KABANOV. He's packed up and ready, and the horses are ordered. He's so wretched, it's awful! I can see he wants to say good-bye to her. But that's too much! I can't have it. He's been an enemy to me, you know, Kuligin! He ought to be thrashed within an inch of his life to teach him ... KULIGIN. We must forgive our enemies, sir! KABANOV. You go and tell that to mamma, and see what she'll say to it. So, brother Kuligin, all our family is now split up and divided. We're not like relations but enemies to one another. Mamma kept nagging and nagging at Varvara; she couldn't stand it, and she soon made an end of it--she's simply gone away. KULIGIN. Where has she gone? KABANOV. No one knows. They do say she's run off with Vania Kudriash, and he can't be found anywhere either. It's all mamma's doing. I'll tell you frankly, Kuligin: she had started bullying her and locking her up. "Don't shut me up," she said, "or it will be the worse," and so it has turned out. What am I to do, tell me that! Tell me how I am to live now! My home is made loathsome to me, I'm put to shame before everyone, if I set about anything my hands drop listless and dejected. Here I'm on my way home now. Shall I find any happiness there, do you suppose? [_Enter Glasha._ GLASHA. Master, Tihon Ivanitch! KABANOV. What is it now? GLASHA. There's something wrong at home, sir! KABANOV. Mercy on us! It's one thing on top of another! Tell me, what is it? GLASHA. Why, your good lady.... KABANOV. Well, what? Is she dead? GLASHA. No, sir, she has disappeared; we can't find her anywhere. KABANOV. Kuligin! we must run and search for her. Do you know what I am afraid of? That she may be driven in her misery to lay hands on herself! She grieves and grieves,--ah, God! It rends my heart to see her. What were you thinking of? Has she been gone long? GLASHA. No, sir, not long! It's we're to blame, of course; we didn't keep an eye on her every minute. Though it's true, to be sure, the most watchful will be caught napping sooner or later. KABANOV. Well, don't stand there doing nothing; bestir yourself! _(Exit Glasha.)_ And let us go too, Kuligin! [_They go. The stage is empty for a little while. From the opposite side, Katerina enters and walks slowly about the stage._ SCENE II KATERINA alone. [_Throughout the whole monologue and in the following scenes she speaks slowly and disconnectedly, repeating words dreamily and, as it were, in a state of forgetfulness._