MATRYONA. He doesn't want to! ANISYA (springs out enraged). Doesn't want to! How will he like feeding vermin in prison! I'll go straight away and tell everything to the police! It's all the same if one must perish. I'll go straight and tell! NIKITA (taken aback). What will you tell? ANISYA. What? Everything! Who took the money? You! (NIKITA is silent.) And who gave the poison? I did! But you knew! You knew! You knew! We were in agreement! MATRYONA. That's enough now. Nikita dear, why are you obstinate? What's to be done now? One must take some trouble. Go, honey. ANISYA. See the fine gentleman! He doesn't like it! You've put upon me long enough! You've trampled me under foot! Now it's my turn! Go, I tell you, or else I'll do what I said.... There, take the spade; there, now go! NIKITA. Drat you! Can't you leave a fellow alone! (Takes the spade, but shrinks.) If I don't choose to, I'll not go! ANISYA. Not go? (Begins to shout.) Neighbors! Heh! heh! MATRYONA (closes her mouth). What are you about? You're mad! He'll go.... Go, sonny, go, my own. ANISYA. I'll cry murder! NIKITA. Now stop! Oh, what people! You'd better be quick.... As well be hung for a sheep as a lamb! [Goes towards the cellar. MATRYONA. Yes, that's just it, honey. If you know how to amuse yourself, you must know how to hide the consequences. ANISYA (still excited). He's trampled on me ... he and his slut! But it's enough! I'm not going to be the only one! Let him also be a murderer! Then he'll know how it feels! MATRYONA. There, there! How she flares up! Don't you be cross, lass, but do things quietly little by little, as it's best. You go to the girl, and he'll do the work. [Follows NIKITA to the cellar with a lantern. He descends into the cellar. ANISYA. And I'll make him strangle his dirty brat! (Still excited.) I've worried myself to death all alone, with Peter's bones weighing on my mind! Let him feel it too! I'll not spare myself; I've said I'll not spare myself! NIKITA (from the cellar). Show a light! MATRYONA (holds up the lantern to him. To ANISYA). He's digging. Go and bring it. ANISYA. You stay with him, or he'll go away, the wretch! And I'll go and bring it. MATRYONA. Mind, don't forget to baptize it, or I will if you like. Have you a cross? ANISYA. I'll find one. I know how to do it. [Exit. * * * * * See at end of Act, VARIATION, which may be used instead of the following. * * * * *