ANISYA (gets up from the loom and sits down by the table). There was some one from Dedlovo; but it seems the affair's got wind there too. They made a start, and then stopped; so the thing fell through. Of course, who'd care to? NEIGHBOR. And the Lizounofs from Zouevo? ANISYA. They made some steps too, but it didn't come off either. They won't even see us. NEIGHBOR. Yet it's time she was married. ANISYA. Time and more than time! Ah, my dear, I'm that impatient to get her out of the house; but the matter does not come off. He does not wish it, nor she either. He's not yet had enough of his beauty, you see. NEIGHBOR. Eh, eh, eh, what doings! Only think of it. Why, he's her step-father! ANISYA. Ah, friend, they've taken me in completely. They've done me so fine it's beyond saying. I, fool that I was, noticed nothing, suspected nothing, and so I married him. I guessed nothing, but they already understood one another. NEIGHBOR. Oh dear, what goings on! ANISYA. So it went on from bad to worse, and I see they begin hiding from me. Ah, friend, I was that sick--that sick of my life! It's not as if I didn't love him. NEIGHBOR. That goes without saying. ANISYA. Ah, how hard it is to bear such treatment from him! Oh, how it hurts! NEIGHBOR. Yes, and I've heard say he's becoming too free with his fists? ANISYA. And that too! There was a time when he was gentle when he'd had a drop. He used to hit out before, but of me he was always fond! But now when he's in a temper he goes for me and is ready to trample me under his feet. The other day he got both my hands entangled in my hair so that I could hardly get away. And the girl's worse than a serpent; it's a wonder the earth bears such furies. NEIGHBOR. Ah, ah, my dear, now I look at you, you are a sufferer! To suffer like that is no joke. To have given shelter to a beggar, and he to lead you such a dance! Why don't you pull in the reins? ANISYA. Ah, but, my dear, if it weren't for my heart! Him as is gone was stern enough, still I could twist him about any way I liked; but with this one I can do nothing. As soon as I see him all my anger goes. I haven't a grain of courage before him; I go about like a drowned hen. NEIGHBOR. Ah, neighbor, you must be under a spell. I've heard that Matryona goes in for that sort of thing. It must be her. ANISYA. Yes, dear; I think so myself sometimes. Gracious me, how hurt I feel at times! I'd like to tear him to pieces. But when I set eyes on him, my heart won't go against him. NEIGHBOR. It's plain you're bewitched. It don't take long to blight a body. There now, when I look at you, what you have dwindled to!