The Power of Darkness

they’ve come to! It’s all polished and polished I mean, it’s fine, it’s what d’ye call it, it’s like inside an inn. And what’s it all for? What’s the good of it? Oh, they’ve forgotten God. Forgotten, I mean. We’ve forgotten, forgotten God, God I mean! Thank you, my dear, I’ve had enough. I’m quite satisfied. Rises. Mítritch climbs on to the oven. Anísya Eats, and collects the dishes. If his father would only take him to task! But I’m ashamed to tell him. Akím What d’you say? Anísya Oh! it’s nothing. Enter Nan. Akím Here’s a good girl, always busy! You’re cold, I should think? Nan Yes, I am, terribly. How d’you do, grandfather? Anísya Well? Is he there? Nan No. But Andriyán is there. He’s been to town, and he says he saw them at an inn in town. He says Dad’s as drunk as drunk can be! Anísya Do you want anything to eat? Here you are. Nan Goes to the oven. Well, it is cold. My hands are quite numb. Akím takes off his leg-bands and bast-shoes. Anísya washes up. Anísya Father! Akím Well, what is it? Anísya And is Marína living well? Akím Yes, she’s living all right. The little woman is what d’ye call it, clever and steady; she’s living, and what d’ye call it, doing her best. She’s all right; the little woman’s of the right sort I mean; painstaking and what d’ye call it, submissive; the little woman’s all right I mean, all right, you know. Anísya And is there no talk in your village that a relative of Marína’s husband thinks of marrying our Akoulína? Have you heard nothing of it? Akím Ah; that’s Mirónof. Yes, the women did chatter something. But I didn’t pay heed, you know. It don’t interest me I mean, I don’t know anything. Yes, the old women did say something, but I’ve a bad memory, bad memory, I mean. But the Mirónofs are what d’ye call it, they’re all right, I mean they’re all right. Anísya I’m that impatient to get her settled. Akím And why? Nan Listens. They’ve come! Anísya Well, don’t you go bothering them. Goes on washing the spoons without turning her head. Nikíta Enters. Anísya! Wife! who has come? Anísya looks up and turns away in silence. Nikíta Severely. Who has come? Have you forgotten? Anísya Now don’t humbug. Come in! Nikíta Still more severely. Who’s come? Anísya Goes up and takes him by the arm. Well then, husband has come. Now then, come in! Nikíta Holds back. Ah, that’s it! Husband! And what’s husband called? Speak properly. Anísya Oh bother you! Nikíta! Nikíta Where have you learnt manners? The full name. Anísya Nikíta Akímitch! Now then! Nikíta Still in the doorway. Ah, that’s it! But now⁠—the surname? Anísya Laughs and pulls him by the arm. Tchilíkin. Dear me, what airs! Nikíta Ah, that’s it. Holds on to the doorpost. No, now say with which foot Tchilíkin steps into this house! Anísya That’s enough! You’re letting the cold in! Nikíta Say with which foot he steps? You’ve got to say it⁠—that’s flat. Anísya Aside. He’ll go on worrying. To Nikíta. Well then, with the left. Come in! Nikíta Ah, that’s it. Anísya You look who’s in the hut! Nikíta Ah, my parent! Well, what of that? I’m not ashamed of my parent. I can pay my respects to my parent. How d’you do, father? Bows and puts out his hand. My respects to you. Anísya Come in! Nikíta Ah, that’s it. Anísya You look who’s in the hut! Nikíta Ah, my parent! Well, what of that? I’m not ashamed of my parent. Akím Does not answer. Drink, I mean drink, what it does! It’s filthy! Nikíta Drink, what’s that? I’ve been drinking? I’m to blame, that’s flat! I’ve had a glass with a friend, drank his health. Anísya Go and lie down, I say. Nikíta Wife, say where am I standing? Anísya Now then, it’s all right, lie down! Nikíta No, I’ll first drink a samovar with my parent. Go and light the samovar. Akoulína, I say, come here! Enter Akoulína, smartly dressed and carrying their purchases. Akoulína Why have you thrown everything about? Where’s the yarn? Nikíta The yarn? The yarn’s there. Hullo, Mítritch, where are you? Asleep? Asleep? Go and put the horse up. Akím Not seeing Akoulína but looking at his son. Dear me, what is he doing? The old man’s what d’ye call it, quite done up, I mean⁠—been thrashing⁠—and look at him, what d’ye call it, putting on airs! Put up the horse! Faugh, what filth! Mítritch Climbs down from the oven, and puts on felt boots. Oh, merciful Lord! Is the horse in the yard? Done it to death, I dare say. Just see how he’s been swilling, the deuce take him. Up to his very throat. Oh Lord, holy Nicholas! Puts on sheepskin, and exit. Nikíta Sits down. You must forgive me, father. It’s true I’ve had a drop; well, what of that? Even a hen will drink. Ain’t it true? So you must forgive me. Never mind Mítritch, he doesn’t mind, he’ll put it up. Anísya Shall I really light the samovar? Nikíta Light it! My parent has come. I wish to talk to him, and shall drink tea with him. To Akoulína. Have you brought all the parcels? Akoulína The parcels? I’ve brought mine, the rest’s in the sledge. Hi, take this, this isn’t mine! Throws a parcel on the table and puts the others into her box. Nan watches her while she puts them away. Akím does not look at his son, but puts his leg-bands and bast-shoes on the oven. Anísya Going out with the samovar. Her box is full as it is, and still he’s bought more! Nikíta Have you brought all the parcels? Akoulína The parcels? I’ve brought mine, the rest’s in the sledge. Anísya Her box is full as it is, and still he’s bought more! Nikíta Pretending to be sober. You must not be cross with me, father. You think I’m drunk? I am all there, that’s flat! As they