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God willed it so. And whatā€™s the matter with your life? You are richā ā€Šā ā€¦ NikĆ­ta My life!ā ā€Šā ā€¦ Itā€™s only that I donā€™t wish to disturb the wedding feast, or Iā€™d take this rope here takes hold of the rope on the straw and throw it across that rafter there. Then Iā€™d make a noose and stretch it out, and Iā€™d climb on to that rafter and jump down with my head in the noose! Thatā€™s what my life is! MarĆ­na Thatā€™s enough! Lord help you! NikĆ­ta You think Iā€™m joking? You think Iā€™m drunk? Iā€™m not drunk! Today even drink takes no hold on me! Iā€™m devoured by misery! Misery is eating me up completely, so that I care for nothing! Oh, little MarĆ­na, itā€™s only with you I ever lived! Do you remember how we used to while away the nights together at the railway? MarĆ­na Donā€™t you rub the sores, NikĆ­ta! Iā€™m bound legally now, and you too. My sin has been forgiven, donā€™t disturbā ā€Šā ā€¦ NikĆ­ta What shall I do with my heart? Where am I to turn to? MarĆ­na Whatā€™s there to be done? Youā€™ve got a wife. Donā€™t go looking at others, but keep to your own! You loved AnĆ­sya, then go on loving her! NikĆ­ta Oh, that AnĆ­sya, sheā€™s gall and wormwood to me, but sheā€™s round my feet like rank weeds! MarĆ­na Whatever she is, still sheā€™s your wife.ā ā€Šā ā€¦ But whatā€™s the use of talking; youā€™d better go to your visitors, and send my husband to me. NikĆ­ta Oh dear, if you knew the whole businessā ā€Šā ā€¦ but thereā€™s no good talking! Enter MarĆ­naā€™s husband, red and tipsy, and Nan. MarĆ­naā€™s Husband MarĆ­na! Missis! My old woman! are you here? NikĆ­ta Thereā€™s your husband calling you. Go! MarĆ­na And you? NikĆ­ta I? Iā€™ll lie down here for a bit! Lies down on the straw. Husband Where is she then? Nan There she is, near the barn. Husband What are you standing there for? Come to the feast! The hosts want you to come and do them honour! The wedding party is just going to start, and then we can go too. MarĆ­na Going towards her husband. I didnā€™t want to go in. Husband Come on, I tell you! Youā€™ll drink a glass to our nephew Peterā€™s health, the rascal! Else the hosts might take offence! Thereā€™s plenty of time for our business. MarĆ­naā€™s husband puts his arm around her, and goes reeling out with her. NikĆ­ta Rises and sits down on the straw. Ah, now that Iā€™ve seen her, life seems more sickening than ever! It was only with her that I ever really lived! Iā€™ve ruined my life for nothing! Iā€™ve done for myself! Lies down. Where can I go? If mother earth would but open and swallow me! Nan Sees NikĆ­ta, and runs towards him. Daddy, I say, daddy! Theyā€™re looking for you! Her godfather and all of them have already blessed her. Truly they have, theyā€™re getting cross! NikĆ­ta Aside. Where can I go to? Nan What? What are you saying? NikĆ­ta Iā€™m not saying anything! Donā€™t bother! Nan Daddy! Come, I say! NikĆ­ta is silent, Nan pulls him by the hand. Dad, go and bless them! My word, theyā€™re angry, theyā€™re grumbling! NikĆ­ta Drags away his hand. Leave me alone! Nan Now then! NikĆ­ta Threatens her with the rope. Go, I say! Iā€™ll give it you! Nan Then Iā€™ll send mother! Runs away. NikĆ­ta Rises. How can I go? How can I take the holy icon in my hands? How am I to look her in the face! Lies down again. Oh, if there were a hole in the ground, Iā€™d jump in! No one should see me, and I should see no one! Rises again. No, I shanā€™t goā ā€Šā ā€¦ May they all go to the devil, I shanā€™t go! Takes the rope and makes a noose, and tries it on his neck. Thatā€™s the way! Enter MatryĆ³na. NikĆ­ta sees his mother, takes the rope off his neck, and again lies down in the straw. MatryĆ³na Comes in hurriedly. NikĆ­ta! NikĆ­ta, I say! He donā€™t even answer! NikĆ­ta, whatā€™s the matter? Have you had a drop too much? Come, NikĆ­ta dear; come, honey! The people are tired of waiting. NikĆ­ta Oh dear, what have you done with me? Iā€™m a lost man! MatryĆ³na But what is the matter then? Come, my own; come, give them your blessing, as is proper and honourable, and then itā€™ll all be over! Why, the people are waiting! NikĆ­ta How can I give blessings? MatryĆ³na Why, in the usual way! Donā€™t you know? NikĆ­ta I know, I know! But who is it I am to bless? What have I done to her? MatryĆ³na What have you done? Eh, now heā€™s going to remember it! Why, who knows anything about it? Not a soul! And the girl is going of her own accord. NikĆ­ta Yes, but how? MatryĆ³na Because sheā€™s afraid, of course. But still sheā€™s going. Besides, whatā€™s to be done now? She should have thought sooner! Now she canā€™t refuse. And his kinsfolk canā€™t take offence either. They saw the girl twice, and get money with her too! Itā€™s all safe and sound! NikĆ­ta Yes, but whatā€™s in the cellar? MatryĆ³na Laughs. In the cellar? Why, cabbages, mushrooms, potatoes, I suppose! Why remember the past? NikĆ­ta Iā€™d be only too glad to forget it; but I canā€™t! When I let my mind go, itā€™s just as if I heard.ā ā€Šā ā€¦ Oh, what have you done with me? MatryĆ³na Now, what are you humbugging for? NikĆ­ta Turns face downward. Mother! Donā€™t torment me! Iā€™ve got it up to there! Puts his hand to his throat. MatryĆ³na Still it has to be done! As it is, people are talking. ā€œThe masterā€™s gone away and wonā€™t come; he canā€™t make up his mind to give his blessing.ā€ Theyā€™ll be putting two and two together. As soon as they see youā€™re frightened theyā€™ll begin guessing. ā€œThe thief none suspect who walks bold and erect!ā€ But youā€™ll be getting out of the frying-pan into the fire! Above
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