[ANÍSYA, who has stood all the time by the door, silently makes way for him.
Matryóna. Go, go, honey, and I'll set to work! I'll go down myself and dig! Where has he thrown the spade to? (Finds the spade, and goes down into the cellar.) Anísya, come here! Hold the light, will you?
Anísya. And what of him?
Matryóna. He's so frightened! You've been too hard with him. Leave him alone, he'll come to his senses. God help him! I'll set to work myself. Put the lantern down here. I can see.
[MATRYÓNA disappears into the cellar.
Anísya. (looking towards the door by which Nikíta entered the hut). Well, have you had enough spree? You've been puffing yourself up, but now you'll know how it feels! You'll lose some of your bluster!
Nikíta (rushes out of the hut towards the cellar). Mother! Mother, I say!
Matryóna (puts out her head). What is it, sonny?
Nikíta (listening) Don't bury it, it's alive? Don't you hear? Alive! There—it's whimpering! There ... quite plain!
Matryóna. How can it whimper? Why, you've flattened it into a pancake! The whole head is smashed to bits!