MARINA. Whatever she is, still she's your wife.... But what's the use of talking; you'd better go to your visitors, and send my husband to me. NIKITA. Oh dear, if you knew the whole business... but there's no good talking! [Enter MARINA'S husband, red and tipsy, and NAN. MARINA'S HUSBAND. Marina! Missis! My old woman! are you here? NIKITA. There's your husband calling you. Go! MARINA. And you? NIKITA. I? I'll lie down here for a bit! [Lies down on the straw. Husband. Where is she then? NAN. There she is, near the barn. HUSBAND. What are you standing there for? Come to the feast! The hosts want you to come and do them honor! The wedding party is just going to start, and then we can go too. MARINA (going towards her husband). I didn't want to go in. HUSBAND. Come on, I tell you! You'll drink a glass to our nephew Peter's health, the rascal! Else the hosts might take offense! There's plenty of time for our business. [MARINA'S husband puts his arm around her, and goes reeling out with her. NIKITA (rises and sits down on the straw). Ah, now that I've seen her, life seems more sickening than ever! It was only with her that I ever really lived! I've ruined my life for nothing! I've done for myself! (Lies down.) Where can I go? If mother earth would but open and swallow me! NAN (sees NIKITA, and runs towards him). Daddy, I say, daddy! They're looking for you! Her godfather and all of them have already blessed her. Truly they have, they're getting cross! NIKITA (aside). Where can I go to? NAN. What? What are you saying? NIKITA. I'm not saying anything! Don't bother! NAN. Daddy! Come, I say! (NIKITA is silent, NAN pulls him by the hand.) Dad, go and bless them! My word, they're angry, they're grumbling! NIKITA (drags away his hand). Leave me alone! NAN. Now then! NIKITA (threatens her with the rope). Go, I say! I'll give it you! NAN. Then I'll send mother! [Runs away. NIKITA (rises). How can I go? How can I take the holy icon in my hands? How am I to look her in the face! (Lies down again.) Oh, if there were a hole in the ground, I'd jump in! No one should see me, and I should see no one! (Rises again.) No, I shan't go.... May they all go to the devil, I shan't go! (Takes the rope and makes a noose, and tries it on his neck.) That's the way! [Enter MATRYONA. NIKITA sees his mother, takes the rope off his neck, and again lies down in the straw. MATRYONA (comes in hurriedly). Nikita! Nikita, I say! He don't even answer! Nikita, what's the matter? Have you had a drop too much? Come, Nikita dear; come, honey! The people are tired of waiting. NIKITA. Oh dear, what have you done with me? I'm a lost man! MATRYONA. But what is the matter then? Come, my own; come, give them your blessing, as is proper and honorable, and then it'll all be over! Why, the people are waiting! NIKITA. How can I give blessings? MATRYONA. Why, in the usual way! Don't you know?