Matréna. Wait awhile! First have the samovár ready. We will fill him with the tea, and then we will look him all over,—maybe we shall find the money.
Anísya. Oh, oh! I am afraid something might happen.
Matréna. What will happen? What are you wasting your time for? You are having your eyes all the time on the money, but it does not get into your hands. Go and do as I tell you!
Anísya. So I will have the samovár made.
Matréna. Go, my dear, and do things so as not to have cause for regret later. That's it! (Anísya walks away; Matréna calls after her.) By the way, don't tell Nikíta about it. He is silly about such things! God forfend that he should find out about the powders. God knows what he will do if he hears of it. He is compassionate: he could not kill a chicken even. Don't tell him! He will not consider it rightly. (Stops in terror; Peter appears on the threshold.)
Scene IX. The same and Peter (holding on to the wall, crawls out on the porch and calls in a weak voice).
Peter. Will you ever hear me? Oh, oh! Anísya, who is here? (Falls down on the bench.)
Anísya (coming out from around the corner). What did you come out for? Why did you not stay where you were?
Peter. Has the girl gone for Márfa? 'Tis hard—Oh, if death would only come!
Anísya. She is busy: I sent her to the river. Give me a chance, and I will go there myself.
Peter. Send Anyútka. Where is she? Oh, 'tis hard! Oh, my death!
Anísya. I have sent for her.
Peter. Oh, where is she?
