Opening of the book
Dramatis Personae
Peter Ignátitch. A well-to-do peasant, forty-two years old, married for the second time, and sickly
Anísya. His wife, thirty-two years old, fond of dress
Akoulína. Peter’s daughter by his first marriage, sixteen years old, hard of hearing, mentally undeveloped
Nan (Anna Petróvna). His daughter by his second marriage, ten years old
Nikíta. Their labourer, twenty-five years old, fond of dress
Akím. Nikíta’s father, fifty years old, a plain-looking, God-fearing peasant
Matryóna. His wife and Nikíta’s mother, fifty years old
Marína. An orphan girl, twenty-two years old
Martha. Peter’s sister
Mítritch. An old labourer, ex-soldier
Simon. Marína’s husband
Bridegroom. Engaged to Akoulína
Iván. His father
A neighbour
First girl
Second girl
Police officer
Driver
Best man
Matchmaker
Village elder
Visitors, women, girls, and people come to see the wedding
N.B. —The “oven” mentioned is the usual large, brick, Russian baking-oven. The top of it outside is flat, so that more than one person can lie on it.
Act I
The Act takes place in autumn in a large village. The Scene represents Pŧǵŧǡ’Ǫ roomy hut. Pŧǵŧǡ is sitting on a wooden bench, mending a horse-collar. AƿƘǪΏĵ and AƫLjǼƯƘƿĵ are spinning, and singing a part-song.
Pŧǵŧǡ
(Looking out of the window.) The horses have got loose again. If we don’t look out they’ll be killing the colt. Nikíta! Hey, Nikíta!
Is the fellow deaf? (Listens. To the women.) Shut up, one can’t hear anything.
NƗƫƘǵĵ
(From outside.) What?
Pŧǵŧǡ
Drive the horses in.
NƗƫƘǵĵ
We’ll drive ’em in. All in good time.
Pŧǵŧǡ
(Shaking his head.) Ah, these labourers! If I were well, I’d not keep one on no account. There’s nothing but bother with ’em.
(Rises and sits down again.) Nikíta! … It’s no good shouting. One of you’d better go. Go, Akoúl, drive ’em in.
LjǼƯƘƿĵ
What? The horses?
Pŧǵŧǡ
What else?
LjǼƯƘƿĵ
All right. (Exit.)
Pŧǵŧǡ
Ah, but he’s a loafer, that lad … no good at all. Won’t stir a finger if he can help it.
Keep listening free
Readnara
