of money, but if there’s no money it’s no good

trying.”

NIKÍTA [laughs] That goes without saying, only fork out the money. Who

does not want money?

MATRYÓNA. Well then, honey, so I spoke out plainly about the affair. And

he says, “First and foremost, your son will have to get himself on the

register of that village—that will cost something. The elders will have

to be treated. And they, you see, they’ll sign. Everything,” says he,

“must be done sensibly.” Look, [unwraps her kerchief and takes out a

paper] he’s written out this paper; just read it, you’re a scholar, you

know. [Nikíta reads].

NIKÍTA. This paper’s only a decision for the elders to sign. There’s no

great wisdom needed for that.

MATRYÓNA. But you just hear what Iván Moséitch bids us do. “Above all,”

he says, “mind and don’t let the money slip away, dame. If she don’t get

hold of the money,” he says, “they’ll not let her do it. Money’s the

great thing!” So look out, sonnie, things are coming to a head.

NIKÍTA. What’s that to me? The money’s hers—so let her look out.

MATRYÓNA. Ah, sonnie, how you look at it! How can a woman manage such

affairs? Even if she does get the money, is she capable of arranging it

all? One knows what a woman is! You’re a man anyhow. You can hide it,

and all that. You see, you’ve after all got more sense, in case of

anything happening.

NIKÍTA. Oh, your woman’s notions are all so inexpedient!

MATRYÓNA. Why inexpedient? You just collar the money, and the woman’s in

your hands. And then should she ever turn snappish you’d be able to

tighten the reins!

NIKÍTA. Bother you all,—I’m going.

ANÍSYA [quite pale, runs out of the hut and round the corner to

Matryóna] So it was, it was on him! Here it is! [Shows that she has

something under her apron].

MATRYÓNA. Give it to Nikíta, he’ll hide it. Nikíta, take it and hide it

somewhere.

NIKÍTA. All right, give here!

ANÍSYA. O-oh, my poor head! No, I’d better do it myself. [Goes towards

the gate].

MATRYÓNA [seizing her by the arm] Where are you going to? You’ll be

missed. There’s the sister coming; give it him; he knows what to do. Eh,

you blockhead!

ANÍSYA [stops irresolutely] Oh, my head, my head!

NIKÍTA. Well, give it here. I’ll shove it away somewhere.

ANÍSYA. Where will you shove it to?

NIKÍTA [laughing] Why, are you afraid?

Enter Akoulína, carrying clothes from the wash.

ANÍSYA. O-oh, my poor head! [Gives the money] Mind, Nikíta.

NIKÍTA. What are you afraid of? I’ll hide it so that I’ll not be able to

find it myself. [Exit].

ANÍSYA [stands in terror] Oh dear, and supposing he …

MATRYÓNA. Well, is he dead?

ANÍSYA. Yes, he seems dead. He did not move when I took it.

MATRYÓNA. Go in, there’s Akoulína.

ANÍSYA. Well there, I’ve done the sin and he has the money.…

MATRYÓNA. Have done and go in! There’s Martha coming!

ANÍSYA. There now, I’ve trusted him. What’s going to happen now? [Exit].

MARTHA [enters from one side, Akoulína enters from the other. To

Akoulína] I should have come before, but I was at my daughter’s. Well,

how’s the old man? Is he dying?

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

MARTHA [pointing to Matryóna] Who’s that?

MATRYÓNA. I’m from Zoúevo. I’m Nikíta’s mother from Zoúevo, my dearie.

Good afternoon to you. He’s withering, withering away, poor dear—your

brother, I mean. He came out himself. “Send for my sister,” he said,

“because,” said he … Dear me, why, I do believe, he’s dead!

ANÍSYA [runs out screaming. Clings to a post, and begins wailing][4] Oh,

oh, ah! who-o-o-m have you left me to, why-y-y have you dese-e-e-e-rted

me—a miserable widow … to live my life alone … Why have you closed your

bright eyes …

Enter Neighbour. Matryóna and Neighbour catch hold of Anísya under the

arms to support her. Akoulína and Martha go into the hut. A crowd

assembles.

A VOICE IN THE CROWD. Send for the old women to lay out the body.

MATRYÓNA [rolls up her sleeves] Is there any water in the copper? But I

daresay the samovár is still hot. I’ll also go and help a bit.

Curtain.

ACT III

The same hut. Winter. Nine months have passed since Act II. Anísya,

plainly dressed, sits before a loom weaving. Nan is on the oven.

MÍTRITCH [an old labourer, enters, and slowly takes off his outdoor

things] Oh Lord, have mercy! Well, hasn’t the master come home yet?

ANÍSYA. What?

MÍTRITCH. Nikíta isn’t back from town, is he?

ANÍSYA. No.

MÍTRITCH. Must have been on the spree. Oh Lord!

ANÍSYA. Have you finished in the stackyard?

MÍTRITCH. What d’you think? Got it all as it should be, and covered

everything with straw! I don’t like doing things by halves! Oh Lord!

holy Nicholas! [Picks at the corns on his hands] But it’s time he was

back.

ANÍSYA. What need has he to hurry? He’s got money. Merry-making with

that girl, I daresay …

MÍTRITCH. Why shouldn’t one make merry if one has the money? And why did

Akoulína go to town?

ANÍSYA. You’d better ask her. How do I know what the devil took her

there!

MÍTRITCH. What! to town? There’s all sorts of things to be got in town

if one’s got the means. Oh Lord!

NAN. Mother, I heard myself. “I’ll get you a little shawl,” he says,

blest if he didn’t; “you shall choose it yourself,” he says. And she got

herself up so fine; she put on her velveteen coat and the French shawl.

ANÍSYA. Really, a girl’s modesty reaches only to the door. Step over the

threshold and it’s forgotten. She is a shameless creature.

MÍTRITCH. Oh my! What’s the use of being ashamed? While there’s plenty

of money make merry. Oh Lord! It is too soon to have supper, eh? [Anísya

does not answer] I’ll go and get warm meanwhile. [Climbs on the stove]

Oh Lord! Blessed Virgin Mother! holy Nicholas!

NEIGHBOUR [enters] Seems your goodman’s not back yet?

ANÍSYA. No.

NEIGHBOUR. It’s time he was. Hasn’t he perhaps stopped at our inn? My

sister, Thekla, says there’s heaps of sledges standing there as have

come from the town.

ANÍSYA. Nan! Nan, I say!

NAN. Yes?

ANÍSYA. You run to the inn and see! Mayhap, being drunk, he’s gone

there.

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

NEIGHBOUR. And he’s taken Akoulína with him?

ANÍSYA. Else he’d not have had any need of going. It’s because of her

he’s unearthed all the business there. “Must go to the bank,” he says;

“it’s time to receive the payments,” he says. But it’s all her fooling.

NEIGHBOUR [shakes her head] It’s a bad look-out. [Silence].

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

ANÍSYA. You only see if he’s there.

NAN. All right. I’ll be back in a winking. [Long silence].

MÍTRITCH [roars] Oh Lord! merciful Nicholas!

NEIGHBOUR [starting] Oh, how he scared me? Who is it?

ANÍSYA. Why, Mítritch, our labourer.

NEIGHBOUR. Oh dear, oh dear, what a fright he did give me! I had quite

forgotten. But tell me, dear, I’ve heard someone’s been wooing Akoulína?

ANÍSYA [gets up from the loom and sits down by the table] There was some

one from Dédlovo; but it seems the affair’s got wind there too. They

made a start, and then stopped; so the thing fell through. Of course,

who’d care to?

NEIGHBOUR. And the Lizounófs from Zoúevo?

ANÍSYA. They made some steps too, but it didn’t come off either. They

won’t even see us.

NEIGHBOUR. Yet it’s time she was married.

ANÍSYA. Time and more than time! Ah, my dear, I’m that impatient to get

her out of the house; but the matter does not come off. He does not wish

it, nor she either. He’s not yet had enough of his beauty, you see.

NEIGHBOUR. Eh, eh, eh, what doings! Only think of it. Why, he’s her

step-father!

ANÍSYA. Ah, friend, they’ve taken me in completely. They’ve done me so

fine it’s beyond saying. I, fool that I was, noticed nothing, suspected

nothing, and so I married him. I guessed nothing, but they already

understood one another.

NEIGHBOUR. Oh dear, what goings on!

ANÍSYA. So it went on from bad to worse, and I see they begin hiding

from me. Ah, friend, I was that sick—that sick of my life! It’s not as

if I didn’t love him.

NEIGHBOUR. That goes without saying.

ANÍSYA. Ah, how hard it is to bear such treatment from him! Oh, how it

hurts!

NEIGHBOUR. Yes, and I’ve heard say he’s becoming too free with his

fists?

ANÍSYA. And that too! There was a time when he was gentle when he’d had

a drop. He used to hit out before, but of me he was always fond! But now

when he’s in a temper he goes for me and is ready to trample me under

his feet. The other day he got both hands entangled in my hair so that I

could hardly get away. And the girl’s worse than a serpent; it’s a

wonder the earth bears such furies.

NEIGHBOUR. Ah, ah, my dear, now I look at you, you are a sufferer! To

suffer like that is no joke. To have given shelter to a beggar, and he

to lead you such a dance! Why don’t you pull in the reins?

ANÍSYA. Ah, but my dear, if it weren’t for my heart! Him as is gone was

stern enough, still I could twist him about any way I liked; but with

this one I can do nothing. As soon as I see him all my anger goes. I

haven’t a grain of courage before him; I go about like a drowned hen.

NEIGHBOUR. Ah, neighbour, you must be under a spell. I’ve heard that

Matryóna goes in for that sort of thing. It must be her.

ANÍSYA. Yes, dear; I think so myself sometimes. Gracious me, how hurt I

feel at times! I’d like to tear him to pieces. But when I set eyes on

him, my heart won’t go against him.

NEIGHBOUR. It’s plain you’re bewitched. It don’t take long to blight a

body. There now, when I look at you, what you have dwindled to!

ANÍSYA. Growing a regular spindle-shanks. And just look at that fool

Akoulína. Wasn’t the girl a regular untidy slattern, and just look at

her now! Where has it all come from? Yes, he has fitted her out. She’s

grown so smart, so puffed up, just like a bubble that’s ready to burst.

And, though she’s a fool, she’s got it into her head, “I’m the

mistress,” she says; “the house is mine; it’s me father wanted him to

marry.” And she’s that vicious! Lord help us, when she gets into a rage

she’s ready to tear the thatch off the house.

NEIGHBOUR. Oh dear, what a life yours is, now I come to look at you. And

yet there’s people envying you: “They’re rich,” they say; but it seems

that gold don’t keep tears from falling.

ANÍSYA. Much reason for envy indeed! And the riches, too, will soon be

made ducks and drakes of. Dear me, how he squanders money!

NEIGHBOUR. But how’s it, dear, you’ve been so simple to give up the

money? It’s yours.

ANÍSYA. Ah, if you knew all! The thing is that I’ve made one little

mistake.

NEIGHBOUR. Well, if I were you, I’d go straight and have the law of him.

The money’s yours; how dare he squander it? There’s no such rights.

ANÍSYA. They don’t pay heed to that nowadays.

NEIGHBOUR. Ah, my dear, now I come to look at you, you’ve got that weak.

ANÍSYA. Yes, quite weak, dear, quite weak. He’s got me into a regular

fix. I don’t myself know anything. Oh, my poor head!

NEIGHBOUR [listening] There’s someone coming, I think. [The door opens

and Akím enters].

AKÍM [crosses himself, knocks the snow off his feet, and takes off his

coat] Peace be to this house! How do you do? Are you well, daughter?

ANÍSYA. How d’you do, father? Do you come straight from home?

AKÍM. I’ve been a-thinking, I’ll go and see what’s name, go to see my

son, I mean,—my son. I didn’t start early—had my dinner, I mean; I went,

and it’s so what d’you call it—so snowy, hard walking, and so there I’m

what d’you call it—late, I mean. And my son—is he at home? At home? My

son, I mean.

ANÍSYA. No; he’s gone to the town.

AKÍM [sits down on a bench] I’ve some business with him, d’you see, some

business, I mean. I told him t’other day, told him I was in need—told

him, I mean, that our horse was done for, our horse, you see. So we must

what d’ye call it, get a horse, I mean, some kind of a horse, I mean. So

there, I’ve come, you see.

ANÍSYA. Nikíta told me. When he comes back you’ll have a talk. [Goes to

the oven] Have some supper now, and he’ll soon come. Mítritch, eh

Mítritch, come have your supper.

MÍTRITCH. Oh Lord! merciful Nicholas!

ANÍSYA. Come to supper.

NEIGHBOUR. I shall go now. Good-night. [Exit].

MÍTRITCH [gets down from the oven] I never noticed how I fell asleep. Oh

Lord! gracious Nicholas! How d’you do, Daddy Akím?

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

MÍTRITCH. Why, I’m working for your son, Nikíta.

AKÍM. Dear me! What d’ye call … working for my son, I mean. Dear me!

MÍTRITCH. I was living with a tradesman in town, but drank all I had

there. Now I’ve come back to the village. I’ve no home, so I’ve gone

into service. [Gapes] Oh Lord!

AKÍM. But how’s that, what d’you call it, or what’s name, Nikíta, what

does he do? Has he some business, I mean besides, that he should hire a

labourer, a labourer I mean, hire a labourer?

ANÍSYA. What business should he have? He used to manage, but now he’s

other things on his mind, so he’s hired a labourer.

MÍTRITCH. Why shouldn’t he, seeing he has money?

AKÍM. Now that’s what d’you call it, that’s wrong, I mean, quite wrong,

I mean. That’s spoiling oneself.

ANÍSYA. Oh, he has got spoilt, that spoilt, it’s just awful.

AKÍM. There now, what d’you call it, one thinks how to make things

better, and it gets worse I mean. Riches spoil a man, spoil, I mean.

MÍTRITCH. Fatness makes even a dog go mad; how’s one not to get spoilt

by fat living? Myself now; how I went on with fat living. I drank for

three weeks without being sober. I drank my last breeches. When I had

nothing left, I gave it up. Now I’ve determined not to. Bother it!

AKÍM. And where’s what d’you call, your old woman?

MÍTRITCH. My old woman has found her right place, old fellow. She’s

hanging about the gin-shops in town. She’s a swell too; one eye knocked

out, and the other black, and her muzzle twisted to one side. And she’s

never sober; drat her!

AKÍM. Oh, oh, oh, how’s that?

MÍTRITCH. And where’s a soldier’s wife to go? She has found her right

place. [Silence].

AKÍM [to Anísya] And Nikíta,—has he what d’you call it, taken anything

up to town? I mean, anything to sell?

ANÍSYA [laying the table and serving up] No, he’s taken nothing. He’s

gone to get money from the bank.

AKÍM [sitting down to supper] Why? D’you wish to put it to another use,

the money I mean?

ANÍSYA. No, we don’t touch it. Only some twenty or thirty roubles as

have come due; they must be taken.

AKÍM. Must be taken. Why take it, the money I mean? You’ll take some

to-day I mean, and some to-morrow; and so you’ll what d’you call it,

take it all, I mean.

ANÍSYA. We get this besides. The money is all safe.

AKÍM. All safe? How’s that, safe? You take it, and it what d’you call

it, it’s all safe. How’s that? You put a heap of meal into a bin, or a

barn, I mean, and go on taking meal, will it remain there what d’you

call it, all safe I mean? That’s, what d’you call it, it’s cheating.

You’d better find out, or else they’ll cheat you. Safe indeed! I mean

you what d’ye call … you take it and it remains all safe there?

ANÍSYA. I know nothing about it. Iván Moséitch advised us at the time.

“Put the money in the bank,” he said, “the money will be safe, and

you’ll get interest,” he said.

MÍTRITCH [having finished his supper] That’s so. I’ve lived with a

tradesman. They all do like that. Put the money in the bank, then lie

down on the oven and it will keep coming in.

AKÍM. That’s queer talk. How’s that—what d’ye call, coming in, how’s

that coming in, and they, who do they get it from I mean, the money I

mean?

ANÍSYA. They take the money out of the bank.

MÍTRITCH. Get along! ‘Tain’t a thing a woman can understand! You look

here, I’ll make it all clear to you. Mind and remember. You see, suppose

you’ve got some money, and I, for instance, have spring coming on, my

land’s idle, I’ve got no seeds, or I have to pay taxes. So, you see, I

go to you. “Akím,” I say, “give us a ten-rouble note, and when I’ve

harvested in autumn I’ll return it, and till two acres for you besides,

for having obliged me!” And you, seeing I’ve something to fall back on—a

horse say, or a cow—you say, “No, give two or three roubles for the

obligation,” and there’s an end of it. I’m stuck in the mud, and can’t

do without. So I say, “All right!” and take a tenner. In the autumn,

when I’ve made my turnover, I bring it back, and you squeeze the extra

three roubles out of me.

AKÍM. Yes, but that’s what peasants do when they what d’ye call it, when

they forget God. It’s not honest, I mean, it’s no good, I mean.

MÍTRITCH. You wait. You’ll see it comes just to the same thing. Now

don’t forget how you’ve skinned me. And Anísya, say, has got some money

lying idle. She does not know what to do with it, besides, she’s a

woman, and does not know how to use it. She comes to you. “Couldn’t you

make some profit with my money too?” she says. “Why not?” say you, and

you wait. Before the summer I come again and say, “Give me another

tenner, and I’ll be obliged.” Then you find out if my hide isn’t all

gone, and if I can be skinned again you give me Anísya’s money. But

supposing I’m clean shorn,—have nothing to eat,—then you see I can’t be

fleeced any more, and you say, “Go your way, friend,” and you look out

for another, and lend him your own and Anísya’s money and skin him.

That’s what the bank is. So it goes round and round. It’s a cute thing,

old fellow!

AKÍM [excitedly] Gracious me, whatever is that like? It’s what d’ye call

it, it’s filthy! The peasants—what d’ye call it, the peasants do so I

mean, and know it’s, what d’ye call it, a sin! It’s what d’you call, not

right, not right, I mean. It’s filthy! How can people as have learnt …

what d’ye call it …

MÍTRITCH. That, old fellow, is just what they’re fond of! And remember,

them that are stupid, or the women folk, as can’t put their money into

use themselves, they take it to the bank, and they there, deuce take

‘em, clutch hold of it, and with this money they fleece the people. It’s

a cute thing!

AKÍM [sighing] Oh dear, I see, what d’ye call it, without money it’s

bad, and with money it’s worse! How’s that? God told us to work, but

you, what d’ye call … I mean you put money into the bank and go to

sleep, and the money will what d’ye call it, will feed you while you

sleep. It’s filthy, that’s what I call it; it’s not right.

MÍTRITCH. Not right? Eh, old fellow, who cares about that nowadays? And

how clean they pluck you, too! That’s the fact of the matter.

AKÍM [sighs] Ah yes, seems the time’s what d’ye call it, the time’s

growing ripe. There, I’ve had a look at the closets in town. What

they’ve come to! It’s all polished and polished I mean, it’s fine, it’s

what d’ye call it, it’s like inside an inn. And what’s it all for?

What’s the good of it? Oh, they’ve forgotten God. Forgotten, I mean.

We’ve forgotten, forgotten God, God I mean! Thank you, my dear, I’ve had

enough. I’m quite satisfied. [Rises. Mítritch climbs on to the oven].

ANÍSYA [eats, and collects the dishes] If his father would only take him

to task! But I’m ashamed to tell him.

AKÍM. What d’you say?

ANÍSYA. Oh! it’s nothing.

Enter Nan.

AKÍM. Here’s a good girl, always busy! You’re cold, I should think?

NAN. Yes, I am, terribly. How d’you do, grandfather?

ANÍSYA. Well? Is he there?

NAN. No. But Andriyán is there. He’s been to town, and he says he saw

them at an inn in town. He says Dad’s as drunk as drunk can be!

ANÍSYA. Do you want anything to eat? Here you are.

NAN [goes to the oven] Well, it is cold. My hands are quite numb. [Akím

takes off his leg-bands and bast-shoes. Anísya washes up].

ANÍSYA. Father!

AKÍM. Well, what is it?

ANÍSYA. And is Marína living well?

AKÍM. Yes, she’s living all right. The little woman is what d’ye call

it, clever and steady; she’s living, and what d’ye call it, doing her

best. She’s all right; the little woman’s of the right sort I mean;

painstaking and what d’ye call it, submissive; the little woman’s all

right I mean, all right, you know.

ANÍSYA. And is there no talk in your village that a relative of Marína’s

husband thinks of marrying our Akoulína? Have you heard nothing of it?

AKÍM. Ah; that’s Mirónof. Yes, the women did chatter something. But I

didn’t pay heed, you know. It don’t interest me I mean, I don’t know

anything. Yes, the old women did say something, but I’ve a bad memory,

bad memory, I mean. But the Mirónofs are what d’ye call it, they’re all

right, I mean they’re all right.

ANÍSYA. I’m that impatient to get her settled.

AKÍM. And why?

NAN [listens] They’ve come!

ANÍSYA. Well, don’t you go bothering them. [Goes on washing the spoons

without turning her head].

NIKÍTA [enters] Anísya! Wife! who has come? [Anísya looks up and turns

away in silence].

NIKÍTA [severely] Who has come? Have you forgotten?

ANÍSYA. Now don’t humbug. Come in!

NIKÍTA [still more severely] Who’s come?

ANÍSYA [goes up and takes him by the arm] Well then, husband has come.

Now then, come in!

NIKÍTA [holds back] Ah, that’s it! Husband! And what’s husband called?

Speak properly.

ANÍSYA. Oh bother you! Nikíta!

NIKÍTA. Where have you learnt manners? The full name.

ANÍSYA. Nikíta Akímitch! Now then!

NIKÍTA [still in the doorway] Ah, that’s it! But now—the surname?

ANÍSYA [laughs and pulls him by the arm] Tchilíkin. Dear me, what airs!

NIKÍTA. Ah, that’s it. [Holds on to the door-post] No, now say with

which foot Tchilíkin steps into this house!

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

NIKÍTA. Say with which foot he steps? You’ve got to say it,—that’s flat.

ANÍSYA [aside] He’ll go on worrying. [To Nikíta] Well then, with the

left. Come in!

NIKÍTA. Ah, that’s it.

ANÍSYA. You look who’s in the hut!

NIKÍTA. Ah, my parent! Well, what of that? I’m not ashamed of my parent.

I can pay my respects to my parent. How d’you do, father? [Bows and puts

out his hand] My respects to you.

THE POWER OF DARKNESS. Act III.

Anísya. Come in!

Nikíta. Ah, that’s it.

Anísya. You look who’s in the hut!

Nikíta. Ah, my parent! Well, what of that? I’m not ashamed of my parent.

AKÍM [does not answer] Drink, I mean drink, what it does! It’s filthy!

NIKÍTA. Drink, what’s that? I’ve been drinking? I’m to blame, that’s

flat! I’ve had a glass with a friend, drank his health.

ANÍSYA. Go and lie down, I say.

NIKÍTA. Wife, say where am I standing?

ANÍSYA. Now then, it’s all right, lie down!

NIKÍTA. No, I’ll first drink a samovár with my parent. Go and light the

samovár. Akoulína, I say, come here!

Enter Akoulína, smartly dressed and carrying their purchases.

AKOULÍNA. Why have you thrown everything about? Where’s the yarn?

NIKÍTA. The yarn? The yarn’s there. Hullo, Mítritch, where are you?

Asleep? Asleep? Go and put the horse up.

AKÍM [not seeing Akoulína but looking at his son] Dear me, what is he

doing? The old man’s what d’ye call it, quite done up, I mean,—been

thrashing,—and look at him, what d’ye call it, putting on airs! Put up

the horse! Faugh, what filth!

MÍTRITCH [climbs down from the oven, and puts on felt boots] Oh,

merciful Lord! Is the horse in the yard? Done it to death, I dare say.

Just see how he’s been swilling, the deuce take him. Up to his very

throat. Oh Lord, holy Nicholas! [Puts on sheepskin, and exit].

NIKÍTA [sits down] You must forgive me, father. It’s true I’ve had a

drop; well, what of that? Even a hen will drink. Ain’t it true? So you

must forgive me. Never mind Mítritch, he doesn’t mind, he’ll put it up.

ANÍSYA. Shall I really light the samovár?

NIKÍTA. Light it! My parent has come. I wish to talk to him, and shall

drink tea with him. [To Akoulína] Have you brought all the parcels?

AKOULÍNA. The parcels? I’ve brought mine, the rest’s in the sledge. Hi,

take this, this isn’t mine!

Throws a parcel on the table and puts the others into her box. Nan

watches her while she puts them away. Akím does not look at his son, but

puts his leg-bands and bast-shoes on the oven.

ANÍSYA [going out with the samovár] Her box is full as it is, and still

he’s bought more!

THE POWER OF DARKNESS. Act III.

Nikíta. Have you brought all the parcels?

Akoulína. The parcels? I’ve brought mine, the rest’s in the sledge.

Anísya. Her box is full as it is, and still he’s bought more!

NIKÍTA [pretending to be sober] You must not be cross with me, father.

You think I’m drunk? I am all there, that’s flat! As they say, “Drink,

but keep your wits about you.” I can talk with you at once, father. I

can attend to any business. You told me about the money; your horse is

worn-out,—I remember! That can all be managed. That’s all in our hands.

If it was an enormous sum that’s wanted, then we might wait; but as it

is I can do everything. That’s the case.

AKÍM [goes on fidgeting with the leg-bands] Eh, lad, “It’s ill sledging

when the thaw has set in.”

NIKÍTA. What d’you mean by that? “And it’s ill talking with one who is

drunk”? But don’t you worry, let’s have some tea. And I can do anything;

that’s flat! I can put everything to rights.

AKÍM [shakes his head] Eh, eh, eh!

NIKÍTA. The money, here it is. [Puts his hand in his pocket, pulls out

pocket-book, handles the notes in it and takes out a ten-rouble note]

Take this to get a horse; I can’t forget my parent. I shan’t forsake

him, that’s flat. Because he’s my parent! Here you are, take it! Really

now, I don’t grudge it. [Comes up and pushes the note towards Akím who

won’t take it. Nikíta catches hold of his father’s hand] Take it, I tell

you. I don’t grudge it.

AKÍM. I can’t, what d’you call it, I mean, can’t take it! And can’t what

d’ye call it, talk to you, because you’re not yourself, I mean.

NIKÍTA. I’ll not let you go! Take it! [Puts the money into Akím’s hand].

ANÍSYA [enters, and stops] You’d better take it, he’ll give you no

peace!

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

mean!

NIKÍTA. That’s better! If you repay it you’ll repay it, if not I’ll make

no bother. That’s what I am! [Sees Akoulína] Akoulína, show your

presents.

AKOULÍNA. What?

NIKÍTA. Show your presents.

AKOULÍNA. The presents, what’s the use of showing ‘em? I’ve put ‘em

away.

NIKÍTA. Get them, I tell you. Nan will like to see ‘em. Undo the shawl.

Give it here.

AKÍM. Oh, oh! It’s sickening! [Climbs on the oven].

AKOULÍNA [gets out the parcels and puts them on the table] Well, there

you are,—what’s the good of looking at ‘em?

NAN. Oh how lovely! It’s as good as Stepanída’s.

AKOULÍNA. Stepanída’s? What’s Stepanída’s compared to this? [Brightening

up and undoing the parcels] Just look here,—see the quality! It’s a

French one.

NAN. The print is fine! Mary has a dress like it, only lighter on a blue

ground. This is pretty.

NIKÍTA. Ah, that’s it!

Anísya passes angrily into the closet, returns with a tablecloth and the

chimney of the samovár, and goes up to the table.

ANÍSYA. Drat you, littering the table!

NIKÍTA. You look here!

ANÍSYA. What am I to look at? Have I never seen anything? Put it away!

[Sweeps the shawl on to the floor with her arm].

AKOULÍNA. What are you pitching things down for? You pitch your own

things about! [Picks up the shawl].

NIKÍTA. Anísya! Look here!

ANÍSYA. Why am I to look?

NIKÍTA. You think I have forgotten you? Look here! [Shows her a parcel

and sits down on it] It’s a present for you. Only you must earn it!

Wife, where am I sitting?

ANÍSYA. Enough of your humbug. I’m not afraid of you. Whose money are

you spreeing on and buying your fat wench presents with? Mine!

AKOULÍNA. Yours indeed? No fear! You wished to steal it, but it did not

come off! Get out of the way! [Pushes her while trying to pass].

ANÍSYA. What are you shoving for? I’ll teach you to shove!

AKOULÍNA. Shove me? You try! [Presses against Anísya].

NIKÍTA. Now then, now then, you women. Have done now! [Steps between

them].

AKOULÍNA. Comes shoving herself in! You ought to keep quiet and remember

your doings! You think no one knows!

ANÍSYA. Knows what? Out with it, out with it! What do they know?

AKOULÍNA. I know something about you!

ANÍSYA. You’re a slut who goes with another’s husband!

AKOULÍNA. And you did yours to death!

ANÍSYA [throwing herself on Akoulína] You’re raving!

NIKÍTA [holding her back] Anísya, you seem to have forgotten!

ANÍSYA. Want to frighten me! I’m not afraid of you!

NIKÍTA [turns Anísya round and pushes her out] Be off!

ANÍSYA. Where am I to go? I’ll not go out of my own house!

NIKÍTA. Be off, I tell you, and don’t dare to come in here!

ANÍSYA. I won’t go! [Nikíta pushes her, Anísya cries and screams and

clings to the door] What! am I to be turned out of my own house by the

scruff of the neck? What are you doing, you scoundrel? Do you think

there’s no law for you? You wait a bit!

NIKÍTA. Now then!

ANÍSYA. I’ll go to the Elder! To the policeman!

NIKÍTA. Off, I tell you! [Pushes her out].

ANÍSYA [behind the door] I’ll hang myself!

NIKÍTA. No fear!

NAN. Oh, oh, oh! Mother, dear, darling! [Cries].

NIKÍTA. Me frightened of her! A likely thing! What are you crying for?

She’ll come back, no fear. Go and see to the samovár. [Exit Nan].

AKOULÍNA [collects and folds her presents] The mean wretch, how she’s

messed it up. But wait a bit, I’ll cut up her jacket for her! Sure I

will!

NIKÍTA. I’ve turned her out, what more do you want?

AKOULÍNA. She’s dirtied my new shawl. If that bitch hadn’t gone away,

I’d have torn her eyes out!

NIKÍTA. That’s enough. Why should you be angry? Now if I loved her …

AKOULÍNA. Loved her? She’s worth loving, with her fat mug! If you’d have

given her up, then nothing would have happened. You should have sent her

to the devil. And the house was mine all the same, and the money was

mine! Says she is the mistress, but what sort of mistress is she to her

husband? She’s a murderess, that’s what she is! She’ll serve you the

same way!

NIKÍTA. Oh dear, how’s one to stop a woman’s jaw? You don’t yourself

know what you’re jabbering about!

AKOULÍNA. Yes, I do. I’ll not live with her! I’ll turn her out of the

house! She can’t live here with me. The mistress indeed! She’s not the

mistress,—that jailbird!

NIKÍTA. That’s enough! What have you to do with her? Don’t mind her. You

look at me! I am the master! I do as I like. I’ve ceased to love her,

and now I love you. I love who I like! The power is mine, she’s under

me. That’s where I keep her. [Points to his feet] A pity we’ve no

concertina. [Sings].

“We have loaves on the stoves, We have porridge on the shelf. So we’ll

live and be gay, Making merry every day, And when death comes, Then

we’ll die! We have loaves on the stoves, We have porridge on the shelf

…”

Enter Mítritch. He takes off his outdoor things and climbs on the oven.

MÍTRITCH. Seems the women have been fighting again! Tearing each other’s

hair. Oh Lord, gracious Nicholas!

AKÍM [sitting on the edge of the oven, takes his leg-bands and shoes and

begins putting them on] Get in, get into the corner.

MÍTRITCH. Seems they can’t settle matters between them. Oh Lord!

NIKÍTA. Get out the liquor, we’ll have some with our tea.

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

NIKÍTA. And where’s your mother?

NAN. She’s standing and crying out there in the passage.

NIKÍTA. Oh, that’s it! Call her, and tell her to bring the samovár. And

you, Akoulína, get the tea things.

AKOULÍNA. The tea things? All right. [Brings the things].

NIKÍTA [unpacks spirits, rusks, and salt herrings] That’s for myself.

This is yarn for the wife. The paraffin is out there in the passage, and

here’s the money. Wait a bit, [takes a counting-frame] I’ll add it up.

[Adds] Wheat-flour, kopéykas, oil … Father, 10 roubles.… Father, come

let’s have some tea!

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

Anísya with samovár.

ANÍSYA. Where shall I put it?

NIKÍTA. Here on the table. Well! have you been to the Elder? Ah, that’s

it! Have your say and then eat your words. Now then, that’s enough.

Don’t be cross, sit down and drink this. [Fills a wine-glass for her]

And here’s your present. [Gives her the parcel he had been sitting on.

Anísya takes it silently and shakes her head].

AKÍM [gets down and puts on his sheepskin, then comes up to the table

and puts down the money] Here, take your money back! Put it away.

NIKÍTA [does not see the money] Why have you put on your things?

AKÍM. I’m going, going I mean; forgive me for the Lord’s sake. [Takes up

his cap and belt].

NIKÍTA. My gracious! Where are you going to at this time of night?

AKÍM. I can’t, I mean what d’ye call ‘em, in your house, what d’ye call

‘em, can’t stay I mean, stay, can’t stay, forgive me.

NIKÍTA. But are you going without having any tea?

AKÍM [fastens his belt] Going, because, I mean, it’s not right in your

house, I mean, what d’you call it, not right, Nikíta, in the house, what

d’ye call it, not right! I mean, you are living a bad life, Nikíta,

bad,—I’ll go.

NIKÍTA. Eh now! Have done talking! Sit down and drink your tea!

ANÍSYA. Why, father, you’ll shame us before the neighbours. What has

offended you?

AKÍM. Nothing what d’ye call it, nothing has offended me, nothing at

all! I mean only, I see, what d’you call it, I mean, I see my son, to

ruin I mean, to ruin, I mean my son’s on the road to ruin, I mean.

NIKÍTA. What ruin? Just prove it!

AKÍM. Ruin, ruin; you’re in the midst of it! What did I tell you that

time?

NIKÍTA. You said all sorts of things!

AKÍM. I told you, what d’ye call it, I told you about the orphan lass.

That you had wronged an orphan—Marína, I mean, wronged her!

NIKÍTA. Eh! he’s at it again. Let bygones be bygones … All that’s past!

AKÍM [excited] Past! No, lad, it’s not past. Sin, I mean, fastens on to

sin—drags sin after it, and you’ve stuck fast, Nikíta, fast in sin!

Stuck fast in sin! I see you’re fast in sin. Stuck fast, sunk in sin, I

mean!

NIKÍTA. Sit down and drink your tea, and have done with it!

AKÍM. I can’t, I mean can’t what d’ye call it, can’t drink tea. Because

of your filth, I mean; I feel what d’ye call it, I feel sick, very sick!

I can’t what d’ye call it, I can’t drink tea with you.

NIKÍTA. Eh! There he goes rambling! Come to the table.

AKÍM. You’re in your riches same as in a net—you’re in a net, I mean.

Ah, Nikíta, it’s the soul that God needs!

NIKÍTA. Now really, what right have you to reprove me in my own house?

Why do you keep on at me? Am I a child that you can pull by the hair?

Nowadays those things have been dropped!

AKÍM. That’s true. I have heard that nowadays, what d’ye call it, that

nowadays children pull their fathers’ beards, I mean! But that’s ruin,

that’s ruin, I mean!

NIKÍTA [angrily] We are living without help from you, and it’s you who

came to us with your wants!

AKÍM. The money? There’s your money! I’ll go begging, begging I mean,

before I’ll take it, I mean.

NIKÍTA. That’s enough! Why be angry and upset the whole company! [Holds

him by the arm].

AKÍM [shrieks] Let go! I’ll not stay. I’d rather sleep under some fence

than in the midst of your filth! Faugh! God forgive me! [Exit].

NIKÍTA. Here’s a go!

AKÍM [reopens the door] Come to your senses, Nikíta! It’s the soul that

God wants! [Exit].

AKOULÍNA [takes cups] Well, shall I pour out the tea? [Takes a cup. All

are silent].

MÍTRITCH [roars] Oh Lord, be merciful to me a sinner! [All start].

NIKÍTA [lies down on the bench] Oh, it’s dull, it’s dull! [To Akoulína]

Where’s the concertina?

AKOULÍNA. The concertina? He’s bethought himself of it. Why, you took it

to be mended. I’ve poured out your tea. Drink it!

NIKÍTA. I don’t want it! Put out the light … Oh, how dull I feel, how

dull! [Sobs].

Curtain.

ACT IV

Autumn. Evening. The moon is shining. The stage represents the interior

of courtyard. The scenery at the back shows, in the middle, the back

porch of the hut. To the right the winter half of the hut and the gate;

to the left the summer half and the cellar. To the right of the stage is

a shed. The sound of tipsy voices and shouts are heard from the hut.[5]

Second Neighbour Woman comes out of the hut and beckons to First

Neighbour Woman.

SECOND NEIGHBOUR. How’s it Akoulína has not shown herself?

FIRST NEIGHBOUR. Why hasn’t she shown herself? She’d have been glad to;

but she’s too ill, you know. The suitor’s relatives have come, and want

to see the girl; and she, my dear, she’s lying in the cold hut and can’t

come out, poor thing!

SECOND NEIGHBOUR. But how’s that?

FIRST NEIGHBOUR. They say she’s been bewitched by an evil eye! She’s got

pains in the stomach!

SECOND NEIGHBOUR. You don’t say so?

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

SECOND NEIGHBOUR. Dear me! There’s a go! But his relatives will surely

find it out?

FIRST NEIGHBOUR. They find it out! They’re all drunk! Besides, they are

chiefly after her dowry. Just think what they give with the girl! Two

furs, my dear, six dresses, a French shawl, and I don’t know how many

pieces of linen, and money as well,—two hundred roubles, it’s said!

SECOND NEIGHBOUR. That’s all very well, but even money can’t give much

pleasure in the face of such a disgrace.

FIRST NEIGHBOUR. Hush!… There’s his father, I think.

They cease talking, and go into the hut.

The Suitor’s Father comes out of the hut hiccoughing.

THE FATHER. Oh, I’m all in a sweat. It’s awfully hot! Will just cool

myself a bit. [Stands puffing] The Lord only knows what—something is not

right. I can’t feel happy.—Well, it’s the old woman’s affair.

Enter Matryóna from hut.

MATRYÓNA. And I was just thinking, where’s the father? Where’s the

father? And here you are, dear friend.… Well, dear friend, the Lord be

thanked! Everything is as honourable as can be! When one’s arranging a

match one should not boast. And I have never learnt to boast. But as

you’ve come about the right business, so with the Lord’s help, you’ll be

grateful to me all your life! She’s a wonderful girl! There’s no other

like her in all the district!

THE FATHER. That’s true enough, but how about the money?

MATRYÓNA. Don’t you trouble about the money! All she had from her father

goes with her. And it’s more than one gets easily, as things are

nowadays. Three times fifty roubles!

THE FATHER. We don’t complain, but it’s for our own child. Naturally we

want to get the best we can.

MATRYÓNA. I’ll tell you straight, friend: if it hadn’t been for me,

you’d never have found anything like her! They’ve had an offer from the

Karmílins, but I stood out against it. And as for the money, I’ll tell

you truly: when her father, God be merciful to his soul, was dying, he

gave orders that the widow should take Nikíta into the homestead—of

course I know all about it from my son,—and the money was to go to

Akoulína. Why, another one might have thought of his own interests, but

Nikíta gives everything clean! It’s no trifle. Fancy what a sum it is!

THE FATHER. People are saying, that more money was left her? The lad’s

sharp too!

MATRYÓNA. Oh, dear soul alive! A slice in another’s hand always looks

big; all she had will be handed over. I tell you, throw doubts to the

wind and make all sure! What a girl she is! as fresh as a daisy!

THE FATHER. That’s so. But my old woman and I were only wondering about

the girl; why has she not come out? We’ve been thinking, suppose she’s

sickly?

MATRYÓNA. Oh, ah.… Who? She? Sickly? Why, there’s none to compare with

her in the district. The girl’s as sound as a bell; you can’t pinch her.

But you saw her the other day! And as for work, she’s wonderful! She’s a

bit deaf, that’s true, but there are spots on the sun, you know. And her

not coming out, you see, it’s from an evil eye! A spell’s been cast on

her! And I know the bitch who’s done the business! They know of the

betrothal and they bewitched her. But I know a counter-spell. The girl

will get up to-morrow. Don’t you worry about the girl!

THE FATHER. Well, of course, the thing’s settled.

MATRYÓNA. Yes, of course! Don’t you turn back. And don’t forget me, I’ve

had a lot of trouble. Don’t forget …

A woman’s voice from the hut.

VOICE. If we are to go, let’s go. Come along, Iván!

THE FATHER. I’m coming. [Exeunt. Guests crowd together in the passage

and prepare to go away].

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

ANÍSYA [from inside] What d’you want?

NAN. Mother, come here, or they’ll hear.

Anísya enters and they go together to the shed.

ANÍSYA. Well? What is it? Where’s Akoulína?

NAN. She’s gone into the barn. It’s awful what’s she’s doing there! I’m

blest! “I can’t bear it,” she says. “I’ll scream,” she says, “I’ll

scream out loud.” Blest if she didn’t.

ANÍSYA. She’ll have to wait. We’ll see our visitors off first.

NAN. Oh mother! She’s so bad! And she’s angry too. “What’s the good of

their drinking my health?” she says. “I shan’t marry,” she says. “I

shall die,” she says. Mother, supposing she does die! It’s awful. I’m so

frightened!

ANÍSYA. No fear, she’ll not die. But don’t you go near her. Come along.

[Exit Anísya and Nan].

MÍTRITCH [comes in at the gate and begins collecting the scattered hay]

Oh Lord! Merciful Nicholas! What a lot of liquor they’ve been and

swilled, and the smell they’ve made! It smells even out here! But no, I

don’t want any, drat it! See how they’ve scattered the hay about. They

don’t eat it, but only trample it under foot. A truss gone before you

know it. Oh, that smell, it seems to be just under my nose! Drat it!

[Yawns] It’s time to go to sleep! But I don’t care to go into the hut.

It seems to float just round my nose! It has a strong scent, the damned

stuff! [The guests are heard driving off] They’re off at last. Oh Lord!

Merciful Nicholas! There they go, binding themselves and gulling one

another. And it’s all gammon!

Enter Nikíta.

NIKÍTA. Mítritch, you get off to sleep and I’ll put this straight.

MÍTRITCH. All right, you throw it to the sheep. Well, have you seen ‘em

all off?

NIKÍTA. Yes, they’re off! But things are not right! I don’t know what to

do!

MÍTRITCH. It’s a fine mess. But there’s the Foundlings’[6] for that sort

of thing. Whoever likes may drop one there; they’ll take ‘em all. Give

‘em as many as you like, they ask no questions, and even pay—if the

mother goes in as a wet-nurse. It’s easy enough nowadays.

NIKÍTA. But mind, Mítritch, don’t go blabbing.

MÍTRITCH. It’s no concern of mine. Cover the tracks as you think best.

Dear me, how you smell of liquor! I’ll go in. Oh Lord! [Exit, yawning].

Nikíta is long silent. Sits down on a sledge.

NIKÍTA. Here’s a go!

Enter Anísya.

ANÍSYA. Where are you?

NIKÍTA. Here.

ANÍSYA. What are you doing there? There’s no time to be lost! We must

take it out directly!

NIKÍTA. What are we to do?

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

NIKÍTA. You’d better take it to the Foundlings’—if anything.

ANÍSYA. Then you’d better take it there yourself if you like! You’ve a

hankering for smut, but you’re weak when it comes to settling up, I see!

NIKÍTA. What’s to be done?

ANÍSYA. Go down into the cellar, I tell you, and dig a hole!

NIKÍTA. Couldn’t you manage, somehow, some other way?

ANÍSYA [imitating him] “Some other way?” Seems we can’t “some other

way!” You should have thought about it a year ago. Do what you’re told

to!

NIKÍTA. Oh dear, what a go!

Enter Nan.

NAN. Mother! Grandmother’s calling! I think sister’s got a baby! I’m

blest if it didn’t scream!

ANÍSYA. What are you babbling about? Plague take you! It’s kittens

whining there. Go into the hut and sleep, or I’ll give it you!

NAN. Mammy dear, truly, I swear …

ANÍSYA [raising her arm as if to strike] I’ll give it you! You be off

and don’t let me catch sight of you! [Nan runs into hut. To Nikíta] Do

as you’re told, or else mind! [Exit].

NIKÍTA [alone. After a long silence] Here’s a go! Oh these women! What a

fix! Says you should have thought of it a year ago. When’s one to think

beforehand? When’s one to think? Why, last year this Anísya dangled

after me. What was I to do? Am I a monk? The master died; and I covered

my sin as was proper, so I was not to blame there. Aren’t there lots of

such cases? And then those powders. Did I put her up to that? Why, had I

known what the bitch was up to, I’d have killed her! I’m sure I should

have killed her! She’s made me her partner in these horrors—that jade!

And she became loathsome to me from that day! She became loathsome,

loathsome to me as soon as mother told me about it. I can’t bear the

sight of her! Well then, how could I live with her? And then it begun.…

That wench began hanging round. Well, what was I to do! If I had not

done it, someone else would. And this is what comes of it! Still I’m not

to blame in this either. Oh, what a go! [Sits thinking] They are bold,

these women! What a plan to think of! But I won’t have a hand in it!

Enter Matryóna with a lantern and spade, panting.

MATRYÓNA. Why are you sitting there like a hen on a perch? What did your

wife tell you to do? You just get things ready!

NIKÍTA. What do you mean to do?

MATRYÓNA. We know what to do. You do your share!

NIKÍTA. You’ll be getting me into a mess!

MATRYÓNA. What? You’re not thinking of backing out, are you? Now it’s

come to this, and you back out!

NIKÍTA. Think what a thing it would be! It’s a living soul.

MATRYÓNA. A living soul indeed! Why, it’s more dead than alive. And

what’s one to do with it? Go and take it to the Foundlings’—it will die

just the same, and the rumour will get about, and people will talk, and

the girl be left on our hands.

NIKÍTA. And supposing it’s found out?

MATRYÓNA. Not manage to do it in one’s own house? We’ll manage it so

that no one will have an inkling. Only do as I tell you. We women can’t

do it without a man. There, take the spade, and get it done there,—I’ll

hold the light.

NIKÍTA. What am I to get done?

MATRYÓNA [in a low voice] Dig a hole; then we’ll bring it out and get it

out of the way in a trice! There, she’s calling again. Now then, get in,

and I’ll go.

NIKÍTA. Is it dead then?

MATRYÓNA. Of course it is. Only you must be quick, or else people will

notice! They’ll see or they’ll hear! The rascals must needs know

everything. And the policeman went by this evening. Well then, you see

[gives him the spade], you get down into the cellar and dig a hole right

in the corner; the earth is soft there, and you’ll smooth it over.

Mother earth will not blab to any one; she’ll keep it close. Go then;

go, dear.

NIKÍTA. You’ll get me into a mess, bother you! I’ll go away! You do it

alone as best you can!

ANÍSYA [through the doorway] Well? Has he dug it?

MATRYÓNA. Why have you come away? What have you done with it?

ANÍSYA. I’ve covered it with rags. No one can hear it. Well, has he dug

it?

MATRYÓNA. He doesn’t want to!

ANÍSYA [springs out enraged] Doesn’t want to! How will he like feeding

vermin in prison! I’ll go straight away and tell everything to the

police! It’s all the same if one must perish. I’ll go straight and tell!

NIKÍTA [taken aback] What will you tell?

ANÍSYA. What? Everything! Who took the money? You! [Nikíta is silent]

And who gave the poison? I did! But you knew! You knew! You knew! We

were in agreement!

MATRYÓNA. That’s enough now. Nikíta dear, why are you obstinate? What’s

to be done now? One must take some trouble. Go, honey.

ANÍSYA. See the fine gentleman! He doesn’t like it! You’ve put upon me

long enough! You’ve trampled me under foot! Now it’s my turn! Go, I tell

you, or else I’ll do what I said.… There, take the spade; there, now go!

NIKÍTA. Drat you! Can’t you leave a fellow alone! [Takes the spade, but

shrinks] If I don’t choose to, I’ll not go!

ANÍSYA. Not go? [Begins to shout] Neighbours! Heh! heh!

MATRYÓNA [closes her mouth] What are you about? You’re mad! He’ll go.…

Go, sonnie; go, my own.

ANÍSYA. I’ll cry murder!

NIKÍTA. Now stop! Oh what people! You’d better be quick.… As well be

hung for a sheep as a lamb! [Goes towards the cellar].

MATRYÓNA. Yes, that’s just it, honey. If you know how to amuse yourself,

you must know how to hide the consequences.

ANÍSYA [still excited] He’s trampled on me … he and his slut! But it’s

enough! I’m not going to be the only one! Let him also be a murderer!

Then he’ll know how it feels!

MATRYÓNA. There, there! How she flares up! Don’t you be cross, lass, but

do things quietly little by little, as it’s best. You go to the girl,

and he’ll do the work. [Follows Nikíta to the cellar with a lantern. He

descends into the cellar].

ANÍSYA. And I’ll make him strangle his dirty brat! [Still excited] I’ve

worried myself to death all alone, with Peter’s bones weighing on my

mind! Let him feel it too! I’ll not spare myself; I’ve said I’ll not

spare myself!

NIKÍTA [from the cellar] Show a light!

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

bring it.

ANÍSYA. You stay with him, or he’ll go away, the wretch! And I’ll go and

bring it.

MATRYÓNA. Mind, don’t forget to baptize it, or I will if you like. Have

you a cross?

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

See at end of Act, Variation, which may be used instead of the

following.

MATRYÓNA. How the woman bristled up! But one must allow she’s been put

upon. Well, but with the Lord’s help, when we’ve covered this business,

there’ll be an end of it. We’ll shove the girl off without any trouble.

My son will live in comfort. The house, thank God, is as full as an egg.

They’ll not forget me either. Where would they have been without

Matryóna? They’d not have known how to contrive things. [Peering into

the cellar] Is it ready, sonnie?

NIKÍTA [puts out his head] What are you about there? Bring it quick!

What are you dawdling for? If it is to be done, let it be done.

MATRYÓNA [goes towards door of the hut and meets Anísya. Anísya comes

out with a baby wrapped in rags] Well, have you baptized it?

ANÍSYA. Why, of course! It was all I could do to take it away—she

wouldn’t give it up! [Comes forward and hands it to Nikíta].

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

ANÍSYA. Take it, I tell you! [Throws the baby to him].

NIKÍTA [catches it] It’s alive! Gracious me, it’s moving! It’s alive!

What am I to …

ANÍSYA [snatches the baby from him and throws it into the cellar] Be

quick and smother it, and then it won’t be alive! [Pushes Nikíta down]

It’s your doing, and you must finish it.

MATRYÓNA [sits on the doorstep of the hut] He’s tender-hearted. It’s

hard on him, poor dear. Well, what of that? Isn’t it also his sin?

Anísya stands by the cellar.

MATRYÓNA [sits looking at her and discourses] Oh, oh, oh! How frightened

he was: well, but what of that? If it is hard, it’s the only thing to be

done. Where was one to put it? And just think, how often it happens that

people pray to God to have children! But no, God gives them none; or

they are all still-born. Look at our priest’s wife now.… And here, where

it’s not wanted, here it lives. [Looks towards the cellar] I suppose

he’s finished. [To Anísya] Well?

ANÍSYA [looking into the cellar] He’s put a board on it and is sitting

on it. It must be finished!

MATRYÓNA. Oh, oh! One would be glad not to sin, but what’s one to do?

Re-enter Nikíta from cellar, trembling all over.

NIKÍTA. It’s still alive! I can’t! It’s alive!

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

NIKÍTA [rushes at her] Go away! I’ll kill you! [Catches hold of her

arms; she escapes, he runs after her with the spade. Matryóna runs

towards him and stops him. Anísya runs into the porch. Matryóna tries to

wrench the spade from him. To his mother] I’ll kill you! I’ll kill you!

Go away! [Matryóna runs to Anísya in the porch. Nikíta stops] I’ll kill

you! I’ll kill you all!

MATRYÓNA. That’s because he’s so frightened! Never mind, it will pass!

NIKÍTA. What have they made me do? What have they made me do? How it

whimpered.… How it crunched under me! What have they done with me?… And

it’s really alive, still alive! [Listens in silence] It’s whimpering …

There, it’s whimpering. [Runs to the cellar].

MATRYÓNA [to Anísya] He’s going; it seems he means to bury it. Nikíta,

you’d better take the lantern!

NIKÍTA [does not heed her, but listens by the cellar door] I can hear

nothing! I suppose it was fancy! [Moves away, then stops] How the little

bones crunched under me. Krr … kr … What have they made me do? [Listens

again] Again whimpering! It’s really whimpering! What can it be? Mother!

Mother, I say! [Goes up to her].

MATRYÓNA. What is it, sonnie?

NIKÍTA. Mother, my own mother, I can’t do any more! Can’t do any more!

My own mother, have some pity on me!

MATRYÓNA. Oh dear, how frightened you are, my darling! Come, come, drink

a drop to give you courage!

NIKÍTA. Mother, mother! It seems my time has come! What have you done

with me? How the little bones crunched, and how it whimpered! My own

mother! What have you done with me? [Steps aside and sits down on the

sledge].

MATRYÓNA. Come, my own, have a drink! It certainly does seem uncanny at

night-time. But wait a bit. When the day breaks, you know, and one day

and another passes, you’ll forget even to think of it. Wait a bit; when

the girl’s married we’ll even forget to think of it. But you go and have

a drink; have a drink! I’ll go and put things straight in the cellar

myself.

NIKÍTA [rouses himself] Is there any drink left? Perhaps I can drink it

off! [Exit].

Anísya, who has stood all the time by the door, silently makes way for

him.

MATRYÓNA. Go, go, honey, and I’ll set to work! I’ll go down myself and

dig! Where has he thrown the spade to? [Finds the spade, and goes down

into the cellar] Anísya, come here! Hold the light, will you?

ANÍSYA. And what of him?

MATRYÓNA. He’s so frightened! You’ve been too hard with him. Leave him

alone, he’ll come to his senses. God help him! I’ll set to work myself.

Put the lantern down here. I can see.

Matryóna disappears into the cellar.

ANÍSYA [looking towards the door by which Nikíta entered the hut] Well,

have you had enough spree? You’ve been puffing yourself up, but now

you’ll know how it feels! You’ll lose some of your bluster!

NIKÍTA [rushes out of the hut towards the cellar] Mother! mother, I say!

MATRYÓNA [puts out her head] What is it, sonnie?

NIKÍTA [listening] Don’t bury it, it’s alive! Don’t you hear? Alive!

There—it’s whimpering! There … quite plain!

MATRYÓNA. How can it whimper? Why, you’ve flattened it into a pancake!

The whole head is smashed to bits!

NIKÍTA. What is it then? [Stops his ears] It’s still whimpering! I am

lost! Lost! What have they done with me?… Where shall I go? [Sits down

on the step].

Curtain.

• * VARIATION

Instead of the end of Act IV. (from the words, “ANÍSYA. I’ll find one. I

know how to do it. [Exit]”) the following variation may be read, and is

the one usually acted.

Scene 2.

The interior of the hut as in Act I.

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

on the oven smoking.

MÍTRITCH. Dear me! How they’ve made the place smell! Drat ‘em! They’ve

been spilling the fine stuff. Even tobacco don’t get rid of the smell!

It keeps tickling one’s nose so. Oh Lord! But it’s bedtime, I guess.

[Approaches the lamp to put it out].

NAN [jumps up, and remains sitting up] Daddy dear,[7] don’t put it out!

MÍTRITCH. Not put it out? Why?

NAN. Didn’t you hear them making a row in the yard? [Listens] D’you

hear, there in the barn again now?

MÍTRITCH. What’s that to you? I guess no one’s asked you to mind! Lie

down and sleep! And I’ll turn down the light. [Turns down lamp].

NAN. Daddy darling! Don’t put it right out; leave a little bit if only

as big as a mouse’s eye, else it’s so frightening!

MÍTRITCH [laughs] All right, all right. [Sits down by her] What’s there

to be afraid of?

NAN. How can one help being frightened, daddy! Sister did go on so! She

was beating her head against the box! [Whispers] You know, I know … a

little baby is going to be born.… It’s already born, I think.…

MÍTRITCH. Eh, what a little busybody it is! May the frogs kick her! Must

needs know everything. Lie down and sleep! [Nan lies down] That’s right!

[Tucks her up] That’s right! There now, if you know too much you’ll grow

old too soon.

NAN. And you are going to lie on the oven?

MÍTRITCH. Well, of course! What a little silly you are, now I come to

look at you! Must needs know everything. [Tucks her up again, then

stands up to go] There now, lie still and sleep! [Goes up to the oven].

NAN. It gave just one cry, and now there’s nothing to be heard.

MÍTRITCH. Oh Lord! Gracious Nicholas! What is it you can’t hear?

NAN. The baby.

MÍTRITCH. There is none, that’s why you can’t hear it.

NAN. But I heard it! Blest if I didn’t hear it! Such a thin voice!

MÍTRITCH. Heard indeed! Much you heard! Well, if you know,—why then it

was just such a little girl as you that the bogey popped into his bag

and made off with.

NAN. What bogey?

MÍTRITCH. Why, just his very self! [Climbs up on to the oven] The oven

is beautifully warm to-night. Quite a treat! Oh Lord! Gracious Nicholas!

NAN. Daddy! are you going to sleep?

MÍTRITCH. What else? Do you think I’m going to sing songs?

Silence.

NAN. Daddy! Daddy, I say! They are digging! they’re digging—don’t you

hear? Blest if they’re not, they’re digging!

MÍTRITCH. What are you dreaming about? Digging! Digging in the night!

Who’s digging? The cow’s rubbing herself, that’s all. Digging indeed! Go

to sleep I tell you, else I’ll just put out the light!

NAN. Daddy darling, don’t put it out! I won’t … truly, truly, I won’t.

It’s so frightful!

MÍTRITCH. Frightful? Don’t be afraid and then it won’t be frightful.

Look at her, she’s afraid, and then says it’s frightful. How can it help

being frightful if you are afraid? Eh, what a stupid little girl!

Silence. The cricket chirps.

NAN [whispers] Daddy! I say, daddy! Are you asleep?

MÍTRITCH. Now then, what d’you want?

NAN. What’s the bogey like?

MÍTRITCH. Why, like this! When he finds such a one as you, who won’t

sleep, he comes with a sack and pops the girl into it, then in he gets

himself, head and all, lifts her dress, and gives her a fine whipping!

NAN. What with?

MÍTRITCH. He takes a birch-broom with him.

NAN. But he can’t see there—inside the sack!

MÍTRITCH. He’ll see, no fear!

NAN. But I’ll bite him.

MÍTRITCH. No, friend, him you can’t bite!

NAN. Daddy, there’s some one coming! Who is it? Oh gracious goodness!

Who can it be?

MÍTRITCH. Well, if some one’s coming, let them come! What’s the matter

with you? I suppose it’s your mother!

Enter Anísya.

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

MÍTRITCH. What?

ANÍSYA. What’s the lamp burning for? We are going to sleep in the

summer-hut.

MÍTRITCH. Why, you see I’ve only just got straight. I’ll put the light

out all right.

ANÍSYA [rummages in her box and grumbles] When a thing’s wanted one

never can find it!

MÍTRITCH. Why, what is it you are looking for?

ANÍSYA. I’m looking for a cross. Suppose it were to die unbaptized! It

would be a sin, you know!

MÍTRITCH. Of course it would! Everything in due order.… Have you found

it?

ANÍSYA. Yes, I’ve found it. [Exit].

MÍTRITCH. That’s right, else I’d have lent her mine. Oh Lord!

NAN [jumps up trembling] Oh, oh, daddy! Don’t go to sleep; for goodness’

sake, don’t! It’s so frightful!

MÍTRITCH. What’s frightful?

NAN. It will die—the little baby will! At Aunt Irene’s the old woman

also baptized the baby, and it died!

MÍTRITCH. If it dies, they’ll bury it!

NAN. But maybe it wouldn’t have died, only old Granny Matryóna’s there!

Didn’t I hear what granny was saying? I heard her! Blest if I didn’t!

MÍTRITCH. What did you hear? Go to sleep, I tell you. Cover yourself up,

head and all, and let’s have an end of it!

NAN. If it lived, I’d nurse it!

MÍTRITCH [roars] Oh Lord!

NAN. Where will they put it?

MÍTRITCH. In the right place! It’s no business of yours! Go to sleep I

tell you, else mother will come; she’ll give it you! [Silence].

NAN. Daddy! Eh, daddy! That girl, you know, you were telling about—they

didn’t kill her?

MÍTRITCH. That girl? Oh yes. That girl turned out all right!

NAN. How was it? You were saying you found her?

MÍTRITCH. Well, we just found her!

NAN. But where did you find her? Do tell!

MÍTRITCH. Why, in their own house; that’s where! We came to a village,

the soldiers began hunting about in the house, when suddenly there’s

that same little girl lying on the floor, flat on her stomach. We were

going to give her a knock on the head, but all at once I felt that

sorry, that I took her up in my arms; but no, she wouldn’t let me! Made

herself so heavy, quite a hundredweight, and caught hold where she could

with her hands, so that one couldn’t get them off! Well, so I began

stroking her head. It was so bristly,—just like a hedgehog! So I stroked

and stroked, and she quieted down at last. I soaked a bit of rusk and

gave it her. She understood that, and began nibbling. What were we to do

with her? We took her; took her, and began feeding and feeding her, and

she got so used to us that we took her with us on the march, and so she

went about with us. Ah, she was a fine girl!

NAN. Yes, and not baptized?

MÍTRITCH. Who can tell! They used to say, not altogether. ‘Cos why,

those people weren’t our own.

NAN. Germans?

MÍTRITCH. What an idea! Germans! Not Germans, but Asiatics. They are

just the same as Jews, but still not Jews. Polish, yet Asiatics. Curls …

or, Curdlys is their name.… I’ve forgotten what it is![8] We called the

girl Sáshka. She was a fine girl, Sáshka was! There now, I’ve forgotten

everything I used to know! But that girl—the deuce take her—seems to be

before my eyes now! Out of all my time of service, I remember how they

flogged me, and I remember that girl. That’s all I remember! She’d hang

round one’s neck, and one ‘ud carry her so. That was a girl,—if you

wanted a better you’d not find one! We gave her away afterwards. The

captain’s wife took her to bring up as her daughter. So—she was all

right! How sorry the soldiers were to let her go!

NAN. There now, daddy, and I remember when father was dying,—you were

not living with us then. Well, he called Nikíta and says, “Forgive me,

Nikíta!” he says, and begins to cry. [Sighs] That also felt very sad!

MÍTRITCH. Yes; there now, so it is …

NAN. Daddy! Daddy, I say! There they are again, making a noise in the

cellar! Oh gracious heavens! Oh dear! Oh dear! Oh, daddy! They’ll do

something to it! They’ll make away with it, and it’s so little! Oh, oh!

[Covers up her head and cries].

MÍTRITCH [listening] Really they’re up to some villainy, blow them to

shivers! Oh, these women are vile creatures! One can’t say much for men

either; but women!… They are like wild beasts, and stick at nothing!

NAN [rising] Daddy; I say, daddy!

MÍTRITCH. Well, what now?

NAN. The other day a traveller stayed the night; he said that when an

infant died its soul goes up straight to heaven. Is that true?

MÍTRITCH. Who can tell. I suppose so. Well?

NAN. Oh, it would be best if I died too. [Whimpers].

MÍTRITCH. Then you’d be off the list!

NAN. Up to ten one’s an infant, and maybe one’s soul would go to God.

Else one’s sure to go to the bad!

MÍTRITCH. And how to the bad? How should the likes of you not go to the

bad? Who teaches you? What do you see? What do you hear? Only vileness!

I, though I’ve not been taught much, still know a thing or two. I’m not

quite like a peasant woman. A peasant woman, what is she? Just mud!

There are many millions of the likes of you in Russia, and all as blind

as moles—knowing nothing! All sorts of spells: how to stop the

cattle-plague with a plough, and how to cure children by putting them

under the perches in the hen-house! That’s what they know!

NAN. Yes, mother also did that!

MÍTRITCH. Yes,—there it is,—just so! So many millions of girls and

women, and all like beasts in a forest! As she grows up, so she dies!

Never sees anything; never hears anything. A peasant,—he may learn

something at the pub, or maybe in prison, or in the army,—as I did. But

a woman? Let alone about God, she doesn’t even know rightly what Friday

it is! Friday! Friday! But ask her what’s Friday? She don’t know!

They’re like blind puppies, creeping about and poking their noses into

the dung-heap.… All they know are their silly songs. Ho, ho, ho, ho! But

what they mean by ho-ho, they don’t know themselves!

NAN. But I, daddy, I do know half the Lord’s Prayer!

MÍTRITCH. A lot you know! But what can one expect of you? Who teaches

you? Only a tipsy peasant—with the strap perhaps! That’s all the

teaching you get! I don’t know who’ll have to answer for you. For a

recruit, the drill-sergeant or the corporal has to answer; but for the

likes of you there’s no one responsible! Just as the cattle that have no

herdsman are the most mischievous, so with you women—you are the

stupidest class! The most foolish class is yours!

NAN. Then what’s one to do?

MÍTRITCH. That’s what one has to do.… You just cover up your head and

sleep! Oh Lord!

Silence. The cricket chirps.

NAN [jumps up] Daddy! Some one’s screaming awfully! Blest if some one

isn’t screaming! Daddy darling, it’s coming here!

MÍTRITCH. Cover up your head, I tell you!

Enter Nikíta, followed by Matryóna.

NIKÍTA. What have they done with me? What have they done with me?

MATRYÓNA. Have a drop, honey; have a drop of drink! What’s the matter?

[Fetches the spirits and sets the bottle before him].

NIKÍTA. Give it here! Perhaps the drink will help me!

MATRYÓNA. Mind! They’re not asleep! Here you are, have a drop!

NIKÍTA. What does it all mean? Why did you plan it? You might have taken

it somewhere!

MATRYÓNA [whispers] Sit still a bit and drink a little more, or have a

smoke. It will ease your thoughts!

NIKÍTA. My own mother! My turn seems to have come! How it began to

whimper, and how the little bones crunched … krr … I’m not a man now!

MATRYÓNA. Eh, now, what’s the use of talking so silly! Of course it does

seem fearsome at night, but wait till the daylight comes, and a day or

two passes, and you’ll forget to think of it! [Goes up to Nikíta and

puts her hand on his shoulder].

NIKÍTA. Go away from me! What have you done with me?

MATRYÓNA. Come, come, sonnie! Now really, what’s the matter with you?

[Takes his hand].

NIKÍTA. Go away from me! I’ll kill you! It’s all one to me now! I’ll

kill you!

MATRYÓNA. Oh, oh, how frightened he’s got! You should go and have a

sleep now!

NIKÍTA. I have nowhere to go; I’m lost!

MATRYÓNA [shaking her head] Oh, oh, I’d better go and tidy things up.

He’ll sit and rest a bit, and it will pass! [Exit].

Nikíta sits with his face in his hands. Mítritch and Nan seem stunned.

NIKÍTA. It’s whining! It’s whining! It is really—there, there, quite

plain! She’ll bury it, really she will! [Runs to the door] Mother, don’t

bury it, it’s alive.…

Enter Matryóna.

MATRYÓNA [whispers] Now then, what is it? Heaven help you! Why won’t you

get to rest? How can it be alive? All its bones are crushed!

NIKÍTA. Give me more drink! [Drinks].

MATRYÓNA. Now go, sonnie. You’ll fall asleep now all right.

NIKÍTA [stands listening] Still alive … there … it’s whining! Don’t you

hear?… There!

MATRYÓNA [whispers] No! I tell you!

NIKÍTA. Mother! My own mother! I’ve ruined my life! What have you done

with me? Where am I to go? [Runs out of the hut; Matryóna follows him].

NAN. Daddy dear, darling, they’ve smothered it!

MÍTRITCH [angrily] Go to sleep, I tell you! Oh dear, may the frogs kick

you! I’ll give it to you with the broom! Go to sleep, I tell you!

NAN. Daddy, my treasure! Something is catching hold of my shoulders,

something is catching hold with its paws! Daddy dear … really, really …

I must go! Daddy, darling! let me get up on the oven with you! Let me,

for Heaven’s sake! Catching hold … catching hold! Oh! [Runs to the

stove].

MÍTRITCH. See how they’ve frightened the girl.… What vile creatures they

are! May the frogs kick them! Well then, climb up.

NAN [climbs on oven] But don’t you go away!

MÍTRITCH. Where should I go to? Climb up, climb up! Oh Lord! Gracious

Nicholas! Holy Mother!… How they have frighted the girl. [Covers her up]

There’s a little fool—really a little fool! How they’ve frighted her;

really, they are vile creatures! The deuce take ‘em!

Curtain.

ACT V

Scene 1.

In front of scene a stack-stand, to the left a thrashing ground, to the

right a barn. The barn doors are open. Straw is strewn about in the

doorway. The hut with yard and out-buildings is seen in the background,

whence proceed sounds of singing and of a tambourine. Two Girls are

walking past the barn towards the hut.

FIRST GIRL. There, you see we’ve managed to pass without so much as

getting our boots dirty! But to come by the street is terribly muddy!

[Stop and wipe their boots on the straw. First Girl looks at the straw

and sees something] What’s that?

SECOND GIRL [looks where the straw lies and sees some one] It’s

Mítritch, their labourer. Just look how drunk he is!

FIRST GIRL. Why, I thought he didn’t drink.

SECOND GIRL. It seems he didn’t, until it was going around.

FIRST GIRL. Just see! He must have come to fetch some straw. Look! he’s

got a rope in his hand, and he’s fallen asleep.

SECOND GIRL [listening] They’re still singing the praises.[9] So I

s’pose the bride and bridegroom have not yet been blessed! They say

Akoulína didn’t even lament![10]

FIRST GIRL. Mammie says she is marrying against her will. Her stepfather

threatened her, or else she’d not have done it for the world! Why, you

know what they’ve been saying about her?

MARÍNA [catching up the Girls] How d’you do, lassies?

GIRLS. How d’you do?

MARÍNA. Going to the wedding, my dears?

FIRST GIRL. It’s nearly over! We’ve come just to have a look.

MARÍNA. Would you call my old man for me? Simon, from Zoúevo; but surely

you know him?

FIRST GIRL. To be sure we do; he’s a relative of the bridegroom’s, I

think?

MARÍNA. Of course; he’s my old man’s nephew, the bridegroom is.

SECOND GIRL. Why don’t you go yourself? Fancy not going to a wedding!

MARÍNA. I have no mind for it, and no time either. It’s time for us to

be going home. We didn’t mean to come to the wedding. We were taking

oats to town. We only stopped to feed the horse, and they made my old

man go in.

FIRST GIRL. Where did you put up then? At Fyódoritch’s?

MARÍNA. Yes. Well then, I’ll stay here and you go and call him, my

dear—my old man. Call him, my pet, and say “Your missis, Marína, says

you must go now!” His mates are harnessing.

FIRST GIRL. Well, all right—if you won’t go in yourself.

The Girls go away towards the house along a footpath. Sounds of songs

and tambourine.

MARÍNA [alone, stands thinking] I might go in, but I don’t like to,

because I have not met him since that day he threw me over. It’s more

than a year now. But I’d have liked to have a peep and see how he lives

with his Anísya. People say they don’t get on. She’s a coarse woman, and

with a character of her own. I should think he’s remembered me more than

once. He’s been caught by the idea of a comfortable life and has changed

me for it. But, God help him, I don’t cherish ill-will! Then it hurt! Oh

dear, it was pain! But now it’s worn away and been forgotten. But I’d

like to have seen him. [Looks towards hut and sees Nikíta] Look there!

Why, he is coming here! Have the girls told him? How’s it he has left

his guests? I’ll go away! [Nikíta approaches, hanging his head down,

swinging his arms, and muttering] And how sullen he looks!

NIKÍTA [sees and recognises Marína] Marína, dearest friend, little

Marína, what do you want?

MARÍNA. I have come for my old man.

NIKÍTA. Why didn’t you come to the wedding? You might have had a look

round, and a laugh at my expense!

MARÍNA. What have I to laugh at? I’ve come for my husband.

NIKÍTA. Ah, Marína dear! [Tries to embrace her].

MARÍNA [steps angrily aside] You’d better drop that sort of thing,

Nikíta! What has been, is past! I’ve come for my husband. Is he in your

house?

NIKÍTA. So I must not remember the past? You won’t let me?

MARÍNA. It’s no use recalling the past! What used to be is over now!

NIKÍTA. And can never come back, you mean?

MARÍNA. And will never come back! But why have you gone away? You, the

master,—and to go away from the feast!

NIKÍTA [sits down on the straw] Why have I gone away? Eh, if you knew,

if you had any idea … I’m dull, Marína, so dull that I wish my eyes

would not see! I rose from the table and left them, to get away from the

people. If I could only avoid seeing any one!

MARÍNA [coming nearer to him] How’s that?

NIKÍTA. This is how it is: when I eat, it’s there! When I drink, it’s

there! When I sleep, it’s there! I’m so sick of it—so sick! But it’s

chiefly because I’m all alone that I’m so sick, little Marína. I have no

one to share my trouble.

MARÍNA. You can’t live your life without trouble, Nikíta. However, I’ve

wept over mine and wept it away.

NIKÍTA. The former, the old trouble! Ah, dear friend, you’ve wept yours

away, and I’ve got mine up to there! [Puts his hand to his throat].

MARÍNA. But why?

NIKÍTA. Why, I’m sick of my whole life! I am sick of myself! Ah, Marína,

why did you not know how to keep me? You’ve ruined me, and yourself too!

Is this life?

MARÍNA [stands by the barn crying, but restrains herself] I do not

complain of my life, Nikíta! God grant every one a life like mine. I do

not complain. I confessed to my old man at the time, and he forgave me.

And he does not reproach me. I’m not discontented with my life. The old

man is quiet, and is fond of me, and I keep his children clothed and

washed! He is really kind to me. Why should I complain? It seems God

willed it so. And what’s the matter with your life? You are rich …

NIKÍTA. My life!… It’s only that I don’t wish to disturb the wedding

feast, or I’d take this rope here [takes hold of the rope on the straw]

and throw it across that rafter there. Then I’d make a noose and stretch

it out, and I’d climb on to that rafter and jump down with my head in

the noose! That’s what my life is!

MARÍNA. That’s enough! Lord help you!

NIKÍTA. You think I’m joking? You think I’m drunk? I’m not drunk! To-day

even drink takes no hold on me! I’m devoured by misery! Misery is eating

me up completely, so that I care for nothing! Oh, little Marína, it’s

only with you I ever lived! Do you remember how we used to while away

the nights together at the railway?

MARÍNA. Don’t you rub the sores, Nikíta! I’m bound legally now, and you

too. My sin has been forgiven, don’t disturb …

NIKÍTA. What shall I do with my heart? Where am I to turn to?

MARÍNA. What’s there to be done? You’ve got a wife. Don’t go looking at

others, but keep to your own! You loved Anísya, then go on loving her!

NIKÍTA. Oh, that Anísya, she’s gall and wormwood to me, but she’s round

my feet like rank weeds!

MARÍNA. Whatever she is, still she’s your wife.… But what’s the use of

talking; you’d better go to your visitors, and send my husband to me.

NIKÍTA. Oh dear, if you knew the whole business … but there’s no good

talking!

Enter Marína’s husband, red and tipsy, and Nan.

MARÍNA’S HUSBAND. Marína! Missis! My old woman! are you here?

NIKÍTA. There’s your husband calling you. Go!

MARÍNA. And you?

NIKÍTA. I? I’ll lie down here for a bit! [Lies down on the straw].

HUSBAND. Where is she then?

NAN. There she is, near the barn.

HUSBAND. What are you standing there for? Come to the feast! The hosts

want you to come and do them honour! The wedding party is just going to

start, and then we can go too.

MARÍNA [going towards her husband] I didn’t want to go in.

HUSBAND. Come on, I tell you! You’ll drink a glass to our nephew Peter’s

health, the rascal! Else the hosts might take offence! There’s plenty of

time for our business. [Marína’s husband puts his arm around her, and

goes reeling out with her].

NIKÍTA [rises and sits down on the straw] Ah, now that I’ve seen her,

life seems more sickening than ever! It was only with her that I ever

really lived! I’ve ruined my life for nothing! I’ve done for myself!

[Lies down] Where can I go? If mother earth would but open and swallow

me!

NAN [sees Nikíta, and runs towards him] Daddy, I say, daddy! They’re

looking for you! Her godfather and all of them have already blessed her.

Truly they have, they’re getting cross!

NIKÍTA [aside] Where can I go to?

NAN. What? What are you saying?

NIKÍTA. I’m not saying anything! Don’t bother!

NAN. Daddy! Come, I say! [Nikíta is silent, Nan pulls him by the hand]

Dad, go and bless them! My word, they’re angry, they’re grumbling!

NIKÍTA [drags away his hand] Leave me alone!

NAN. Now then!

NIKÍTA [threatens her with the rope] Go, I say! I’ll give it you!

NAN. Then I’ll send mother! [Runs away].

NIKÍTA [rises] How can I go? How can I take the holy icón in my hands?

How am I to look her in the face! [Lies down again] Oh, if there were a

hole in the ground, I’d jump in! No one should see me, and I should see

no one! [Rises again] No, I shan’t go … May they all go to the devil, I

shan’t go! [Takes the rope and makes a noose, and tries it on his neck]

That’s the way!

Enter Matryóna. Nikíta sees his mother, takes the rope off his neck, and

again lies down in the straw.

MATRYÓNA [comes in hurriedly] Nikíta! Nikíta, I say! He don’t even

answer! Nikíta, what’s the matter? Have you had a drop too much? Come,

Nikíta dear; come, honey! The people are tired of waiting.

NIKÍTA. Oh dear, what have you done with me? I’m a lost man!

MATRYÓNA. But what is the matter then? Come, my own; come, give them

your blessing, as is proper and honourable, and then it’ll all be over!

Why, the people are waiting!

NIKÍTA. How can I give blessings?

MATRYÓNA. Why, in the usual way! Don’t you know?

NIKÍTA. I know, I know! But who is it I am to bless? What have I done to

her?

MATRYÓNA. What have you done? Eh, now he’s going to remember it! Why,

who knows anything about it? Not a soul! And the girl is going of her

own accord.

NIKÍTA. Yes, but how?

MATRYÓNA. Because she’s afraid, of course. But still she’s going.

Besides, what’s to be done now? She should have thought sooner! Now she

can’t refuse. And his kinsfolk can’t take offence either. They saw the

girl twice, and get money with her too! It’s all safe and sound!

NIKÍTA. Yes, but what’s in the cellar?

MATRYÓNA [laughs] In the cellar? Why, cabbages, mushrooms, potatoes, I

suppose! Why remember the past?

NIKÍTA. I’d be only too glad to forget it; but I can’t! When I let my

mind go, it’s just as if I heard.… Oh, what have you done with me?

MATRYÓNA. Now, what are you humbugging for?

NIKÍTA [turns face downward] Mother! Don’t torment me! I’ve got it up to

there! [Puts his hand to his throat].

MATRYÓNA. Still it has to be done! As it is, people are talking. “The

master’s gone away and won’t come; he can’t make up his mind to give his

blessing.” They’ll be putting two and two together. As soon as they see

you’re frightened they’ll begin guessing. “The thief none suspect who

walks bold and erect!” But you’ll be getting out of the frying-pan into

the fire! Above all, lad, don’t show it; don’t lose courage, else

they’ll find out all the more!

NIKÍTA. Oh dear! You have snared me into a trap!

MATRYÓNA. That’ll do, I tell you; come along! Come in and give your

blessing, as is right and honourable;—and there’s an end of the matter!

NIKÍTA [lies face down] I can’t!

MATRYÓNA [aside] What has come over him? He seemed all right, and

suddenly this comes over him! It seems he’s bewitched! Get up, Nikíta!

See! There’s Anísya coming; she’s left her guests!

Anísya enters, dressed up, red and tipsy.

ANÍSYA. Oh, how nice it is, mother! So nice, so respectable! And how the

people are pleased.… But where is he?

MATRYÓNA. Here, honey, he’s here; he’s laid down on the straw and there

he lies! He won’t come!

NIKÍTA [looking at his wife] Just see, she’s tipsy too! When I look at

her my heart seems to turn! How can one live with her? [Turns on his

face] I’ll kill her some day! It’ll be worse then!

ANÍSYA. Only look, how he’s got all among the straw! Is it the drink?

[Laughs] I’d not mind lying down there with you, but I’ve no time! Come,

I’ll lead you! It is so nice in the house! It’s a treat to look on! A

concertina! And the women singing so well! All tipsy! Everything so

respectable, so nice!

NIKÍTA. What’s nice?

ANÍSYA. The wedding—such a jolly wedding! They all say it’s quite an

uncommon fine wedding! All so respectable, so nice! Come along! We’ll go

together! I have had a drop, but I can give you a hand yet! [Takes his

hand].

NIKÍTA [pulls it back with disgust] Go alone! I’ll come!

ANÍSYA. What are you humbugging for? We’ve got rid of all the bother,

we’ve got rid of her as came between us; now we have nothing to do but

to live and be merry! And all so respectable, and quite legal! I’m so

pleased! I have no words for it! It’s just as if I were going to marry

you over again! And oh, the people, they are pleased! They’re all

thanking us! And the guests are all of the best: Iván Moséitch is there,

and the Police Officer; they’ve also been singing songs of praise!

NIKÍTA. Then you should have stayed with them! What have you come for?

ANÍSYA. True enough, I must go back! Else what does it look like! The

hosts both go and leave the visitors! And the guests are all of the

best!

NIKÍTA [gets up and brushes the straw off himself] Go, and I’ll come at

once!

MATRYÓNA. Just see! He listens to the young bird, but wouldn’t listen to

the old one! He would not hear me, but he follows his wife at once!

[Matryóna and Anísya turn to go] Well, are you coming?

NIKÍTA. I’ll come directly! You go and I’ll follow! I’ll come and give

my blessing! [The women stop] Go on! I’ll follow! Now then, go! [Exit

women. Sits down and takes his boots off] Yes, I’m going! A likely

thing! No, you’d better look at the rafter for me! I’ll fix the noose

and jump with it from the rafter, then you can look for me! And the rope

is here just handy. [Ponders] I’d have got over it, over any sorrow—I’d

have got over that. But this now—here it is, deep in my heart, and I

can’t get over it! [Looks towards the yard] Surely she’s not coming

back? [Imitates Anísya] “So nice, so nice. I’d lie down here with you.”

Oh, the baggage! Well then, here I am! Come and cuddle when they’ve

taken me down from the rafter! There’s only one way! [Takes the rope and

pulls it].

Mítritch, who is tipsy, sits up and won’t let go of the rope.

MÍTRITCH. Shan’t give it up! Shan’t give it to no one! I’ll bring it

myself! I said I’d bring the straw—and so I will! Nikíta, is that you?

[Laughs] Oh, the devil! Have you come to get the straw?

NIKÍTA. Give me the rope!

MÍTRITCH. No, you wait a bit! The peasants sent me! I’ll bring it …

[Rises to his feet and begins getting the straw together, but reels for

a time, then falls] It has beaten me. It’s stronger …

NIKÍTA. Give me the rope!

MÍTRITCH. Didn’t I say I won’t! Oh, Nikíta, you’re as stupid as a hog!

[Laughs] I love you, but you’re a fool! You see that I’m drunk … devil

take you! You think I need you?… You just look at me; I’m a Non … fool,

can’t say it—Non-commissioned Officer of Her Majesty’s very First

Regiment of Grenadier Guards! I’ve served Tsar and country, loyal and

true! But who am I? You think I’m a warrior? No, I’m not a warrior; I’m

the very least of men, a poor lost orphan! I swore not to drink, and now

I had a smoke, and … Well then, do you think I’m afraid of you? No fear;

I’m afraid of no man! I’ve taken to drink, and I’ll drink! Now I’ll go

it for a fortnight; I’ll go it hard! I’ll drink my last shirt; I’ll

drink my cap; I’ll pawn my passport; and I’m afraid of no one! They

flogged me in the army to stop me drinking! They switched and switched!

“Well,” they say, “will you leave off?” “No,” says I! Why should I be

afraid of them? Here I am! Such as I am, God made me! I swore off

drinking, and didn’t drink. Now I’ve took to drink, and I’ll drink! And

I fear no man! ‘Cos I don’t lie; but just as … Why should one mind

them—such muck as they are! “Here you are,” I say; that’s me. A priest

told me, the devil’s the biggest bragger! “As soon,” says he, “as you

begin to brag, you get frightened; and as soon as you fear men, then the

hoofed one just collars you and pushes you where he likes!” But as I

don’t fear men, I’m easy! I can spit in the devil’s beard, and at the

sow his mother! He can’t do me no harm! There, put that in your pipe!

NIKÍTA [crossing himself] True enough! What was I about? [Throws down

the rope].

MÍTRITCH. What?

NIKÍTA [rises] You tell me not to fear men?

MÍTRITCH. Why fear such muck as they are? You look at ‘em in the

bath-house! All made of one paste! One has a bigger belly, another a

smaller; that’s all the difference there is! Fancy being afraid of ‘em!

Deuce take ‘em!

THE POWER OF DARKNESS. Act V.

Nikíta. True enough! What was I about?

Mítritch. What?

Nikíta. You tell me not to fear men?

Mítritch. Why fear such muck as they are? You look at ‘em in the

bath-house!

MATRYÓNA [from the yard] Well, are you coming?

NIKÍTA. Ah! Better so! I’m coming! [Goes towards yard].

Scene 2.

Interior of hut, full of people, some sitting round tables and others

standing. In the front corner Akoulína and the Bridegroom. On one of the

tables an Icón and a loaf of rye-bread. Among the visitors are Marína,

her husband, and a Police Officer, also a Hired Driver, the Matchmaker,

and the Best Man. The women are singing. Anísya carries round the drink.

The singing stops.

THE DRIVER. If we are to go, let’s go! The church ain’t so near.

THE BEST MAN. All right; you wait a bit till the step-father has given

his blessing. But where is he?

ANÍSYA. He is coming—coming at once, dear friends! Have another glass

all of you; don’t refuse!

THE MATCHMAKER. Why is he so long? We’ve been waiting such a time!

ANÍSYA. He’s coming; coming directly, coming in no time! He’ll be here

before one could plait a girl’s hair who’s had her hair cropped! Drink,

friends! [Offers the drink] Coming at once! Sing again, my pets,

meanwhile!

THE DRIVER. They’ve sung all their songs, waiting here!

The women sing. Nikíta and Akím enter during the singing.

NIKÍTA [holds his father’s arm and pushes him in before him] Go, father;

I can’t do without you!

AKÍM. I don’t like—I mean what d’ye call it …

NIKÍTA [to the women] Enough! Be quiet! [Looks round the hut] Marína,

are you there?

THE MATCHMAKER. Go, take the icón, and give them your blessing!

NIKÍTA. Wait a while! [Looks round] Akoulína, are you there?

MATCHMAKER. What are you calling everybody for? Where should she be? How

queer he seems!

ANÍSYA. Gracious goodness! Why, he’s barefoot!

NIKÍTA. Father, you are here! Look at me! Christian Commune, you are all

here, and I am here! I am … [Falls on his knees].

ANÍSYA. Nikíta darling, what’s the matter with you? Oh my head, my head!

MATCHMAKER. Here’s a go!

MATRYÓNA. I did say he was taking too much of that French wine! Come to

your senses; what are you about?

They try to lift him; he takes no heed of them, but looks in front of

him.

NIKÍTA. Christian Commune! I have sinned, and I wish to confess!

MATRYÓNA [shakes him by the shoulder] Are you mad? Dear friends, he’s

gone crazy! He must be taken away!

NIKÍTA [shakes her off] Leave me alone! And you, father, hear me! And

first, Marína, look here! [Bows to the ground to her and rises] I have

sinned towards you! I promised to marry you, I tempted you, and forsook

you! Forgive me, in Christ’s name! [Again bows to the ground before

her].

ANÍSYA. And what are you drivelling about? It’s not becoming! No one

wants to know! Get up! It’s like your impudence!

MATRYÓNA. Oh, oh, he’s bewitched! And however did it happen? It’s a

spell! Get up! what nonsense are you jabbering? [Pulls him].

NIKÍTA [shakes his head] Don’t touch me! Forgive me my sin towards you,

Marína! Forgive me, for Christ’s sake!

Marína covers her face with her hands in silence.

ANÍSYA. Get up, I tell you! Don’t be so impudent! What are you thinking

about—to recall it? Enough humbug! It’s shameful! Oh my poor head! He’s

quite crazy!

NIKÍTA [pushes his wife away and turns to Akoulína] Akoulína, now I’ll

speak to you! Listen, Christian Commune! I’m a fiend, Akoulína! I have

sinned against you! Your father died no natural death! He was poisoned!

ANÍSYA [screams] Oh my head! What’s he about?

MATRYÓNA. The man’s beside himself! Lead him away!

The folk come up and try to seize him.

AKÍM [motions them back with his arms] Wait! You lads, what d’ye call

it, wait, I mean!

NIKÍTA. Akoulína, I poisoned him! Forgive me, in Christ’s name!

AKOULÍNA [jumps up] He’s telling lies! I know who did it!

MATCHMAKER. What are you about? You sit still!

AKÍM. Oh Lord, what sins, what sins!

POLICE OFFICER. Seize him, and send for the Elder! We must draw up an

indictment and have witnesses to it! Get up and come here!

AKÍM [to Police Officer] Now you—with the bright buttons—I mean, you

wait! Let him, what d’ye call it, speak out, I mean!

POLICE OFFICER. Mind, old man, and don’t interfere! I have to draw up an

indictment!

AKÍM. Eh, what a fellow you are; wait, I say! Don’t talk, I mean, about,

what d’ye call it, ‘ditements! Here God’s work is being done.… A man is

confessing, I mean! And you, what d’ye call it … ‘ditements!

POLICE OFFICER. The Elder!

AKÍM. Let God’s work be done, I mean, and then you, I mean, you do your

business!

NIKÍTA. And, Akoulína, my sin is great towards you; I seduced you;

forgive me in Christ’s name! [Bows to the ground before her].

AKOULÍNA [leaves the table] Let me go! I shan’t be married! He told me

to, but I shan’t now!

POLICE OFFICER. Repeat what you have said.

NIKÍTA. Wait, sir, let me finish!

AKÍM [with rapture] Speak, my son! Tell everything—you’ll feel better!

Confess to God, don’t fear men! God—God! It is He!

NIKÍTA. I poisoned the father, dog that I am, and I ruined the daughter!

She was in my power, and I ruined her, and her baby!

AKOULÍNA. True, that’s true!

NIKÍTA. I smothered the baby in the cellar with a board! I sat on it and

smothered it—and its bones crunched! [Weeps] And I buried it! I did it,

all alone!

AKOULÍNA. He raves! I told him to!

NIKÍTA. Don’t shield me! I fear no one now! Forgive me, Christian

Commune! [Bows to the ground].

Silence.

POLICE OFFICER. Bind him! The marriage is evidently off!

Men come up with their belts.

NIKÍTA. Wait, there’s plenty of time! [Bows to the ground before his

father] Father, dear father, forgive me too,—fiend that I am! You told

me from the first, when I took to bad ways, you said then, “If a claw is

caught, the bird is lost!” I would not listen to your words, dog that I

was, and it has turned out as you said! Forgive me, for Christ’s sake!

AKÍM [rapturously] God will forgive you, my own son! [Embraces him] You

have had no mercy on yourself, He will show mercy on you! God—God! It is

He!

Enter Elder.

ELDER. There are witnesses enough here.

POLICE OFFICER. We will have the examination at once.

Nikíta is bound.

AKOULÍNA [goes and stands by his side] I shall tell the truth! Ask me!

NIKÍTA [bound] No need to ask! I did it all myself. The design was mine,

and the deed was mine. Take me where you like. I will say no more!

Curtain.

END OF “THE POWER OF DARKNESS.”

[1] It is customary to place a dying person under the icón. One or more

icóns hang in the hut of each Orthodox peasant.

[2] Peasant weddings are usually in autumn. They are forbidden in Lent,

and soon after Easter the peasants become too busy to marry till harvest

is over.

[3] A formal request for forgiveness is customary among Russians, but it

is often no mere formality. Nikíta’s first reply is evasive; his second

reply, “God will forgive you,” is the correct one sanctioned by custom.

[4] Loud public wailing of this kind is customary, and considered

indispensable, among the peasants.

[5] Where not otherwise mentioned in the stage directions, it is always

the winter half of the hut that is referred to as “the hut.” The summer

half is not heated, and not used in winter under ordinary circumstances.

[6] The Foundlings’ Hospital in Moscow, where 80 to 90 per cent. of the

children die.

[7] Nan calls Mítritch “daddy” merely as a term of endearment.

[8] Probably Kurds.

[9] This refers to the songs customary at the wedding of Russian

peasants, praising the bride and bridegroom.

[10] It is etiquette for a bride to bewail the approaching loss of her

maidenhood.