Redemption and two other plays

by graf Leo Tolstoy

Tánya. They've scraped their shoes, and I'll wipe the floor up afterwards. (To PEASANTS.) Here, stand just here.

[PEASANTS come forward, carrying presents tied in cotton handkerchiefs: cake, eggs and embroidered towels. They look around for an icón before which to cross themselves; not finding one, they cross themselves, looking at the staircase.

Gregory (to THEODORE IVÁNITCH). There now, Theodore Ivánitch, they say Pironnet's boots are an elegant shape. But those there are ever so much better.

[Pointing to the third PEASANT'S bast shoes.

Theodore Ivánitch. Why will you always be ridiculing people?

[Exit GREGORY.

Theodore Ivánitch (rises and goes up to the PEASANTS). So you are from Koursk? And have come to arrange about buying some land?

First Peasant. Just so. We might say, it is for the completion of the purchase of the land we have come. How could we announce ourselves to the master?

Theodore Ivánitch. Yes, yes, I know. You wait a bit and I'll go and inform him.

[Exit.