Ast. There is no lie in it. Praskóvya's idea and Sasha's life are two independent things. A statement of fact may be true or false; but an idea need only be clear and definite. That is all that matters. [There is a tapping at the door; the latch is lifted, and the Stranger peeps in.] Come in, come in!
[Enter the Stranger, ragged and degraded. He looks about the room, dazed by the light, and fixes his attention on Astéryi.]
Who are you? What do you want?
Stranger. I came to speak to you.
Ast. To speak to me?
Fomá. Take off your cap. Do you not see the eikons?
Ast. What do you want with me?
Stranger. Only a word, Astéryi Ivanovitch.
Ast. How have you learnt my name?
Fomá. Do you know the man?