look toward me! (Bowing to her and getting up.) I am guilty toward you: I had promised to marry you, and I seduced you. I deceived you and abandoned you,—forgive me for Christ's sake! (Again bows to her to the ground.)
Anísya. What are you raving about? How indecent! Nobody is asking you about it. Get up and stop disgracing yourself!
Matréna. Oh, oh, he is bewitched. What is the matter with him? He has the evil eye upon him. Get up and stop talking nonsense! (Pulls him.)
Nikíta (shaking his head). Don't touch me! Forgive me, Marína! I have sinned toward you. Forgive me, for Christ's sake! (Marína covers her face with her hands and keeps silent.)
Anísya. Get up, I say, and stop disgracing yourself! Don't recall the past! Don't act like that! Shame on you! Oh, my head! He must be insane.
Nikíta (pushing away his wife and turning to Akulína). Akulína, now I have something to say to you. Listen, Orthodox people! I am a wretched sinner. Akulína, I am guilty toward you! Your father did not die a natural death. He was poisoned.
Anísya (shouting). My head! What is he talking about?
Matréna. He is beside himself. Take him away! (People walk up toward him, wishing to take him away.)
Akím (warding them off). Wait! Good men, wait, so to speak!
Nikíta. Akulína, I poisoned him. Forgive me, for Christ's sake!
Akulína (jumping up). He is lying. I know who has poisoned him.
Bridegroom's Mother. Stop! Sit down!
Akím. O Lord! The sin, the sin!
Officer. Take him! Send for the elder and the
