Anísya. Where's the hurry?
Matryóna. Well, and has he had communion?
Anísya. Oh, dear, yes, the priest was here yesterday.
Neighbor. I had a look at him yesterday. Dearie me! one wonders his body and soul keep together. And, O Lord, the other day he seemed just at his last gasp, so that they laid him under the holy [icóns.] [1] They started lamenting and got ready to lay him out.
Anísya. He came to, and creeps about again.
Matryóna. Well, and is he to have extreme unction?
Anísya. The neighbors advise it. If he lives till to-morrow we'll send for the priest.
Neighbor. Oh, Anísya dear, I should think your heart must be heavy. As the saying goes, "Not he is sick that's ill in bed, but he that sits and waits in dread."
Anísya. Yes, if it were only over one way or other!
Neighbor. Yes, that's true, dying for a year, it's no joke. You're bound hand and foot like that.