NAN [sees Nikíta, and runs towards him] Daddy, I say, daddy! They're looking for you! Her godfather and all of them have already blessed her. Truly they have, they're getting cross! NIKÍTA [aside] Where can I go to? NAN. What? What are you saying? NIKÍTA. I'm not saying anything! Don't bother! NAN. Daddy! Come, I say! [Nikíta is silent, Nan pulls him by the hand] Dad, go and bless them! My word, they're angry, they're grumbling! NIKÍTA [drags away his hand] Leave me alone! NAN. Now then! NIKÍTA [threatens her with the rope] Go, I say! I'll give it you! NAN. Then I'll send mother! [Runs away]. NIKÍTA [rises] How can I go? How can I take the holy icón in my hands? How am I to look her in the face! [Lies down again] Oh, if there were a hole in the ground, I'd jump in! No one should see me, and I should see no one! [Rises again] No, I shan't go ... May they all go to the devil, I shan't go! [Takes the rope and makes a noose, and tries it on his neck] That's the way! Enter Matryóna. Nikíta sees his mother, takes the rope off his neck, and again lies down in the straw. MATRYÓNA [comes in hurriedly] Nikíta! Nikíta, I say! He don't even answer! Nikíta, what's the matter? Have you had a drop too much? Come, Nikíta dear; come, honey! The people are tired of waiting. NIKÍTA. Oh dear, what have you done with me? I'm a lost man! MATRYÓNA. But what is the matter then? Come, my own; come, give them your blessing, as is proper and honourable, and then it'll all be over! Why, the people are waiting! NIKÍTA. How can I give blessings? MATRYÓNA. Why, in the usual way! Don't you know? NIKÍTA. I know, I know! But who is it I am to bless? What have I done to her? MATRYÓNA. What have you done? Eh, now he's going to remember it! Why, who knows anything about it? Not a soul! And the girl is going of her own accord. NIKÍTA. Yes, but how? MATRYÓNA. Because she's afraid, of course. But still she's going. Besides, what's to be done now? She should have thought sooner! Now she can't refuse. And his kinsfolk can't take offence either. They saw the girl twice, and get money with her too! It's all safe and sound! NIKÍTA. Yes, but what's in the cellar? MATRYÓNA [laughs] In the cellar? Why, cabbages, mushrooms, potatoes, I suppose! Why remember the past? NIKÍTA. I'd be only too glad to forget it; but I can't! When I let my mind go, it's just as if I heard.... Oh, what have you done with me? MATRYÓNA. Now, what are you humbugging for? NIKÍTA [turns face downward] Mother! Don't torment me! I've got it up to there! [Puts his hand to his throat].