Scene IX. Akím, Akulína, Anyútka, and Nikíta.
Nikíta (tries to look sober). Father, don't be angry with me! You think that I am drunk. I can do everything I can drink without losing my senses. I can talk with you, father, as though nothing had happened. I remember everything. You told me about the money: you said that the horse has died,—I remember it all. That can be done. It is all in our hands. If an immense sum were asked I would have to put it off for some time, but this I can do. Here it is.
Akím (still busy with his rags). Oh, my son, a spring path is, so to speak, not a road—
Nikíta. What do you mean by it? You can't talk well with a drunken man. Never mind! We will have some tea together. I can do everything, positively I can.
Akím (shaking his head). Oh, oh, oh!
Nikíta. Here is the money. (Puts his hand into his pocket, gets the pocketbook, flourishes the money and pulls out a ten-rouble bill.) Take this for your horse! Take it for the horse! I cannot forget a father. I will positively not abandon you. Here, take it! I do not begrudge you the money. (Comes up and pushes the money into Akím's hand, but Akim does not want to take it.) Take it, I say! I give it with pleasure.
Akím. I cannot take it, so to speak. I cannot speak with you, so to speak, because there is no decency about you, so to speak.
Nikíta. I will not let you go. Take it! (Pushes the money into Akím's hand.)
Scene X. The same and Anísya.
Anísya (enters and stops). You had better take it, for he will give you no rest.
