NIKÍTA. The money, here it is. [Puts his hand in his pocket, pulls out pocket-book, handles the notes in it and takes out a ten-rouble note] Take this to get a horse; I can't forget my parent. I shan't forsake him, that's flat. Because he's my parent! Here you are, take it! Really now, I don't grudge it. [Comes up and pushes the note towards Akím who won't take it. Nikíta catches hold of his father's hand] Take it, I tell you. I don't grudge it. AKÍM. I can't, what d'you call it, I mean, can't take it! And can't what d'ye call it, talk to you, because you're not yourself, I mean. NIKÍTA. I'll not let you go! Take it! [Puts the money into Akím's hand]. ANÍSYA [enters, and stops] You'd better take it, he'll give you no peace! AKÍM [takes it, and shakes his head] Oh! that liquor. Not like a man, I mean! NIKÍTA. That's better! If you repay it you'll repay it, if not I'll make no bother. That's what I am! [Sees Akoulína] Akoulína, show your presents. AKOULÍNA. What? NIKÍTA. Show your presents. AKOULÍNA. The presents, what's the use of showing 'em? I've put 'em away. NIKÍTA. Get them, I tell you. Nan will like to see 'em. Undo the shawl. Give it here. AKÍM. Oh, oh! It's sickening! [Climbs on the oven]. AKOULÍNA [gets out the parcels and puts them on the table] Well, there you are,--what's the good of looking at 'em? NAN. Oh how lovely! It's as good as Stepanída's. AKOULÍNA. Stepanída's? What's Stepanída's compared to this? [Brightening up and undoing the parcels] Just look here,--see the quality! It's a French one. NAN. The print _is_ fine! Mary has a dress like it, only lighter on a blue ground. This _is_ pretty. NIKÍTA. Ah, that's it! Anísya passes angrily into the closet, returns with a tablecloth and the chimney of the samovár, and goes up to the table. ANÍSYA. Drat you, littering the table! NIKÍTA. You look here! ANÍSYA. What am I to look at? Have I never seen anything? Put it away! [Sweeps the shawl on to the floor with her arm]. AKOULÍNA. What are you pitching things down for? You pitch your own things about! [Picks up the shawl]. NIKÍTA. Anísya! Look here! ANÍSYA. Why am I to look? NIKÍTA. You think I have forgotten you? Look here! [Shows her a parcel and sits down on it] It's a present for you. Only you must earn it! Wife, where am I sitting? ANÍSYA. Enough of your humbug. I'm not afraid of you. Whose money are you spreeing on and buying your fat wench presents with? Mine! AKOULÍNA. Yours indeed? No fear! You wished to steal it, but it did not come off! Get out of the way! [Pushes her while trying to pass]. ANÍSYA. What are you shoving for? I'll teach you to shove! AKOULÍNA. Shove me? You try! [Presses against Anísya]. NIKÍTA. Now then, now then, you women. Have done now! [Steps between them]. AKOULÍNA. Comes shoving herself in! You ought to keep quiet and remember your doings! You think no one knows! ANÍSYA. Knows what? Out with it, out with it! What do they know?