into the cellar.) Anísya, come here and hold the lantern for me!
Anísya. And he?
Matréna. He is dreadfully frightened. You went for him too stiffly. Never mind, he will come to. God be with him! I will do the work myself. Put the lantern here. I shall be able to see. (Matréna disappears in the cellar.)
Anísya (toward the door, through which Nikíta has gone). Well, are you through celebrating? You have been spreading yourself. Now wait and see how it feels! You won't be so dashing after this!
Scene XVI. The same and Nikíta (running out of the vestibule, toward the cellar).
Nikíta. Mother, O mother!
Matréna (sticking her head out of the cellar). What is it, my son?
Nikíta (listening). Don't bury it! It is alive. Don't you hear it? It is alive! Do you hear it cry?—I hear it—
Matréna. How can it cry? You have crushed it flat. You have smashed the whole head.
Nikíta. What is this? (Closes his ears.) It is crying still! I have forfeited my life, I have forfeited it! What have they done with me? Where shall I go? (Sits down on the porch.)
Curtain.
