plaint is it? Who has told you about it? Maybe she herself?
Akím. I am now putting the questions, so to speak; and you must give the answers, so to speak. Did you tie yourself, so to speak, with the girl?
Nikíta. I can't positively make out what it is you are asking.
Akím. That is foolishness, so to speak, foolishness, I say; was there any foolishness between her and you, so to speak?
Nikíta. How do you mean it? Feeling lonely, I passed the time with the cook: I would play the accordion, and she would dance. What other foolishness do you mean?
Peter. Nikíta, don't beat about the bush. Answer straight to your father's questions.
Akím (solemnly). Nikíta! You may conceal it from men, but you will not conceal it from God. Nikíta, you must not, so to speak, lie! She is an orphan, so to speak, and it is easy to offend her. She is an orphan, so to speak. You tell me how it was.
Nikíta. I have nothing to tell. I am positively telling you everything, and there is nothing to tell. (Getting excited.) Of course, she may tell anything she pleases. Say anything you wish,—it does not affect me. Why did she not tell on Fédka Mikishkin? How is it nowadays? A person may not jest even. Nothing prevents her talking.
Akím. O Nikíta, look out! The lie will come to the surface. Was there anything or not?
Nikíta (aside). I declare he is persistent! (To Akím.) I told you that I know nothing. There has been nothing between us. (Angrily.) May Christ not allow me to come off this plank. (Crosses himself.) I know absolutely nothing. (Silence. Nikita proceeds more excitedly.) Why do you insist on my marrying her? This is really a scandal
