Nikíta. Give it to me. I want to drink.
Matréna. Softly! They are not asleep yet. Here, drink!
Nikíta. What is that for? Why did you think that out! Could you not have carried it anywhere?
Matréna (in a whisper). Sit down awhile, and drink some more, and take a smoke! This will drive away your bad thoughts.
Nikíta. Mother dear, I am undone. When it cries, and the little bones begin to crunch, crr—crr, I lose my manhood.
Matréna. Don't mention it! You are saying unseemly things. Of course it makes one feel bad to do such things at night-time. But let day come, and another day pass, and you will forget about it. (Goes up to Nikíta, and puts her hand on his shoulder.)
Nikíta. Go away from me! What have you done with me?
Matréna. My son, don't say that! (Takes hold of his hand.)
Nikíta. Go away from me! I will kill you! I don't care for anything now! I will kill you!
Matréna. Oh, oh, how frightened you are! You had better go to bed.
Nikíta. I have no place to go to. I am lost.
Matréna (shaking her head). Oh, oh! I will go and fix it all. And he will sit here until he feels better. (Exit.)
Scene V. Nikíta, Mítrich, and Anyútka.
Nikíta (sits with his hands over his face, while Mitrich and Anyútka keep quiet). It cries, really it cries, hear, hear I hear it. She will bury it, she will! (Runs to the door.) Mother, do not bury it. It is alive!
