NIKITA. Marina? What's she to me? Much I care about her!... Plenty of them buzzing around. ANISYA. Then what has made your father come here? It's you have told him to. You've gone and deceived me. [Cries. NIKITA. Anisya, 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. ANISYA. If you don't wish it yourself who can force you? He can't drive you like an ass. NIKITA. Well, I reckon it's not possible to go against one's parent. But it's not by my wish. ANISYA. Don't you budge, that's all about it! NIKITA. 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.... ANISYA. Shut up with your nonsense. Nikita, listen to me: if you marry that Marina 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.... NIKITA. Why should I go? Had I wanted to go--I should have gone long ago. There was Ivan Semyonitch 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. ANISYA. 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. NIKITA. 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. ANISYA. And you'll love me? NIKITA (embracing her). There, as you have ever been in my heart.... MATRYONA (enters and crosses herself a long time before the icon. NIKITA and ANISYA 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, sonny. NIKITA. I only came to get the axe. MATRYONA. I know, sonny, I know; them sort of axes are mostly to be found where the women are. NIKITA (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. MATRYONA. Eh, honey! why should you marry? Go on as you are. It's all the old man. You'd better go, sonny; we can talk these matters over without you. NIKITA. 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. ANISYA. What's it all about, then? Do you really wish him to get married?