Redemption and two other plays Part 45

He can't do me no harm! There, put that in your pipe!

NIKiTA (crossing himself). True enough! What was I about?

[Throws down the rope.

MiTRITCH. What?

NIKiTA (rises). You tell me not to fear men?

MiTRITCH. Why fear such muck as they are? You look at 'em in the bath-house! All made of one paste! One has a bigger belly, another a smaller; that's all the difference there is! Fancy being afraid of 'em! Deuce take 'em!

MATRYoNA (from the yard). Well, are you coming?

NIKiTA. Ah! Better so! I'm coming!

[Goes towards yard.

SCENE II

Interior of hut, full of people, some sitting round tables and others standing. In the front corner AKOULiNA and the BRIDEGROOM. On one of the tables an Icon and a loaf of rye-bread. Among the visitors are MARiNA, her husband, and a POLICE OFFICER, also a HIRED DRIVER, the MATCHMAKER, and the BEST MAN. The women are singing. ANiSYA carries round the drink. The singing stops.

THE DRIVER. If we are to go, let's go! The church ain't so near.

THE BEST MAN. All right; you wait a bit till the step-father has given his blessing. But where is he?

ANiSYA. He is coming--coming at once, dear friends! Have another gla.s.s, all of you; don't refuse!

THE MATCHMAKER. Why is he so long? We've been waiting such a time!

ANiSYA. He's coming; coming directly, coming in no time! He'll be here before one could plait a girl's hair who's had her hair cropped!

Drink, friends! (Offers the drink.) Coming at once! Sing again, my pets, meanwhile!

THE DRIVER. They've sung all their songs, waiting here!

[The women sing. NIKiTA and AKiM enter during the singing.

NIKiTA (holds his father's arm and pushes him in before him). Go, father; I can't do without you!

AKiM. I don't like--I mean what d'ye call it....

NIKiTA (to the women). Enough! Be quiet! (Looks round the hut.) Marina, are you there?

THE MATCHMAKER. Go, take the icon, and give them your blessing!

NIKiTA. Wait a while! (Looks round.) Akoulina, are you there?

MATCHMAKER. What are you calling everybody for? Where should she be?

How queer he seems!

ANiSYA. Gracious goodness! Why, he's barefoot!

NIKiTA. Father, you are here! Look at me! Christian Commune, you are all here, and I am here! I am....

[Falls on his knees.

ANiSYA. Nikita, darling, what's the matter with you? Oh, my head, my head!

MATCHMAKER. Here's a go!

MATRYoNA. I did say he was taking too much of that French wine! Come to your senses; what are you about?

[They try to lift him; he takes no heed of them, but looks in front of him.

NIKiTA. Christian Commune! I have sinned, and I wish to confess!

MATRYoNA (shakes him by the shoulder). Are you mad? Dear friends, he's gone crazy! He must be taken away!

NIKiTA (shakes her off). Leave me alone! And you, father, hear me! And first, Marina, look here! (Bows to the ground to her and rises.) I have sinned towards you! I promised to marry you, I tempted you, and forsook you! Forgive me, in Christ's name!

[Again bows to the ground before her.

ANiSYA. And what are you drivelling about? It's not becoming! No one wants to know! Get up! It's like your impudence!

MATRYoNA. Oh, oh, he's bewitched! And however did it happen? It's a spell! Get up! what nonsense are you jabbering?

[Pulls him.

NIKiTA (shakes his head). Don't touch me! Forgive me my sin towards you, Marina! Forgive me, for Christ's sake!

[MARiNA covers her face with her hands in silence.

ANiSYA. Get up, I tell you! Don't be so impudent! What are you thinking about--to recall it? Enough humbug! It's shameful! Oh my poor head! He's quite crazy!

NIKiTA (pushes his wife away and turns to AKOULiNA). Akoulina, now I'll speak to you! Listen, Christian Commune! I'm a fiend, Akoulina! I have sinned against you! Your father died no natural death! He was poisoned!

ANiSYA (screams). Oh my head! What's he about?

MATRYoNA. The man's beside himself! Lead him away!

[The folk come up and try to seize him.

AKiM (motions them back with his arms). Wait! You lads, what d'ye call it, wait, I mean!

NIKiTA. Akoulina, I poisoned him! Forgive me, in Christ's name!

AKOULiNA (jumps up). He's telling lies! I know who did it!

MATCHMAKER. What are you about? You sit still!