A VOICE. Please let me in, Tihon. The carriage-spring’s broken! Be a father to me and help me! If I only had a little string to tie it round with, we’d get there somehow or other. TIHON. Who are you? THE VOICE. My lady is going to Varsonofyev from the town.... It’s only five versts farther on.... Do be a good man and help! TIHON. Go and tell the lady that if she pays ten roubles she can have her string and we’ll mend the spring. THE VOICE. Have you gone mad, or what? Ten roubles! You mad dog! Profiting by our misfortunes! TIHON. Just as you like.... You needn’t if you don’t want to. THE VOICE. Very well, wait a bit. [Pause] She says, all right. TIHON. Pleased to hear it! [Opens door. The COACHMAN enters.] COACHMAN. Good evening, Orthodox people! Well, give me the string! Quick! Who’ll go and help us, children? There’ll be something left over for your trouble! TIHON. There won’t be anything left over.... Let them sleep, the two of us can manage. COACHMAN. Foo, I am tired! It’s cold, and there’s not a dry spot in all the mud.... Another thing, dear.... Have you got a little room in here for the lady to warm herself in? The carriage is all on one side, she can’t stay in it.... TIHON. What does she want a room for? She can warm herself in here, if she’s cold.... We’ll find a place [Clears a space next to BORTSOV] Get up, get up! Just lie on the floor for an hour, and let the lady get warm. [To BORTSOV] Get up, your honour! Sit up! [BORTSOV sits up] Here’s a place for you. [Exit COACHMAN.] FEDYA. Here’s a visitor for you, the devil’s brought her! Now there’ll be no sleep before daylight. TIHON. I’m sorry I didn’t ask for fifteen.... She’d have given them.... [Stands expectantly before the door] You’re a delicate sort of people, I must say. [Enter MARIA EGOROVNA, followed by the COACHMAN. TIHON bows.] Please, your highness! Our room is very humble, full of blackbeetles! But don’t disdain it! MARIA EGOROVNA. I can’t see anything.... Which way do I go? TIHON. This way, your highness! [Leads her to the place next to BORTSOV] This way, please. [Blows on the place] I haven’t any separate rooms, excuse me, but don’t you be afraid, madam, the people here are good and quiet.... MARIA EGOROVNA. [Sits next to BORTSOV] How awfully stuffy! Open the door, at any rate! TIHON. Yes, madam. [Runs and opens the door wide.] MARIA. We’re freezing, and you open the door! [Gets up and slams it] Who are you to be giving orders? [Lies down] TIHON. Excuse me, your highness, but we’ve a little fool here... a bit cracked.... But don’t you be frightened, he won’t do you any harm.... Only you must excuse me, madam, I can’t do this for ten roubles.... Make it fifteen. MARIA EGOROVNA. Very well, only be quick. TIHON. This minute... this very instant. [Drags some string out from under the counter] This minute. [A pause.] BORTSOV. [Looking at MARIA EGOROVNA] Marie... Masha... MARIA EGOROVNA. [Looks at BORTSOV] What’s this?