KONDRATY
I am sorry for the ikon. They say it appeared miraculously in the river, and that's how it came to be here.
SAVVA
Nonsense. Don't waste your feelings. It's supposed to be a wonder-working ikon and hasn't one miracle to its credit. Why, it makes one feel like a fool just to say it.
KONDRATY
They say it has been replaced by the devil, so that it isn't the real one.
SAVVA
So much the better. And yet you crack your heads in front of it and fool the people about it. There is no use wasting words, my friend. It's agreed then.
KONDRATY
You have to go now. The gate will soon be closed. And all of a sudden—