MÍTRITCH. What d'you think? Got it all as it should be, and covered everything with straw! I don't like doing things by halves! Oh Lord! holy Nicholas! [Picks at the corns on his hands] But it's time he was back.
ANÍSYA. What need has he to hurry? He's got money. Merry-making with that girl, I daresay …
MÍTRITCH. Why shouldn't one make merry if one has the money? And why did Akoulína go to town?
ANÍSYA. You'd better ask her. How do I know what the devil took her there!
MÍTRITCH. What! to town? There's all sorts of things to be got in town if one's got the means. Oh Lord!
NAN. Mother, I heard myself. “I'll get you a little shawl,” he says, blest if he didn't; “you shall choose it yourself,” he says. And she got herself up so fine; she put on her velveteen coat and the French shawl.
ANÍSYA. Really, a girl's modesty reaches only to the door. Step over the threshold and it's forgotten. She is a shameless creature.
MÍTRITCH. Oh my! What's the use of being ashamed? While there's plenty of money make merry. Oh Lord! It is too soon to have supper, eh? [Anísya does not answer] I'll go and get warm meanwhile. [Climbs on the stove] Oh Lord! Blessed Virgin Mother! holy Nicholas!
NEIGHBOUR [enters] Seems your goodman's not back yet?
ANÍSYA. No.