Spir. They have arrested many suspicious people. All those who have no passports are being sent away to Siberia.
Fomá. Ah! poor creatures! [A patrol of soldiers passes the window quietly].
Spir. Why should you say "poor creatures"? If they were honest men they would not be without passports. Good-evening.
Fomá. Wait till they have gone.
Spir. We honest men have nothing to fear from them. Good-evening. I will return again in an hour. [Exit Spiridón.]
Fomá. How glad Praskóvya will be.
Ast. Say nothing of this to any one. We will keep it as a surprise.
[Enter Varvára.]
Fomá. Varvára, my pretty child, fetch the bottle of vodka from my room.
Var. Vodka in here? Praskóvya Petróvna will be angry.