MARY IVÁNOVNA. But he will not believe even Father Gerásim. He is so firm; and when he talks, you know, I can't answer him. That's what is so terrible, that it seems to me he is right. PRINCESS. That is because you love him. MARY IVÁNOVNA. I don't know, but it's terrible, and everything remains unsettled--and that is Christianity! Enter Nurse. NURSE. Will you please come. Little Nicholas has woke up and is crying for you. MARY IVÁNOVNA. Directly! When I am excited he gets stomach ache. Coming, coming! Nicholas Ivánovich enters by another door, with a paper in his hand. NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. No, this is impossible! MARY IVÁNOVNA. What has happened? NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Why, Peter is to be imprisoned on account of some wretched pine-trees of ours. MARY IVÁNOVNA. How's that? NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Quite simply! He cut it down, and they informed the Justice of Peace, and he has sentenced him to three months' imprisonment. His wife has come about it. MARY IVÁNOVNA. Well, and can't anything be done? NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Not now. The only way is not to possess any forest. And I will not possess any. What is one to do? I shall, however, go and see whether what we have done can be remedied. [Goes out on to the verandah and meets Borís and Lyúba]. LYÚBA. Good morning, papa [kisses him], where are you going? NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. I have just returned from the village and am going back again. They are just dragging a hungry man to prison because he ... LYÚBA. I suppose it's Peter? NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Yes, Peter. [Exit, followed by Mary Ivánovna]. LYÚBA [sits down in front of samovár] Will you have tea or coffee? BORÍS. I don't mind. LYÚBA. It's always the same, and I see no end to it! BORÍS. I don't understand him. I know the people are poor and ignorant and must be helped, but not by encouraging thieves. LYÚBA. But how? BORÍS. By our whole activity. By using all our knowledge in their service, but not by sacrificing one's own life. LYÚBA. And papa says, that that is just what is wanted. BORÍS. I don't understand. One can serve the people without ruining one's own life. That is the way I want to arrange my life. If only you ... LYÚBA. I want what you want, and am not afraid of anything. BORÍS. How about those earrings--that dress ... LYÚBA. The earrings can be sold and the dresses must be different, but one need not make oneself quite a guy. BORÍS. I should like to have another talk with him. Do you think I should disturb him if I followed him to the village? LYÚBA. Not at all. I see he has grown fond of you, and he addressed himself chiefly to you last night. BORÍS [finishes his coffee] Well, I'll go then. LYÚBA. Yes, do, and I'll go and wake Lisa and Tónya. Curtain. SCENE 2 Village street. Iván Zyábrev, covered with a sheepskin coat, is lying near a hut. IVÁN ZYÁBREV. Maláshka! A tiny girl comes out of the hut with a baby in her arms. The baby is crying.