BUBNOFF [to Luka] Leave them alone! What do we care if they twist each other’s tails?
LUKA [peacefully] I meant no harm. All I said was that if a man isn’t good to you, then he’s acting wrong . . .
MIEDVIEDIEFF [uncomprehending] Now then—we all of us here know each other—but you—who are you? [Frowns and exit]
LUKA. The cavalier is peeved! Oh-ho, brothers, I see your affairs are a bit tangled up!
PEPEL. He’ll run to complain about us to Vassilisa . . .
BUBNOFF. You’re a fool, Vassily. You’re very bold these days, aren’t you? Watch out! It’s all right to be bold when you go gathering mushrooms, but what good is it here? They’ll break your neck before you know it!
PEPEL. Well—not as fast as all that! You don’t catch us Yaroslavl boys napping! If it’s going to be war, we’ll fight . . .
LUKA. Look here, boy, you really ought to go away from here—
PEPEL. Where? Please tell me!
LUKA. Go to Siberia!