Anísya. Are you telling the truth?
Anyútka. May I die on the spot if I am not! (Laughing.) I was going by when Nikíta called me: "Goodbye," says he, "Anna Petróvna! Come to my wedding! I," says he, "am going away from you." And he laughed.
Anísya (to her husband). They are in great need of you. There he is going away of his own accord. And you say: "I'll drive him away!"
Peter. Let him go. I will find somebody else.
Anísya. But haven't you paid the money in advance? (Anyútka walks up to the door and listens to what they are saying. Exit.)
Scene V. Anísya, Peter, and Akulína.
Peter (frowning). What money he owes me he will work off in the summer.
Anísya. Yes, you are only too glad to let him go. You save so much. In winter you want me to do all the work by myself, like a horse. The girl is not much good for work, and you will be lying on the oven. I know you!
Peter. What sense is there in wagging your tongue for nothing?
Anísya. The yard is full of cattle. You did not sell the cow, and you have left all the sheep for winter. There is enough work to do to feed and water them, and you want to send the hired hand away. I am not going to do a man's work! I will lie down on the oven, as you do, and let everything go to perdition,—I don't care what you do.
Peter (to Akulína). Go for the feed! Go for the feed! I think it is time.
Anyútka. For the feed? All right. (Puts on a caftan and takes a rope.)
