MIEDVIEDIEFF [running after] Stop—give back my whistle!
KOSTILYOFF [runs in] Abram! Stop him! Hold him! He’s a murderer—he . . .
[Enter Kvashnya and Nastya supporting Natasha who is disheveled. Satine backs away, pushing away Vassilisa who is trying to attack her sister, while, near her, Alyoshka jumps up and down like a madman, whistles into her ear, shrieking, roaring. Also other ragged men and women.]
SATINE [to Vassilisa] Well—you damned bitch!
VASSILISA. Let go, you jail-bird! I’ll tear you to pieces—if I have to pay for it with my own life!
KVASHNYA [leading Natasha aside] You—Karpovna—that’s enough—stand back—aren’t you ashamed? Or are you crazy?
MIEDVIEDIEFF [seizes Satine] Aha—caught at last!
SATINE. Zob—beat them up! Vaska—Vaska . . .
[They all, in a chaotic mass, struggle near the brick wall. They lead Natasha to the right, and set her on a pile of wood. Pepel rushes in from the hallway and, silently, with powerful movements, pushes the crowd aside.]