KOSTILYOFF. Don’t coin wise sayings! Don’t give me riddles! I’m as clever as you . . . what’s the difference—people and men?
LUKA. What riddle is there? I say—there’s sterile and there’s fertile ground . . . whatever you sow in it, grows . . . that’s all . . .
KOSTILYOFF. What do you mean?
LUKA. Take yourself for instance . . . if the Lord God himself said to you: “Mikhailo, be a man!”—it would be useless—nothing would come of it—you’re doomed to remain just as you are . . .
KOSTILYOFF. Oh—but do you realize that my wife’s uncle is a policeman, and that if I . . .
VASSILISA [coming in] Mikhail Ivanitch—come and have your tea . . .
KOSTILYOFF [to Luka] You listen! Get out! You leave this place—hear?
VASSILISA. Yes—get out, old man! Your tongue’s too long! And—who knows—you may be an escaped convict . . .
KOSTILYOFF. If I ever see sign of you again after to-day—well—I’ve warned you!
LUKA. You’ll call your uncle, eh? Go on—call him! Tell him you’ve caught an escaped convict—and maybe uncle’ll get a reward—perhaps all of three kopecks . . .