PEPEL. May my hand wither if ever I touch you!
LUKA. Don’t doubt him, dear! He needs you more than you need him!
VASSILISA [from the window] So now they’re engaged! Love and advice!
NATASHA. They’ve come back—oh, God—they saw—oh, Vassily . . .
PEPEL. Why are you frightened? Nobody’ll dare touch you now!
VASSILISA. Don’t be afraid, Natalia! He won’t beat you . . . he don’t know how to love or how to beat . . . I know!
LUKA [in a low voice] Rotten old hag—like a snake in the grass . . .
VASSILISA. He dares only with the word!
KOSTILYOFF [enters] Natashka! What are you doing here, you parasite? Gossiping? Kicking about your family? And the samovar not ready? And the table not cleared?