PEPEL. A thief whom you were never able to catch!
MIEDVIEDIEFF. Wait—I’ll catch you yet—you’ll see—sooner than you think!
PEPEL. If you catch me, God help your whole nest! Do you think I’ll keep quiet before the examining magistrate? Every wolf howls! They’ll ask me: “Who made you steal and showed you where?” “Mishka Kostilyoff and his wife!” “Who was your fence?” “Mishka Kostilyoff and his wife!”
MIEDVIEDIEFF. You lie! No one will believe you!
PEPEL. They’ll believe me all right—because it’s the truth! And I’ll drag you into it, too. Ha! I’ll ruin the lot of you—devils—just watch!
MIEDVIEDIEFF [confused] You lie! You lie! And what harm did I do to you, you mad dog?
PEPEL. And what good did you ever do me?
LUKA. That’s right!
MIEDVIEDIEFF [to Luka] Well—what are you croaking about? Is it any of your business? This is a family matter!