Labourer takes a balaláyka[1] and plays. Peasant and Wife dance.
LABOURER [plays in the foreground of the scene, laughing and winking as he watches them. Then he leaves off playing, but they still continue to dance] You'll pay for that crust! You've done it now, my fine fellows. They'll never get out of it. The Chief can come when he likes now!
Enter a fresh-looking elderly woman, and a very old white-haired man, the Peasant's Grandfather.
GRANDFATHER. What's the matter? Have you gone mad? Dancing while every one else is at work!
WIFE [dances and claps her hands] Oh—Oh—Oh— [Sings]
“That I'm sinning I will own,
Free from sin is God alone!”
OLD WOMAN. Oh, you wretch! The oven's not cleaned out yet, and here you are dancing!
PEASANT. Wait a bit, mother. See what has been happening here. We can make old people young again! Here you are! Just drink this! [Passes tumbler].
OLD WOMAN. There's plenty of water in the well. [Smells it] But what have you put in? My—what a smell!
PEASANT. You just drink it.