NIKÍTA [rises] You tell me not to fear men? MÍTRITCH. Why fear such muck as they are? You look at 'em in the bath-house! All made of one paste! One has a bigger belly, another a smaller; that's all the difference there is! Fancy being afraid of 'em! Deuce take 'em! [Illustration: THE POWER OF DARKNESS. ACT V. NIKÍTA. True enough! What was I about? MÍTRITCH. What? NIKÍTA. You tell me not to fear men? MÍTRITCH. Why fear such muck as they are? You look at 'em in the bath-house!] MATRYÓNA [from the yard] Well, are you coming? NIKÍTA. Ah! Better so! I'm coming! [Goes towards yard]. SCENE 2. Interior of hut, full of people, some sitting round tables and others standing. In the front corner Akoulína and the Bridegroom. On one of the tables an Icón and a loaf of rye-bread. Among the visitors are Marína, her husband, and a Police Officer, also a Hired Driver, the Matchmaker, and the Best Man. The women are singing. Anísya carries round the drink. The singing stops. THE DRIVER. If we are to go, let's go! The church ain't so near. THE BEST MAN. All right; you wait a bit till the step-father has given his blessing. But where is he? ANÍSYA. He is coming--coming at once, dear friends! Have another glass all of you; don't refuse! THE MATCHMAKER. Why is he so long? We've been waiting such a time! ANÍSYA. He's coming; coming directly, coming in no time! He'll be here before one could plait a girl's hair who's had her hair cropped! Drink, friends! [Offers the drink] Coming at once! Sing again, my pets, meanwhile! THE DRIVER. They've sung all their songs, waiting here! The women sing. Nikíta and Akím enter during the singing. NIKÍTA [holds his father's arm and pushes him in before him] Go, father; I can't do without you! AKÍM. I don't like--I mean what d'ye call it ... NIKÍTA [to the women] Enough! Be quiet! [Looks round the hut] Marína, are you there? THE MATCHMAKER. Go, take the icón, and give them your blessing! NIKÍTA. Wait a while! [Looks round] Akoulína, are you there? MATCHMAKER. What are you calling everybody for? Where should she be? How queer he seems! ANÍSYA. Gracious goodness! Why, he's barefoot! NIKÍTA. Father, you are here! Look at me! Christian Commune, you are all here, and I am here! I am ... [Falls on his knees]. ANÍSYA. Nikíta darling, what's the matter with you? Oh my head, my head! MATCHMAKER. Here's a go! MATRYÓNA. I did say he was taking too much of that French wine! Come to your senses; what are you about? They try to lift him; he takes no heed of them, but looks in front of him. NIKÍTA. Christian Commune! I have sinned, and I wish to confess! MATRYÓNA [shakes him by the shoulder] Are you mad? Dear friends, he's gone crazy! He must be taken away!