The Power of Darkness Part 8

G.o.d forbid he should find out about the powders. The Lord only knows what he would do. He's so tender-hearted. D'you know, he usen't to be able to kill a chicken. Don't tell him. 'Twould be a fine go, he wouldn't understand things. [Stops horror-struck as Peter appears in the doorway].

PETER [holding on to the wall, creeps out into the porch and calls with a faint voice] How's it one can't make you hear? Oh, oh, Anisya! Who's there? [Drops on the bench].

ANiSYA [steps from behind the corner] Why have you come out? You should have stayed where you were lying.

PETER. Has the girl gone for Martha? It's very hard.... Oh, if only death would come quicker!

ANiSYA. She had no time. I sent her to the river. Wait a bit, I'll go myself when I'm ready.

PETER. Send Nan. Where's she? Oh, I'm that bad! Oh, death's at hand!

ANiSYA. I've sent for her already.

PETER. Oh dear! Then where is she?

ANiSYA. Where's she got to, the plague seize her!

PETER. Oh, dear! I can't bear it. All my inside's on fire. It's as if a gimlet were boring me. Why have you left me as if I were a dog?... no one to give me a drink.... Oh ... send Nan to me.

ANiSYA. Here she is. Nan, go to father.

Nan runs in. Anisya goes behind the corner of the house.

PETER. Go you. Oh ... to Aunt Martha, tell her father wants her; say she's to come, I want her.

NAN. All right.

PETER. Wait a bit. Tell her she's to come quick. Tell her I'm dying.

O-oh!

NAN. I'll just get my shawl and be off. [Runs off].

MATRYoNA [winking] Now then, mind and look sharp, la.s.s. Go into the hut, hunt about everywhere, like a dog that's hunting for fleas: look under everything, and I'll search him.

ANiSYA [to Matryona] I feel a bit bolder, somehow, now you're here.

[Goes up to porch. To Peter] Hadn't I better light the samovar? Here's Mother Matryona come to see her son; you'll have a cup of tea with her?

PETER. Well then, light it. [Anisya goes into the house. Matryona comes up to the porch].

PETER. How do you do?

MATRYoNA [bowing] How d'you do, my benefactor; how d'you do, my precious ... still ill, I see. And my old man, he's that sorry! "Go," says he, "see how he's getting on." He sends his respects to you. [Bows again].

PETER. I'm dying.

MATRYoNA. Ah yes, Peter Ignat.i.tch, now I look at you I see, as the saying has it, "Sickness lives where men live." You've shrivelled, shrivelled, all to nothing, poor dear, now I come to look at you. Seems illness does not add to good looks.

PETER. My last hour has come.

MATRYoNA. Oh well, Peter Ignat.i.tch, it's G.o.d's will you know, you've had communion, and you'll have unction, G.o.d willing. Your missus is a wise woman, the Lord be thanked; she'll give you a good burial, and have prayers said for your soul, all most respectable! And my son, he'll look after things meanwhile.

PETER. There'll be no one to manage things! She's not steady. Has her head full of folly--why, I know all about it, I know. And my girl is silly and young. I've got the homestead together, and there's no one to attend to things. One can't help feeling it. [Whimpers].

MATRYoNA. Why, if it's money, or something, you can leave orders.

PETER [to Anisya inside the house] Has Nan gone?

MATRYoNA [aside] There now, he's remembered!

ANiSYA [from inside] She went then and there. Come inside, won't you?

I'll help you in.

PETER. Let me sit here a bit for the last time. The air's so stuffy inside. Oh, how bad I feel! Oh, my heart's burning.... Oh, if death would only come.

MATRYoNA. If G.o.d don't take a soul, the soul can't go out. Death and life are in G.o.d's will, Peter Ignat.i.tch. You can't be sure of death either. Maybe you'll recover yet. There was a man in our village just like that, at the very point of death ...

PETER. No, I feel I shall die to-day, I feel it. [Leans back and shuts his eyes].

ANiSYA [enters] Well now, are you coming in or not? You do keep one waiting. Peter! eh, Peter!

MATRYoNA [steps aside and beckons to Anisya with her finger] Well?

ANiSYA [comes down the porch steps] Not there.

MATRYoNA. But have you searched everywhere? Under the floor?

ANiSYA. No, it's not there either. In the shed perhaps; he was rummaging there yesterday.

MATRYoNA. Go, search, search for all you're worth. Go all over everywhere, as if you licked with your tongue! But I see he'll die this very day, his nails are turning blue and his face looks earthy. Is the samovar ready?

ANiSYA. Just on the boil.

NIKiTA [comes from the other side, if possible on horseback, up to the gate, and does not see Peter. To Matryona] How d'you do, mother, is all well at home?

MATRYoNA. The Lord be thanked, we're all alive and have a crust to bite.

NIKiTA. Well, and how's master?

MATRYoNA. Hush, there he sits. [Points to porch].

NIKiTA. Well, let him sit. What's it to me?

PETER [opens his eyes] Nikita, I say, Nikita, come here! [Nikita approaches. Anisya and Matryona whisper together].

PETER. Why have you come back so early?

NIKiTA. I've finished ploughing.

PETER. Have you done the strip beyond the bridge?