Pras. Astéryi Ivanovitch, you know the proverb—the elbow is near, but you cannot bite it. I am old and feeble. I want it now, now, now. Shall I outlive the bitter winter? A shelter to sit in and talk to my son. A monument worthy of such a saint.
Ast. Spiridón has been here.
Pras. Spiridón has been here? What did he say? Tell me!
Ast. He will build it for 400 roubles.
Var. For 400 roubles!
Ast. He will return soon to strike a bargain.
Pras. Is it true?
Ast. As true as that I wear the cross.
Pras. Oh, all the holy saints be praised! Sláva Tebyé Hóspodi! [Kneeling before the eikons.] Oh, my darling Sasha, we will meet in a fine house, you and I, face to face. [She prostrates herself three times before the eikons.]
Var. Then this is the good luck.