4. Loud public wailing of this kind is customary, and considered indispensable, among the peasants. 5. Where not otherwise mentioned in the stage directions, it is always the winter half of the hut that is referred to as "the hut." The summer half is not heated, and not used in winter under ordinary circumstances. 6. The Foundlings' Hospital in Moscow, where 80 to 90 percent of the children die. 7. Nan calls Mitritch "daddy" merely as a term of endearment. 8. Probably Kurds 9. This refers to the songs customary at the wedding of Russian peasants, praising the bride and bridegroom. 10. It is etiquette for a bride to bewail the approaching loss of her maidenhood. END OF _THE POWER OF DARKNESS_ * * * * * FRUITS OF CULTURE CHARACTERS LEONID FYODORITCH ZVEZDINTSEF. A retired Lieutenant of the Horse Guards. Owner of more than 60,000 acres of land in various provinces. A fresh-looking, bland, agreeable gentleman of 60. Believes in Spiritualism, and likes to astonish people with his wonderful stories. ANNA PAVLOVNA ZVEZDINTSEVA. Wife of Leonid. Stout; pretends to be young; quite taken up with the conventionalities of life; despises her husband, and blindly believes in her doctor. Very irritable. BETSY. Their daughter. A young woman of 20, fast, tries to be mannish, wears a pince-nez, flirts and giggles. Speaks very quickly and distinctly. VASILY LEONIDITCH ZVEZDINTSEF. Their son, aged 25; has studied law, but has no definite occupation. Member of the Cycling Club, Jockey Club, and of the Society for Promoting the Breeding of Hounds. Enjoys perfect health, and has imperturbable self-assurance. Speaks loud and abruptly. Is either perfectly serious--almost morose, or is noisily gay and laughs loud. Is nicknamed Vovo. ALEXEY VLADIMIROVITCH KROUGOSVETLOF. A professor and scientist of about 50, with quiet and pleasantly self-possessed manners, and quiet, deliberate, harmonious speech. Likes to talk. Is mildly disdainful of those who do not agree with him. Smokes much. Is lean and active. THE DOCTOR. About 40. Healthy, fat, red-faced, loud-voiced, and rough; with a self-satisfied smile constantly on his lips. MARYA KONSTANTINOVNA. A girl of 20, from the Conservatoire, teacher of music. Wears a fringe, and is super-fashionably dressed. Obsequious, and gets easily confused. PETRISTCHEF. About 28; has taken his degree in philology, and is looking out for a position. Member of the same clubs as Vasily Leoniditch, and also of the Society for the Organisation of Calico Balls. [1] Is bald-headed, quick in movement and speech, and very polite. THE BARONESS. A pompous lady of about 50, slow in her movements, speaks with monotonous intonation. THE PRINCESS. A society woman, a visitor. HER DAUGHTER. An affected young society woman, a visitor. THE COUNTESS. An ancient dame, with false hair and teeth. Moves with great difficulty.