MATRYONA. "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. ANISYA. O-o-oh! But mayn't some evil come of them? I'm frightened! MATRYONA. 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. ANISYA. O-o-oh, my poor head! I'm afeared, Mother Matryona, lest some evil come of them. No. That won't do. MATRYONA. Just as you like. I might even return them to him. ANISYA. And are they to be used in the same way as the others? Mixed in water? MATRYONA. Better in tea, he says. "You can't notice anything," he says, "no smell nor nothing." He's a cute old fellow, too. ANISYA (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? MATRYONA. You'll not forget that rouble? I promised to take it to the old man. He's had some trouble, too. ANISYA. Of course? [Goes to her box and hides the powders. MATRYONA. 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 AKIM, who crosses himself in front of the icon, and then PETER, who sits down. PETER. Well, then, how's it to be, Daddy Akim? AKIM. As it's best, Peter Ignatitch, 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. (Akim sits down.) Well, then, what's it all about? You want him to marry? MATRYONA. As to marrying, he might bide a while, Peter Ignatitch. You know our poverty, Peter Ignatitch. 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. MATRYONA. 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. AKIM. 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. MATRYONA. And a fine job too--cleaning out cesspools. The other day when he came home, I could do nothing but spew and spew. Faugh!