The Power of Darkness

Fédka Mikíshin? Besides, how’s this, that one mayn’t even have a bit of fun nowadays? And as for her, well, she’s free to say anything she likes. Akím Ah, Nikíta, mind! A lie will out. Did anything happen? Nikíta Aside. How he sticks to it; it’s too bad. To Akím. I tell you, I know nothing more. There’s been nothing between us. Angrily. By God! and may I never leave this spot crosses himself if I know anything about it. Silence. Then still more excitedly. Why! have you been thinking of getting me to marry her? What do you mean by it?⁠—it’s a confounded shame. Besides, nowadays you’ve got no such rights as to force a fellow to marry. That’s plain enough. Besides, haven’t I sworn I know nothing about it? Matryóna To her husband. There now, that’s just like your silly pate, to believe all they tell you. He’s gone and put the lad to shame all for nothing. The best thing is to let him live as he is living, with his master. His master will help us in our present need, and give us ten roubles, and when the time comes⁠ ⁠… Peter Well, Daddy Akím, how’s it to be? Akím Looks at his son, clicking his tongue disapprovingly. Mind, Nikíta, the tears of one that’s been wronged never, what d’you call it⁠—never fall beside the mark but always on, what’s name⁠—the head of the man as did the wrong. So mind, don’t what d’you call it. Nikíta Sits down. What’s there to mind? mind yourself. Nan Aside. I must run and tell mother. Exit. Matryóna To Peter. That’s always the way with this old mumbler of mine, Peter Ignátitch. Once he’s got anything wedged in his pate there’s no knocking it out. We’ve gone and troubled you all for nothing. The lad can go on living as he has been. Keep him; he’s your servant. Peter Well, Daddy Akím, what do you say? Akím Why, the lad’s his own master, if only he what d’you call it.⁠ ⁠… I only wish that, what d’you call it, I mean. Matryóna You don’t know yourself what you’re jawing about. The lad himself has no wish to leave. Besides, what do we want with him at home? We can manage without him. Peter Only one thing, Daddy Akím⁠—if you are thinking of taking him back in summer, I don’t want him here for the winter. If he is to stay at all, it must be for the whole year. Matryóna And it’s for a year he’ll bind himself. If we want help when the press of work comes, we can hire help, and the lad shall remain with you. Only give us ten roubles now.⁠ ⁠… Peter Well then, is it to be for another year? Akím Sighing. Yes, it seems, it what d’you call it⁠ ⁠… if it’s so, I mean, it seems that it must be what d’you call it. Matryóna For a year, counting from St. Dimítry’s day. We know you’ll pay him fair wages. But give us ten roubles now. Help us out of our difficulties. Gets up and bows to Peter. Enter Nan and Anísya. The latter sits down at one side. Peter Well, if that’s settled we might step across to the inn and have a drink. Come, Daddy Akím, what do you say to a glass of vódka? Akím No, I never drink that sort of thing. Peter Well, you’ll have some tea? Akím Ah, tea! yes, I do sin that way. Yes, tea’s the thing. Peter And the women will also have some tea. Come. And you, Nikíta, go and drive the sheep in and clear away the straw. Nikíta All right. Exeunt all but Nikíta. Nikíta lights a cigarette. It grows darker. Just see how they bother one. Want a fellow to tell ’em how he larks about with the wenches! It would take long to tell ’em all those stories⁠—“Marry her,” he says. Marry them all! One would have a good lot of wives! And what need have I to marry? Am as good as married now! There’s many a chap as envies me. Yet how strange it felt when I crossed myself before the icon. It was just as if someone shoved me. The whole web fell to pieces at once. They say it’s frightening to swear what’s not true. That’s all humbug. It’s all talk, that is. It’s simple enough. Akoulína Enters with a rope, which she puts down. She takes off her outdoor things and goes into closet. You might at least have got a light. Nikíta What, to look at you? I can see you well enough without. Akoulína Oh, bother you! Nan enters and whispers to Nikíta. Nan Nikíta, there’s a person wants you. There is! Nikíta What person? Nan Marína from the railway; she’s out there, round the corner. Nikíta Nonsense! Nan Blest if she isn’t! Nikíta What does she want? Nan She wants you to come out. She says, “I only want to say a word to Nikíta.” I began asking, but she won’t tell, but only says, “Is it true he’s leaving you?” And I say, “No, only his father wanted to take him away and get him to marry, but he won’t, and is going to stay with us another year.” And she says, “For goodness’ sake send him out to me. I must see him,” she says, “I must say a word to him somehow.” She’s been waiting a long time. Why don’t you go? Nikíta Bother her! What should I go for? Nan She says, “If he don’t come, I’ll go into the hut to him.” Blest if she didn’t say she’d come in! Nikíta Not likely. She’ll wait a bit and then go away. Nan “Or is it,” she says, “that they want him to marry Akoulína?” Re-enter Akoulína, passing near Nikíta to take her distaff. Akoulína Marry whom to Akoulína? Nan Why, Nikíta. Akoulína A likely thing! Who says it? Nikíta Looks at her and laughs. It seems people do say it. Would you