MiTRITCH. All right, you throw it to the sheep. Well, have you seen 'em all off?

NIKiTA. Yes, they're off! But things are not right! I don't know what to do!

MiTRITCH. 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.

[6] The Foundlings' Hospital in Moscow, where 80 to 90 per cent. of the children die.

NIKiTA. But mind, Mitritch, don't go blabbing.

MiTRITCH. 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].

Nikita is long silent. Sits down on a sledge.

NIKiTA. Here's a go!

Enter Anisya.

ANiSYA. Where are you?

NIKiTA. Here.

ANiSYA. What are you doing there? There's no time to be lost! We must take it out directly!

NIKiTA. What are we to do?

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

NIKiTA. You'd better take it to the Foundlings'--if anything.

ANiSYA. Then you'd better take it there yourself if you like! You've a hankering for s.m.u.t, but you're weak when it comes to settling up, I see!

NIKiTA. What's to be done?

ANiSYA. Go down into the cellar, I tell you, and dig a hole!

NIKiTA. Couldn't you manage, somehow, some other way?

ANiSYA [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!

NIKiTA. 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!

ANiSYA. 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 ...

ANiSYA [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 Nikita] Do as you're told, or else mind! [Exit].

NIKiTA [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 Anisya 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 b.i.t.c.h 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 Matryona with a lantern and spade, panting.

MATRYoNA. Why are you sitting there like a hen on a perch? What did your wife tell you to do? You just get things ready!

NIKiTA. What do you mean to do?

MATRYoNA. We know what to do. You do your share!

NIKiTA. You'll be getting me into a mess!

MATRYoNA. What? You're not thinking of backing out, are you? Now it's come to this, and you back out!

NIKiTA. Think what a thing it would be! It's a living soul.

MATRYoNA. 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.

NIKiTA. And supposing it's found out?

MATRYoNA. 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.

NIKiTA. What am I to get done?

MATRYoNA [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.

NIKiTA. Is it dead then?

MATRYoNA. 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.

NIKiTA. You'll get me into a mess, bother you! I'll go away! You do it alone as best you can!

ANiSYA [through the doorway] Well? Has he dug it?

MATRYoNA. Why have you come away? What have you done with it?

ANiSYA. I've covered it with rags. No one can hear it. Well, has he dug it?

MATRYoNA. He doesn't want to!

ANiSYA [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!

NIKiTA [taken aback] What will you tell?

ANiSYA. What? Everything! Who took the money? You! [Nikita is silent]