I see that you are a thoroughgoing anarchist. They too think that all is done if one man is killed. But if they kill me, hang me, break me on the wheel, there will come another purer than I. Where there's an itch, there is always somebody to scratch it! Yes, sister! If not I, then someone else, and _(clenching his fist)_ it will fare ill with your world. LIPA You are a terrible man. I thought you would be crushed by your failure, but you are like Satan. The fall has only made you blacker. SAVVA Yes, Lipa, only a sparrow can fly straight up from the ground. A large bird must descend to adjust and spread its wings for its upward flight. LIPA Aren't you sorry for the children? Think of the number of children that will have to perish. SAVVA What children? Oh yes, Misha. _(Tenderly)_ Misha is a fine boy, that's true. When he grows up, he will show you no mercy. Yes, the children--You are beginning to be afraid of them, and you have good reason for it. Never mind. It's true that I love children. _(With pride)_ And they love me. But they don't care for you. LIPA I don't play jackstones with them. SAVVA How silly you are, sister. But I like to play with them. LIPA Then go ahead and play. SAVVA Well, I _will_ play. LIPA When you talk like that I have the feeling once more that it has all been a dream--all that we were saying just now. Is it really true that you want to kill me? SAVVA Yes, if it must be done. But perhaps it won't be necessary. LIPA You are joking! SAVVA Every one of you will have it that I am joking. You keep constantly telling me so. You seem to have utterly lost the sense for what is serious. LIPA No, it's not a dream. They are going. SAVVA Yes, they are going. _(Both listen)_ LIPA You still seem to believe. What do you believe? SAVVA I believe in my destiny. _(The hour begins to strike in the belfry of the monastery)_ Twelve. LIPA _(counting)_ Seven--eight--and to think that this is the hour when it should have happened--the very idea of it--_(A muffled report as of a powerful explosion is heard)_ What was that? SAVVA Yes, what was it? _[Both rush to the window, waking Tony, who moves his head sleepily. The tread of the footsteps in the street stops momentarily. Then all begin to run. Frightened cries are heard, weeping, loud, abrupt ejaculations of "What's the matter?" "Oh, Lord!" "Fire, fire!" "No, something has fallen down!" "Let's run!" The word "monastery" is frequently heard._ TONY They are running! Where are they running to? Why is nobody here? PELAGUEYA _(entering the room, half dressed)_ Oh, Lord! Oh, heavens! Is it possible the monastery is on fire! Good gracious! Heavens! And you here, you drunken sot! You monster! TONY Oho! They are running? Faces, mugs, eh? _[The bell begins to toll the alarm. Then the strokes follow each other in more rapid succession; hasty, disquieting, uneven, they blend with the noise of the street and seem to creep through the window._