Vet. As he did her mother! Yes.

Cath. You are hardening your heart, Petrovich. [Turns toward icon, crossing herself]

Vera. [Re-entering] Grandmamma! [Stands in door]

Cath. The thread, child.

Vera. O, I forgot. Uliana is in the kitchen.

Cath. [Rising quickly] Uliana!

Vera. It's bad news, I'm afraid. She keeps wiping her eyes pretending she isn't.

Cath. Did she tell you anything?

Vera. No, grandmamma. I couldn't make her.

[Catherine hurries across to kitchen entrance. Vetrova takes up his crutch and hobbles after her]