NIKITA (aside). How he sticks to it; it's too bad. (To Akim.) I tell you, I know nothing more. There's been nothing between us. (Angrily.) By God! and may I never leave this spot (crosses himself) if I know anything about it. (Silence. Then still more excitedly.) Why! have you been thinking of getting me to marry her? What do you mean by it?-- it's a confounded shame. Besides, nowadays you've got no such rights as to force a fellow to marry. That's plain enough. Besides, haven't I sworn I know nothing about it? MATRYONA (to her husband). There now, that's just like your silly pate, to believe all they tell you. He's gone and put the lad to shame all for nothing. The best thing is to let him live as he is living, with his master. His master will help us in our present need, and give us ten roubles, and when the time comes.... PETER. Well, Daddy Akim, how's it to be? AKIM (looks at his son, clicking his tongue disapprovingly). Mind, Nikita, the tears of one that's been wronged never, what d'you call it--never fall beside the mark but always on, what's name--the head of the man as did the wrong. So mind, don't what d'you call it. NIKITA (sits down). What's there to mind? mind yourself. NAN (aside). I must run and tell mother. [Exit. MATRYONA (to Peter). That's always the way with this old mumbler of mine, Peter Ignatitch. Once he's got anything wedged in his pate there's no knocking it out. We've gone and troubled you all for nothing. The lad can go on living as he has been. Keep him; he's your servant. PETER. Well, Daddy Akim, what do you say? AKIM. Why, the lad's his own master, if only he what d'you call it.... I only wish that, what d'you call it, I mean. MATRYONA. You don't know yourself what you're jawing about. The lad himself has no wish to leave. Besides, what do we want with him at home? We can manage without him. PETER. Only one thing, Daddy Akim--if you are thinking of taking him back in summer, I don't want him here for the winter. If he is to stay at all, it must be for the whole year. MATRYONA. And it's for a year he'll bind himself. If we want help when the press of work comes, we can hire help, and the lad shall remain with you. Only give us ten roubles now.... PETER. Well then, is it to be for another year? AKIM (sighing). Yes, it seems, it what d'you call it ... if it's so, I mean, it seems that it must be what d'you call it. MATRYONA. For a year, counting from St. Dimitry's day. We know you'll pay him fair wages. But give us ten roubles now. Help us out of our difficulties. (Gets up and bows to Peter.) [Enter NAN and ANISYA. The latter sits down at one side. PETER. Well, if that's settled we might step across to the inn and have a drink. Come, Daddy Akim, what do you say to a glass of vodka? AKIM. No, I never drink that sort of thing. PETER. Well, you'll have some tea? AKIM. Ah, tea! yes, I do sin that way. Yes, tea's the thing.