Nikíta. Now stop! Oh, what people! You'd better be quick.... As well be hung for a sheep as a lamb!
[Goes towards the cellar.
Matryóna. Yes, that's just it, honey. If you know how to amuse yourself, you must know how to hide the consequences.
Anísya (still excited). He's trampled on me ... he and his slut! But it's enough! I'm not going to be the only one! Let him also be a murderer! Then he'll know how it feels!
Matryóna. There, there! How she flares up! Don't you be cross, lass, but do things quietly little by little, as it's best. You go to the girl, and he'll do the work.
[Follows NIKÍTA to the cellar with a lantern. He descends into the cellar.
Anísya. And I'll make him strangle his dirty brat! (Still excited.) I've worried myself to death all alone, with Peter's bones weighing on my mind! Let him feel it too! I'll not spare myself; I've said I'll not spare myself!
Nikíta (from the cellar). Show a light!
Matryóna (holds up the lantern to him. To ANÍSYA). He's digging. Go and bring it.
Anísya. You stay with him, or he'll go away, the wretch! And I'll go and bring it.