PEASANT. There, you see! You said Nick and I were wasting the corn, but just see what stuff we've concocted. Eh? It's good, ain't it? WIFE. Of course, it's good if it makes the old young again. Just see how jolly it has made you! And I feel jolly too! Now then, join in! Ah ... Ah ... Ah ... [Sings]. PEASANT. Yes, that's the way! We'll all be young, all young. WIFE. We must call mother-in-law, for she's always sad and grumbling. She needs renewing. When she's younger she'll get kinder. PEASANT [tipsy] Yes, call mother. Call her here, and grandfather too. I say, Mary, run and call your granny and great-grandfather. Tell him he must get down from the oven! We'll make him young again. Now then, quick! One, two, three, and away! Off like a shot! [Girl runs off. To Wife] We'll have another glass. Labourer fills and hands the glasses. PEASANT [drinks] At first we got young at the top, in the tongue; then it went down into the arms. Now it has reached the feet. I feel my feet getting younger. They're moving of themselves. [Starts dancing]. WIFE [drinks] You're a real clever 'un, Nick! Now then, strike up! Labourer takes a balaláyka[1] and plays. Peasant and Wife dance. [1] The balaláyka is an instrument (generally three-stringed) used by Russian peasants, and answering to the negroes' banjo. LABOURER [plays in the foreground of the scene, laughing and winking as he watches them. Then he leaves off playing, but they still continue to dance] You'll pay for that crust! You've done it now, my fine fellows. They'll never get out of it. The Chief can come when he likes now! Enter a fresh-looking elderly woman, and a very old white-haired man, the Peasant's Grandfather. GRANDFATHER. What's the matter? Have you gone mad? Dancing while every one else is at work! WIFE [dances and claps her hands] Oh--Oh--Oh-- [Sings] "That I'm sinning I will own, Free from sin is God alone!" OLD WOMAN. Oh, you wretch! The oven's not cleaned out yet, and here you are dancing! PEASANT. Wait a bit, mother. See what has been happening here. We can make old people young again! Here you are! Just drink this! [Passes tumbler]. OLD WOMAN. There's plenty of water in the well. [Smells it] But what have you put in? My--what a smell! PEASANT. You just drink it. OLD WOMAN [tastes] Dear me! But won't one die of it? WIFE. It will make you more alive. You'll grow young again! OLD WOMAN. Nonsense! [Drinks] But it's nice! Better than our drinks. Here, father, have some too. Grandfather sits down and shakes his head. LABOURER. Never mind him. But granny must have another glass. [Hands some to the old woman]. OLD WOMAN. If only no harm comes of it. Oh dear, it does burn! But it is nice. WIFE. Drink it! Then you'll feel it running through your veins. OLD WOMAN. Well, I suppose I'll have to try. [Drinks]. WIFE. Has it reached your feet yet?