MATRYONA. Well, naturally! But hasn't he given it to any one else? ANISYA. To no one. I watch like a hawk. MATRYONA. And where is it? ANISYA. He doesn't let out. And I can't find out in any way. He hides it now here, now there, and I can't do anything because of Akoulina. Idiot though she is, she keeps watch, and is always about. Oh my poor head! I'm bothered to death. MATRYONA. Oh, my jewel, if he gives the money to any one but you, you'll never cease regretting it as long as you live! They'll turn you out of house and home without anything. You've been worriting, and worriting all your life with one you don't love, and will have to go a-begging when you are a widow. ANISYA. No need to tell me, mother. My heart's that weary, and I don't know what to do. No one to get a bit of advice from. I told Nikita, but he's frightened of the job. The only thing he did was to tell me yesterday it was hidden under the floor. MATRYONA. Well, and did you look there? ANISYA. I couldn't. The old man himself was in the room. I notice that sometimes he carries it about on him, and sometimes he hides it. MATRYONA. But you, my lass, must remember that if once he gives you the slip there's no getting it right again! (Whispering.) Well, and did you give him the strong tea? ANISYA. Oh! oh!... [About to answer, but sees neighbor and stops. [The NEIGHBOR (a woman) passes the hut, and listens to a call from within. NEIGHBOR (to Anisya). I say, Anisya! Oh, Anisya! There's your old man calling, I think. ANISYA. That's the way he always coughs,--just as if he were screaming. He's getting very bad. NEIGHBOR (approaches MATRYONA). How do you do, granny? Have you come far? MATRYONA. Straight from home, dear. Come to see my son. Brought him some shirts--can't help thinking of these things, you see, when it's one's own child. NEIGHBOR. Yes, that's always so. (To Anisya.) And I was thinking of beginning to bleach the linen, but it is a bit early, no one has begun yet. ANISYA. Where's the hurry? MATRYONA. Well, and has he had communion? ANISYA. Oh, dear, yes, the priest was here yesterday. NEIGHBOR. I had a look at him yesterday. Dearie me! one wonders his body and soul keep together. And, O Lord, the other day he seemed just at his last gasp, so that they laid him under the holy icons.[1] They started lamenting and got ready to lay him out. ANISYA. He came to, and creeps about again. MATRYONA. Well, and is he to have extreme unction? ANISYA. The neighbors advise it. If he lives till to-morrow we'll send for the priest. NEIGHBOR. Oh, Anisya dear, I should think your heart must be heavy. As the saying goes, "Not he is sick that's ill in bed, but he that sits and waits in dread." ANISYA. Yes, if it were only over one way or other! NEIGHBOR. Yes, that's true, dying for a year, it's no joke. You're bound hand and foot like that.