GLASHA. Good-bye! (_Exit Feklusha_.) Only fancy that there are lands like that! There's no end to the marvels in the world. And here we sit at home and know nothing. A good thing it is to be sure, that there are pious folk; from time to time one hears what is being done in the light of day; if it weren't for them, we should live and die in our foolishness. _Enter Katerina and Varvara_. SCENE II KATERINA and VARVARA. VARVARA (_to Glasha_). Carry the bundles down to the chaise, the horses are at the door. (_To Katerina_) You were married off young, and you never had any fun when you were a girl; and so your heart is restless still. [_Glasha goes out._ KATERINA. And it always will be. VARVARA. Why? KATERINA. I have been like that from my birth up, full of fire! I was only six years old, when do you know what I did? They offended me somehow at home,--it was in the evening and quite dark--I ran away to the Volga, and got into a boat, and pushed it off from the bank. They found me next morning, ten miles down the river. VARVARA. Really! And were there any men in love with you, as a girl? KATERINA. Of course there were! VARVARA. Well? And didn't you care for anyone? KATERINA. No, I only laughed at them. VARVARA. And you know, Katia, you don't love Tihon. KATERINA. Oh, yes, I do! I'm dreadfully sorry for him. VARVARA. Oh, no, you don't. If you're sorry for him you don't love him. And indeed you've no great reason to, I must own. And it's no good your being so close with me! I noticed a long while ago, that you were fond of some one. KATERINA (_with dismay_). How did you notice it? VARVARA. How absurd you are! I'm not a baby! Well, I'll tell you the first sign I knew by; directly you see him, your whole face is transformed. (_Katerina drops her eyes._) And that's not all.... KATERINA (_still looking down_). Well, whom then? VARVARA. Why, you know, what's the use of telling his name? KATERINA. No, tell it! Tell his name! VARVARA. Boris Grigoritch. KATERINA. Yes, yes, Varia! Only mind, Varia, for pity's sake.... VARVARA. What nonsense! _You'd_ better mind, and not betray yourself in any way. KATERINA. I can't deceive, I don't know how to conceal anything. VARVARA. But there's no doing without deceit; think where you're living! Our whole house rests on it! I wasn't fond of lying either, but I learnt the trick, when I had to. I was out walking yesterday, and so I saw him and had a few minutes talk with him. KATERINA (_after a short silence, looking down_). Well? VARVARA. He sent greetings to you. He was sorry, he said, that he never meets you. KATERINA (_her head still more bent down_). As if we could meet! And what would be the use.... VARVARA. He is so sad and unhappy.... KATERINA. Don't speak to me of him, for goodness' sake, don't speak of him! I don't want to know him even. I will love my husband: Tisha, my dear one, no one shall ever take your place! I did not want to think of him, you tempt me.