NIKÍTA. No, I'll first drink a samovár with my parent. Go and light the samovár. Akoulína, I say, come here! Enter Akoulína, smartly dressed and carrying their purchases. AKOULÍNA. Why have you thrown everything about? Where's the yarn? NIKÍTA. The yarn? The yarn's there. Hullo, Mítritch, where are you? Asleep? Asleep? Go and put the horse up. AKÍM [not seeing Akoulína but looking at his son] Dear me, what is he doing? The old man's what d'ye call it, quite done up, I mean,--been thrashing,--and look at him, what d'ye call it, putting on airs! Put up the horse! Faugh, what filth! MÍTRITCH [climbs down from the oven, and puts on felt boots] Oh, merciful Lord! Is the horse in the yard? Done it to death, I dare say. Just see how he's been swilling, the deuce take him. Up to his very throat. Oh Lord, holy Nicholas! [Puts on sheepskin, and exit]. NIKÍTA [sits down] You must forgive me, father. It's true I've had a drop; well, what of that? Even a hen will drink. Ain't it true? So you must forgive me. Never mind Mítritch, he doesn't mind, he'll put it up. ANÍSYA. Shall I really light the samovár? NIKÍTA. Light it! My parent has come. I wish to talk to him, and shall drink tea with him. [To Akoulína] Have you brought all the parcels? AKOULÍNA. The parcels? I've brought mine, the rest's in the sledge. Hi, take this, this isn't mine! Throws a parcel on the table and puts the others into her box. Nan watches her while she puts them away. Akím does not look at his son, but puts his leg-bands and bast-shoes on the oven. ANÍSYA [going out with the samovár] Her box is full as it is, and still he's bought more! [Illustration: THE POWER OF DARKNESS. ACT III. NIKÍTA. Have you brought all the parcels? AKOULÍNA. The parcels? I've brought mine, the rest's in the sledge. ANÍSYA. Her box is full as it is, and still he's bought more!] NIKÍTA [pretending to be sober] You must not be cross with me, father. You think I'm drunk? I am all there, that's flat! As they say, "Drink, but keep your wits about you." I can talk with you at once, father. I can attend to any business. You told me about the money; your horse is worn-out,--I remember! That can all be managed. That's all in our hands. If it was an enormous sum that's wanted, then we might wait; but as it is I can do everything. That's the case. AKÍM [goes on fidgeting with the leg-bands] Eh, lad, "It's ill sledging when the thaw has set in." NIKÍTA. What d'you mean by that? "And it's ill talking with one who is drunk"? But don't you worry, let's have some tea. And I can do anything; that's flat! I can put everything to rights. AKÍM [shakes his head] Eh, eh, eh!