SAVVA _(looking at her with wide-open eyes and a frank face, and breaking abruptly into a clear, ringing laugh)_ Oh, you funny girl, what should I be smiling for? I'd rather laugh. _(Both laugh)_ Are you afraid of tickling? LIPA Stop it! What a boy you are still! SAVVA All right. And Kondraty, isn't here yet. I wonder why. Do you think the devil has taken him? The devil is fond of monks, you know. LIPA What strange fancies you have. Why, now you are joking-- SAVVA _(somewhat surprised)_ They are not fancies. LIPA My fancies are different. You are a dear now, because you talk to me. In the evening I'll tell you all about myself. We'll take a walk together, and I'll tell you everything. SAVVA Very well, I'll listen. Why shouldn't I? LIPA Tell me, Savva, if I may ask--are you in love with a woman? SAVVA Ah, switched around to the subject of love after all--just like a woman! I hardly know what to say. I did love a girl, in a way, but she didn't stick it out. LIPA Stick out what? SAVVA My love, or perhaps myself. All I know is that one fine day she went away and left me. LIPA _(laughing)_ And you? SAVVA Nothing. I remained alone. LIPA Have you any friends, comrades? SAVVA No. LIPA Any enemies? I mean is there anyone whom you particularly dislike, whom you hate? SAVVA Yes--God. LIPA _(incredulously)_ What? SAVVA God, I say--the one whom you call your Saviour. LIPA _(shouting)_ Don't dare speak that way! You've gone out of your mind! SAVVA Ah! I touched your sensitive spot, did I? LIPA Don't you dare! SAVVA I thought you were a gentle dove, but you have a tongue like a snake's. _(He imitates the movements of a snake's tongue with his finger)_ LIPA Good Lord! How dare you, how can you speak like that of the Saviour? Why, one dares not look at him. Why have you come here? _[Kondraty appears at the door of the tavern, looks around, and enters quietly._ KONDRATY In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost! SAVVA Amen! You're very late, my gracious lord! KONDRATY I did the will of him who sent me. I was picking young little cucumbers for the Father Superior. He has them made into a dainty dish which he loves dearly for an appetizer. My, what infernal heat! I was in pools of perspiration before I got through. SAVVA _(to Lipa)_ You see, here is a monk. He likes a drink. His cussing vocabulary isn't bad. He is no fool, and as to women-- KONDRATY Don't embarrass the young lady, Mr. Tropinin. In the presence of a lady-- SAVVA And furthermore, he doesn't believe in God. KONDRATY He is joking. LIPA I don't like such jokes. What have you come here for? KONDRATY I am here by invitation. SAVVA I have some business with him. LIPA _(without looking at Savva)_ What have you come here for? SAVVA For nothing that concerns you. You had better have a talk with him. He is a chap that possesses a great deal of curiosity. He's not a fool, either, but knows what's what.