Nikíta. Where is mother?
Anyútka. She is standing in the vestibule and weeping.
Nikíta. Go and call her, and tell her to bring in the samovár! Akulína, let us have the dishes!
Akulína. The dishes? All right. (Taking up the dishes.)
Nikíta (gets the syrup, pretzels, and herring). This is for myself; for the woman there in the vestibule,—the goods. And here is the money. Wait! (Takes the abacus.) I will figure it up at once. (Casts the account on the abacus.) The wheat flour eight dimes, the oil Father, ten roubles. Father! Come to tea! (Silence. Akím is sitting on the oven and fixing the bast cords of his shoes.)
Scene XV. The same and Anísya.
Anísya (carrying in the samovár). Where shall I put it?
Nikíta. Put it on the table! Well, have you been to the elder's? That's it: talk, and be done with it! Stop being angry! Sit down and drink tea! (Fills a wine-glass for her.) Here is a present for you. (Gives her the roll on which he had been sitting. Anísya takes it in silence, shaking her head.)
Akím (climbing down and putting on his fur coat. Goes up to the table and puts the money upon it). Take the money,—take it!
Nikíta (not seeing the money). Where are you getting ready to go?
Akím. I will go, I will go, so to speak, for Christ's sake forgive me! (Takes his cap and belt.)
Nikíta. I declare: Where do you want to go in night-time?
Akím. I cannot, so to speak, remain in your house. I cannot, so to speak, stay here. Forgive me!
