SATINE. Because a man can die only once!
THE ACTOR [after a silence] I don’t understand—
KLESHTCH. Say! You crawl from that stove—and start cleaning house! Don’t play the delicate primrose!
THE ACTOR. None of your business!
KLESHTCH. Wait till Vassilisa comes—she’ll show you whose business it is!
THE ACTOR. To hell with Vassilisa! To-day is the Baron’s turn to clean. . . . Baron!
[The Baron comes from the kitchen.]
THE BARON. I’ve no time to clean . . . I’m going to market with Kvashnya.
THE ACTOR. That doesn’t concern me. Go to the gallows if you like. It’s your turn to sweep the floor just the same—I’m not going to do other people’s work . . .
THE BARON. Go to blazes! Nastya will do it. Hey there—fatal love! Wake up! [Takes the book away from Nastya]