LIPA

Oh, nonsense.

PELAGUEYA

You are the only, one who doesn’t know it.  Everybody else knows it.

LIPA

Oh, Lord!

YEGOR

Well, about the Lord we know better than you.  You needn’t appeal to Him.  I want you to tell Savva that I am not afraid of him.  He didn’t strike the right person.  I’ll just make him skip.  I’ll turn him out.  Let him go where he came from.  The idea of my having to be responsible for his robberies.  Who’s ever heard of such a thing?

LIPA

You are not quite wide awake, father, that’s what’s the matter with you.

YEGOR

I am wide awake all right, and have been for a long time.  What I’d like to know is, are you wide awake?  Look out, Lipa, don’t let it happen to you too.

LIPA

What?

YEGOR

It. (He yawns and crosses himself) If mother were to rise from her grave now and see her children, she would be delighted.  Fine children, she would say.  I have nursed you, and brought you up, and what’s the result?  Regular good-for-nothing scamps.  Tony’ll soon begin to drink again.  I can see it on his face.  Who’s ever heard of such a thing?  People will soon be coming here for the feast-day, and I’ll have to work alone for the whole bunch.  Polya, hand me that match from the floor—­there.  No, not there, you blind goose.  There, you stupid.

PELAGUEYA (hunting for the match)

I don’t see it.

YEGOR

I’ll take you by the back of your neck and give you such a shaking that you’ll see mighty quick.  There it is, damn you!

LIPA (faint)

Oh, God, what a blistering heat!

YEGOR

There it is.  Where are you crawling?  Under the chair.  There, damn you!

SAVVA (enters gayly, the pocket of his blouse full of jackstones) I won six pair.

YEGOR

Well, the idea!

SAVVA

I finished that rascal Misha, cleared him all up.  What are you mumbling about there?

YEGOR

Nothing.  Only I wish you’d address me a little more politely.

SAVVA (paying no attention to him)

Lipa, I won six pair.

LIPA