Page:Complete Works of Count Tolstoy - 18.djvu/189

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THE POWER OF DARKNESS
173

Marína's Husband. Where is she?

Anyútka. There she is, grandfather, near the barn.

Marína's Husband. What are you standing there for? Go to the wedding! The hosts ask you to come and honour them. The wedding will soon be over, and then we will go.

Marína (walking toward her husband). I did not feel like it.

Marína's Husband. Go, I say! We will drink a glass, and you will congratulate rogue Petrúnka. The hosts will feel offended if you don't, and we shall have plenty of time to attend to our business. (Marína's husband embraces her and, tottering, goes away with her.)

Scene VI. Nikíta and Anyútka.

Nikíta (gets up and sits down on the straw). I feel even worse since I saw her. What a life it was I led with her! And now I am lost, I am ruined! (Lies down.) Whither shall I go? Oh, mother earth, cleave open for me!

Anyútka (seeing Nikíta and running up to him). Father, O father! They are looking for you. The sponsor and everybody else have blessed them already, and they are angry.

Nikíta (aside). Where shall I go?

Anyútka. What is it? What are you saying?

Nikíta. Nothing. Don't bother me!

Anyútka. Father! Come with me! (Nikíta is silent. Anyútka pulls him by the hand.) Father, go and bless them! Really, they are very angry.

Nikíta (pulling away his hand). Leave me alone!

Anyútka. Come!

Nikíta (threatening her with the reins). Go, I say! I will teach you!

Anyútka. I will send mamma to you. (Runs away.)