Sponsor (shaking her head). What is the use of talking about it? (Silence.)
Anyútka (at the door). If he is there, what shall I say to him?
Anísya. Just find out whether he is there.
Anyútka. All right, I'll go quick. (Exit.)
Scene III. Anísya, Mítrich, and Sponsor. (Long silence.)
Mítrich (bellowing). O Lord! Holy St. Nicholas!
Sponsor (shuddering). Oh, how he has frightened me! Who is that?
Anísya. Mítrich, the hired hand.
Sponsor. Oh, he has given me a fright! I had forgotten about him. I have heard that somebody has been asking for Akulína's hand.
Anísya (coming out from behind the loom and seating herself at the table). The Dyédlov people hinted about it; but evidently they heard something. They hinted about it, and then they kept silent,—and that was the end of it. Who should want her?
Sponsor. What about the Lizúnovs from Zúev?
Anísya. They made inquiries, but the inquiries did not come to anything. He did not even receive them.
Sponsor. You ought to get her married.
Anísya. I should say I ought to. I should like to get her away from the farm, but I do not know how to do it. He does not want to let her go, nor does she want to go herself. You see, he has not yet had enough of his beauty.
Sponsor. Oh, what sins! What he is up to! And he is her stepfather.
Anísya. Oh, friend! They have cheated and deceived me so cleverly! In my foolishness I did not notice anything and did not think about it, and so I married him.
