The claw gets stuck - the whole bird is lost. "Power of Darkness"

Autumn. In the spacious hut of a wealthy, sickly man, Peter, his wife Anisya, Akulina, his daughter from his first marriage, are singing songs. The owner himself once again calls and scolds, threatening to kill Nikita, a dapper guy of about twenty-five, a lazy worker and a walker. Anisya furiously stands up for him, and Anyutka, their ten-year-old daughter, runs into the upper room with a story about the arrival of Matryona and Akim, Nikita’s parents. Hearing about Nikitina’s upcoming marriage, Anisya “became enraged [...] like a sheep in a circle” and attacked Peter even more angrily, planning to disrupt the wedding by any means necessary. Akulina knows her stepmother's secret intentions. Nikita reveals to Anisya his father’s desire to force him to marry the orphan girl Marinka. Anisya warns: if anything happens... “I’ll decide on my life!” I sinned, I broke the law, but I can’t stop tossing and turning.” When Peter dies, he promises to take Nikita into the house and cover all his sins at once.

Matryona finds them hugging, sympathizes with Anisya’s life with the old man, promises to stop Akim and finally, having secretly agreed, leaves her sleeping powders, a potion to intoxicate her husband - “there is no spirit, but great power...”. Having argued with Peter and Akim, Matryona discredits the girl Marina, the artel cook, whom Nikita deceived, having previously lived on a cast iron stove. Nikita lazily denies it in public, although he is “afraid to swear in lies.” To Matryona’s joy, their son is kept as an employee for another year.

From Anyuta, Nikita learns about Marina’s arrival, about her suspicions and jealousy. Akulina hears from the closet how Nikita drove Marina away: “You offended her […] that’s how you’ll offend me […] you’re a dog.”

Six months pass. Dying Peter calls Anisya and orders Akulina to be sent for her sister. Anisya hesitates, looks for money and cannot find it. As if by chance, Matryona comes to visit her son with the news of Marinka’s wedding with widower Semyon Matveevich. Matryona and Anisya talk face to face about the effect of the powders, but Matryona warns to keep everything a secret from Nikita - “it’s a pity.” Anisya is a coward. At this moment, holding onto the wall, Peter crawls out onto the porch and asks once again to send Anyutka for his sister Martha. Matryona sends Anisya to immediately search all the places to find money, and she sits down on the porch with Peter. Nikita drives up to the gate. The owner asks him about the plowing, says goodbye, and Matryona takes him to the hut. Anisya rushes about, begs Nikita for help. The money is found right on Peter - Matryona groped, hurries Anisya to quickly put the samovar on before her sister arrives, and she instructs Nikita first of all “not to miss the money”, and only then “there will be a woman in your hands”. “If […] she starts snoring […] she can be shortened.” And then Anisya runs out of the hut, pale, beside herself, carrying money under her apron: “He just died. I was filming, but he didn’t even notice.” Matryona, taking advantage of her confusion, immediately transfers the money to Nikita, ahead of the arrival of Marfa and Akulina. They begin to wash the deceased.

Another nine months pass. Winter. Anisya, undressed, sits at the camp, weaves, waits for Nikita and Akulina from the city and, together with the worker Mitrich, Anyuta and her godfather who has dropped in on the light, discuss Akulina’s outfits, shamelessness (“a disheveled girl, not a freeloader, but now she’s overdressed, swollen like a bubble on water, I, he says, am the mistress"), evil disposition, unsuccessful attempts marry her off and quickly melt her away, Nikita’s dissipation and drunkenness. “They braided me, put them on me so cleverly […] I foolishly didn’t notice anything […] but they agreed,” Anisya groans.

The door opens. Akim comes in to ask Nikita for money for a new horse. At dinner, Anisya complains about Nikita’s “indulgence” and outrages, asking for reassurance. To which Akim responds with one thing: “...They forgot God” and talks about Marinka’s good life.

Nikita, drunk, with a bag, a bundle and paper purchases, stops on the threshold and begins to swagger, not noticing his father. Next comes the discharged Akulina. At Akim’s request, Nikita takes out the money and calls everyone to drink tea, ordering Anisya to put on the samovar. Anisya returns from the closet with a pipe and a tabletop and brushes off the little shawl bought by Akulina. A quarrel breaks out. Nikita pushes Anisya out, saying to Akulina: “I am the owner […] I stopped loving her, I fell in love with you. My power. And she's under arrest." Amused, he returns Anisya and takes out some liquor and treats. Everyone gathers at the table, only Akim, seeing that life is not right, refuses money, food and lodging for the night, and, leaving, prophesies: “to destruction, that means, my son, to destruction...”

On an autumn evening, talking and drunken screams can be heard in the hut. Akulina's matchmakers are leaving. The neighbors gossip about the dowry. The bride herself lies in the barn, sick to her stomach. “From the eye,” Matryona persuades the matchmakers, “otherwise, “the girl is like a cast woman - you can’t pinch her.” After seeing off the guests, Anyutka runs into the yard to see Anisya: Akulina has gone into the barn, “I won’t get married, she says, I’ll die,” she says. The squeak of a newborn is heard. Matryona and Anisya are in a hurry to hide it, they push Nikita into the cellar to dig a hole - “Mother Earth will not tell anyone how a cow will lick it with her tongue.” Nikita snaps at Anisya: “...she’s disgusted me […] And then these powders […] If only I had known, I would have killed her, the bitch!” Hesitating, persistent?: “What does this matter! Living soul too..." - and yet he gives up, takes the baby wrapped in rags, and suffers. Anisya snatches the child from his hands, throws him into the cellar and pushes Nikita down: “Strangle him quickly, he won’t be alive!” Soon Nikita crawls out of the cellar, shakes all over, rushes at his mother and Anisya with a scraper, then stops, runs back, listens, begins to rush about: “What have they done to me? […] It squealed like […] It crunched under me. And I’m still alive, right, I’m alive […] I’ve made up my mind about my life...”

Guests walk at Akulina's wedding. Songs and bells can be heard in the courtyard. Along the path past the barn, where the drunken Mitrich fell asleep in the straw with a rope in his hands, two girls walk: “Akulina […] didn’t even howl...” Marina catches up with the girls and, while waiting for her husband Semyon, sees Nikita, who left the wedding: “...A Most of all, I feel sick, Marinushka, that I am alone and have no one to share my grief with...” Semyon interrupts the conversation and takes his wife away to the guests. Nikita, left alone, takes off his boots and picks up a rope, makes a noose out of it, puts it around his neck, but notices Matryona, and behind her is an elegant, beautiful, tipsy Anisya. In the end, as if agreeing to the persuasion, he gets up, picks the straw off himself, sending them forward. Having sent his mother and wife out, he sits down again and takes off his shoes. And suddenly Mitrich’s drunken muttering: “I’m not afraid of anyone […] I’m not afraid of people...” seems to give strength and determination to Nikita.

In a hut full of people, Akulina and her groom are waiting for the blessing of their “stepfather.” Among the guests are Marina, her husband and a police officer. When Ani-628

Sya delivers the wine, the songs fall silent. Nikita enters, barefoot, leading Akim with him, and, instead of taking the icon, falls to his knees and repents, to Akim’s delight, “God’s work is going on...” - of all his sins - of guilt before Marina, of the violent death of Peter, seducing Akulina and killing her baby: “I poisoned the father, I killed the dog and the daughter […] I did it, I alone!” He bows to his father: “...you told me: “The claw got stuck, and the whole bird was lost.” Akim hugs him. The wedding was upset. The policeman calls witnesses to interrogate everyone and tie up Nikita.

The performance is a diploma winner of the International theater festival Russian classical drama “Warm Heart” in the category “Best cast of the festival” (Kineshma 2015)

Characters and performers:

The premiere took place in November 2010

(Main scene)

Drama in 5 acts (2h50m) 12+

L.N. Tolstoy
Stage director: Yuri Solomin
Akim: Alexey Kudinovich
Matryona: Irina Muravyova
Anisya: Inna Ivanova, Irina Zheryakova
Nikita: Alexey Faddeev
Mitrich: Victor Nizovoy, Oleg Shchigorets
Akulina: Ekaterina Bazarova, Olga Abramova
Peter: Vladimir Nosik
Anyutka: Lidiya Milyuzina, Daria Mingazetdinova
and others Dates: 24.04 Wed 19:00

Review of "Afisha":

The play, which appeared at Maly for the third time, is one of those whose stage versions become significant milestones in the history of this theater. Thus, the famous performance by Boris Ravenskikh was significant for its time. The current production by Yuri Solomin is in many ways consonant with our day, although, of course, there are no liberties with the text in it. But both the creators of the play and the audience are especially sensitive to what resonates with today's realities. Thus, the scene in which a simple-minded man Mitrich (Alexander Potapov) hilariously explains to a simple-minded old man the essence of the banking business, using pies and carrots as a visual illustration, is relevant and recognizable. And Akim, who is not honest in a modern way, only laments in surprise and repeats: “They forgot God. This is disgraceful, it is not according to the law.” At the premiere, Alexey Kudinovich successfully performed in the role, which is the emotional and semantic core of the play (the stage director, listed as the second performer, literally gave the actor this chance). The play clearly identifies two poles. On one side - conscience and decency, purity and wisdom, embodied in Akim. On the other is deceit and greed, cruelty and unscrupulousness, concentrated in Matryona. For the heroine Irina Muravyova, “money is the head of everything,” and she goes towards her goal with fussy and assertive passion, not knowing any doubts or moral prohibitions. Everything is put into play: hypocrisy and hypocrisy, feigned sympathy and predatory grasp. The rest of the characters find themselves hostages in this struggle between good and evil. IN scary story, where the poisoning of a frail old man is followed by the murder of a child, one sin gives rise to another. It is no coincidence that the second title of the play is “The claw is stuck, the whole bird is lost.” The son of Akim and Matryona, Nikita (Alexey Faddeev), is not greedy or evil by nature, but only a carefree and frivolous joker. However, if his father calls on him, “mirrored in wealth, like in a net,” to come to his senses, then his mother, seized by the demon of acquisitiveness, pushes him onto the path of crime. In the finale, the somewhat pretentious repentance of Nikita, who has regained his sight, gives hope for the salvation of his soul, but does not correct everything he has done.
Stage director Yu. Solomin.
Production designer A. Glazunov.
Composer G. Gobernik. Choreography by N. Tsapko.

Year of writing:

1886

Reading time:

Description of the work:

The play "The Power of Darkness" was written in 1886 by Leo Tolstoy. The play was originally called “The Power of Darkness, or the Claw is Stuck, All the Birds Are Lost,” and the first publishing house that published it in 1887 was the “Posrednik” publishing house.

The drama “The Power of Darkness” has five acts; the basis for the plot of the drama was the fact that Tolstoy once visited prison, where he visited Efrem Koloskov, a peasant against whom a criminal case was opened in the Tula province.

Check out the summary of the drama "The Reign of Darkness".

Autumn. In the spacious hut of a wealthy, sickly man, Peter, his wife Anisya, Akulina, his daughter from his first marriage, are singing songs. The owner himself once again calls and scolds, threatening to kill Nikita, a dapper guy of about twenty-five, a lazy worker and a walker. Anisya furiously stands up for him, and Anyutka, their ten-year-old daughter, runs into the upper room with a story about the arrival of Matryona and Akim, Nikita’s parents. Hearing about Nikitina’s upcoming marriage, Anisya “became enraged.”<…>exactly like a sheep in a circle” and attacked Peter even more angrily, planning to disrupt the wedding by any means. Akulina knows her stepmother's secret intentions. Nikita reveals to Anisya his father’s desire to force him to marry the orphan girl Marinka. Anisya warns: if anything happens... “I’ll decide on my life!” I sinned, I broke the law, but I can’t stop tossing and turning.” When Peter dies, he promises to take Nikita into the house and cover all his sins at once.

Matryona finds them hugging, sympathizes with Anisya’s life with the old man, promises to stop Akim and finally, having secretly agreed, leaves her sleeping powders, a potion to intoxicate her husband - “there is no spirit, but great power...”. Having argued with Peter and Akim, Matryona discredits the girl Marina, the artel cook, whom Nikita deceived, having previously lived on a cast iron stove. Nikita lazily denies it in public, although he is “afraid to swear in lies.” To Matryona’s joy, their son is kept as an employee for another year.

From Anyuta, Nikita learns about Marina’s arrival, about her suspicions and jealousy. Akulina hears from the closet how Nikita drove Marina away: “You offended her<…>that's how you'll offend me<…>you're a dog."

Six months pass. Dying Peter calls Anisya and orders Akulina to be sent for her sister. Anisya hesitates, looks for money and cannot find it. As if by chance, Matryona comes to visit her son with the news of Marinka’s wedding with widower Semyon Matveevich. Matryona and Anisya talk face to face about the effects of the powders, but Matryona warns to keep everything a secret from Nikita - “it’s a very pity.” Anisya is a coward. At this moment, holding onto the wall, Peter crawls out onto the porch and asks once again to send Anyutka for his sister Martha. Matryona sends Anisya to immediately search all the places to find money, and she sits down on the porch with Peter. Nikita drives up to the gate. The owner asks him about the plowing, says goodbye, and Matryona takes him to the hut. Anisya rushes about, begs Nikita for help. The money is found right on Peter - Matryona groped, hurries Anisya to quickly put the samovar on before her sister arrives, and she instructs Nikita first of all “not to miss the money”, and only then “there will be a woman in your hands”. "If<…>starts snoring<…>it can be shortened.” And then Anisya runs out of the hut, pale, beside herself, carrying money under her apron: “He just died. I was filming, but he didn’t even notice.” Matryona, taking advantage of her confusion, immediately transfers the money to Nikita, ahead of the arrival of Marfa and Akulina. They begin to wash the deceased.

Another nine months pass. Winter. Anisya, undressed, sits at the camp, weaves, waits for Nikita and Akulina from the city and, together with the worker Mitrich, Anyuta and her godfather who has dropped in on the light, discuss Akulina’s outfits, shamelessness (“a disheveled girl, not a freeloader, but now she’s overdressed, swollen like a bubble on water, I, he says, am the mistress”), evil temper, unsuccessful attempts to marry her off and get her together quickly, Nikita’s dissipation and drunkenness. “They entwined me, they shod me so cleverly<…>I foolishly didn’t notice anything<…>but they agreed,” Anisya groans.

The door opens. Akim comes in to ask Nikita for money for a new horse. At dinner, Anisya complains about Nikita’s “indulgence” and outrages, asking for reassurance. To which Akim responds with one thing: “...They forgot God” and talks about Marinka’s good life.

Nikita, drunk, with a bag, a bundle and paper purchases, stops on the threshold and begins to swagger, not noticing his father. Next comes the discharged Akulina. At Akim’s request, Nikita takes out the money and calls everyone to drink tea, ordering Anisya to put on the samovar. Anisya returns from the closet with a pipe and a tabletop and brushes off the little shawl bought by Akulina. A quarrel breaks out. Nikita pushes Anisya out, saying to Akulina: “I’m the boss<…>I stopped loving her, I fell in love with you. My power. And she's under arrest." Amused, he returns Anisya and takes out some liquor and treats. Everyone gathers at the table, only Akim, seeing that life is not right, refuses money, food and lodging for the night, and, leaving, prophesies: “to destruction, that means, my son, to destruction...”

On an autumn evening, talking and drunken screams can be heard in the hut. Akulina's matchmakers are leaving. The neighbors gossip about the dowry. The bride herself lies in the barn, sick to her stomach. “From the eye,” Matryona persuades the matchmakers, “otherwise, “the girl is like a cast woman - you can’t pinch her.” After seeing off the guests, Anyutka runs into the yard to see Anisya: Akulina has gone into the barn, “I won’t get married, she says, I’ll die,” she says. The squeak of a newborn is heard. Matryona and Anisya are in a hurry to hide it, they push Nikita into the cellar to dig a hole - “Mother Earth will not tell anyone how a cow will lick it with her tongue.” Nikita snaps at Anisya: “...I’m sick of her<…>And here are these powders<…>If only I had known, I would have killed her, the bitch, then!” Hesitating, persistent?: “What does this matter! A living soul too...” - and yet he gives up, takes the baby wrapped in rags, and suffers. Anisya snatches the child from his hands, throws him into the cellar and pushes Nikita down: “Strangle him quickly, he won’t be alive!” Soon Nikita crawls out of the cellar, shakes all over, rushes at his mother and Anisya with a scraper, then stops, runs back, listens, begins to rush about: “What have they done to me?<…>Squeaked like<…>How it will crunch under me. And everyone is alive, right, alive<…>I have made up my mind about my life...”

Guests walk at Akulina's wedding. Songs and bells can be heard in the courtyard. Along the path past the barn, where the drunken Mitrich fell asleep in the straw with a rope in his hands, two girls walk: “Akulina<…>and did not howl..." Marina catches up with the girls and, while waiting for her husband Semyon, sees Nikita, who left the wedding: "... And most of all, I feel sick, Marinushka, that I am alone and have no one to share my grief with..." Semyon interrupts the conversation and takes his wife to the guests. Nikita, left alone, takes off his boots and picks up a rope, makes a noose out of it, puts it around his neck, but notices Matryona, and behind her is an elegant, beautiful, tipsy Anisya. In the end, as if agreeing to the persuasion, he gets up, picks the straw off himself, sending them forward. Having sent his mother and wife out, he sits down again and takes off his shoes. And suddenly Mitrich’s drunken muttering: “I’m not afraid of anyone<…>I’m not afraid of people…” seems to give strength and determination to Nikita.

In a hut full of people, Akulina and her groom are waiting for the blessing of their “stepfather.” Among the guests is Marina, her husband and a police officer. When Ani-628

Sya delivers the wine, the songs fall silent. Nikita enters, barefoot, leading Akim with him, and, instead of taking the icon, falls to his knees and repents, to Akim’s delight, “God’s work is going on...” - of all his sins - of guilt before Marina, of the violent death of Peter, seducing Akulina and killing her baby: “I poisoned the father, I destroyed the dog and the daughter<…>I did it, I’m the only one!” He bows to his father: “...you told me: “The claw got stuck, and the whole bird was lost.” Akim hugs him. The wedding was upset. The policeman calls witnesses to interrogate everyone and tie up Nikita.

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Reproduction libre pour tous les pays.

L. N. TOLSTOY.

Portrait by I. E. Repin.

POWER OF DARKNESS

OR “THE CLAW IS STILL, THE WHOLE BIRD IS PERISHED”

DRAMA IN FIVE ACTS

But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

If your right eye offends you, pluck it out and throw it away from you, for it is better for one of your members to perish rather than for your whole body to be cast into hell.

Matt. V, 28, 29.

FIRST ACTION PERSONS.

Peter is a rich man, 42 years old, married for the second time, sickly.

Anisya is his wife, 32 years old, a dandy.

Akulina is Peter’s daughter from his first marriage, 16 years old, strong-willed, and a little stupid.

Anyutka is the second daughter, 10 years old.

Nikita is their employee, 25 years old, a dandy.

Akim is Nikita’s father, 50 years old, a nondescript, God-fearing man.

Matryona is his wife, 50 years old.

Marina is an orphan girl, 22 years old.

ACT ONE.

The action takes place in autumn in a large village. The scene represents Peter's spacious hut. Peter is sitting on a bench, fixing a clamp. Anisya and Akulina are spinning.

PHENOMENON I.

Peter, Anisya and Akulina. (The latter sing in two voices.)

Peter (looks out of the window).

The horses left again. Just look, the foal will be killed. Mikita, oh Mikita! I'm deaf! (Listens. To the women:) You won't hear anything.

Voice Nikita from the courtyard.

Peter.

Peter (shaking his head).

These workers! If I were healthy, I wouldn’t keep it for the life of me. Take away one sin... (Gets up and sits down again.) Mikit!.. You won’t get through. Come on, which one of you? Shark, go get it.

Akulina.

Horses?

Peter.

Why then?

Akulina.

Now. (Leaves.)

PHENOMENON II.

Peter and Anisya.

Peter.

And he’s a small quitter, uneconomical. If he turns around, if anything.

Anisya.

You yourself are too smart, from the stove to the bench. Just collect from people.

Peter.

If we don’t charge you, you won’t be able to find a home in a year. Eh, people!

Anisya.

You put ten things in your hands, and you curse. It’s easy to order while lying down on the stove.

Peter (sighing).

Eh, if only this illness hadn’t stuck with me, I would have held on for a day.

Voice behind the scenes Sharks.

Everything, everything, everything...

(You can hear the foal neighing, and the horses run into the gate. The gate creaks.)

Peter.

Swaggering - that’s his business. Really, I wouldn’t keep it.

Anisya (mimicking).

I won't hold it. You would turn it yourself, then you would speak.

SCENE III.

Same with Akulina.

Akulina (enters).

She forced me in. Everything is roan...

Peter.

Where is Mikita?

Akulina.

Mikita? It's standing on the street.

Peter.

What is he worth?

Akulina.

What is it worth? Standing around the corner, scribbling.

Peter.

You won't get any sense from her. Who is he scribbling with?

Akulina (not hearing).

(Peter waves his hand at Akulina; she sits down to yarn.)

SCENE IV.

Same with Anyutka.

Anyutka (runs in to mother).

Father and mother came to Mikitka. They go home to live and breathe.

Anisya.

Anyutka.

Pra! die now! (Laughs.) I’m walking past, Mikita and says: goodbye, she says, now, Anna Petrovna. Come and hang out with me at my wedding. I, he says, am leaving you. Laughs himself.

Anisya (to her husband).

They don't need you badly. He was about to go himself... “I’ll drive you!”, he says...

Peter.

And let him go; Can't I find others?

Anisya.

Is there any money involved?..

(Anyutka comes to the door, listens to what they say, and leaves.)

PHENOMENA V.

Anisya, Peter and Akulina.

Peter (frowns).

The money, if anything, will last in the summer.

Anisya.

Yes, you are glad to let go - out of your bread. Yes, I’m alone in the winter and move around like some gelding. The girl doesn’t really want to work, but you’ll be lying on the stove. I know you.

Peter.

Why, if you don’t hear anything, you’re just wagging your tongue in vain.

Anisya.

The yard is full of cattle. You didn’t sell the cow and let all the sheep go for the winter, you can’t get enough food and water, but you want to let the worker go. Yes, I won’t do a peasant’s job! I’ll lie down, just like you, on the stove - everything will disappear; do as you wish.

Peter (to Akulina).

Go get some food, or something, it’s time.

Akulina.

For food? Well then. (Puts on a caftan and takes a rope.)

Anisya.

I won't work for you. If I do, I won’t. Work yourself.

Peter.

Yes you will. Why are you so angry? Exactly a sheep is circular.

Anisya.

You yourself are a mad dog! No work from you, no joy. Just go and eat. The male is amazing, really.

Peter (spits and gets dressed).

Ugh! Forgive me, Lord! Go find out for sure. (Comes out.)

Anisya (afterwards).

Rotten devil, big nose!

SCENE VI.

Anisya and Akulina.

Akulina.

Why are you scolding your dad?

Anisya.

Come on, you fool. Be quiet.

Akulina (comes to the door).

I know what you're complaining about. You're a fool, you dog. I'm not afraid of you.

Anisya.

What are you doing? (Jumps up and looks for something to hit.) Look, I'll horn you.

Akulina (opening the door).

Dog, you devil, that's who you are! Devil, dog, dog, devil! (Runs away.)

SCENE VII.

Anisya (one).

Anisya (thinks).

Come to the wedding, he says. What are they thinking? marry? Look, Mikitka: if this is your intention, I will do it... I can’t live without him. I won't let him in.

SCENE VIII.

Anisya and Nikita.

Nikita (enters looking around. Seeing that Anisya is alone, she quickly approaches her. In a whisper).

What a problem, my brother. A parent arrived, he wants to film, and he tells me to go home. Finally, he says, we’ll marry you and live at home.

Anisya.

Well, get married. What do I care?

Nikita.

That's it - that's it. I’m trying to figure out how best to discuss the matter, but here’s what she says: she orders me to get married. So what? (Winks.) Have you forgotten?..

Anisya.

And get married, you really need to...

Nikita.

Why are you snorting? You see, you can’t even pet yourself... Why are you?

Anisya.

And what you want to give up... And if you want to give up, I don’t need it either. Here's a story for you!

Nikita.

So be it, Anisya. Do I really want to forget you? Not in life. That means I won’t abandon you completely. And I’m counting on this: if they get married, I’ll come back to you; I just don't want to take it home.

Anisya.

I really need you, married.

Nikita.

But of course, my brother, it’s again impossible in any way from my father’s will.

Anisya.

You turn on your father, but your intentions are all yours. For a long time you have been cooperating with your bastard, Marinka. She put it on you. It’s not for nothing that I came running the other day.

Nikita.

Marinka?! I really need her!.. Not many of them hang themselves!..

Anisya.

Why did father come? You ordered it! You were deceiving!.. (Cries.)

Nikita.

Anisya! Do you believe God or not? I never saw anything in a dream. I don’t know for sure, I don’t know. My old man thought of everything from his own head.

Anisya.

If you don’t want it yourself, then who, like a donkey or something, will pull you in?

Nikita.

I also hope it will be impossible to do the same thing against a parent. But I don’t feel like it.

Anisya.

Resist, that's all.

Nikita.

One so-and-so got into trouble, and in the volost they sprayed him like that. Very simple. I don't want to either. They say it's ticklish...

Anisya.

Let's joke. Listen, Mikita: if you take Marina for yourself, I don’t know what I’ll do to myself... I’ll decide on my life! I sinned, I broke the law, but I can’t stop tossing and turning. If you just leave, I’ll do it...

Nikita.

Why should I leave? If I wanted to leave, I would have left long ago. Just the other day Ivan Semenych invited me to be a coachman... And what a life! I didn't go. That’s why I count so much that I’m good to everyone. If you didn't love me, then the calculation would be different.

Anisya.

Remember that. The old man will die today or tomorrow, I think - we’ll cover all his sins. I’ll pass the law, I thought you’d be the master.

Nikita.

And what to make a wish. What do I need? I work as I try for myself. The owner loves me, and that means the woman loves him. And the fact that women love me is not my fault—it’s very simple.

Anisya.

Will you love me?

Nikita (hugs her).

Wow! How you were in my soul...

SCENE IX.

The same and Matryona (enters and crosses himself at the icon for a long time; Nikita and Anisya move away from each other).

Matryona.

But what I saw, I didn’t see, what I heard, didn’t hear. I played with a butterfly, so what? And the calf, you know, plays too. Why not play? – it’s a young thing. And, son, the owner is asking for you in the yard.

Nikita.

I went to get an axe.

Matryona.

I know, I know, dear, behind which axe. This ax is increasingly near the women.

Nikita (bends down and takes an axe).

Well, mother, should you really marry me? I hope that it is completely in vain. Again, I wouldn’t want to either.

Matryona.

Eeyore! Iris, why get married? Live and live. That's all the old man. Come on, dear, we will judge all matters without you.

Nikita.

It’s strange, really: either you should get married, or you shouldn’t. I can't figure anything out definitively. (Leaves.)

PHENOMENON X.

Anisya and Matryona.

Anisya.

Well, Aunt Matryona, do you really want to get married?

Matryona.

What to marry with, berry! Do you know what our wealth is? So-so, my old man is talking in vain: get married and get married. It's none of his business. You know, horses don’t roam from oats, they don’t seek good from goodness—that’s how it is. Can't I see (winks), where is this going?

Anisya.

Why should I, Aunt Matryona, hide from you? You know everything. I sinned, I loved your son.

Matryona.

Well, she told me the news. But Aunt Matryona didn’t even know. Eh, girl, Aunt Matryona is grated, grated and grated. Aunt Matryona, I’ll tell you, the little berry can see an arshin underground. I know everything, berry! I know why young women need sleeping powder. Brought it. (Unties the knot of the scarf and takes out the powders in the paper.) What I need, I see, but what I don’t need, I don’t know, I don’t know. That's right. Aunt Matryona was also young. Also with your fool, you know, you have to live skillfully. I know all 77 dodges. I see, little berry, your old man is chirping, chirping. What to live with here? If you poke it with a pitchfork, it won't bleed. Look, bury it in the spring. You need to welcome someone into the yard. Why isn't your son a man? Not worse than people. So why should I remove my son from a good deed for self-interest? Am I an enemy to my creation?

Anisya.

If only he wouldn't leave us.

Matryona.

And it won’t do, swallow. It's all just stupidity. I know my old man. He has a completely different mind, and another time he’ll take something to the head, like a stake, you can’t knock it out.

Anisya.

Where did this come from?

Matryona.

But you see, the berry is a fellow, you know what a woman he is, and he’s handsome, there’s nothing to say. Well, you know, he lived in a cast-iron house, and there they had an orphan girl who lived in hoods. Well, this girl started following him.

Anisya.

Matryona.

She, break her paralysis. Well, whether it happened or not, just find out, my old man. Whether from people, or she herself slandered him!..

Anisya.

What a brave little bastard!

Matryona.

So my stupid head rose: to marry, he says, yes to marry, to cover up the sin. Let's take the little one home and marry him, he says. She talked in every possible way. Where are you going? Well, I think it's okay. Let me turn it around differently. They, the fools, have to be lured in this way. Everything seems to be in agreement. And whatever it comes to, now you can turn it around. Baba, you know, flies from the stove, 77 thoughts change his mind, so where can he guess. Well, I say, old man, it’s a good thing. You just need to think. Let’s go, I say, to my son and talk to Pyotr Ignatich. What will he say? Here we come.

Anisya.

Oh-oh, auntie, how can this be? Well, what does your father say?

Matryona.

Orders? And his orders go down the drain. Don’t worry, this thing won’t happen, I’ll sift through everything with your old man, I’ll strain it, there will be nothing left. I went with him - to make one example. How my son lives in happiness, waits for happiness, and I’m going to marry him to a whore. Well, am I a fool, or what!

Anisya.

She ran to him here too, Marinka. Believe it or not, auntie, as they told me that marrying him, it was like a knife through my heart. I think he has her in his heart.

Matryona.

And, berry! Well, he's a fool, isn't he? He will love a homeless whore. Mikishka, you know, the guy is smart too. He knows who to love. And you, berry, don’t hesitate. We will not remove it for the life of us. And we won’t get married. And please the money, and let him live.

Anisya.

It seems that if Mikita left, I would not live in the world.

Matryona.

It's a young thing. Isn't it easy! Baba, you are in the juice, with such courage to live...

Anisya.

Believe it or not, auntie, I’m disgusted, I’m already disgusted with my big-nosed male, and my eyes wouldn’t even look at him.

Matryona.

Yes, that's the way it is. Look here. (Whispers, looking around.) You know, I was at this old man’s to buy some powders—he gave me some medicine in two hands. Look here. This, he says, is sleeping powder. Give me one, he says, and he’ll give you such a dream that you can even walk on it. And this, he says, is such a drug that if, he says, you give it to drink, there is no spirit, but great strength. Seven times, he says, a pinch at a time. Give it up to seven times. And the settlement, she says, will soon open to her.

Anisya.

Oooh... What is this?

Matryona.

There are no signs, he says. I took the ruble. It’s impossible to do less, he says. Therefore, you know, getting them is also cunning. I gave away mine, my little berry. I think he’ll take it, he won’t take it, I’ll take it to Mikhailovna.

Anisya.

Ooh! Can anything bad come from them?

Matryona.

What's the harm, little berry? It would be good if your man was strong, otherwise he only brings glory to life. He's not a resident. There are a lot of such and such things.

Anisya.

Oh, oh, my poor little head! I'm afraid, auntie, that there might be a sin. No, what is this?

Matryona.

You can take it back.

Anisya.

Why dissolve them, like those, in water?

Matryona.

In tea, he says, it’s better. Nothing, he says, is inconspicuous, not a breath from them, nothing. He is also a smart person.

Anisya (takes the powders).

Oh, oh, my poor little head. I would have gone to such things if it weren't for the convict life.

Matryona.

And don’t forget the ruble, I promised to bring it to the old man. He's also busy.

Anisya.

It's already known. (Goes to the chest and hides the powders.)

Matryona.

And you, little berry, keep it close so that people don’t know. And if, God have mercy, it touches something like cockroaches... (Takes a ruble.) It also comes from cockroaches... (Interrupts speech.)

SCENE XI.

The same, Peter and Akim. (Akim enters and is baptized into the icon.)

Peter (enters and sits down).

So what about it, Uncle Akim?

Akim.

It’s better, Ignatyich, it’s like it’s better, it’s better... Because it’s not like that. Pampering, that is. I would like to, well... get to the point, that means I wanted a little something. And if you are melting, you can do that too. Better how...

Peter.

Okay, okay. Sit down, let's talk. (Akim sits down.) So what? Do you want to get married?

Matryona.

You can put off getting married, Pyotr Ignatich. Our need, you know, Ignatyich. Where can I get married? We won’t fill our bellies ourselves. Where to get married!..

Peter.

Judge what is best.

Matryona.

There is also no rush to get married. This is such a thing. Not a raspberry, not a raspberry.

Peter.

Well, if getting married is a good thing.

Akim.

I would like, that means... Because I mean, that... a job in the city, a job fell out, similar, that means...

Matryona.

Well, it's work! Clean the pits. I arrived the other day and I was vomiting, vomiting, ugh!

Akim.

That’s for sure, at first it’s smooth and melting, it hits, which means it’s the spirit, but when you get used to it, it’s nothing, everything is the same as the bard, and that means it’s melting, similar... And what about the spirit, it means it’s melting... Our brother can’t be offended. You can also change your clothes. So I wanted Mikitka to be at home. Let him justify it, that is. Let him justify it at home. And I’ll get it in the city.

Peter.

If you want to leave your son at home, that’s for sure. How did they take the money?

Akim.

That’s right, that’s right, Ignatyich, he said it, that means it’s right, that’s why he hired himself, sold himself - let them live, that means, but just, that’s it, get married; for a while, that means, let go if anything.

Peter.

Well, it's possible.

Matryona.

Yes, we have a disagreement. I am before you, Pyotr Ignatich, as I will open myself before God. At least judge between the old man and me. I decided to get married and get married. Who should I marry, you ask! If the bride were real, am I an enemy to my brainchild, otherwise I’m a girl with a vice...

Akim.

This is in vain. It’s in vain that you’re putting it on a girl. In vain. That’s why she, this girl herself, is offended by her son, that means she is offended. A girl, that is.

Peter.

What kind of offense is this?

Akim.

And it turns out that he is with his son Nikita. With Nikita, that means.

Matryona.

Wait a minute, my tongue is softer, let me speak. This little guy of ours lived before you, you know, on a cast iron stove. And if a girl there became attached to him, so, you know, a simple one, call him Marinka - she lived as a kufarka in their artel. So, she, this same girl, points to our son, that approximately, he, Mikita, deceived her.

Peter.

There is no good here.

Matryona.

Yes, she herself is a good-for-nothing, hanging around people. Yes, slut.

Akim.

Again, you are an old woman, not melting, and you are not melting, everything is not melting...

Matryona.

That’s just the speeches from my eagle - melt, melt, melt, but you don’t know what it is. You, Pyotr Ignatich, don’t ask me, ask people about the girl, everyone will say the same. So - a homeless slut.

Peter (To Akim).

Well, Uncle Akim, if this is the case, there is no need to get married either. After all, it’s not a bast shoe, you can’t take it off your foot, even if it’s your daughter-in-law.

Akim (getting excited).

It's a lie, old woman, that means it's a girl, it's a lie. That's why the girl is really good, the girl is really good, that means; I’m sorry, I’m sorry, that means it’s the girl.

Matryona.

It’s just that Maremyana is an old woman, a sad woman all over the world, but she sits at home without eating. I feel sorry for the girl, but I don’t feel sorry for my son. Tie it around your neck and walk with it. It will be empty talk.

Akim.

No, not empty.

Matryona.

Don't fly in, let me tell you.

Akim (interrupts).

No, not empty. So, you turn it your way, even if it’s about a girl or to yourself - you turn it your way, as is best for you, and God, then, will turn it your way. So is this.

Matryona.

Eh, only with you I’ll rack my tongue.

Akim.

The girl is hard-working, dignified and, therefore, melts around herself... that means. And due to our poverty, it’s a blessing to us, which means that the wedding is inexpensive. And the most precious insult is to a girl, which means she’s an orphan, that’s what it is, a girl. But there is resentment.

Matryona.

Everyone also says...

Anisya.

You, Uncle Akim, listen to our sister more. They'll tell you!

Akim.

And God, God! Isn't she a human being, a girl? That means, too, God knows, she’s a person. What do you think?

Matryona.

Ah, got it right...

Peter.

But here’s the thing, Uncle Akim, you can’t trust these girls either. But the little one is alive. After all, here he is! Send him and ask him properly, right? He won't kill souls. Call out the little one! (Anisya gets up.) Tell me, father is calling. (Anisya leaves.)

SCENE XII.

The same without Anisya.

Matryona.

This, dear one, I thought was like spilling water; Let the little one say it himself. After all, even nowadays people are not ordered to marry by force. You also need to ask the little one. He will never want to marry her or disgrace himself. In my opinion, let him live with you and serve his master. And there’s no need to hire one for the summer, you can hire one. Give us ten, let him live.

Peter.

That speech is ahead, in order. Finish one thing, then start another.

Akim.

That’s what I’m saying, Pyotr Ignatich, because it means that it was bullied. If you get along, it means it’s better for yourself, but you’ll forget about God; you think it’s better... you turn on yourself, look, he coughed on his neck, that means; I thought it was better, but it was much worse, without God.

Peter.

Famous case! We must remember God.

Akim.

Look, it’s worse, but according to the law, and according to God, everything somehow, melts, it makes you happy. It's beckoning, that is. So I guessed to myself, it means my wife, it means it’s a small thing, it means it’s out of sin. He’s at home, which means he’s doing as he should according to the law, and that means I’ll take care of him in the city. The worker is kind. Similar. According to God, it means it’s better. An orphan too. For example, they took firewood from the clerk in this manner. They thought to deceive; the clerk was deceived, but God, that means, they were not deceived, well, even that...

SCENE XIII.

The same Nikita and Anyutka.

Nikita.

Have you asked? (Sits down and takes out tobacco.)

Peter (quietly, reproachfully).

Well, you don’t know the order. Your father will ask you, and you pamper yourself with tobacco and sit down. Come here, stand up!

(Nikita stands at the table, cheekily leaning his elbows and smiling.)

Akim.

It turns out that it’s about you, Mikishka, a complaint, a complaint, that means.

Nikita.

Who is the complaint from?

Akim.

Complaint? From a girl, from an orphan, that means there is a complaint. It means that the complaint against you is from her, from Marina, from this very person.

Nikita (chuckling).

Wonderful, really. What kind of complaint is this? Who told you this: she, or what?

Akim.

Now, I am making a demand, and you, therefore, must make an answer. You got involved with the girl, that means, that is, you got involved with her, then?

Nikita.

And I don’t completely understand what you’re asking.

Akim.

So, it means that you had nonsense, that is, stupidity, that means you had something stupid with her, that means?

Nikita.

There was little. With a kufarka, out of boredom, you joke and play the harmony, and she dances. What other nonsense?

Peter.

You, Mikita, don’t be a crutch, and what the parent asks, you answer properly.

Akim (solemnly).

Mikita! You can hide it from people, but you cannot hide it from God. You, Mikita, mean you, think, you can’t lie! She is an orphan, which means she can be offended. An orphan, that is. You better say how.

Nikita.

Well, there’s nothing to say. I’m finally saying everything, that’s why there’s nothing to say. (Getting excited.) She won't say anything. Say what. at least as if he were dead. Why didn’t she tell Fedka Mikishkin? Well, in today’s times, this means it’s impossible to joke? And she is free to speak.

Akim.

Oh, Mikishka, look! The untruth will come out. Was it or not?

Nikita (to the side).

See, we've become attached, really. (To Akim.) I say that I don’t know anything. I had nothing with her. (With anger.) Here are those Christ, I can’t get off this board. (Being baptized.) I don't know anything. (Silence. Nikita continues even hotter.) Why are you thinking of marrying me to her? Well, really, really, it’s a scandal. Nowadays there are no such rights to forcefully marry. Very simple. Yes, and I swore - I don’t know.

Matryona (for husband).

That's it, your stupid head, stupid; that they tell him everything, but he believes everything. It was only in vain that he embarrassed the little one. And it’s better to live as he lives, so let him live with the owner. The owner will now give us a tenner for our needs. And the time will come, and we’ll get married.

Peter.

Well, how about it, Uncle Akim?

Akim (clicks tongue; to son).

Look, Mikita, the tear is offended, it won’t go away, but everything, melt, is on a human head. Look, it's not like that.

Nikita.

Why look, just look for yourself. (Sits down.)

Anyutka.

Go tell mommy. (Runs away.)

SCENE XIV.

Peter, Akim, Matryona and Nikita.

Matryona (to Peter).

That's it, Pyotr Ignatich. He’s a troublemaker, he’ll get into my head, but there’s no way to knock him out; They just bothered you for nothing. And as the little one lived, so let him live. Keep the little one - your servant.

Peter.

So what about it, Uncle Akim?

Akim.

Well, I didn’t take away my freedom from the little ones, just so as not to melt. I wanted it, that means...

Matryona.

And you don’t know what you’re confusing. Let him live as he lived. The little one doesn’t even want to go. And where do we go, we’ll manage it ourselves.

Peter.

One thing, Uncle Akim: if you take him away for the summer, I don’t need him for the winter. To live like this for a year.

Matryona.

It will be laid down for a year. We are at home, during working hours, if anything, we will hire him, and let the little one live, and now you give us ten...

Peter.

So what, another year?

Akim (sighs).

Well, it’s already visible, if that’s the case, then it’s already visible.

Matryona.

Again for a year, from Miter Saturday. You won’t be offended by the price, but now give me a tenner. Let us out. (Rises and bows.)

SCENE XV.

The same, Anisya and Anyutka. (Anisya sits to the side.)

Peter.

Well? If it’s like that, then it’s like that – the Mogarychi will reach the tavern. Let's go, Uncle Akim, let's drink some vodka.

Akim.

I don’t drink it, I don’t drink wine.

Peter.

Well, have some tea.

Akim.

I'm guilty of drinking tea. Tea, for sure.

Peter.

And the women will drink tea. You, Mikita, look, move the sheep and pick up the straw.

Nikita.

(Everyone leaves except Nikita. It’s getting dark.)

SCENE XVI.

Nikita (one).

Nikita (lights a cigarette).

Look, you’ve pestered me, tell me, tell me how you went out with the girls. These stories will take a long time to tell. Marry her, he says. Yes, marry everyone - there will be a lot of wives. I really need to get married, and I live no worse than a married man, people are jealous. And how someone pushed me, how I crossed myself at the image. So I immediately cut off the whole gimmick. It’s scary, they say, to swear in lies. It's all just stupidity. Nothing, just a speech. Very simple.

SCENE XVII.

Nikita and Akulina.

Akulina (enters in a caftan, puts down the rope, undresses and goes to the closet).

You should at least light the fire.

Nikita.

Should I look at you? I see you anyway.

Akulina.

SCENE XVIII.

Same with Anyutka.

Anyutka (runs in to Nikita in a whisper).

Mikita, go quickly, one person is asking you if you can breathe again.

Nikita.

What kind of person?

Anyutka.

Marinka with cast iron. It's around the corner.

Nikita.

Anyutka.

Breathe once.

Nikita.

What does she want?

Anyutka.

I told you to come. “I only need to say one word to Mikita,” he says. I started asking, but she wouldn’t say. I just asked: is it true that he is leaving you? And I say: it’s not true, his father wanted to take him off and marry him, but he refused, we still have a year left. And she says: send him to me, for Christ’s sake. “I definitely need to say a word to him,” he says. She's been waiting for a long time. Go to her.

Nikita.

Well, to God. Where will I go?

Anyutka.

She says if he doesn’t come, I’ll go to the hut to see him myself. Just breathe, I’ll come, he says.

Nikita.

Probably, he'll just stand there and leave.

Anyutka.

Al says they want to marry him to Akulina?

Akulina (approaches Nikita for his spinning wheel).

Who should I marry Akulina?

Anyutka.

Akulina.

Is it easy? Who's talking?

Nikita.

Yes, apparently people are talking. (Looks at her, laughs.) Akulina, will you marry me?

Akulina.

For you? I might have gone before, but now I won’t.

Nikita.

Why don't you go now?

Akulina.

And you won't love me.

Nikita.

Why won't I?

Akulina.

They don't tell you to. (Laughs.)

Nikita.

Who doesn't tell?

Akulina.

Yes stepmother. She keeps swearing, keeps watching you.

Nikita (laughs).

Look! However, you are perceptive.

Akulina.

Me? What should I notice? Am I blind? Today she was bubbling my dad, bubbling him. She's a thick-faced witch. (Goes into the closet.)

Anyutka.

Nikita! look at this. (Looks out the window.) It's coming. Breathe once, she. I'll leave. (Leaves.)

SCENE XIX.

Nikita, Akulina in the closet and Marina.

Marina (enters).

What are you doing to me?

Nikita.

What am I doing? I'm not doing anything.

Marina.

Do you want to renounce?

Nikita (rising angrily).

Well, what does it mean that you came?

Marina.

Ah, Mikita!

Nikita.

You are wonderful, really. Why did you come?

Marina.

Nikita.

So what about Mikita? Mikita is. What do you need? Go, I say.

Marina.

So, I see, do you want to quit, forget?

Nikita.

What to remember? They don’t know themselves. She stood around the corner, sent Anyutka, I didn’t come to you. It means I don’t need you, very simply. Well, go away.

Marina.

No need! It's no longer needed. I trusted you that you would love me. But you lost me, and you no longer needed me.

Nikita.

And there’s no point in saying this, it’s all incongruous. You told your father too. Go away, do me a favor.

Marina.

You yourself know that I never loved anyone but you. If I had taken you or not, I wouldn’t have been offended by that. I am not guilty of anything to you. Why did you stop loving? For what?

Nikita.

There is no need for you and me to pour from empty to empty. Go away. They're so stupid!

Marina.

It doesn’t hurt me that he deceived me, promised to marry me, but that he stopped loving me. And it’s not that it hurts that he stopped loving him and exchanged him for someone else - for whom, I know!

Nikita (walks towards her angrily).

Eh! They don’t understand any reason to talk to your sister; go away, I say, you’ll end up in trouble.

Marina.

Until then? Well, are you going to beat me? Hit it! Why did you turn your face away? Eh, Nikita.

Nikita.

It’s known, it’s not good, people will come. Why waste interpretation?

Marina.

So it’s the end, it means that what happened has floated away. You tell me to forget! Well, Nikita, remember. I guarded my maiden honor more than my eyes. You ruined me for nothing, you deceived me. Didn't feel sorry for the orphan (crying) renounced me. You killed me, but I don’t hold a grudge against you. God be with you. If you find it better, you’ll forget; if you find it worse, you’ll remember it. You'll remember, Nikita. Goodbye, if that's the case. And I loved you. Farewell for the last time. (He wants to hug him and takes him by the head.)

Nikita (breaking out.)

Eh! Talk to you. If you don’t want to leave, I’ll leave myself, stay here.

Marina (screams).

You are a beast! (At the door.) God will not give you happiness! (Leaves crying.)

SCENE XX.

Nikita and Akulina.

Akulina (comes out of the closet).

And you are a dog, Nikita.

Nikita.

Akulina.

How she howled. (Cries.)

Nikita.

What are you doing?

Akulina.

What? Oh... bi... what did you do to her... You'll offend me... you're a dog. (Goes into the closet.)

SCENE XXI.

Nikita (one).

Nikita. (Silence.)

It's such a mess. I love these women like sugar; and if you sin with them, it’s a disaster!