Nan. Oh, oh, oh! Mother, dear, darling!
[Cries.
Nikíta. Me frightened of her! A likely thing! What are you crying for? She'll come back, no fear. Go and see to the samovár.
[Exit NAN.
Akoulína (collects and folds her presents). The mean wretch, how she's messed it up. But wait a bit, I'll cut up her jacket for her! Sure I will!
Nikíta. I've turned her out; what more do you want?
Akoulína. She's dirtied my new shawl. If that bitch hadn't gone away, I'd have torn her eyes out!
Nikíta. That's enough. Why should you be angry? Now if I loved her....
Akoulína. Loved her? She's worth loving, with her fat mug! If you'd have given her up, then nothing would have happened. You should have sent her to the devil. And the house was mine all the same, and the money was mine! Says she is the mistress, but what sort of mistress is she to her husband? She's a murderess, that's what she is! She'll serve you the same way!
Nikíta. Oh dear, how's one to stop a woman's jaw? You don't yourself know what you're jabbering about!