When was I to have thought of it before? When was I to have thought of it? Last year it was Anísya that stuck to me. Well? Am I a monk? The master died and I covered up the sin by marrying her, as is proper. There was no fault of mine. Such things often happen. And then the powders. Did I persuade her to do so? If I had known it at the time I would have killed the bitch. Really, I would. The slut has made me a part of her nastiness. Ever since then I have loathed her. When my mother told me about it I began to loathe her, and could not look into her eyes. How could I, after that, get along with her? And so it started. Then this girl began to cling to me. Why not I? If not I, some one else would have done it. And now what has come of it! Again it is not my fault. Oh! it's a bad business. (Sits in thought.) It is a bold thing the women have thought out. No, I won't do it!
Scene XI. Nikíta and Matréna (with a lantern and a spade, walking hurriedly).
Matréna. Don't sit there like a sitting hen! Your wife told you to do something. Are you ready?
Nikíta. What are you going to do?
Matréna. We know what to do. You attend to your business!
Nikíta. You will get me entangled.
Matréna. What? Do you intend to back out? You have gone so far, and now you want to back out.
Nikíta. It is a terrible thing! But the thing is living!
Matréna. A living thing! It is barely living. Where would you put it? Take it to the Foundling House, and it will die all the same. Then everybody will know it, and the girl will be on our hands.
Nikíta. But if they should find it out?
