ANISYA (laughs and pulls him by the arm). Tchilikin. Dear me, what airs! NIKITA. Ah, that's it. (Holds on to the door-post.) No, now say with which foot Tchilikin steps into this house! ANISYA. That's enough! You're letting the cold in! NIKITA. Say with which foot he steps? You've got to say it,--that's flat. ANISYA (aside). He'll go on worrying. (To NIKITA.) Well then, with the left. Come in! NIKITA. Ah, that's it. ANISYA. You look who's in the hut! NIKITA. Ah, my parent! Well, what of that? I'm not ashamed of my parent. I can pay my respects to my parent. How d'you do, father? (Bows and puts out his hand.) My respects to you. AKIM (does not answer). Drink, I mean drink, what it does! It's filthy! NIKITA. Drink, what's that? I've been drinking? I'm to blame, that's flat! I've had a glass with a friend, drank his health. ANISYA. Go and lie down, I say. NIKITA. Wife, say where am I standing? ANISYA. Now then, it's all right, lie down! NIKITA. No, I'll first drink a samovar with my parent. Go and light the samovar. Akoulina, I say, come here! [Enter AKOULINA, smartly dressed and carrying their purchases. AKOULINA. Why have you thrown everything about? Where's the yarn? NIKITA. The yarn? The yarn's there. Hullo, Mitritch, where are you? Asleep? Asleep? Go and put the horse up. AKIM (not seeing AKOULINA but looking at his son). Dear me, what is he doing? The old man's what d'ye call it, quite done up, I mean,--been thrashing,--and look at him, what d'ye call it, putting on airs! Put up the horse! Faugh, what filth! MITRITCH (climbs down from the oven, and puts on felt boots). Oh, merciful Lord! Is the horse in the yard? Done it to death, I dare say. Just see how he's been swilling, the deuce take him. Up to his very throat. Oh Lord, Holy Nicholas! [Puts on sheepskin and exit. NIKITA (sits down). You must forgive me, father. It's true I've had a drop; well, what of that? Even a hen will drink. Ain't it true? So you must forgive me. Never mind Mitritch, he doesn't mind, he'll put it up. ANISYA. Shall I really light the samovar? NIKITA. Light it! My parent has come. I wish to talk to him, and shall drink tea with him. (To AKOULINA.) Have you brought all the parcels? AKOULINA. The parcels? I've brought mine, the rest's in the sledge. Hi, take this, this isn't mine! [Throws a parcel on the table and puts the others into her box. NAN watches her while she puts them away. AKIM does not look at his son, but puts his leg-bands and bast-shoes on the oven. ANISYA (going out with the samovar). Her box is full as it is, and still he's bought more!