SECOND GIRL. It seems he didn't, until it was going around. First Girl. Just see! He must have come to fetch some straw. Look! he's got a rope in his hand, and he's fallen asleep. SECOND GIRL (listening). They're still singing the praises.[9] So I s'pose the bride and bridegroom have not yet been blessed! They say Akoulina didn't even lament![10] FIRST GIRL. Mammie says she is marrying against her will. Her stepfather threatened her, or else she'd not have done it for the world! Why, you know what they've been saying about her? MARINA (catching up the GIRLS). How d'you you do, lassies? GIRLS. How d'you do? MARINA. Going to the wedding, my dears? FIRST GIRL. It's nearly over! We've come just to have a look. MARINA. Would you call my old man for me? Simon, from Zouevo; but surely you know him? FIRST GIRL. To be sure we do; he's a relative of the bridegroom's, I think? MARINA. Of course; he's my old man's nephew, the bridegroom is. SECOND GIRL. Why don't you go yourself? Fancy not going to a wedding! MARINA. I have no mind for it, and no time either. It's time for us to be going home. We didn't mean to come to the wedding. We were taking oats to town. We only stopped to feed the horse, and they made my old man go in. FIRST GIRL. Where did you put up then? At Fyodoritch's? MARINA. Yes. Well then, I'll stay here and you go and call him, my dear--my old man. Call him, my pet, and say "Your missis, Marina, says you must go now!" His mates are harnessing. FIRST GIRL. Well, all right--if you won't go in yourself. [The GIRLS go away towards the house along a footpath. Sounds of songs and tambourine. MARINA (alone, stands thinking). I might go in, but I don't like to, because I have not met him since that day he threw me over. It's more than a year now. But I'd have liked to have a peep and see how he lives with his Anisya. People say they don't get on. She's a coarse woman, and with a character of her own. I should think he's remembered me more than once. He's been caught by the idea of a comfortable life and has changed me for it. But, God help him, I don't cherish ill-will! Then it hurt! Oh dear, it was pain! But now it's worn away and been forgotten. But I'd like to have seen him. (Looks towards hut and sees NIKITA.) Look there! Why, he is coming here! Have the girls told him? How's it he has left his guests? I'll go away! (NIKITA approaches, hanging his head down, swinging his arms, and muttering.) And how sullen he looks! NIKITA (sees and recognises MARINA). Marina, dearest friend, little MARINA, what do you want? MARINA. I have come for my old man. NIKITA. Why didn't you come to the wedding? You might have had a look round, and a laugh at my expense! MARINA. What have I to laugh at? I've come for my husband. NIKITA. Ah, Marina dear! [Tries to embrace her. MARINA (steps angrily aside). You'd better drop that sort of thing, Nikita! What has been is past! I've come for my husband. Is he in your house?