NIKITA (alone. After a long silence). Here's a go! Oh, these women! What a fix! Says you should have thought of it a year ago. When's one to think beforehand? When's one to think? Why, last year this Anisya dangled after me. What was I to do? Am I a monk? The master died; and I covered my sin as was proper, so I was not to blame there. Aren't there lots of such cases? And then those powders. Did I put her up to that? Why, had I known what the bitch was up to, I'd have killed her! I'm sure I should have killed her! She's made me her partner in these horrors--that jade! And she became loathsome to me from that day! She became loathsome, loathsome to me as soon as mother told me about it. I can't bear the sight of her! Well, then, how could I live with her? And then it begun.... That wench began hanging round. Well, what was I to do! If I had not done it, some one else would. And this is what comes of it! Still I'm not to blame in this either. Oh, what a go! (Sits thinking.) They are bold, these women! What a plan to think of! But I won't have a hand in it! [Enter MATRYONA with a lantern and spade, panting. MATRYONA. Why are you sitting there like a hen on a perch? What did your wife tell you to do? You just get things ready! NIKITA. What do you mean to do? MATRYONA. We know what to do. You do your share! NIKITA. You'll be getting me into a mess! MATRYONA. What? You're not thinking of backing out, are you? Now it's come to this, and you back out! NIKITA. Think what a thing it would be! It's a living soul. MATRYONA. A living soul indeed! Why, it's more dead than alive. And what's one to do with it? Go and take it to the Foundlings'--it will die just the same, and the rumor will get about, and people will talk, and the girl be left on our hands. NIKITA. And supposing it's found out? MATRYONA. Not manage to do it in one's own house? We'll manage it so that no one will have an inkling. Only do as I tell you. We women can't do it without a man. There, take the spade, and get it done there,--I'll hold the light. NIKITA. What am I to get done? MATRYONA (in a low voice). Dig a hole; then we'll bring it out and get it out of the way in a trice! There, she's calling again. Now then, get in, and I'll go. NIKITA. Is it dead then? MATRYONA. Of course it is. Only you must be quick, or else people will notice! They'll see or they'll hear! The rascals must needs know everything. And the policeman went by this evening. Well then, you see (gives him the spade), you get down into the cellar and dig a hole right in the corner; the earth is soft there, and you'll smooth it over. Mother earth will not blab to any one; she'll keep it close. Go then; go, dear. NIKITA. You'll get me into a mess, bother you! I'll go away! You do it alone as best you can! ANISYA (through the doorway). Well? Has he dug it? MATRYONA. Why have you come away? What have you done with it? ANISYA. I've covered it with rags. No one can hear it. Well, has he dug it?