with children? Take, for example, our Mikháylo. He is a fine man, motherkin—
A Peasant's Voice. Oh, Mávra, whither has the devil taken you? Go and drive in the cow. (Neighbour exit.)
Scene VIII. Anísya and Matréna.
Matréna (while the neighbour is leaving, she speaks in an even voice). She has been married sinfully, my dear; at least the silly woman will not be thinking about Nikíta. (Suddenly changing her voice to a whisper.) She is gone! Well, did you give him the tea?
Anísya Don't mention it. I wish he would die without it. He is not dying anyway, and I have taken a sin upon my soul. Oh, my head! Why did you give me those powders?
Matréna. What about the powders? My dear, those are sleeping powders, and why not give them? There is no harm in them.
Anísya. I am not speaking of the sleeping powders, but of the other, the whitish powders.
Matréna. But those, my dear, are medicinal powders.
Anísya (sighing). I know; but it makes me tremble. He has worn me out.
Matréna. Well, how many times have you given it to him?
Anísya. Twice.
Matréna. Did they have any effect?
Anísya. I put my lips to the tea,—it is slightly bitter. He drank it with the tea, and said: "I loathe the tea, too." And I said: "Everything tastes bitter to an ill man." But it made me shudder, aunty.
Matréna. Don't think of it! It is not good to think of it.
