Redemption and two other plays

by graf Leo Tolstoy

Nikíta. Not likely. She'll wait a bit and then go away.

Nan. "Or is it," she says, "that they want him to marry Akoulína?"

[Re-enter AKOULÍNA, passing near NIKÍTA to take her distaff.

Akoulína. Marry whom to Akoulína?

Nan. Why, Nikíta. Akoulína. A likely thing! Who says it?

Nikíta (looks at her and laughs). It seems people do say it. Would you marry me, Akoulína?

Akoulína. Who, you? Perhaps I might have afore, but I won't now.

Nikíta. And why not now? Akoulína. 'Cos you wouldn't love me.

Nikíta. Why not? Akoulína. 'Cos you'd be forbidden to.

[Laughs.