Anyútka. Darling, grandfather, don't put it out! I won't do it again, upon my word, I won't. I am frightened.
Mítrich. Frightened? Don't be afraid,—there is nothing to frighten you. You are afraid yourself, so you think something frightens you. How can you help being frightened if you are afraid? What a foolish girl! (Silence. A cricket.)
Anyútka (in a whisper). Grandfather, O grandfather! Are you asleep?
Mítrich. Well, what is it again?
Anyútka. What is a bogie-man?
Mítrich. I'll tell you. If a child won't go to sleep, just as you are doing now, he comes with a sack and whisks her into it. Then he puts in his own head, raises her shirt, and begins to whip her.
Anyútka. What does he whip her with?
Mítrich. With a bath broom.
Anyútka. But he can't see inside the sack!
Mítrich. Never mind, he can.
Anyútka. I will bite him.
Mítrich. No, dear, you won't.
Anyútka. Grandfather, somebody is coming! Who is it? O mother, who is it?
Mítrich. Let them come! What do you want? I suppose it is your mother.
Scene II. The same and Anísya (enter).
Anísya. Anyútka! (Anyútka pretends to be asleep.) Mítrich!
Mítrich. What?
Anísya. Why are you burning the lamp? We will sleep in the cold hut.
Mítrich. I have just undressed myself. I will put it out.
