Anísya. Do you want to eat? Here, take it!
Anyútka (goes to the oven). Oh, it is so cold! My hands are numb. (Akím takes off his coat and shoes. Anísya washes the dishes.)
Anísya. Father!
Akím. What do you wish?
Anísya. Is Marína living well?
Akím. Not bad. She is getting along. She is a clever woman, so to speak, and peaceable, and is getting on well, so to speak. She is a good worker, so to speak, and tries hard, and, so to speak, is obedient. She is all right, so to speak.
Anísya. They say that a relative of Marína's husband wanted to marry our Akulína. Haven't you heard anything about it?
Akím. The Mirónovs? The women were saying something about it. I did not pay any attention to it, so to speak. I do not know for sure, so to speak. The women were saying something. But I do not remember, I do not remember it, so to speak. Well, the Mirónovs are good peasants, so to speak.
Anísya. I wish so much I could get her married at once.
Akím. What is it?
Anyútka (listening). They have come.
Anísya. Keep out of their way! (Continues to wash the spoons, without turning her head.)
Scene VII. The same and Nikíta.
Nikíta. Anísya, my wife, who has come? (Anísya looks around and, turning away, keeps silent.)
Nikíta (angrily). Who has come? Have you forgotten?
Anísya. Stop blustering! Go!
Nikíta (more angrily still). Who has come?
