PETER. Well then—o-oh!… Get out the seed potatoes, and the women will go and sort them.
ANÍSYA [aside] No fear, I'm not going. He's again sending every one away; he must have the money on him now, and wants to hide it somewhere.
PETER. Else … o-oh! when the time comes for planting, they'll all be rotten. Oh, I can't stand it! [Rises].
MATRYÓNA [runs up into the porch and holds Peter up] Shall I help you into the hut?
PETER. Help me in. [Stops] Nikíta!
NIKÍTA [angrily] What now?
PETER. I shan't see you again … I'll die to-day.… Forgive me,[3] for Christ's sake, forgive me if I have ever sinned against you … If I have sinned in word or deed … There's been all sorts of things. Forgive me!
NIKÍTA. What's there to forgive? I'm a sinner myself.
MATRYÓNA. Ah, sonnie, have some feeling.
PETER. Forgive me, for Christ's sake. [Weeps].