SCENE III
VARVARA and later BORIS.
VARVARA. I believe it's he! (Boris advances from the background of the scene.) Sss-sss! (Boris looks round.) Come here. (She beckons, Boris goes up to her.) What are we to do with Katerina? For mercy's sake tell me!
BORIS. Why, what is it?
VARVARA. It's terrible, that's all. Her husband has come back, do you know that? We didn't expect him, but he's here.
BORIS. No, I didn't know it.
VARVARA. She's simply beside herself.
BORIS. It seems as if I had only lived for these ten short days that he has been away. And now not to see her!
VARVARA. Oh, I've no patience with you! I've something to tell you! She's shaking all over, as if she were in a fever. She's so pale, she wanders about the house, as though she were looking for something. Her eyes are wild, she's like a mad thing! She began crying long ago in the morning, she simply sobs. Merciful Heavens, what am I to do with her?