LIPA

But who will do it?  Who’s going to destroy everything?

SAVVA

I.

LIPA

You?

SAVVA

Yes, I. I’ll begin, and then, when people get to understand what I am after, others will join in.  The work will proceed merrily, Lipa.  The sky will be hot.  Yes.  The only thing not worth destroying is science.  That would be useless.  Science is unchangeable, and if, you destroyed it to-day, it would rise up again the same as before.

LIPA

How much blood will have to be shed?  Why, it’s horrible!

SAVVA

No more than has been shed already—­and there’ll be rhyme and reason to it, at least. (Pause; the hens cluck in the yard; from the same direction comes Tony’s sleepy voice:  “Polya, father wants you.  Where did you put his cap?”)

LIPA

What a scheme!  Are you not joking, Savva?

SAVVA

You make me sick with your “you are joking, you are joking.”

LIPA

I am afraid of you, Savva.  You are so serious about it.

SAVVA

Yes, there are many people who are afraid of me.

LIPA

If you would only smile a little.

SAVVA (looking at her with wide-open eyes and a frank face, and breaking abruptly into a clear, ringing laugh) Oh, you funny girl, what should I be smiling for?  I’d rather laugh. (Both laugh) Are you afraid of tickling?

LIPA

Stop it!  What a boy you are still!

SAVVA

All right.  And Kondraty, isn’t here yet.  I wonder why.  Do you think the devil has taken him?  The devil is fond of monks, you know.

LIPA

What strange fancies you have.  Why, now you are joking—­

SAVVA (somewhat surprised)

They are not fancies.

LIPA

My fancies are different.  You are a dear now, because you talk to me.  In the evening I’ll tell you all about myself.  We’ll take a walk together, and I’ll tell you everything.

SAVVA

Very well, I’ll listen.  Why shouldn’t I?

LIPA