Pavlo. No, it's a wolf! [They throw down skin and club and fly to the top of the stove.]

Pavlo and Nicolas [terror-stricken]. Wolf! Wolf!

[Marie and Kolinka go to window.
Sascha tries to see out, then goes to unbolt door.

Matrena [running to foot of ladder and shaking her finger at Nicolas and Pavlo]. You bad boys! you've waked the baby!

Kolinka. Be quiet, boys! It's not a wolf at all.

Matrena. Nor a bear, either. [Rocks cradle, and pats and hushes baby.]

Marie. It's some poor body lost in the snow, perhaps.

[Sascha gets door open and runs out.

Sascha [without]. Have you lost your way? Come with me. Here is our door. It's a bitter cold night.