Scene same as Act I. Twilight.
KULIGIN (sitting on a bench).
KABANOV (walking along the parade).
KULIGIN (sings). "In dark of night are hid the skies In sleep now all have closed their eyes."
(seeing Kabanov) Good-evening, sir, are you walking far?
KABANOV. No, I am going home. You have heard talk, I expect, about us? The whole household's upside down.
KULIGIN. I have heard so, sir, yes, I have heard so.
KABANOV. I went away to Moscow, you know. Mamma sent me off with a sermon, oh, such a sermon, but as soon as I was well away, I went in for enjoying myself. I was glad to have escaped into freedom. And I was drinking all the journey, and in Moscow too I kept it up, and had a jolly time—as you may fancy! Of course I'd to get in fun enough to last me the whole year. I never once thought about home. Though, if I had thought of it, I never should have dreamed of what was going on here. You've heard about it?
KULIGIN. Yes, sir.
KABANOV. I'm a miserable man now! And so, for nothing, my life's spoiled, for nothing I have done.