MATRYÓNA [viciously] And why doesn't he show the money? Does he mean to take it along with him? Is no one to have it? Is that right? God forbid such a sum should be lost all for nothing. Isn't that a sin? What's he doing? Is he worth considering? ANÍSYA. I don't know anything. He's worried me to death. MATRYÓNA. What is it you don't know? The business is clear. If you make a slip now, you'll repent it all your life. He'll give the money to his sister and you'll be left without. ANÍSYA. O-oh dear! Yes, and he did send for her--I must go. MATRYÓNA. You wait a bit and light the samovár first. We'll give him some tea and search him together--we'll find it, no fear. ANÍSYA. Oh dear, oh dear; supposing something were to happen. MATRYÓNA. What now? What's the good of waiting? Do you want the money to slip from your hand when it's just in sight? You go and do as I say. ANÍSYA. Well, I'll go and light the samovár. MATRYÓNA. Go, honey, do the business so as not to regret it afterwards. That's right! [Anísya turns to go. Matryóna calls her back]. MATRYÓNA. Just a word. Don't tell Nikíta about the business. He's silly. God forbid he should find out about the powders. The Lord only knows what he would do. He's so tender-hearted. D'you know, he usen't to be able to kill a chicken. Don't tell him. 'Twould be a fine go, he wouldn't understand things. [Stops horror-struck as Peter appears in the doorway]. PETER [holding on to the wall, creeps out into the porch and calls with a faint voice] How's it one can't make you hear? Oh, oh, Anísya! Who's there? [Drops on the bench]. ANÍSYA [steps from behind the corner] Why have you come out? You should have stayed where you were lying. PETER. Has the girl gone for Martha? It's very hard.... Oh, if only death would come quicker! ANÍSYA. She had no time. I sent her to the river. Wait a bit, I'll go myself when I'm ready. PETER. Send Nan. Where's she? Oh, I'm that bad! Oh, death's at hand! ANÍSYA. I've sent for her already. PETER. Oh dear! Then where is she? ANÍSYA. Where's she got to, the plague seize her! PETER. Oh, dear! I can't bear it. All my inside's on fire. It's as if a gimlet were boring me. Why have you left me as if I were a dog?... no one to give me a drink.... Oh ... send Nan to me. ANÍSYA. Here she is. Nan, go to father. Nan runs in. Anísya goes behind the corner of the house. PETER. Go you. Oh ... to Aunt Martha, tell her father wants her; say she's to come, I want her. NAN. All right. PETER. Wait a bit. Tell her she's to come quick. Tell her I'm dying. O-oh! NAN. I'll just get my shawl and be off. [Runs off]. MATRYÓNA [winking] Now then, mind and look sharp, lass. Go into the hut, hunt about everywhere, like a dog that's hunting for fleas: look under everything, and I'll search him.