MICHAEL [takes parcel from his pocket and hands it to his wife. Martha takes the money and the parcel and goes into the little room, silently arranging the kerchief on her head] What an unreasonable lot these women are. [He again offers vódka to the Tramp] There, drink. TRAMP [declining it] Drink it yourself. MICHAEL. Come now, don't fuss. TRAMP [drinking] Success to you. IGNÁT [to Tramp] You must have seen many a strange sight, I suppose. Oh, what a fine coat you've got! Latest fashion. Where did you get it from? [pointing to Tramp's tattered jacket]. Don't you mend it, it's fine as it is! It's getting on in years, I fancy. Well, it can't be helped. If I had one like it, the women would be sweet on me too! [To Martha] Ain't that true? AKULÍNA. You should not, Ignát Iványch. Before seeing anything of him, why go and hold up a man to laughter? TRAMP. It comes of his uneducatedness. IGNÁT. I'm doing it friendly-like. Drink [offers vódka]. AKULÍNA. He says himself--it's the cause of all evil--and he's been in prison because of it. MICHAEL. What were you in prison for? TRAMP [very drunk] I've suffered for expropriation. MICHAEL. What's that? TRAMP. Why, this way. Came up to a fat paunch: "Give up your money, else here's a levolver."[4] He tries this way and that, but forks out 2,300 roubles. [4] As usual he mispronounces his word and calls a "revolver" "a levolver." AKULÍNA. Oh Lord! TRAMP. We meant to dispose of it the proper way. Zembrikóf was our leader. Then those ravens swooped down on us. At once under arrest, and into prison. IGNÁT. And took the money away? TRAMP. Of course. Only they could not convict me. At the trial the procurator said these words to me: "You've stolen money" says he; and I answer him straight: "Thieves steal, but we have performed an expropriation for our Party." And he didn't know what to say. He tried this way and that, but couldn't answer me. "Lead him," says he, "to prison," that is--to the incarceration of free life. IGNÁT. Clever dog! A regular brick! [Offering vódka] Drink, damn you. AKULÍNA. Fie, how nastily you speak! IGNÁT. I, Grannie? I don't mean it for abuse; it's a manner of speech of mine. Damn you, damn you!... Your good health, Grannie. MARTHA [returns and stands at the table pouring out tea]. MICHAEL. That's right. Fancy taking offence! I say, it's thanks to him. [To Tramp] What do you think? [Embraces Martha] I cherish my old woman. See, how I cherish her. In a word, my old woman is first-rate. I would not change her for anybody. IGNÁT. There, that's good. Grannie, drink! I stand treat. TRAMP. What it means--the power of enershy! One was in a state of melancholy, and now there's nothing but pleasantness and friendly disposition. Grannie, I feel much love for you and for everybody. Brothers dear [sings revolutionary song]. MICHAEL. It has got right hold of him in his hunger. ACT II Same hut. Morning Martha and Akulína. Michael is asleep