[Again bows to the ground before her.
Anísya. And what are you drivelling about? It's not becoming! No one wants to know! Get up! It's like your impudence!
Matryóna. Oh, oh, he's bewitched! And however did it happen? It's a spell! Get up! what nonsense are you jabbering?
[Pulls him.
Nikíta (shakes his head). Don't touch me! Forgive me my sin towards you, Marína! Forgive me, for Christ's sake!
[MARÍNA covers her face with her hands in silence.
Anísya. Get up, I tell you! Don't be so impudent! What are you thinking about—to recall it? Enough humbug! It's shameful! Oh my poor head! He's quite crazy!
Nikíta (pushes his wife away and turns to AKOULÍNA). Akoulína, now I'll speak to you! Listen, Christian Commune! I'm a fiend, Akoulína! I have sinned against you! Your father died no natural death! He was poisoned!
Anísya (screams). Oh my head! What's he about?
Matryóna. The man's beside himself! Lead him away!