,ACT #a 

#ahhfahhf 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,LEO ,TOL/OY 

,TRANSLATOR 3 ,L\ISE ,MAUDE 

,TRANSLATOR 3 ,AYLM] ,MAUDE 

,TEXT 3 

,! ,ACT TAKES PLACE 9 AUTUMN 9 A L>GE VILLAGE4 ,! 
,SC5E REPRES5TS ,PET]'S ROOMY HUT4 ,PET] IS SITT+ ON A WOOD5 
B5*1 M5D+ A HORSE-COLL>4 ,ANISYA & ,AK\L9A >E 
SP9N+1 & S++ A P>T-SONG4 

,P,E,T,] .<LOOK+ \T ( ! W9D[.> ,! HORSES HAVE 
GOT LOOSE AGA94 ,IF WE DON'T LOOK \T !Y'LL BE KILL+ 
! COLT4 ,NIKITA6 ,HEY1 ,NIKITA6 ,IS ! FELL[ DEAF8 
.<,LI/5S4 ,TO ! WOM5.> ,%UT UP1 ONE CAN'T HE> ANY?+4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<FROM \TSIDE.> ,:AT8 

,P,E,T,]4 ,DRIVE ! HORSES 94 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,WE'LL DRIVE 'EM 94 ,ALL 9 GOOD TIME4 

,P,E,T,] .<%AK+ HIS HEAD.> ,AH1 !SE LABOR]S6 ,IF ,I 
W]E WELL1 ,I'D NOT KEEP ONE ON NO ACC\NT4 ,!RE'S 
NO?+ BUT BO!R ) 'EM4 .<,RISES & SITS D[N AGA9.> 
,NIKITA6444 ,IT'S NO GOOD %\T+4 ,ONE ( Y\'D BETT] 
GO4 ,GO1 ,AK\L1 DRIVE 'EM 94 

,A,K,\,L,9,A4 ,:AT8 ,! HORSES8 

,P,E,T,]4 ,:AT ELSE8 

,A,K,\,L,9,A4 ,ALL RI<T4 .<,EXIT.>4 

,P,E,T,]4 ,AH1 BUT HE'S A LOAF]1 ?AT LAD 444 NO GOOD AT 
ALL4 ,WON'T /IR A F+] IF HE CAN HELP IT4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,Y\'RE SO MI<TY BRISK Y\RSELF4 ,:5 Y\'RE 
NOT SPRAWL+ ON ! TOP ( ! OV5 Y\'RE SQUATT+ ON 
! B5*4 ,TO GOAD O!RS TO WORK IS ALL Y\'RE FIT =4 

,P,E,T,]4 ,IF ONE W]5'T TO GOAD Y\ ON A BIT1 ONE'D 
HAVE NO RO( LEFT OV] ONE'S HEAD BE=E ! YE>'S \T4 
,OH :AT PEOPLE6 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,Y\ GO %OV+ A DOZ5 JOBS ON TO ONE'S 
%\LD]S1 & !N DO NO?+ BUT SCOLD4 ,IT'S EASY TO 
LIE ON ! OV5 & GIVE ORD]S4 

,P,E,T,] .<SI<+.> ,OH1 IF 'TW]E NOT = ?IS SICKNESS ?AT'S 
GOT HOLD ( ME1 ,I'D NOT KEEP HIM ON ANO!R DAY4 

,A,K,\,L,9,A .<(F ! SC5E.> ,GEE UP1 GEE1 WOO4 .<,A COLT 
NEI<S1 ! /AMP+ ( HORSES' FEET & ! CREAK+ ( ! GATE 
>E HE>D.>4 

,P,E,T,]4 ,BRAGG+1 ?AT'S :AT HE'S GOOD AT4 ,I'D LIKE TO 
SACK HIM1 ,I W\LD 9DE$4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A .<MIMICK+ HIM.> 0,LIKE TO SACK HIM40 ,Y\ BUCKLE 
TO Y\RSELF1 & !N TALK4 

,A,K,\,L,9,A .<5T]S.> ,IT'S ALL ,I C\LD DO TO DRIVE 'EM 94 
,?AT PIEBALD ALWAYS WILL 444 

,P,E,T,]4 ,& :]E'S ,NIKITA8 

,A,K,\,L,9,A4 ,:]E'S ,NIKITA8 ,:Y1 /&+ \T !RE 
9 ! /REET4 

,P,E,T,]4 ,:AT'S HE /&+ !RE =8 

,A,K,\,L,9,A4 ,:AT'S HE /&+ !RE =8 ,HE /&S 
!RE JABB]+4 

,P,E,T,]4 ,ONE CAN'T GET ANY S5SE \T ( H]6 ,:O'S HE 
JABB]+ )8 

,A,K,\,L,9,A .<DOES NOT HE>.> ,EH1 :AT8 

,PET] WAVES H] (F4 ,%E SITS D[N TO H] SP9N+4 

,N,A,A,N .<RUNN+ 9 TO H] MO!R.> ,NIKITA'S FA!R & 
MO!R HAVE COME4 ,!Y'RE GO+ TO TAKE HIM AWAY4 
,IT'S TRUE6 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,NONS5SE6 

,N,A,A,N4 ,YES4 ,BLE/ IF !Y'RE NOT6 .<,LAU<+.> ,I WAS 
JU/ GO+ BY1 & ,NIKITA1 HE SAYS1 0,GOOD-BYE1 ,ANNA 
,PETROVNA10 HE SAYS1 0Y\ MU/ COME & DANCE AT MY 
W$D+4 ,I'M LEAV+ Y\10 HE SAYS1 & LAU<S4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A .<TO H] HUSB&.> ,!RE N[4 ,MU* HE C>ES4 ,Y\ 
SEE1 HE WANTS TO LEAVE ( HIMSELF4 0,SACK HIM0 9DE$6 

,P,E,T,]4 ,WELL1 LET HIM GO4 ,JU/ AS IF ,I C\LDN'T F9D 
SOMEBODY ELSE4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,& :AT AB\T ! MONEY HE'S HAD 9 ADVANCE8 

,NAAN /&S LI/5+ AT ! DOOR = A:ILE1 & !N EXIT4 

,P,E,T,] .<FR[N+.> ,! MONEY8 ,WELL1 HE CAN WORK IT 
(F 9 SUMM]1 ANYH[4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,WELL1 ( C\RSE Y\'LL BE GLAD IF HE GOES & 
Y\'VE NOT GOT TO FE$ HIM4 ,IT'S ONLY ME AS'LL HAVE TO 
WORK LIKE A HORSE ALL ! W9T]4 ,?AT LASS ( Y\RS 
ISN'T OV] FOND ( WORK EI!R4 ,& Y\'LL BE LY+ UP ON 
! OV54 ,I KN[ Y\4 

,P,E,T,]4 ,:AT'S ! GOOD ( WE>+ \T ONE'S TONGUE 
BE=E ONE HAS ! HANG ( ! MATT]8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,! Y>D'S FULL ( CATTLE4 ,Y\'VE NOT SOLD ! 
C[1 & HAVE KEPT ALL ! %EEP = ! W9T]3 FE$+ 
& WAT]+ 'EM ALONE TAKES ALL ONE'S TIME1 & Y\ 
WANT TO SACK ! LABOR]4 ,BUT ,I TELL Y\ /RAI<T1 ,I'M NOT 
GO+ TO DO A MAN'S WORK6 ,I'LL GO & LIE ON ! TOP ( 
! OV5 SAME AS Y\1 & LET EV]Y?+ GO TO POT6 
,Y\ MAY DO :AT Y\ LIKE4 

,P,E,T,] .<TO ,AK\L9A.> ,GO & SEE AB\T ! FE$+1 
WILL Y\8 IT'S TIME4 

,A,K,\,L,9,A4 ,! FE$+8 ,ALL RI<T4 .<,PUTS ON A COAT 
& TAKES A ROPE.>4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,I'M NOT GO+ TO WORK = Y\4 ,Y\ GO & 
WORK Y\RSELF4 ,I'VE HAD 5\< ( IT1 SO !RE6 

,P,E,T,]4 ,?AT'LL DO4 ,:AT >E Y\ RAV+ AB\T8 ,LIKE 
A %EEP ) ! /AGG]S6 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,Y\'RE A CRAZY CUR1 Y\ >E6 ,ONE GETS NEI!R 
WORK NOR PLEASURE FROM Y\4 ,EAT+ Y\R FILL1 ?AT'S ALL 
Y\ DO1 Y\ PALSI$ CUR1 Y\6 

,P,E,T,] .<SPITS & PUTS ON COAT.> ,FAU<6 ,! ,LORD HAVE 
M]CY6 ,I'D BETT] GO MYSELF & SEE :AT'S UP4 .<,EXIT.>4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A .<AFT] HIM.> ,SCURVY LONG-NOS$ DEVIL6 

,A,K,\,L,9,A4 ,:AT >E Y\ SWE>+ AT DAD =8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,HOLD Y\R NOISE1 Y\ IDIOT6 

,A,K,\,L,9,A .<GO+ TO ! DOOR.> ,I KN[ :Y Y\'RE SWE>+ 
AT HIM4 ,Y\'RE AN IDIOT Y\RSELF1 Y\ BIT*4 ,I'M NOT 
AFRAID ( Y\4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,:AT DO Y\ MEAN8 .<,JUMPS UP & LOOKS R\ND 
= SOME?+ TO HIT H] ).> ,M9D1 OR ,I'LL GIVE Y\ ONE 
) ! POK]4 

,A,K,\,L,9,A .<OP5+ ! DOOR.> ,BIT*6 DEVIL6 ?AT'S :AT 
Y\ >E6 ,DEVIL6 BIT*6 BIT*6 DEVIL6 .<,RUNS (F.>4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A .<POND]S.> 0,COME & DANCE AT MY W$D+60 
,:AT NEW PLAN IS ?IS8 ,M>RY8 ,M9D1 ,NIKITA1 IF ?AT'S 
Y\R 9T5TION1 ,I'LL GO & 444 ,NO1 ,I CAN'T LIVE )\T 
HIM4 ,I WON'T LET HIM GO4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<5T]S1 LOOKS R\ND1 & SEE+ ,ANISYA ALONE 
APPROA*ES QUICKLY4 ,9 A L[ TONE.> ,H]E'S A GO2 ,I'M 9 A 
REGUL> FIX6 ,?AT GOV]NOR ( M9E WANTS TO TAKE ME 
AWAY1--TELLS ME ,I'M TO COME HOME4 ,SAYS QUITE /RAI<T 
,I'M TO M>RY & LIVE AT HOME4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,WELL1 GO & M>RY6 ,:AT'S ?AT TO ME8 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,IS ?AT IT8 ,:Y1 H]E AM ,I RECKON+ H[ 
BE/ TO CONSID] MATT]S1 & JU/ HE> H]6 ,%E TELLS 
ME TO GO & M>RY4 ,:Y'S ?AT8 .<,W9K+.> ,HAS %E 
=GOTT58 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,YES1 GO & M>RY6 ,:AT DO ,I C>E8 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,:AT >E Y\ SPITT+ =8 ,JU/ SEE1 %E WON'T 
EV5 LET ME /ROKE H]4444 ,:AT'S ! MATT]8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,?IS6 ,?AT Y\ WANT TO PLAY ME FALSE4444 ,IF 
Y\ DO1--:Y1 ,I DON'T WANT Y\ EI!R4 ,SO N[ Y\ KN[6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,?AT'LL DO1 ,ANISYA4 ,DO Y\ ?9K ,I'LL =GET 
Y\8 ,NEV] :ILE ,I LIVE6 ,I'LL NOT PLAY Y\ FALSE1 ?AT'S 
FLAT4 ,I'VE BE5 ?9K+ ?AT SUPPOS+ !Y DO GO & 
MAKE ME M>RY1 ,I'D /ILL COME BACK TO Y\4 ,IF ONLY HE 
DON'T MAKE ME LIVE AT HOME4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,MU* NE$ ,I'LL HAVE ( Y\1 ONCE Y\'RE M>RI$4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,!RE'S A GO N[4 ,H[ IS IT POSSIBLE TO GO 
AGA9/ ONE'S FA!R'S WILL8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,YES1 ,I D>ESAY1 %OVE IT ALL ON Y\R FA!R4 
,Y\ KN[ IT'S Y\R [N DO+4 ,Y\'VE LONG BE5 PLOTT+ 
) ?AT SLUT ( Y\RS1 ,M>9A4 ,IT'S %E HAS PUT Y\ UP 
TO IT4 ,%E DIDN'T COME H]E = NO?+ T'O!R DAY4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,M>9A8 ,:AT'S %E TO ME8 ,MU* ,I C>E 
AB\T H]6444 ,PL5TY ( !M BUZZ+ >\ND4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,!N :AT HAS MADE Y\R FA!R COME H]E8 
,IT'S Y\ HAVE TOLD HIM TO4 ,Y\'VE GONE & DECEIV$ ME4 
.<,CRIES.>4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,ANISYA1 DO Y\ BELIEVE 9 A ,GOD OR NOT8 ,I 
NEV] SO MU* AS DREAM$ ( IT4 ,I KN[ NO?+ AT ALL 
AB\T IT4 ,I NEV] EV5 DREAM$ ( IT--?AT'S FLAT6 ,MY OLD 
DAD HAS GOT IT ALL \T ( HIS [N PATE4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,IF Y\ DON'T WI% IT Y\RSELF :O CAN =CE Y\8 
,HE CAN'T DRIVE Y\ LIKE AN ASS4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,WELL1 ,I RECKON IT'S NOT POSSIBLE TO GO AGA9/ 
ONE'S P>5T4 ,BUT IT'S NOT BY MY WI%4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,DON'T Y\ BUDGE1 ?AT'S ALL AB\T IT6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,!RE WAS A FELL[ W\LDN'T BUDGE1 & ! 
VILLAGE ELD] GAVE HIM SU* A HID+4444 ,?AT'S :AT 
IT MI<T COME TO6 ,I'VE NO GREAT WI% = ?AT SORT ( 
?+4 ,!Y SAY IT T\*ES ONE UP4444 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,%UT UP ) Y\R NONS5SE4 ,NIKITA1 LI/5 TO 
ME3 IF Y\ M>RY ?AT ,M>9A ,I DON'T KN[ :AT ,I WON'T 
DO TO MYSELF4444 ,I %ALL LAY H&S ON MYSELF6 ,I HAVE 
S9N$1 ,I HAVE GONE AGA9/ ! LAW1 BUT ,I CAN'T GO BACK 
N[4 ,IF Y\ GO AWAY ,I'LL 444 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,:Y %\LD ,I GO8 ,HAD ,I WANT$ TO GO--,I 
%\LD HAVE GONE LONG AGO4 ,!RE WAS ,IVAN ,SEMYONIT* 
T'O!R DAY--(F]$ ME A PLACE AS HIS COA*MAN4444 
,ONLY FANCY :AT A LIFE ?AT W\LD HAVE BE56 
,BUT ,I DID NOT GO4 ,BECAUSE1 ,I RECKON1 ,I AM GOOD 5\< 
= ANY ONE4 ,N[ IF Y\ DID NOT LOVE ME IT W\LD BE A 
DIFF]5T MATT]4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,YES1 & ?AT'S :AT Y\ %\LD REMEMB]4 
,MY OLD MAN WILL DIE ONE ( !SE F9E DAYS1 ,I'M ?9K+2 
!N WE C\LD COV] \R S91 MAKE IT ALL RI<T & LAWFUL1 
& !N Y\'LL BE MA/] H]E4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,:]E'S ! GOOD ( MAK+ PLANS8 ,:AT DO 
,I C>E8 ,I WORK AS H>D AS IF ,I W]E DO+ IT = MYSELF4 
,MY MA/] LOVES ME1 & HIS MISSUS LOVES ME4 ,& IF 
! W5*ES RUN AFT] ME1 IT'S NOT MY FAULT1 ?AT'S FLAT4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,& Y\'LL LOVE ME8 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<EMBRAC+ H].> ,!RE1 AS Y\ HAVE EV] BE5 
9 MY HE>T 444 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A .<5T]S1 & CROSSES H]SELF A LONG TIME BE=E ! 
ICON4 ,NIKITA & ,ANISYA /EP AP>T.> ,:AT ,I SAW ,I DIDN'T 
P]CEIVE1 :AT ,I HE>D ,I DIDN'T HE>K5 TO4 ,PLAY+ ) 
! LASS1 EH8 ,WELL1--EV5 A CALF WILL PLAY4 ,:Y %\LDN'T 
ONE HAVE SOME FUN :5 ONE'S Y\NG8 ,BUT Y\R MA/] 
IS \T 9 ! Y>D A-CALL+ Y\1 SONNIE4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,I ONLY CAME TO GET ! AX4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,I KN[1 SONNIE1 ,I KN[2 !M SORT ( AXES 
>E MO/LY TO BE F\ND :]E ! WOM5 >E4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .</OOP+ TO PICK UP AX.> ,I SAY1 MO!R1 IS IT TRUE 
Y\ WANT ME TO M>RY8 ,AS ,I RECKON1 ?AT'S QUITE UNNECESS>Y4 
,BESIDES1 ,I'VE GOT NO WI% ?AT WAY4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,EH1 HONEY6 :Y %\LD Y\ M>RY8 ,GO ON 
AS Y\ >E4 ,IT'S ALL ! OLD MAN4 ,Y\'D BETT] GO1 SONNIE1 
WE CAN TALK !SE MATT]S OV] )\T Y\4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,IT'S A QUE] GO6 ,ONE MOM5T ,I'M TO BE M>RI$1 
! NEXT1 NOT4 ,I CAN'T MAKE HEAD OR TAIL ( IT4 .<,EXIT.>4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,:AT'S IT ALL AB\T !N8 ,DO Y\ REALLY WI% 
HIM TO GET M>RI$8 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,EH1 :Y %\LD HE M>RY1 MY JEWEL8 ,IT'S 
ALL NONS5SE1 ALL MY OLD MAN'S DRIVEL4 0,M>RY1 M>RY40 
,BUT HE'S RECKON+ )\T HIS HO/4 ,Y\ KN[ ! 
SAY+1 0,FROM OATS & HAY1 :Y %\LD HORSES /RAY80 
,:5 Y\'VE 5\< & TO SP>E1 :Y LOOK ELSE:]E8 
,& SO 9 ?IS CASE4 .<,W9KS.> ,DON'T ,I SEE :I* WAY ! 
W9D BL[S8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,:]E'S ! GOOD ( MY PRET5D+ TO Y\1 
,MO!R ,MATRYONA8 ,Y\ KN[ ALL AB\T IT4 ,I HAVE 
S9N$4 ,I LOVE Y\R SON4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,DE> ME1 H]E'S NEWS6 ,D'Y\ ?9K ,MO!R 
,MATRYONA DIDN'T KN[8 ,EH1 LASSIE1--,MO!R ,MATRYONA'S 
BE5 GR\ND1 & GR\ND AGA91 GR\ND F9E6 ,?IS MU* 
,I CAN TELL Y\1 MY JEWEL3 ,MO!R ,MATRYONA CAN SEE 
?R\< A BRICK WALL ?REE FEET ?ICK4 ,I KN[ IT ALL1 MY 
JEWEL6 ,I KN[ :AT Y\NG WIVES NE$ SLEEP+ DRAFTS 
=1 SO ,I'VE BR\<T SOME ALONG4 .<,UNTIES A KNOT 9 H] 
H&K]*IEF & BR+S \T PAP]-PACKETS.> ,AS MU* AS IS 
WANT$1 ,I SEE1 & :AT'S NOT WANT$ ,I NEI!R SEE NOR 
P]CEIVE6 ,!RE6 ,MO!R ,MATRYONA HAS ALSO BE5 Y\NG4 
,I HAD TO KN[ A ?+ OR TWO TO LIVE ) MY OLD FOOL4 ,I 
KN[ SEV5TY-&-SEV5 DODGES4 ,BUT ,I SEE Y\R OLD 
MAN'S QUITE SE$Y1 QUITE SE$Y6 ,H['S ONE TO LIVE ) 
SU* AS HIM8 ,:Y1 IF Y\ PRICK$ HIM ) A HAY-=K 
IT W\LDN'T FET* BLOOD4 ,SEE IF Y\ DON'T BURY HIM BE=E 
! SPR+4 ,!N Y\'LL NE$ SOME ONE 9 ! H\SE4 
,WELL1 :AT'S WRONG ) MY SON8 ,HE'LL DO AS WELL AS 
ANO!R4 ,!N :]E'S ! ADVANTAGE ( MY TAK+ HIM 
AWAY FROM A GOOD PLACE8 ,AM ,I MY *ILD'S 5EMY8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,OH1 IF ONLY HE DOES NOT GO AWAY4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,HE WON'T GO AWAY1 BIRDIE4 ,IT'S ALL NONS5SE4 
,Y\ KN[ MY OLD MAN4 ,HIS WITS >E ALWAYS 
WOOLGA!R+2 YET SOMETIMES HE TAKES A ?+ 9TO HIS 
PATE1 & IT'S AS IF IT W]E W$G$ 91 Y\ CAN'T KNOCK 
IT \T ) A HAMM]4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,& :AT />T$ ?IS BUS9ESS8 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,WELL1 Y\ SEE1 MY JEWEL1 Y\ Y\RSELF KN[ 
:AT A FELL[ ) WOM5 ! LAD IS1--& HE'S H&SOME 
TOO1 ?\< ,I SAY IT AS %\LDN'T4 ,WELL1 Y\ KN[1 HE 
WAS LIV+ AT ! RAILWAY1 & !Y HAD AN ORPHAN W5* 
!RE TO COOK = !M4 ,WELL1 ?AT SAME W5* TOOK TO 
RUNN+ AFT] HIM4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,M>9A8 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,YES1 ! PLAGUE SEIZE H]6 ,:E!R ANY?+ 
HAPP5$ OR NOT1 ANYH[ SOME?+ GOT TO MY OLD 
MAN'S E>S4 ,MAYBE HE HE>D FROM ! NEI<BORS1 MAYBE 
%E'S BE5 & BLABB$ 444 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,WELL1 %E IS A BOLD HUSSY6 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,SO MY OLD MAN--! OLD BLOCKHEAD--(F HE 
GOES3 0,M>RY1 M>RY10 HE SAYS1 0HE MU/ M>RY H] & 
COV] ! S910 HE SAYS4 0,WE MU/ TAKE ! LAD HOME10 
HE SAYS1 0& HE %ALL M>RY10 HE SAYS4 ,WELL1 ,I DID MY 
BE/ TO MAKE HIM *ANGE HIS M9D1 BUT1 DE> ME1 NO4 
,SO1 ALL RI<T1 ?9KS ,I1--,I'LL TRY ANO!R DODGE4 ,ONE ALWAYS 
HAS TO 5TICE !M FOOLS 9 ?IS WAY1 JU/ PRET5D TO BE 
( !IR M9D1 & :5 IT COMES TO ! PO9T ONE GOES 
& TURNS IT ALL ONE'S [N WAY4 ,Y\ KN[1 A WOMAN HAS 
TIME TO ?9K SEV5TY-&-SEV5 ?\<TS :ILE FALL+ 
(F ! OV51 SO H['S SU* AS HE TO SEE ?R\< IT8 
0,WELL1 YES10 SAYS ,I1 0IT W\LD BE A GOOD JOB1--ONLY WE 
MU/ CONSID] WELL BE=EH&4 ,:Y NOT GO & SEE \R 
SON1 & TALK IT OV] ) ,PET] ,IGNATIT* & HE> :AT 
HE HAS TO SAY80 ,SO H]E WE >E4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,OH DE>1 OH DE>1 H[ WILL IT ALL 5D8 ,SUPPOS+ 
HIS FA!R JU/ ORD]S HIM TO M>RY H]8 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,ORD]S1 9DE$4 ,*UCK HIS ORD]S TO ! 
DOGS6 ,DON'T Y\ WORRY2 ?AT AFFAIR WILL NEV] COME (F4 
,I'LL GO TO Y\R OLD MAN MYSELF1 & SIFT & /RA9 ?IS 
MATT] CLE>--!RE WILL BE NONE ( IT LEFT4 ,I HAVE COME 
H]E ONLY = ! LOOK ( ! ?+4 ,A V]Y LIKELY ?+6 
,H]E'S MY SON LIV+ 9 HAPP9ESS & EXPECT+ HAPP9ESS1 
& ,I'LL GO & MAT* HIM ) A SLUT6 ,NO FE>1 
,I'M NOT A FOOL6 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,& %E--?IS ,M>9A--CAME DANGL+ AFT] HIM 
H]E6 ,MO!R1 W\LD Y\ BELIEVE1 :5 !Y SAID HE WAS 
GO+ TO M>RY1 IT WAS AS IF A KNIFE HAD GONE RI<T ?R\< 
MY HE>T4 ,I ?\<T HE C>$ = H]4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,OH1 MY JEWEL6 ,:Y1 Y\ DON'T ?9K HIM 
SU* A FOOL1 ?AT HE %\LD GO & C>E = A HOMELESS BAGGAGE 
LIKE ?AT8 ,NIKITA IS A S5SIBLE FELL[1 Y\ SEE4 ,HE 
KN[S :OM TO LOVE4 ,SO DON'T Y\ GO & FRET1 MY 
JEWEL4 ,WE'LL NOT TAKE HIM AWAY1 & WE WON'T M>RY 
HIM4 ,NO1 WE'LL LET HIM /AY ON1 IF Y\'LL ONLY OBLIGE US 
) A LITTLE MONEY4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,ALL ,I KN[ IS1 ?AT ,I C\LD NOT LIVE IF ,NIKITA 
W5T AWAY4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,NATURALLY1 :5 ONE'S Y\NG IT'S NO EASY 
MATT]6 ,Y\1 A W5* 9 FULL BLOOM1 TO BE LIV+ ) ! 
DREGS ( A MAN LIKE ?AT HUSB& ( Y\RS4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,MO!R ,MATRYONA1 W\LD Y\ BELIEVE IT8 ,I'M 
?AT SICK ( HIM1 ?AT SICK ( ?IS LONG-NOS$ CUR ( M9E1 
,I CAN H>DLY BE> TO LOOK AT HIM4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,YES1 ,I SEE1 IT'S ONE ( !M CASES4 ,JU/ 
LOOK H]E1 .<LOOKS R\ND & :ISP]S.> ,I'VE BE5 TO SEE ?AT 
OLD MAN1 Y\ KN[--HE'S GIV5 ME SIMPLES ( TWO K9DS4 
,?IS1 Y\ SEE1 IS A SLEEP+ DRAFT4 0,JU/ GIVE HIM ONE 
( !SE P[D]S10 HE SAYS1 0& HE'LL SLEEP SO S\ND Y\ 
MI<T JUMP ON HIM60 ,& ?IS H]E1 0,?IS IS ?AT K9D 
( SIMPLE10 HE SAYS1 0?AT IF Y\ GIVE ONE SOME ( IT TO 
DR9K IT HAS NO SMELL :ATEV]1 BUT ITS /R5G? IS V]Y 
GREAT4 ,!RE >E SEV5 DOSES H]E1 A P9* AT A TIME4 
,GIVE HIM SEV5 P9*ES10 HE SAYS1 0& %E WON'T HAVE 
F> TO LOOK = FRE$OM10 HE SAYS4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,O-O-OH6 ,:AT'S ?AT8 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 0,NO SIGN :ATEV]10 HE SAYS4 ,HE'S TAK5 
A RUBLE = IT4 0,CAN'T SELL IT = LESS10 HE SAYS4 ,BECAUSE 
IT'S NO EASY MATT] TO GET 'EM1 Y\ KN[4 ,I 
PAID HIM1 DE>Y1 \T ( MY [N MONEY4 ,IF %E TAKES 
!M1 ?9KS ,I1 IT'S ALL RI<T2 IF %E DON'T1 ,I CAN LET OLD 
,MI*AEL'S DAU<T] HAVE !M4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,O-O-OH6 ,BUT MAYN'T SOME EVIL COME ( !M8 
,I'M FRI<T5$6 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,:AT EVIL1 MY JEWEL8 ,IF Y\R OLD MAN WAS 
HALE & HE>TY1 'TW\LD BE A DIFF]5T MATT]1 BUT HE'S 
NEI!R ALIVE NOR DEAD AS IT IS4 ,HE'S NOT = ?IS WORLD4 
,SU* ?+S (T5 HAPP54 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,O-O-OH1 MY POOR HEAD6 ,I'M AFE>$1 ,MO!R 
,MATRYONA1 LE/ SOME EVIL COME ( !M4 ,NO4 ,?AT 
WON'T DO4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,JU/ AS Y\ LIKE4 ,I MI<T EV5 RETURN 
!M TO HIM4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,& >E !Y TO BE US$ 9 ! SAME WAY AS 
! O!RS8 ,MIX$ 9 WAT]8 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,BETT] 9 TEA1 HE SAYS4 0,Y\ CAN'T NOTICE 
ANY?+10 HE SAYS1 0NO SMELL NOR NO?+40 ,HE'S A CUTE 
OLD FELL[ TOO4 

 ,! ,P,[,] ,( ,D,>,K,N,E,S,S4 ,ACT ,I4 

,MATRYONA GIVES ,ANISYA ! P[D]S4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 .<TAK+ ! P[D].> ,O-OH1 MY POOR HEAD6 ,C\LD 
,I HAVE EV] ?\<T ( SU* A ?+ IF MY LIFE W]E NOT A 
V]Y HELL8 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,Y\'LL NOT =GET ?AT RUBLE8 ,I PROMIS$ 
TO TAKE IT TO ! OLD MAN4 ,HE'S HAD SOME TR\BLE1 TOO4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,( C\RSE8 .<,GES TO H] BOX & HIDES ! 
P[D]S.>4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,& N[1 MY JEWEL1 KEEP IT AS CLOSE AS Y\ 
CAN1 SO ?AT NO ONE %\LD F9D IT \T4 ,HEAV5 DEF5D 
?AT IT %\LD HAPP51 BUT IF ANY ONE NOTICES IT1 TELL 'EM 
IT'S = ! BLACK-BEETLES4 .<,TAKES ! RUBLE.> ,IT'S ALSO 
US$ = BEETLES4 .<,/OPS %ORT.>4 

,5T] ,AKIM1 :O CROSSES HIMSELF 9 FRONT ( ! ICON1 & 
!N ,PET]1 :O SITS D[N4 

,P,E,T,]4 ,WELL !N1 H['S IT TO BE1 ,DADDY ,AKIM8 

,A,K,I,M4 ,AS IT'S BE/1 ,PET] ,IGNATIT*1 AS IT'S BE/ 444 
,I MEAN--AS IT'S BE/4 ',COS :Y8 ,I'M AFE>$ ( :AT 
D'Y\ CALL 'EMS1 SOME TOMFOOL]Y1 Y\ KN[4 ,I'D LIKE 
TO1 :AT D'Y\ CALL IT 444 TO />T1 Y\ KN[1 />T 
! LAD HONE/1 ,I MEAN4 ,BUT SUPPOS+ Y\'D RA!R1 
:AT D'Y\ CALL IT1 WE MI<T1 ,I MEAN1 :AT'S NAME8 ,AS 
IT'S BE/ 444 

,P,E,T,]4 ,ALL RI<T4 ,ALL RI<T4 ,SIT D[N & LET'S TALK IT 
OV]4 .<,AKIM SITS D[N.> ,WELL !N1 :AT'S IT ALL AB\T8 
,Y\ WANT HIM TO M>RY8 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,AS TO M>RY+1 HE MI<T BIDE A :ILE1 
,PET] ,IGNATIT*4 ,Y\ KN[ \R POV]TY1 ,PET] ,IGNATIT*4 
,:AT'S HE TO M>RY ON8 ,WE'VE H>DLY 5\< TO EAT 
\RSELVES4 ,H[ CAN HE M>RY !N8444 

,P,E,T,]4 ,Y\ MU/ CONSID] :AT WILL BE BE/4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,:]E'S ! HURRY = HIM TO GET M>RI$8 
,M>RIAGE IS NOT ?AT SORT ( ?+1 IT'S NOT LIKE RIPE RASPB]RIES 
?AT DROP (F IF NOT PICK$ 9 TIME4 

,P,E,T,]4 ,IF HE W]E TO GET M>RI$1 'TW\LD BE A GOOD 
?+ 9 A WAY4 

,A,K,I,M4 ,WE'D LIKE TO 444 :AT D'Y\ CALL IT8 ',COS :Y1 
Y\ SEE4 ,I'VE :AT D'Y\ CALL IT 444 A JOB4 ,I MEAN1 ,I'VE 
F\ND A PAY+ JOB 9 T[N1 Y\ KN[4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,& A F9E JOB TOO--CLEAN+ \T CESSPOOLS4 
,! O!R DAY :5 HE CAME HOME1 ,I C\LD DO NO?+ 
BUT SPEW & SPEW4 ,FAU<6 

,A,K,I,M4 ,IT'S TRUE1 AT FIR/ IT DOES SEEM :AT D'Y\ CALL IT 
444 KNOCKS ONE CLEAN OV]1 Y\ KN[1--! SMELL1 ,I 
MEAN4 ,BUT ONE GETS US$ TO IT1 & !N IT'S NO?+1 
NO WORSE ?AN MALT GRA91 & !N IT'S1 :AT D'Y\ CALL IT1 
444 PAYS1 PAYS1 ,I MEAN4 ,& AS TO ! SMELL BE+1 :AT 
D'Y\ CALL IT1 IT'S NOT = ! LIKES ( US TO COMPLA94 ,& 
ONE *ANGES ONE'S CLO!S4 ,SO WE'D LIKE TO TAKE :AT'S 
HIS NAME 444 ,NIKITA ,I MEAN1 HOME4 ,LET HIM MANAGE 
?+S AT HOME :ILE ,I1 :AT D'Y\ CALL IT1--E>N SOME?+ 
9 T[N4 

,P,E,T,]4 ,Y\ WANT TO KEEP Y\R SON AT HOME8 ,YES1 ?AT 
W\LD BE WELL3 BUT H[ AB\T ! MONEY HE HAS HAD 9 
ADVANCE8 

,A,K,I,M4 ,?AT'S IT1 ?AT'S IT6 ,IT'S JU/ AS Y\ SAY1 ,IGNATIT*1 
IT'S JU/ :AT D'Y\ CALL IT4 ',COS :Y8 ,IF Y\ GO 9TO 
S]VICE1 IT'S AS GOOD AS IF Y\ HAD SOLD Y\RSELF1 !Y SAY4 
,?AT WILL BE ALL RI<T4 ,I MEAN HE MAY /AY & S]VE 
HIS TIME1 ONLY HE MU/1 :AT D'Y\ CALL IT1 GET M>RI$4 
,I MEAN--SO3 Y\ LET HIM (F = A LITTLE :ILE1 ?AT HE 
MAY1 :AT D'Y\ CALL IT8 

,P,E,T,]4 ,YES1 WE C\LD MANAGE ?AT4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,AH1 BUT IT'S NOT YET SETTL$ BETWE5 \RSELVES1 
,PET] ,IGNATIT*4 ,I'LL SPEAK TO Y\ AS ,I W\LD 
BE=E ,GOD1 & Y\ MAY JUDGE BETWE5 MY OLD MAN & 
ME4 ,HE GOES ON H>P+ ON ?AT M>RIAGE4 ,BUT JU/ 
ASK--:O IT IS HE WANTS HIM TO M>RY4 ,IF IT W]E A GIRL 
( ! RI<T SORT N[-- ,I AM NOT MY *ILD'S 5EMY1 BUT 
! W5* IS NOT HONE/4 

,A,K,I,M4 ,NO1 ?AT'S WRONG6 ,WRONG1 ,I SAY4 ',COS :Y8 
,%E1 ?AT SAME GIRL--IT'S MY SON AS HAS (F5D$1 (F5D$ 
! GIRL ,I MEAN4 

,P,E,T,]4 ,H[ (F5D$8 

,A,K,I,M4 ,?AT'S H[4 ,%E'S :AT D'Y\ CALL IT1 ) HIM1 
) MY SON1 ,NIKITA4 ,) ,NIKITA1 :AT D'Y\ CALL IT1 ,I 
MEAN4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,Y\ WAIT A BIT1 MY TONGUE RUNS SMOO!R--LET 
ME TELL IT4 ,Y\ KN[1 ?IS LAD ( \RS LIV$ AT ! 
RAILWAY BE=E HE CAME TO Y\4 ,!RE WAS A GIRL !RE AS 
KEPT DANGL+ AFT] HIM4 ,A GIRL ( NO ACC\NT1 Y\ KN[1 
H] NAME'S ,M>9A4 ,%E US$ TO COOK = ! M54 ,SO 
N[ ?IS SAME GIRL ACCUSES \R SON1 ,NIKITA1 ?AT HE1 SO TO 
SAY1 DECEIV$ H]4 

,P,E,T,]4 ,WELL1 !RE'S NO?+ GOOD 9 ?AT4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,BUT %E'S NO HONE/ GIRL H]SELF2 %E RUNS 
AFT] ! FELL[S LIKE A COMMON SLUT4 

,A,K,I,M4 ,!RE Y\ >E AGA91 OLD WOMAN1 & IT'S NOT AT 
ALL :AT D'Y\ CALL IT1 IT'S ALL NOT :AT D'Y\ CALL IT1 ,I 
MEAN 444 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,!RE N[1 ?AT'S ALL ! S5SE ONE GETS 
FROM MY OLD [L--0:AT D'Y\ CALL IT1 :AT D'Y\ CALL 
IT10 & HE DOESN'T KN[ HIMSELF :AT HE MEANS4 ,PET] 
,IGNATIT*1 DON'T LI/5 TO ME1 BUT GO Y\RSELF & ASK ANY 
ONE Y\ LIKE AB\T ! GIRL1 EV]YBODY WILL SAY ! SAME4 
,%E'S JU/ A HOMELESS GOOD-=-NO?+4 

,P,E,T,]4 ,Y\ KN[1 ,DADDY ,AKIM1 IF ?AT'S H[ ?+S 
>E1 !RE'S NO REASON = HIM TO M>RY H]4 ,A DAU<T]-9-LAW'S 
NOT LIKE A %OE1 Y\ CAN'T KICK H] (F4 

,A,K,I,M .<EXCIT$LY.> ,IT'S FALSE1 OLD WOMAN1 IT'S :AT D'Y\ 
CALL IT1 FALSE2 ,I MEAN1 AB\T ! GIRL2 FALSE6 ',COS :Y8 
,! LASS IS A GOOD LASS1 A V]Y GOOD LASS1 Y\ KN[4 ,I'M 
SORRY1 SORRY = ! LASSIE1 ,I MEAN4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,IT'S AN OLD SAY+3 0,= ! WIDE WORLD 
OLD ,MIRIAM GRIEVES1 & AT HOME )\T BREAD H] 
*ILDR5 %E LEAVES40 ,HE'S SORRY = ! GIRL1 BUT NOT 
SORRY = HIS [N SON6 ,SL+ H] R\ND Y\R NECK & 
C>RY H] AB\T ) Y\6 ,?AT'S 5\< ( SU* EMPTY 
CACKLE6 

,A,K,I,M4 ,NO1 IT'S NOT EMPTY4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,!RE1 DON'T 9T]RUPT1 LET ME HAVE MY SAY4 

,A,K,I,M .<9T]RUPTS.> ,NO1 NOT EMPTY6 ,I MEAN1 Y\ TWI/ 
?+S Y\R [N WAY1 AB\T ! LASS OR AB\T Y\RSELF4 
,TWI/ !M1 ,I MEAN1 TO MAKE IT BETT] = Y\RSELF2 BUT 
,GOD1 :AT D'Y\ CALL IT1 TURNS !M ,HIS WAY4 ,?AT'S H[ 
IT IS4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,EH6 ,ONE ONLY WE>S \T ONE'S TONGUE ) 
Y\4 

,A,K,I,M4 ,! LASS IS H>D-WORK+ & SPRUCE1 & KEEPS 
EV]Y?+ R\ND H]SELF 444 :AT D'Y\ CALL IT4 ,& 
9 \R POV]TY1 Y\ KN[1 IT'S A PAIR ( H&S1 ,I MEAN2 
& ! W$D+ NE$N'T CO/ MU*4 ,BUT ! *IEF 
?+'S ! (F5SE1 ! (F5SE TO ! LASS1 & %E'S A :AT 
D'Y\ CALL IT1 AN ORPHAN1 Y\ KN[2 ?AT'S :AT %E IS1 
& !RE'S ! (F5SE4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,EH6 !Y'LL ALL TELL Y\ A TALE ( ?AT SORT 444 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,DADDY ,AKIM1 Y\'D BETT] LI/5 TO US WOM52 
WE CAN TELL Y\ A ?+ OR TWO4 

,A,K,I,M4 ,& ,GOD1 H[ AB\T ,GOD8 ,ISN'T %E A HUMAN 
BE+1 ! LASS8 ,A :AT D'Y\ CALL IT1--ALSO A HUMAN BE+ 
,I MEAN1 BE=E ,GOD4 ,& H[ DO Y\ LOOK AT IT8 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,EH6444 />T$ (F AGA98444 

,P,E,T,]4 ,WAIT A BIT1 ,DADDY ,AKIM4 ,ONE CAN'T BELIEVE ALL 
!SE GIRLS SAY1 EI!R4 ,! LAD'S ALIVE1 & NOT F> AWAY2 
S5D = HIM1 & F9D \T /RAI<T FROM HIM IF IT'S TRUE4 
,HE WON'T WI% TO LOSE HIS S\L4 ,GO & CALL ! FELL[1 
.<,ANISYA RISES.> & TELL HIM HIS FA!R WANTS HIM4 .<,EXIT 
,ANISYA.>4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,?AT'S RI<T1 DE> FRI5D2 Y\'VE CLE>$ 
! WAY CLEAN1 AS ) WAT]4 ,YES1 LET ! LAD SPEAK = 
HIMSELF4 ,N[ADAYS1 Y\ KN[1 !Y'LL NOT LET Y\ =CE A 
SON TO M>RY2 ONE MU/ FIR/ ( ALL ASK ! LAD4 ,HE'LL 
NEV] CONS5T TO M>RY H] & DISGRACE HIMSELF1 NOT = 
ALL ! WORLD4 ,TO MY ?9K+1 IT'S BE/ HE %\LD GO ON 
LIV+ ) Y\ & S]V+ Y\ AS HIS MA/]4 ,& WE 
NE$ NOT TAKE HIM HOME = ! SUMM] EI!R2 WE CAN 
HIRE A HELP4 ,IF Y\ W\LD ONLY GIVE US T5 RUBLES N[1 
WE'LL LET HIM /AY ON4 

,P,E,T,]4 ,ALL 9 GOOD TIME4 ,FIR/ LET US SETTLE ONE ?+ 
BE=E WE />T ANO!R4 

,A,K,I,M4 ,Y\ SEE1 ,PET] ,IGNATIT*1 ,I SPEAK4 ',COS :Y8 
Y\ KN[ H[ IT HAPP5S4 ,WE TRY TO FIX ?+S UP AS 
SEEMS BE/ = \RSELVES1 Y\ KN[2 & AS TO ,GOD1 WE 
:AT D'Y\ CALL IT1 WE =GET ,HIM4 ,WE ?9K IT'S BE/ 
SO1 TURN IT \R [N WAY1 & LO6 WE'VE GOT 9TO A FIX1 Y\ 
KN[4 ,WE ?9K IT WILL BE BE/1 ,I MEAN2 & LO6 IT TURNS 
\T MU* WORSE--)\T ,GOD1 ,I MEAN4 

,P,E,T,]4 ,( C\RSE ONE MU/ NOT =GET ,GOD4 

,A,K,I,M4 ,IT TURNS \T WORSE6 ,BUT :5 IT'S ! RI<T 
WAY--,GOD'S WAY--IT :AT D'Y\ CALL IT1 IT GIVES ONE JOY2 
SEEMS PLEASANT1 ,I MEAN4 ,SO ,I RECKON1 Y\ SEE1 GET HIM1 
! LAD1 ,I MEAN1 GET HIM TO M>RY H]1 TO KEEP HIM FROM 
S91 ,I MEAN1 & LET HIM :AT D'Y\ CALL IT AT HOME1 
AS IT'S LAWFUL1 ,I MEAN1 :ILE ,I GO & GET ! JOB 9 T[N4 
,! WORK IS ( ! RI<T SORT--IT'S PAY9'1 ,I MEAN4 ,& 
9 ,GOD'S SI<T IT'S :AT D'Y\ CALL IT--IT'S BE/1 ,I MEAN4 
,A9'T %E AN ORPHAN8 ,H]E1 = EXAMPLE1 A YE> AGO 
SOME FELL[S W5T & TOOK TIMB] FROM ! /EW>D1--?\<T 
!Y'D DO ! /EW>D1 Y\ KN[4 ,YES1 !Y 
DID ! /EW>D1 BUT !Y C\LDN'T :AT D'Y\ CALL IT--DO 
,GOD1 ,I MEAN4 ,WELL1 & SO 444 

,5T] ,NIKITA & ,NAAN4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,Y\ CALL$ ME8 .<,SITS D[N & TAKES \T HIS 
TOBACCO-P\*.>4 

,P,E,T,] .<9 A L[1 REPROA*FUL VOICE.> ,:AT >E Y\ ?9K+ 
AB\T--HAVE Y\ NO MANN]S8 ,Y\R FA!R IS GO+ 
TO SPEAK TO Y\1 & Y\ SIT D[N & FOOL AB\T ) 
TOBACCO4 ,COME1 GET UP6 

,NIKITA RISES1 LEANS C>ELESSLY ) HIS ELB[ ON ! TABLE1 & 
SMILES4 

,A,K,I,M4 ,IT SEEMS !RE'S A COMPLA9T1 Y\ KN[1 AB\T 
Y\1 ,NIKITA--A COMPLA9T1 ,I MEAN1 A COMPLA9T4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,:O'S BE5 COMPLA9+8 

,A,K,I,M4 ,COMPLA9+8 ,IT'S A MAID1 AN ORPHAN MAID1 COMPLA9+1 
,I MEAN4 ,IT'S H]1 Y\ KN[--A COMPLA9T AGA9/ 
Y\1 FROM ,M>9A1 ,I MEAN4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<LAU<S.> ,WELL1 ?AT'S A GOOD ONE4 ,:AT'S ! 
COMPLA9T8 ,& :O'S TOLD Y\--%E H]SELF8 

,A,K,I,M4 ,IT'S ,I AM ASK+ Y\1 & Y\ MU/ N[1 :AT 
D'Y\ CALL IT1 GIVE ME AN ANSW]4 ,HAVE Y\ GOT MIX$ 
UP ) ! LASS1 ,I MEAN--MIX$ UP1 Y\ KN[8 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,I DON'T KN[ :AT Y\ MEAN4 ,:AT'S UP8 

,A,K,I,M4 ,FOOL9'1 ,I MEAN1 :AT D'Y\ CALL IT8 FOOL9'4 
,HAVE Y\ BE5 FOOL9' ) H]1 ,I MEAN8 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,NEV] M9D :AT'S BE56 ,( C\RSE ONE DOES 
HAVE SOME FUN ) A COOK N[ & !N TO :ILE AWAY 
! TIME4 ,ONE PLAYS ! CONC]T9A & GETS H] TO 
DANCE4 ,:AT ( ?AT8 

,P,E,T,]4 ,DON'T %UFFLE1 ,NIKITA1 BUT ANSW] Y\R FA!R 
/RAI<T \T4 

,A,K,I,M .<SOLEMNLY.> ,Y\ CAN HIDE IT FROM M5 BUT NOT 
FROM ,GOD1 ,NIKITA4 ,Y\1 :AT D'Y\ CALL IT--?9K1 ,I 
MEAN1 & DON'T TELL LIES4 ,%E'S AN ORPHAN2 SO1 Y\ SEE1 
ANY ONE IS FREE TO 9SULT H]4 ,AN ORPHAN1 Y\ SEE4 ,SO 
Y\ %\LD SAY :AT'S RI<TE/4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,BUT :AT IF ,I HAVE NO?+ TO SAY8 ,I HAVE 
TOLD Y\ EV]Y?+--BECAUSE !RE ISN'T ANY?+ TO TELL1 
?AT'S FLAT6 .<,GETT+ EXCIT$.> ,%E CAN GO & SAY ANY?+ 
AB\T ME1 SAME AS IF %E WAS SPEAK+ ( ONE AS IS DEAD4 
,:Y DON'T %E SAY ANY?+ AB\T ,F$KA ,MIKI%98 ,BESIDES1 
H['S ?IS1 ?AT ONE MAYN'T EV5 HAVE A BIT ( FUN 
N[ADAYS8 ,& AS = H]1 WELL1 %E'S FREE TO SAY ANY?+ 
%E LIKES4 

,A,K,I,M4 ,AH1 ,NIKITA1 M9D6 ,A LIE WILL \T4 ,DID ANY?+ 
HAPP58 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<ASIDE.> ,H[ HE /ICKS TO IT2 IT'S TOO BAD4 .<,TO 
,AKIM.> ,I TELL Y\1 ,I KN[ NO?+ MORE4 ,!RE'S BE5 
NO?+ BETWE5 US4 .<,ANGRILY.> ,BY ,GOD6 & MAY ,I NEV] 
LEAVE ?IS SPOT .<CROSSES HIMSELF.> IF ,I KN[ ANY?+ AB\T 
IT4 .<,SIL5CE4 ,!N /ILL MORE EXCIT$LY.> ,:Y6 HAVE Y\ 
BE5 ?9K+ ( GETT+ ME TO M>RY H]8 ,:AT DO 
Y\ MEAN BY IT8--IT'S A CONF\ND$ %AME4 ,BESIDES1 
N[ADAYS Y\'VE GOT NO SU* RI<TS AS TO =CE A FELL[ TO 
M>RY4 ,?AT'S PLA9 5\<4 ,BESIDES1 HAV5'T ,I SWORN ,I 
KN[ NO?+ AB\T IT8 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A .<TO H] HUSB&.> ,!RE N[1 ?AT'S JU/ LIKE 
Y\R SILLY PATE1 TO BELIEVE ALL !Y TELL Y\4 ,HE'S GONE 
& PUT ! LAD TO %AME ALL = NO?+4 ,! BE/ ?+ 
IS TO LET HIM LIVE AS HE IS LIV+1 ) HIS MA/]4 ,HIS 
MA/] WILL HELP US 9 \R PRES5T NE$1 & GIVE US T5 
RUBLES1 & :5 ! TIME COMES 444 

,P,E,T,]4 ,WELL1 ,DADDY ,AKIM1 H['S IT TO BE8 

,A,K,I,M .<LOOKS AT HIS SON1 CLICK+ HIS TONGUE DISAPPROV+LY.> 
,M9D1 ,NIKITA1 ! TE>S ( ONE ?AT'S BE5 WRONG$ 
NEV]1 :AT D'Y\ CALL IT--NEV] FALL BESIDE ! M>K BUT 
ALWAYS ON1 :AT'S NAME--! HEAD ( ! MAN AS DID ! 
WRONG4 ,SO M9D1 DON'T :AT D'Y\ CALL IT4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<SITS D[N.> ,:AT'S !RE TO M9D8 M9D Y\RSELF4 

,N,A,A,N .<ASIDE.> ,I MU/ RUN & TELL MO!R4 .<,EXIT.>4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A .<TO ,PET].> ,?AT'S ALWAYS ! WAY ) ?IS 
OLD MUMBL] ( M9E1 ,PET] ,IGNATIT*4 ,ONCE HE'S GOT 
ANY?+ W$G$ 9 HIS PATE !RE'S NO KNOCK+ IT \T4 
,WE'VE GONE & TR\BL$ Y\ ALL = NO?+4 ,! LAD 
CAN GO ON LIV+ AS HE HAS BE54 ,KEEP HIM2 HE'S Y\R 
S]VANT4 

,P,E,T,]4 ,WELL1 ,DADDY ,AKIM1 :AT DO Y\ SAY8 

,A,K,I,M4 ,:Y1 ! LAD'S HIS [N MA/]1 IF ONLY HE :AT 
D'Y\ CALL IT4444 ,I ONLY WI% ?AT1 :AT D'Y\ CALL IT1 ,I 
MEAN4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,Y\ DON'T KN[ Y\RSELF :AT Y\'RE JAW+ 
AB\T4 ,! LAD HIMSELF HAS NO WI% TO LEAVE4 ,BESIDES1 
:AT DO WE WANT ) HIM AT HOME8 ,WE CAN MANAGE 
)\T HIM4 

,P,E,T,]4 ,ONLY ONE ?+1 ,DADDY ,AKIM--IF Y\ >E ?9K+ 
( TAK+ HIM BACK 9 SUMM]1 ,I DON'T WANT HIM H]E 
= ! W9T]4 ,IF HE IS TO /AY AT ALL1 IT MU/ BE = ! 
:OLE YE>4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,& IT'S = A YE> HE'LL B9D HIMSELF4 ,IF 
WE WANT HELP :5 ! PRESS ( WORK COMES1 WE CAN HIRE 
HELP1 & ! LAD %ALL REMA9 ) Y\4 ,ONLY GIVE US 
T5 RUBLES N[4444 

,P,E,T,]4 ,WELL !N1 IS IT TO BE = ANO!R YE>8 

,A,K,I,M4 .<SI<+.> ,YES1 IT SEEMS1 IT :AT D'Y\ CALL IT 444 IF 
IT'S SO1 ,I MEAN1 IT SEEMS ?AT IT MU/ BE :AT D'Y\ 
CALL IT4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,= A YE>1 C\NT+ FROM ,/4 ,DIMITRY'S 
DAY4 ,WE KN[ Y\'LL PAY HIM FAIR WAGES4 ,BUT GIVE US 
T5 RUBLES N[4 ,HELP US \T ( \R DIFFICULTIES4 .<,GETS 
UP & B[S TO ,PET].>4 

,5T] ,NAAN & ,ANISYA4 ,! LATT] SITS D[N AT ONE SIDE4 

,P,E,T,]4 ,WELL1 IF ?AT'S SETTL$ WE MI<T /EP ACROSS TO 
! 9N & HAVE A DR9K4 ,COME1 ,DADDY ,AKIM1 :AT DO 
Y\ SAY TO A GLASS ( VODKA8 

,A,K,I,M4 ,NO1 ,I NEV] DR9K ?AT SORT ( ?+4 

,P,E,T,]4 ,WELL1 Y\'LL HAVE SOME TEA8 

,A,K,I,M4 ,AH1 TEA6 YES1 ,I DO S9 ?AT WAY4 ,YES1 TEA'S ! 
?+4 

,P,E,T,]4 ,& ! WOM5 WILL ALSO HAVE SOME TEA4 ,COME4 
,& Y\1 ,NIKITA1 GO & DRIVE ! %EEP 9 & CLE> 
AWAY ! /RAW4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,ALL RI<T4 .<,EXEUNT ALL BUT ,NIKITA4 ,NIKITA LI<TS 
A CIG>ETTE4 ,IT GR[S D>K].> ,JU/ SEE H[ !Y BO!R 
ONE4 ,WANT A FELL[ TO TELL 'EM H[ HE L>KS AB\T 
) ! W5*ES6 ,IT W\LD TAKE LONG TO TELL 'EM ALL 
?OSE /ORIES--0,M>RY H]10 HE SAYS4 ,M>RY !M ALL6 
,ONE W\LD HAVE A GOOD LOT ( WIVES6 ,& :AT NE$ 
HAVE ,I TO M>RY8 ,AM AS GOOD AS M>RI$ N[6 ,!RE'S 
MANY A *AP AS 5VIES ME4 ,YET H[ /RANGE IT FELT :5 
,I CROSS$ MYSELF BE=E ! ICON4 ,IT WAS JU/ AS IF 
SOME ONE %OV$ ME4 ,! :OLE WEB FELL TO PIECES AT 
ONCE4 ,!Y SAY IT'S FRI<T5+ TO SWE> :AT'S NOT 
TRUE4 ,?AT'S ALL HUMBUG4 ,IT'S ALL TALK1 ?AT IS4 ,IT'S 
SIMPLE 5\<4 

,A,K,\,L,9,A .<5T]S ) A ROPE1 :I* %E PUTS D[N4 ,%E 
TAKES (F H] \TDOOR ?+S & GOES 9TO CLOSET.> ,Y\ MI<T 
AT LEA/ HAVE GOT A LI<T4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,:AT1 TO LOOK AT Y\8 ,I CAN SEE Y\ WELL 
5\< )\T4 

,A,K,\,L,9,A4 ,OH1 BO!R Y\6 

,NAAN 5T]S & :ISP]S TO ,NIKITA4 

,N,A,A,N4 ,NIKITA1 !RE'S A P]SON WANTS Y\4 ,!RE IS6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,:AT P]SON8 

,N,A,A,N4 ,M>9A FROM ! RAILWAY2 %E'S \T !RE1 R\ND 
! CORN]4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,NONS5SE6 

,N,A,A,N4 ,BLE/ IF %E ISN'T6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,:AT DOES %E WANT8 

,N,A,A,N4 ,%E WANTS Y\ TO COME \T4 ,%E SAYS1 0,I ONLY 
WANT TO SAY A WORD TO ,NIKITA40 ,I BEGAN ASK+1 BUT %E 
WON'T TELL1 BUT ONLY SAYS1 0,IS IT TRUE HE'S LEAV+ Y\80 
,& ,I SAY1 0,NO1 ONLY HIS FA!R WANT$ TO TAKE HIM AWAY 
& GET HIM TO M>RY1 BUT HE WON'T1 & IS GO+ TO /AY 
) US ANO!R YE>40 ,& %E SAYS1 0,= GOODNESS' 
SAKE S5D HIM \T TO ME4 ,I MU/ SEE HIM10 %E SAYS1 0,I 
MU/ SAY A WORD TO HIM SOMEH[40 ,%E'S BE5 WAIT+ A 
LONG TIME4 ,:Y DON'T Y\ GO8 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,BO!R H]6 ,:AT %\LD ,I GO =8 

,N,A,A,N4 ,%E SAYS1 0,IF HE DON'T COME1 ,I'LL GO 9TO ! HUT 
TO HIM40 ,BLE/ IF %E DIDN'T SAY %E'D COME 96 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,NOT LIKELY4 ,%E'LL WAIT A BIT & !N GO 
AWAY4 

,N,A,A,N4 0,OR IS IT10 %E SAYS1 0?AT !Y WANT HIM TO M>RY 
,AK\L9A80 

,RE5T] ,AK\L9A1 PASS+ NE> ,NIKITA TO TAKE H] DI/AFF4 

,A,K,\,L,9,A4 ,M>RY :OM TO ,AK\L9A8 

,N,A,A,N4 ,:Y1 ,NIKITA4 

,A,K,\,L,9,A4 ,A LIKELY ?+6 ,:O SAYS IT8 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<LOOKS AT H] & LAU<S.> ,IT SEEMS PEOPLE DO SAY IT4 
,W\LD Y\ M>RY ME1 ,AK\L9A8 

,A,K,\,L,9,A4 ,:O1 Y\8 ,P]HAPS ,I MI<T HAVE A=E1 
BUT ,I WON'T N[4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,& :Y NOT N[8 

,A,K,\,L,9,A4 ',COS Y\ W\LDN'T LOVE ME4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,:Y NOT8 

,A,K,\,L,9,A4 ',COS Y\'D BE =BIDD5 TO4 .<,LAU<S.>4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,:O'D =BID IT8 

,A,K,\,L,9,A4 ,:O8 ,MY /EP-MO!R4 ,%E DOES NO?+ 
BUT GRUMBLE1 & IS ALWAYS />+ AT Y\4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<LAU<+.> ,JU/ HE> H]6 ,A9'T %E CUTE8 

,A,K,\,L,9,A4 ,:O8 ,ME8 ,:AT'S !RE TO BE CUTE AB\T8 
,AM ,I BL9D8 ,%E'S BE5 R[+ & R[+ AT DAD ALL 
DAY4 ,! FAT-MUZZL$ WIT*6 .<,GES 9TO CLOSET.>4 

,N,A,A,N .<LOOK+ \T ( ! W9D[.> ,LOOK1 ,NIKITA1 %E'S COM+6 
,I'M BLE/ IF %E ISN'T6 ,I'LL GO AWAY4 .<,EXIT.>4 

,M,>,9,A .<5T]S.> ,:AT >E Y\ DO+ ) ME8 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,DO+8 ,I'M NOT DO+ ANY?+4 

,M,>,9,A4 ,Y\ MEAN TO DES]T ME4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<GETS UP ANGRILY.> ,:AT DOES ?IS LOOK LIKE1 Y\R 
COM+ H]E8 

,M,>,9,A4 ,OH1 ,NIKITA6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,WELL1 Y\ >E /RANGE6 ,:AT HAVE Y\ COME =8 

,M,>,9,A4 ,NIKITA6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,?AT'S MY NAME4 ,:AT DO Y\ WANT ) 
,NIKITA8 ,WELL1 :AT NEXT8 ,GO AWAY1 ,I TELL Y\6 

,M,>,9,A4 ,I SEE1 Y\ DO WANT TO ?R[ ME OV]4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,WELL1 & :AT'S !RE TO REMEMB]8 ,Y\ 
Y\RSELF DON'T KN[4 ,:5 Y\ /OOD \T !RE R\ND 
! CORN] & S5T ,NAAN = ME1 & ,I DIDN'T COME1 
WASN'T IT PLA9 5\< ?AT Y\'RE NOT WANT$8 ,IT SEEMS 
PRETTY SIMPLE4 ,SO !RE--GO6 

,M,>,9,A4 ,NOT WANT$6 ,SO N[ ,I'M NOT WANT$6 ,I 
BELIEV$ Y\ :5 Y\ SAID Y\ W\LD LOVE ME4 ,& 
N[ ?AT Y\'VE RU9$ ME1 ,I'M NOT WANT$4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,:]E'S ! GOOD ( TALK+8 ,?IS IS QUITE 
IMPROP]4 ,Y\'VE BE5 TELL+ TALES TO FA!R4 ,N[1 DO 
GO AWAY1 WILL Y\8 

,M,>,9,A4 ,Y\ KN[ Y\RSELF ,I NEV] LOV$ ANY ONE BUT 
Y\4 ,:E!R Y\ M>RI$ ME OR NOT1 ,I'D NOT HAVE BE5 
ANGRY4 ,I'VE DONE Y\ NO WRONG1 !N :Y HAVE Y\ 
LEFT (F C>+ = ME8 ,:Y8 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,:]E'S ! USE ( BAY+ AT ! MOON8 ,Y\ 
GO AWAY4 ,GOODNESS ME6 :AT A DUFF]6 

,M,>,9,A4 ,IT'S NOT ?AT Y\ DECEIV$ ME :5 Y\ PROMIS$ 
TO M>RY ME ?AT HURTS1 BUT ?AT Y\'VE LEFT (F LOV+4 
,NO1 IT'S NOT ?AT Y\'VE /OPP$ LOV+ ME EI!R1 BUT 
?AT Y\'VE *ANG$ ME = ANO!R1 ?AT'S :AT HURTS4 
,I KN[ :O IT IS6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<COMES UP TO H] VICI\SLY.> ,EH6 :AT'S ! GOOD 
( TALK+ TO ! LIKES ( Y\1 ?AT WON'T LI/5 TO REASON8 
,BE (F1 OR Y\'LL DRIVE ME TO DO SOME?+ Y\'LL BE 
SORRY =4 

,M,>,9,A4 ,:AT1 WILL Y\ /RIKE ME1 !N8 ,WELL !N1 
/RIKE ME6 ,:AT >E Y\ TURN+ AWAY =8 ,AH1 
,NIKITA6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,SUPPOS+ SOME ONE CAME 94 ,( C\RSE1 IT'S 
QUITE IMPROP]4 ,& :AT'S ! GOOD ( TALK+8 

,M,>,9,A4 ,SO ?IS IS ! 5D ( IT6 ,:AT HAS BE5 HAS 
FL[N4 ,Y\ WANT ME TO =GET IT8 ,WELL !N1 ,NIKITA1 
LI/54 ,I KEPT MY MAID5 HONOR AS ! APPLE ( MY EYE4 
,Y\ HAVE RU9$ ME = NO?+1 Y\ HAVE DECEIV$ ME4 
,Y\ HAVE NO PITY ON A FA!RLESS & MO!RLESS GIRL6 
.<,WEEP+.> ,Y\ HAVE DES]T$1 Y\ HAVE KILL$ ME1 BUT ,I 
BE> Y\ NO MALICE4 ,GOD =GIVE Y\6 ,IF Y\ F9D A 
BETT] ONE Y\'LL =GET ME1 IF A WORSE ONE Y\'LL 
REMEMB] ME4 ,YES1 Y\ WILL REMEMB]1 ,NIKITA6 ,GOOD-BYE1 
!N1 IF IT IS TO BE4 ,OH1 H[ ,I LOV$ Y\6 ,GOOD-BYE 
= ! LA/ TIME4 .<,TAKES HIS HEAD 9 H] H&S & TRIES 
TO KISS HIM.>4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<TOSS+ HIS HEAD BACK.> ,I'M NOT GO+ TO TALK ) 
! LIKES ( Y\4 ,IF Y\ WON'T GO AWAY ,I WILL1 & Y\ 
MAY /AY H]E BY Y\RSELF4 

,M,>,9,A .<SCREAMS.> ,Y\ >E A BRUTE4 .<,9 ! DOORWAY.> 
,GOD WILL GIVE Y\ NO JOY4 .<,EXIT1 CRY+.>4 

,A,K,\,L,9,A .<COMES \T ( CLOSET.> ,Y\'RE A DOG1 ,NIKITA6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,:AT'S UP8 

,A,K,\,L,9,A4 ,:AT A CRY %E GAVE6 .<,CRIES.>4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,:AT'S UP ) Y\8 

,A,K,\,L,9,A4 ,:AT'S UP8 ,Y\'VE HURT H] SO4 ,?AT'S 
! WAY Y\'LL HURT ME ALSO4 ,Y\'RE A DOG4 .<,EXIT 9TO 
CLOSET.>4 

,SIL5CE4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,H]E'S A F9E MUDDLE4 ,I'M AS SWEET AS HONEY 
ON ! LASSES1 BUT :5 A FELL['S S9N$ ) 'EM IT'S A 
BAD LOOK-\T6 

,CURTA94 

,FROM 3 ,GUT5B]G4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,NOVEMB] #c1 #ahhe 3 ,ACT #a -- ,PUBLICATION4 

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