MiTRITCH. That, old fellow, is just what they're fond off 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!

AKiM (sighing). Oh dear, I see, what d'ye call it, without money it's bad, and with money it's worse! How's that? G.o.d told us to work, but you, what d'you 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.

MiTRITCH. Not right? Eh, old fellow, who cares about that nowadays? And how clean they pluck you, too! That's the fact of the matter.

AKiM (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 G.o.d. Forgotten, I mean. We've forgotten, forgotten G.o.d, G.o.d, I mean! Thank you, my dear, I've had enough. I'm quite satisfied.

[Rises. MiTRITCH climbs on to the oven.

ANiSYA (eats, and collects the dishes). If his father would only take him to task! But I'm ashamed to tell him.

AKiM. What d'you say?

ANiSYA. Oh! it's nothing.

[Enter NAN.

AKiM. Here's a good girl, always busy! You're cold, I should think?

NAN. Yes, I am, terribly. How d'you do, grandfather?

ANiSYA. Well? Is he there?

NAN. No. But Andriyan 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!

ANiSYA. Do you want anything to eat? Here you are.

NAN (goes to the oven). Well, it is cold. My hands are quite numb.

[AKiM takes off his leg-bands and bast-shoes. ANiSYA washes up.

ANiSYA. Father!

AKiM. Well, what is it?

ANiSYA. And is Marina living well?

AKiM. 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.

ANiSYA. And is there no talk in your village that a relative of Marina's husband thinks of marrying our Akoulina? Have you heard nothing of it?

AKiM. Ah; that's Mironof. 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 Mironofs are what d'ye call it, they're all right, I mean they're all right.

ANiSYA. I'm that impatient to get her settled.

AKiM. And why?

NAN (listens). They've come!

ANiSYA. Well, don't you go bothering them.

[Goes on washing the spoons without turning her head.

NIKiTA (enters). Anisya! Wife! who has come?

[ANiSYA looks up and turns away in silence.

NIKiTA (severely). Who has come? Have you forgotten?

ANiSYA. Now don't humbug. Come in!

NIKiTA (still more severely). Who's come?

ANiSYA (goes up and takes him by the arm). Well, then, husband has come. Now then, come in!

NIKiTA (holds back). Ah, that's it! Husband! And what's husband called? Speak properly.

ANiSYA. Oh bother you! Nikita!

NIKiTA. Where have you learnt manners? The full name.

ANiSYA. Nikita Akimitch! Now then!

NIKiTA. (still in the doorway). Ah, that's it! But now--the surname?

ANiSYA (laughs and pulls him by the arm). Tchilikin. Dear me, what airs!

NIKiTA. Ah, that's it. (Holds on to the door-post.) No, now say with which foot Tchilikin steps into this house!

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

NIKiTA. Say with which foot he steps? You've got to say it,--that's flat.

ANiSYA (aside). He'll go on worrying. (To NIKiTA.) Well then, with the left. Come in!

NIKiTA. Ah, that's it.

ANiSYA. You look who's in the hut!

NIKiTA. 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.

AKiM (does not answer). Drink, I mean drink, what it does! It's filthy!

NIKiTA. Drink, what's that? I've been drinking? I'm to blame, that's flat! I've had a gla.s.s with a friend, drank his health.

ANiSYA. Go and lie down, I say.

NIKiTA. Wife, say where am I standing?