AKÍM. Why, the lad's his own master, if only he what d'you call it.... I only wish that, what d'you call it, I mean. MATRYÓNA. You don't know yourself what you're jawing about. The lad himself has no wish to leave. Besides, what do we want with him at home? We can manage without him. PETER. Only one thing, Daddy Akím--if you are thinking of taking him back in summer, I don't want him here for the winter. If he is to stay at all, it must be for the whole year. MATRYÓNA. And it's for a year he'll bind himself. If we want help when the press of work comes, we can hire help, and the lad shall remain with you. Only give us ten roubles now.... PETER. Well then, is it to be for another year? AKÍM. [sighing] Yes, it seems, it what d'you call it ... if it's so, I mean, it seems that it must be what d'you call it. MATRYÓNA. For a year, counting from St. Dimítry's day. We know you'll pay him fair wages. But give us ten roubles now. Help us out of our difficulties. [Gets up and bows to Peter]. Enter Nan and Anísya. The latter sits down at one side. PETER. Well, if that's settled we might step across to the inn and have a drink. Come, Daddy Akím, what do you say to a glass of vódka? AKÍM. No, I never drink that sort of thing. PETER. Well, you'll have some tea? AKÍM. Ah, tea! yes, I do sin that way. Yes, tea's the thing. PETER. And the women will also have some tea. Come. And you, Nikíta, go and drive the sheep in and clear away the straw. NIKÍTA. All right. [Exeunt all but Nikíta. Nikíta lights a cigarette. It grows darker] Just see how they bother one. Want a fellow to tell 'em how he larks about with the wenches! It would take long to tell 'em all those stories--"Marry her," he says. Marry them all! One would have a good lot of wives! And what need have I to marry? Am as good as married now! There's many a chap as envies me. Yet how strange it felt when I crossed myself before the icón. It was just as if some one shoved me. The whole web fell to pieces at once. They say it's frightening to swear what's not true. That's all humbug. It's all talk, that is. It's simple enough. AKOULÍNA [enters with a rope, which she puts down. She takes off her outdoor things and goes into closet] You might at least have got a light. NIKÍTA. What, to look at you? I can see you well enough without. AKOULÍNA. Oh, bother you! Nan enters and whispers to Nikíta. NAN. Nikíta, there's a person wants you. There is! NIKÍTA. What person? NAN. Marína from the railway; she's out there, round the corner. NIKÍTA. Nonsense! NAN. Blest if she isn't! NIKÍTA. What does she want?