[Enter NIKÍTA, followed by MATRYÓNA.
Nikíta. What have they done with me? What have they done with me?
Matryóna. Have a drop, honey; have a drop of drink! What's the matter?
[Fetches the spirits and sets the bottle before him.
Nikíta. Give it here! Perhaps the drink will help me!
Matryóna. Mind! They're not asleep! Here you are, have a drop!
Nikíta. What does it all mean? Why did you plan it? You might have taken it somewhere!
Matryóna (whispers). Sit still a bit and drink a little more, or have a smoke. It will ease your thoughts!
Nikíta. My own mother! My turn seems to have come! How it began to whimper, and how the little bones crunched ... krr.... I'm not a man now!
Matryóna. Eh, now, what's the use of talking so silly! Of course it does seem fearsome at night, but wait till the daylight comes, and a day or two passes, and you'll forget to think of it!