THE FATHER. That's so. But my old woman and I were only wondering about the girl; why has she not come out? We've been thinking, suppose she's sickly? MATRYÓNA. Oh, ah.... Who? She? Sickly? Why, there's none to compare with her in the district. The girl's as sound as a bell; you can't pinch her. But you saw her the other day! And as for work, she's wonderful! She's a bit deaf, that's true, but there are spots on the sun, you know. And her not coming out, you see, it's from an evil eye! A spell's been cast on her! And I know the bitch who's done the business! They know of the betrothal and they bewitched her. But I know a counter-spell. The girl will get up to-morrow. Don't you worry about the girl! THE FATHER. Well, of course, the thing's settled. MATRYÓNA. Yes, of course! Don't you turn back. And don't forget me, I've had a lot of trouble. Don't forget ... A woman's voice from the hut. VOICE. If we are to go, let's go. Come along, Iván! THE FATHER. I'm coming. [Exeunt. Guests crowd together in the passage and prepare to go away]. NAN [runs out of the hut and calls to Anísya] Mother! ANÍSYA [from inside] What d'you want? NAN. Mother, come here, or they'll hear. Anísya enters and they go together to the shed. ANÍSYA. Well? What is it? Where's Akoulína? NAN. She's gone into the barn. It's awful what's she's doing there! I'm blest! "I can't bear it," she says. "I'll scream," she says, "I'll scream out loud." Blest if she didn't. ANÍSYA. She'll have to wait. We'll see our visitors off first. NAN. Oh mother! She's so bad! And she's angry too. "What's the good of their drinking my health?" she says. "I shan't marry," she says. "I shall die," she says. Mother, supposing she does die! It's awful. I'm so frightened! ANÍSYA. No fear, she'll not die. But don't you go near her. Come along. [Exit Anísya and Nan]. MÍTRITCH [comes in at the gate and begins collecting the scattered hay] Oh Lord! Merciful Nicholas! What a lot of liquor they've been and swilled, and the smell they've made! It smells even out here! But no, I don't want any, drat it! See how they've scattered the hay about. They don't eat it, but only trample it under foot. A truss gone before you know it. Oh, that smell, it seems to be just under my nose! Drat it! [Yawns] It's time to go to sleep! But I don't care to go into the hut. It seems to float just round my nose! It has a strong scent, the damned stuff! [The guests are heard driving off] They're off at last. Oh Lord! Merciful Nicholas! There they go, binding themselves and gulling one another. And it's all gammon! Enter Nikíta. NIKÍTA. Mítritch, you get off to sleep and I'll put this straight. MÍTRITCH. All right, you throw it to the sheep. Well, have you seen 'em all off? NIKÍTA. Yes, they're off! But things are not right! I don't know what to do!