GUESTS, SERVANTS, MUMMERS, AND OTHERS.
The action takes place in a district town in the house of the merchant TORTSÓV during the Christmas holidays.
POVERTY IS NO CRIME
ACT I
A small office room; in the rear wall a door; in the corner on the left a bed, on the right a cupboard. In the left wall a window, and beside the window a table. Near the table a chair; near the right wall a desk and a wooden stool. Beside the bed a guitar; on the table and desk are books and papers.
SCENE I
MÍTYA is walking back and forth in the room. EGÓRUSHKA is seated on the stool reading "Bová Korolévich."
EGÓRUSHKA. [Reads] "My sovereign father, glorious and brave king, Kiribít Verzoúlovich, I do not possess the courage to marry him now. Because when I was young I was wooed by King Gvidón."
MÍTYA. Well, Egórushka, is any one at home?
EGÓRUSHKA. [Putting his finger on the place where he is reading in order not to make a mistake] Nobody; they've all gone driving. There's only Gordéy Kárpych at home. [Reads] "Whereupon Kiribít Verzoúlovich said to his daughter"—[Again marking the place]—only he's in such a rage, it's awful! I cleared out—he keeps on cursing. [Reads] "Then the beautiful Militrísa Kirbítyevna called her servant Licharda to her."