ANISYA. Growing a regular spindle-shanks. And just look at that fool Akoulina. Wasn't the girl a regular untidy slattern, and just look at her now! Where has it all come from? Yes, he has fitted her out. She's grown so smart, so puffed up, just like a bubble that's ready to burst. And, though she's a fool, she's got it into her head. "I'm the mistress," she says; "the house is mine; it's me father wanted him to marry." And she's that vicious! Lord help us, when she gets into a rage she's ready to tear the thatch off the house. NEIGHBOR. Oh dear, what a life yours is, now I come to look at you. And yet there's people envying you: "They're rich," they say; but it seems that gold don't keep tears from falling. ANISYA. Much reason for envy indeed! And the riches, too, will soon be made ducks and drakes of. Dear me, how he squanders money! NEIGHBOR. But how's it, dear, you've been so simple to give up the money? It's yours. ANISYA. Ah, if you knew all! The thing is that I've made one little mistake. NEIGHBOR. Well, if I were you, I'd go straight and have the law of him. The money's yours; how dare he squander it? There's no such rights. ANISYA. They don't pay heed to that nowadays. NEIGHBOR. Ah, my dear, now I come to look at you, you've got that weak. Anisya. Yes, quite weak, dear, quite weak. He's got me into a regular fix. I don't myself know anything. Oh, my poor head! NEIGHBOR (listening). There's some one coming, I think. [The door opens and AKIM enters. AKIM (crosses himself, knocks the snow off his feet, and takes off his coat). Peace be to this house! How do you do? Are you well, daughter? ANISYA. How d'you do, father? Do you come straight from home? AKIM. I've been a-thinking I'll go and see what's name, go to see my son, I mean,--my son. I didn't start early--had my dinner, I mean; I went, and it's so what d'you call it--so snowy, hard walking, and so there I'm what d'you call it--late, I mean. And my son--is he at home? At home? My son, I mean. ANISYA. No; he's gone to the town. AKIM (sits down on a bench). I've some business with him, d'you see, some business, I mean. I told him t'other day, told him I was in need --told him, I mean, that our horse was done for, our horse, you see. So we must what d'ye call it, get a horse, I mean, some kind of a horse, I mean. So there, I've come, you see. ANISYA. Nikita told me. When he comes back you'll have a talk. (Goes to the oven.) Have some supper now, and he'll soon come. Mitritch, eh, Mitritch, come have your supper. MITRITCH. Oh Lord! merciful Nicholas! ANISYA. Come to supper. NEIGHBOR. I shall go now. Good-night. [Exit. MITRITCH (gets down from the oven). I never noticed how I fell asleep. Oh, Lord! gracious Nicholas! How d'you do, Daddy Akim? AKIM. Ah, Mitritch! What are you, what d'ye call it, I mean?... MITRITCH. Why, I'm working for your son, Nikita. AKIM. Dear me! What d'ye call ... working for my son, I mean. Dear me!