Page:Complete Works of Count Tolstoy - 18.djvu/175

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THE POWER OF DARKNESS
159

VARIANT

Instead of Scenes XIII., XIV., XV., and XVI. of Act IV., the following variant may be read.

PART II

Room of Act I.

Scene I. Anyútka (undressed, on the door bench, under a caftan). Mítrich (sitting on the hanging bed and smoking).

Mítrich. I declare, they have filled the room with the smell of liquor, pea-pie choke them! They have poured out a lot! I can't get rid of it by smoking. It just stays in my nose. O Lord! It is time to go to sleep. (Goes up to the little lamp and wants to turn it down.)

Anyútka (leaping up and sitting down). Grandfather, please, don't put it out!

Mítrich. Why not?

Anyútka. There has been such a noise in the yard. (Listening.) Do you hear? They have gone to the granary again.

Mítrich. What is that to you? They don't ask you about it? Lie down and go to sleep! I will turn out the light. (Turns it down.)

Anyútka. Grandfather, golden one! Don't put out the light! Let it burn a wee little bit, or it will frighten me.

Mítrich (laughing.) All right, all right. (Sits down near her.) What frightens you?

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