,! ,P[] ( ,D>KNESS 
,IF ,A ,CLAW ,IS ,CAU<T ,! ,BIRD ,IS ,LO/2 ,A ,DRAMA 9 ,FIVE ,ACTS 

#ahhf 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,LEO ,TOL/OY 

,TRANSLATOR 3 ,L\ISE ,MAUDE 

,TRANSLATOR 3 ,AYLM] ,MAUDE 

,SECTIONS 7,T,O,C7 3 
     

O ,*>ACT]S 

      #agi ,WORDS2 #a1#d#c#f ,*>ACT]S     

O ,ACT #a 

      #g1#b#c ,WORDS2 #d#c1#f#f#g ,*>ACT]S     

O ,ACT #b 

      #e1#d#c ,WORDS2 #c#d1#d#f#b ,*>ACT]S     

O ,ACT #c 

      #f1#f#a ,WORDS2 #d#a1#h#f#i ,*>ACT]S     

O ,ACT #d 

      #f1#f#a#h ,WORDS2 #d#a1#i#g#c ,*>ACT]S     

O ,ACT #e 

      #d1#g#h#h ,WORDS2 #b#g1#g#c#h ,*>ACT]S     

O ,NOTES 

      #bf ,WORDS2 #a1#g#b#i ,*>ACT]S 

,SECTIONS 7,CONT5T7 3 

O ,*>ACT]S 

,P,E,T,] ,I,G,N,A,T,I,T,*4 ,A WELL-TO-DO PEASANT1 #db YE>S OLD1 M>RI$ 
= ! SECOND TIME1 & SICKLY4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,HIS WIFE1 #cb YE>S OLD1 FOND ( DRESS4 

,A,K,\,L,9,A4 ,PET]'S DAU<T] BY HIS FIR/ M>RIAGE1 #af YE>S OLD1 
H>D ( HE>+1 M5TALLY UNDEVELOP$4 

,N,A,A,N 7,A,N,N,A ,P,E,T,R,O,V,N,A74 ,HIS DAU<T] BY HIS SECOND M>RIAGE1 #a 
YE>S OLD4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,!IR LABOR]1 #bf YE>S OLD1 FOND ( DRESS4 

,A,K,I,M4 ,NIKITA'S FA!R1 #e YE>S OLD1 A PLA9-LOOK+1 ,GOD-FE>+ 
PEASANT4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,HIS WIFE & ,NIKITA'S MO!R1 #e YE>S OLD4 

,M,>,9,A4 ,AN ORPHAN GIRL1 #bb YE>S OLD4 

,M,>,?,A4 ,PET]'S SI/]4 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,AN OLD LABOR]1 EX-SOLDI]4 

,S,I,M,O,N4 ,M>9A'S HUSB&4 

,B,R,I,D,E,G,R,O,O,M4 ,5GAG$ TO ,AK\L9A4 

,I,V,A,N4 ,HIS FA!R4 

,A ,N,E,I,<,B,O,R4 

,F,I,R,/ ,G,I,R,L4 

,S,E,C,O,N,D ,G,I,R,L4 

,P,O,L,I,C,E ,(,F,I,C,]4 

,D,R,I,V,]4 

,B,E,/-,M,A,N4 

,M,A,T,*,M,A,K,]4 

,V,I,L,L,A,G,E ,E,L,D,]4 

,V,I,S,I,T,O,R,S1 ,W,O,M,51 ,G,I,R,L,S1 ,& ,P,E,O,P,L,E COME TO SEE ! W$D+4 

,N4,B4--,! 'OV5' M5TION$ IS ! USUAL L>GE1 BRICK1 ,RUSSIAN 
BAK+-OV54 ,! TOP ( IT \TSIDE IS FLAT1 SO ?AT MORE ?AN 
ONE P]SON CAN LIE ON IT4 

O ,ACT #a 

,! ,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 

O ,ACT #b 

,! SC5E REPRES5TS ! VILLAGE /REET4 ,TO ! LEFT ! 
\TSIDE ( ,PET]'S HUT1 BUILT ( LOGS1 ) A POR* 9 ! 
MIDDLE2 TO ! RI<T ( ! HUT ! GATES & A CORN] 
( ! Y>D BUILD+S4 ,ANISYA IS BEAT+ HEMP 9 ! /REET 
NE> ! CORN] ( ! Y>D4 ,SIX MON?S HAVE ELAPS$ S9CE 
! ,FIR/ ,ACT4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A .</OPS & LI/5S.> ,MUMBL+ SOME?+ AGA94 
,HE'S PROBABLY GOT (F ! /OVE4 

,AK\L9A 5T]S1 C>RY+ TWO PAILS ON A YOKE4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,HE'S CALL+4 ,Y\ GO & SEE :AT HE WANTS1 
KICK+ UP SU* A R[4 

,A,K,\,L,9,A4 ,:Y DON'T Y\ GO8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,GO1 ,I TELL Y\6 .<,EXIT ,AK\L9A 9TO HUT.> ,HE'S 
BO!R+ ME TO DEA?4 ,WON'T LET \T :]E ! MONEY 
IS1 & ?AT'S ALL AB\T IT4 ,HE WAS \T 9 ! PASSAGE ! 
O!R DAY4 ,HE MU/ HAVE BE5 HID+ IT !RE4 ,N[1 ,I 
DON'T KN[ MYSELF :]E IT IS4 ,?ANK GOODNESS HE'S 
AFRAID ( P>T+ ) IT1 SO ?AT AT LEA/ IT WILL /AY 9 
! H\SE4 ,IF ONLY ,I C\LD MANAGE TO F9D IT4 ,HE HADN'T 
IT ON HIM YE/]DAY4 ,N[ ,I DON'T KN[ :]E IT CAN BE4 
,HE HAS QUITE WORN ! LIFE \T ( ME4 

,5T] ,AK\L9A1 TY+ H] K]*IEF OV] H] HEAD4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,:]E >E Y\ (F TO8 

,A,K,\,L,9,A4 ,:]E8 ,:Y1 HE'S TOLD ME TO GO = ,AUNT 
,M>?A4 0,FET* MY SI/]10 HE SAYS4 0,I AM GO+ TO 
DIE10 HE SAYS4 0,I HAVE A WORD TO SAY TO H]40 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A .<ASIDE.> ,ASK+ = HIS SI/]8 ,OH MY POOR HEAD6 
,SURE HE WANTS TO GIVE IT H]4 ,:AT %ALL ,I DO8 ,OH6 
.<,TO ,AK\L9A.> ,DON'T GO6 ,:]E >E Y\ (F TO8 

,A,K,\,L,9,A4 ,TO CALL ,AUNT4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,DON'T GO ,I TELL Y\1 ,I'LL GO MYSELF4 ,Y\ GO 
& TAKE ! CLO!S TO ! RIV] TO R9SE4 ,ELSE Y\'LL NOT 
HAVE F9I%$ BY ! EV5+4 

,A,K,\,L,9,A4 ,BUT HE TOLD ME TO GO4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,Y\ GO & DO AS Y\'RE BID4 ,I TELL Y\ ,I'LL 
FET* ,M>?A MYSELF4 ,TAKE ! %IRTS (F ! F5CE4 

,A,K,\,L,9,A4 ,! %IRTS8 ,BUT MAYBE Y\'LL NOT GO4 ,HE'S 
GIV5 ! ORD]4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,DIDN'T ,I SAY ,I'D GO8 ,:]E'S ,NAAN8 

,A,K,\,L,9,A4 ,NAAN8 ,M9D+ ! CALVES4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,S5D H] H]E4 ,I D>E SAY !Y'LL NOT RUN AWAY4 
.<,AK\L9A COLLECTS ! CLO!S1 & EXIT.>4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,IF ONE DOESN'T GO HE'LL SCOLD4 ,IF ONE GOES HE'LL 
GIVE ! MONEY TO HIS SI/]4 ,ALL MY TR\BLE WILL BE 
WA/$4 ,I DON'T MYSELF KN[ :AT ,I'M TO DO4 ,MY POOR 
HEAD'S SPLITT+4 .<,CONT9UES TO WORK.>4 

,5T] ,MATRYONA1 ) A /ICK & A BUNDLE1 9 \TDOOR 
CLO!S4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,MAY ! ,LORD HELP Y\1 HONEY4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A .<LOOKS R\ND1 /OPS WORK+1 & CLAPS H] H&S ) 
JOY.> ,WELL1 ,I NEV] EXPECT$ ?IS6 ,MO!R ,MATRYONA1 ,GOD 
HAS S5T ! RI<T GUE/ AT ! RI<T TIME4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,WELL1 H[ >E ?+S8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,AH1 ,I'M DRIV5 WELL-NI< CRAZY4 ,IT'S AWFUL6 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,WELL1 /ILL ALIVE1 ,I HE>8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,OH1 DON'T TALK AB\T IT4 ,HE DOESN'T LIVE & 
DOESN'T DIE6 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,BUT ! MONEY--HAS HE GIV5 IT TO ANYBODY8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,HE'S JU/ S5D+ = HIS SI/] ,M>?A--PROBABLY 
AB\T ! MONEY4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,WELL1 NATURALLY6 ,BUT HASN'T HE GIV5 IT TO 
ANY ONE ELSE8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,TO NO ONE4 ,I WAT* LIKE A HAWK4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,& :]E IS IT8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,HE DOESN'T LET \T4 ,& ,I CAN'T F9D \T 9 
ANY WAY4 ,HE HIDES IT N[ H]E1 N[ !RE1 & ,I CAN'T 
DO ANY?+ BECAUSE ( ,AK\L9A4 ,IDIOT ?\< %E IS1 
%E KEEPS WAT*1 & IS ALWAYS AB\T4 ,OH MY POOR HEAD6 
,I'M BO!R$ TO DEA?4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,OH1 MY JEWEL1 IF HE GIVES ! MONEY TO ANY 
ONE BUT Y\1 Y\'LL NEV] CEASE REGRETT+ IT AS LONG AS Y\ 
LIVE6 ,!Y'LL TURN Y\ \T ( H\SE & HOME )\T 
ANY?+4 ,Y\'VE BE5 WORRIT+1 & WORRIT+ ALL Y\R 
LIFE ) ONE Y\ DON'T LOVE1 & WILL HAVE TO GO A-BEGG+ 
:5 Y\ >E A WID[4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,NO NE$ TO TELL ME1 MO!R4 ,MY HE>T'S ?AT 
WE>Y1 & ,I DON'T KN[ :AT TO DO4 ,NO ONE TO GET A BIT 
( ADVICE FROM4 ,I TOLD ,NIKITA1 BUT HE'S FRI<T5$ ( ! 
JOB4 ,! ONLY ?+ HE DID WAS TO TELL ME YE/]DAY IT 
WAS HIDD5 UND] ! FLOOR4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,WELL1 & DID Y\ LOOK !RE8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,I C\LDN'T4 ,! OLD MAN HIMSELF WAS 9 ! 
ROOM4 ,I NOTICE ?AT SOMETIMES HE C>RIES IT AB\T ON 
HIM1 & SOMETIMES HE HIDES IT4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,BUT Y\1 MY LASS1 MU/ REMEMB] ?AT IF 
ONCE HE GIVES Y\ ! SLIP !RE'S NO GETT+ IT RI<T 
AGA96 .<,:ISP]+.> ,WELL1 & DID Y\ GIVE HIM ! 
/RONG TEA8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,OH6 OH6444 .<,AB\T TO ANSW]1 BUT SEES NEI<BOR 
& /OPS.>4 

,! NEI<BOR 7A WOMAN7 PASSES ! HUT1 & LI/5S TO A 
CALL FROM )94 

,N,E,I,<,B,O,R .<TO ,ANISYA.> ,I SAY1 ,ANISYA6 ,EH1 ,ANISYA6 
,!RE'S Y\R OLD MAN CALL+1 ,I ?9K4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,?AT'S ! WAY HE ALWAYS C\<S1--JU/ AS IF HE 
W]E SCREAM+4 ,HE'S GETT+ V]Y BAD4 

,N,E,I,<,B,O,R .<APPROA*ES ,MATRYONA.> ,H[ DO Y\ DO1 
GRANNY8 ,HAVE Y\ COME F>8 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,/RAI<T FROM HOME1 DE>4 ,COME TO SEE MY 
SON4 ,BR\<T HIM SOME %IRTS--CAN'T HELP ?9K+ ( 
!SE ?+S1 Y\ SEE1 :5 IT'S ONE'S [N *ILD4 

,N,E,I,<,B,O,R4 ,YES1 ?AT'S ALWAYS SO4 .<,TO ,ANISYA.> ,& ,I WAS 
?9K+ ( BEG9N+ TO BLEA* ! L951 BUT IT IS A BIT 
E>LY1 NO ONE HAS BEGUN YET4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,:]E'S ! HURRY8 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,WELL1 & HAS HE HAD COMMUNION8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,OH DE> YES1 ! PRIE/ WAS H]E YE/]DAY4 

,N,E,I,<,B,O,R4 ,I HAD A LOOK AT HIM YE/]DAY4 ,DE>Y ME6 
ONE WOND]S HIS BODY & S\L KEEP TOGE!R4 ,&1 ,O 
,LORD1 ! O!R DAY HE SEEM$ JU/ AT HIS LA/ GASP1 SO 
?AT !Y LAID HIM UND] ! HOLY ICONS4.<#a.> ,!Y />T$ 
LAM5T+ & GOT READY TO LAY HIM \T4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,HE CAME TO1 & CREEPS AB\T AGA94 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,WELL1 & IS HE TO HAVE EXTREME UNCTION8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,! NEI<BORS ADVISE IT4 ,IF HE LIVES TILL TO-MORR[ 
WE'LL S5D = ! PRIE/4 

,N,E,I,<,B,O,R4 ,OH1 ,ANISYA DE>1 ,I %\LD ?9K Y\R HE>T 
MU/ BE HEAVY4 ,AS ! SAY+ GOES1 0,NOT HE IS SICK ?AT'S 
ILL 9 B$1 BUT HE ?AT SITS & WAITS 9 DREAD40 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,YES1 IF IT W]E ONLY OV] ONE WAY OR O!R6 

,N,E,I,<,B,O,R4 ,YES1 ?AT'S TRUE1 DY+ = A YE>1 IT'S NO 
JOKE4 ,Y\'RE B\ND H& & FOOT LIKE ?AT4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,AH1 BUT A WID['S LOT IS ALSO BITT]4 ,IT'S ALL 
RI<T AS LONG AS ONE'S Y\NG1 BUT :O'LL C>E = Y\ :5 
Y\'RE OLD8 ,OH YES1 OLD AGE IS NOT PLEASURE4 ,JU/ LOOK 
AT ME4 ,I'VE NOT WALK$ V]Y F>1 & YET AM SO FOOTSORE ,I 
DON'T KN[ H[ TO /&4 ,:]E'S MY SON8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,PL[+4 ,BUT Y\ COME 9 & WE'LL GET ! 
SAMOV> READY2 ! TEA'LL SET Y\ UP AGA94 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A .<SITT+ D[N.> ,YES1 IT'S TRUE1 ,I'M QUITE DONE UP1 
MY DE>S4 ,AS TO EXTREME UNCTION1 ?AT'S ABSOLUTELY NECESS>Y4 
,BESIDES1 !Y SAY IT'S GOOD = ! S\L4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,YES1 WE'LL S5D TO-MORR[4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,YES1 Y\ HAD BETT]4 ,& WE'VE HAD A 
W$D+ D[N 9 \R P>TS4 

,N,E,I,<,B,O,R4 ,:AT1 9 SPR+8.<#b.> 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,AH1 N[ IF IT W]E A POOR MAN1 !N1 AS ! 
SAY+ IS1 IT'S ALWAYS UNSEASONABLE = A POOR MAN TO M>RY4 
,BUT IT'S ,SIMON ,MATVEYIT*1 HE'S M>RI$ ?AT ,M>9A4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,:AT LUCK = H]6 

,N,E,I,<,B,O,R4 ,HE'S A WID[]4 ,I SUPPOSE !RE >E *ILDR58 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,F\R ( 'EM4 ,:AT DEC5T GIRL W\LD HAVE 
HIM6 ,WELL1 SO HE'S TAK5 H]1 & %E'S GLAD4 ,Y\ SEE1 
! VESSEL WAS NOT S\ND1 SO ! W9E TRICKL$ \T4 

,N,E,I,<,B,O,R4 ,OH MY6 ,& :AT DO PEOPLE SAY TO IT8 
,& HE1 A RI* PEASANT6 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,!Y >E LIV+ WELL 5\< SO F>4 

,N,E,I,<,B,O,R4 ,YES1 IT'S TRUE 5\<4 ,:O WANTS TO M>RY 
:]E !RE >E *ILDR58 ,!RE N[1 !RE'S \R 
,MI*AEL4 ,HE'S SU* A FELL[1 DE> ME 444 

,P,E,A,S,A,N,T',S ,V,O,I,C,E4 ,HULLO1 ,MAVRA4 ,:]E ! DEVIL >E 
Y\8 ,GO & DRIVE ! C[ 94 

,EXIT ,NEI<BOR4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A .<:ILE ! ,NEI<BOR IS )9 HE>+ SPEAKS 
9 H] ORD9>Y VOICE.> ,YES1 LASS1 ?ANK GOODNESS1 %E'S 
M>RI$4 ,AT ANY RATE MY OLD FOOL WON'T GO BO!R+ 
AB\T ,NIKITA4 ,N[ .<SUDD5LY *ANG+ H] TONE.>1 %E'S 
GONE6 .<,:ISP]S.> ,I SAY1 DID Y\ GIVE HIM ! TEA8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,DON'T SPEAK AB\T IT4 ,HE'D BETT] DIE ( 
HIMSELF4 ,IT'S NO USE--HE DOESN'T DIE1 & ,I HAVE ONLY 
TAK5 A S9 ON MY S\L4 ,O-OH1 MY HEAD1 MY HEAD6 ,OH1 
:Y DID Y\ GIVE ME ?OSE P[D]S8 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,:AT ( ! P[D]S8 ,! SLEEP+ P[D]S1 
LASS1--:Y NOT GIVE !M8 ,NO EVIL CAN COME ( !M4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,I AM NOT TALK+ ( ! SLEEP+ ONES1 BUT ! 
O!RS1 ! :ITE ONES4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,WELL1 HONEY1 ?OSE P[D]S >E M$IC9AL4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A .<SI<S.> ,I KN[1 YET IT'S FRI<T5+4 ,?\< 
HE'S WORRI$ ME TO DEA?4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,WELL1 & DID Y\ USE MANY8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,I GAVE TWO DOSES4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,WAS ANY?+ NOTICEABLE8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,I HAD A TA/E ( ! TEA MYSELF--JU/ A LITTLE 
BITT]4 ,& HE DRANK !M ) ! TEA & SAYS1 0,EV5 
TEA DISGU/S ME10 & ,I SAY1 0,EV]Y?+ TA/ES BITT] 
:5 ONE'S SICK40 ,BUT ,I FELT ?AT SC>$1 MO!R4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,DON'T GO ?9K+ AB\T IT4 ,! MORE ONE 
?9KS ! WORSE IT IS4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,I WI% Y\'D NEV] GIV5 !M TO ME & L$ 
ME 9TO S94 ,:5 ,I ?9K ( IT SOME?+ SEEMS TO TE> 
MY HE>T4 ,OH DE>1 :Y DID Y\ GIVE !M TO ME8 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,:AT DO Y\ MEAN1 HONEY8 ,LORD HELP Y\6 
,:Y >E Y\ TURN+ IT ON TO ME8 ,M9D1 LASS1 DON'T GO 
TWI/+ MATT]S FROM ! SICK ON TO ! HEAL?Y4 ,IF 
ANY?+ W]E TO HAPP51 ,I /& ASIDE6 ,I KN[ NO?+6 
,I'M AW>E ( NO?+6 ,I'LL KISS ! CROSS ON IT2 ,I NEV] 
GAVE Y\ ANY K9D ( P[D]S1 NEV] SAW ANY1 NEV] 
HE>D ( ANY1 & NEV] KNEW !RE W]E SU* P[D]S4 
,Y\ ?9K AB\T Y\RSELF1 LASS4 ,:Y1 WE W]E TALK+ 
AB\T Y\ ! O!R DAY4 0,POOR ?+1 :AT TORTURE %E 
5DURES4 ,! /EP-DAU<T] AN IDIOT2 ! OLD MAN ROTT51 
SUCK+ H] LIFE-BLOOD4 ,:AT W\LDN'T ONE BE READY TO 
DO 9 SU* A CASE60 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,I'M NOT GO+ TO D5Y IT4 ,A LIFE SU* AS M9E 
C\LD MAKE ONE DO WORSE ?AN ?AT4 ,IT C\LD MAKE Y\ 
HANG Y\RSELF OR ?ROTTLE HIM4 ,IS ?IS A LIFE8 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,?AT'S JU/ IT4 ,!RE'S NO TIME TO /& 
GAP+2 ! MONEY MU/ BE F\ND ONE WAY OR O!R1 & 
!N HE MU/ HAVE HIS TEA4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,O-OH1 MY HEAD1 MY HEAD6 ,I CAN'T ?9K :AT 
TO DO4 ,I AM SO FRI<T5$2 HE'D BETT] DIE ( HIMSELF4 
,I DON'T WANT TO HAVE IT ON MY S\L4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A .<VICI\SLY.> ,& :Y DOESN'T HE %[ ! 
MONEY8 ,DOES HE MEAN TO TAKE IT ALONG ) HIM8 ,IS 
NO ONE TO HAVE IT8 ,IS ?AT RI<T8 ,GOD =BID SU* A 
SUM %\LD BE LO/ ALL = NO?+4 ,ISN'T ?AT A S98 
,:AT'S HE DO+8 ,IS HE WOR? CONSID]+8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,I DON'T KN[ ANY?+4 ,HE'S WORRI$ ME TO 
DEA?4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,:AT IS IT Y\ DON'T KN[8 ,! BUS9ESS 
IS CLE>4 ,IF Y\ MAKE A SLIP N[1 Y\'LL REP5T IT ALL Y\R 
LIFE4 ,HE'LL GIVE ! MONEY TO HIS SI/] & Y\'LL BE 
LEFT )\T4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,O-OH DE>6 ,YES1 & HE DID S5D = H]--,I 
MU/ GO4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,Y\ WAIT A BIT & LI<T ! SAMOV> FIR/4 
,WE'LL GIVE HIM SOME TEA & SE>* HIM TOGE!R--WE'LL 
F9D IT1 NO FE>4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,OH DE>1 OH DE>2 SUPPOS+ SOME?+ W]E 
TO HAPP54 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,:AT N[8 ,:AT'S ! GOOD ( WAIT+8 
,DO Y\ WANT ! MONEY TO SLIP FROM Y\R H& :5 IT'S 
JU/ 9 SI<T8 ,Y\ GO & DO AS ,I SAY4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,WELL1 ,I'LL GO & LI<T ! SAMOV>4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,GO1 HONEY1 DO ! BUS9ESS SO AS NOT TO 
REGRET IT AFT]W>DS4 ,?AT'S RI<T6 .<,ANISYA TURNS TO GO4 
,MATRYONA CALLS H] BACK.>4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,JU/ A WORD4 ,DON'T TELL ,NIKITA AB\T ! 
BUS9ESS4 ,HE'S SILLY4 ,GOD =BID HE %\LD F9D \T 
AB\T ! P[D]S4 ,! ,LORD ONLY KN[S :AT HE W\LD 
DO4 ,HE'S SO T5D]-HE>T$4 ,D'Y\ KN[1 HE US5'T TO 
BE ABLE TO KILL A *ICK54 ,DON'T TELL HIM4 ',TW\LD BE A 
F9E GO1 HE W\LDN'T UND]/& ?+S4 .<,/OPS HORROR-/RUCK 
AS ,PET] APPE>S 9 ! DOORWAY.>4 

,P,E,T,] .<HOLD+ ON TO ! WALL1 CREEPS \T 9TO ! POR* 
& CALLS ) A FA9T VOICE.> ,H['S IT ONE CAN'T MAKE Y\ 
HE>8 ,OH1 OH1 ,ANISYA6 ,:O'S !RE8 .<,DROPS ON ! 
B5*.>4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A .</EPS FROM BEH9D ! CORN].> ,:Y HAVE Y\ 
COME \T8 ,Y\ %\LD HAVE /AY$ :]E Y\ W]E LY+4 

,P,E,T,]4 ,HAS ! GIRL GONE = ,M>?A8 ,IT'S V]Y H>D4444 
,OH1 IF ONLY DEA? W\LD COME QUICK]6 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,%E HAD NO TIME4 ,I S5T H] TO ! RIV]4 
,WAIT A BIT1 ,I'LL GO MYSELF :5 ,I'M READY4 

,P,E,T,]4 ,S5D ,NAAN4 ,:]E'S %E8 ,OH1 ,I'M ?AT BAD6 
,OH1 DEA?'S AT H&6 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,I'VE S5T = H] ALREADY4 

,P,E,T,]4 ,OH DE>6 ,!N :]E IS %E8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,:]E'S %E GOT TO1 ! PLAGUE SEIZE H]6 

,P,E,T,]4 ,OH1 DE>6 ,I CAN'T BE> IT4 ,ALL MY 9SIDE'S ON 
FIRE4 ,IT'S AS IF A GIMLET W]E BOR+ ME4 ,:Y HAVE Y\ 
LEFT ME AS IF ,I W]E A DOG8444 NO ONE TO GIVE ME A DR9K4444 
,OH 444 S5D ,NAAN TO ME4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,H]E %E IS4 ,NAAN1 GO TO FA!R4 

,NAAN RUNS 94 ,ANISYA GOES BEH9D ! CORN] ( ! H\SE4 

,P,E,T,]4 ,GO Y\4 ,OH 444 TO ,AUNT ,M>?A1 TELL H] 
FA!R WANTS H]2 SAY %E'S TO COME1 ,I WANT H]4 

,N,A,A,N4 ,ALL RI<T4 

,P,E,T,]4 ,WAIT A BIT4 ,TELL H] %E'S TO COME QUICK4 ,TELL 
H] ,I'M DY+4 ,O-OH6 

,N,A,A,N4 ,I'LL JU/ GET MY %AWL & BE (F4 .<,RUNS (F.>4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A .<W9K+.> ,N[ !N1 M9D & LOOK %>P1 
LASS4 ,GO 9TO ! HUT1 HUNT AB\T EV]Y:]E1 LIKE A DOG 
?AT'S HUNT+ = FLEAS3 LOOK UND] EV]Y?+1 & ,I'LL 
SE>* HIM4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A .<TO ,MATRYONA.> ,I FEEL A BIT BOLD]1 SOMEH[1 
N[ Y\'RE H]E4 .<,GES UP TO POR*4 ,TO ,PET].> ,HADN'T 
,I BETT] LI<T ! SAMOV>8 ,H]E'S ,MO!R ,MATRYONA 
COME TO SEE H] SON2 Y\'LL HAVE A CUP ( TEA ) H]8 

,P,E,T,]4 ,WELL !N1 LI<T IT4 .<,ANISYA GOES 9TO ! H\SE4 
,MATRYONA COMES UP TO ! POR*.>4 

,P,E,T,]4 ,H[ DO Y\ DO8 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A .<B[+.> ,H[ D'Y\ DO1 MY B5EFACTOR2 
H[ D'Y\ DO1 MY PRECI\S 444 /ILL ILL1 ,I SEE4 ,& MY 
OLD MAN1 HE'S ?AT SORRY6 0,GO10 SAYS HE1 0SEE H[ HE'S 
GETT+ ON40 ,HE S5DS HIS RESPECTS TO Y\4 .<,B[S AGA9.>4 

,P,E,T,]4 ,I'M DY+4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,AH YES1 ,PET] ,IGNATIT*1 N[ ,I LOOK AT Y\ 
,I SEE1 AS ! SAY+ HAS IT1 0,SICKNESS LIVES :]E M5 
LIVE40 ,Y\'VE %RIVEL$1 %RIVEL$1 ALL TO NO?+1 POOR 
DE>1 N[ ,I COME TO LOOK AT Y\4 ,SEEMS ILLNESS DOES NOT 
ADD TO GOOD LOOKS4 

,P,E,T,]4 ,MY LA/ H\R HAS COME4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,OH WELL1 ,PET] ,IGNATIT*1 IT'S ,GOD'S WILL Y\ 
KN[1 Y\'VE HAD COMMUNION1 & Y\'LL HAVE UNCTION1 
,GOD WILL+4 ,Y\R MISSUS IS A WISE WOMAN1 ! ,LORD BE 
?ANK$2 %E'LL GIVE Y\ A GOOD BURIAL1 & HAVE PRAY]S 
SAID = Y\R S\L1 ALL MO/ RESPECTABLE6 ,& MY SON1 
HE'LL LOOK AFT] ?+S MEAN:ILE4 

,P,E,T,]4 ,!RE'LL BE NO ONE TO MANAGE ?+S6 ,%E'S 
NOT /EADY4 ,HAS H] HEAD FULL ( FOLLY--:Y1 ,I KN[ ALL 
AB\T IT1 ,I KN[4 ,& MY GIRL IS SILLY & Y\NG4 ,I'VE 
GOT ! HOME/EAD TOGE!R1 & !RE'S NO ONE TO ATT5D 
TO ?+S4 ,ONE CAN'T HELP FEEL+ IT4 .<,:IMP]S.>4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,:Y1 IF IT'S MONEY1 OR SOME?+1 Y\ CAN 
LEAVE ORD]S4 

,P,E,T,] .<TO ,ANISYA 9SIDE ! H\SE.> ,HAS ,NAAN GONE8 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A .<ASIDE.> ,!RE N[1 HE'S REMEMB]$6 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A .<FROM 9SIDE.> ,%E W5T !N & !RE4 ,COME 
9SIDE1 WON'T Y\8 ,I'LL HELP Y\ 94 

,P,E,T,]4 ,LET ME SIT H]E A BIT = ! LA/ TIME4 ,! 
AIR'S SO /UFFY 9SIDE4 ,OH1 H[ BAD ,I FEEL6 ,OH1 MY 
HE>T'S BURN+4444 ,OH1 IF DEA? W\LD ONLY COME4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,IF ,GOD DON'T TAKE A S\L1 ! S\L CAN'T GO 
\T4 ,DEA? & LIFE >E 9 ,GOD'S WILL1 ,PET] ,IGNATIT*4 
,Y\ CAN'T BE SURE ( DEA? EI!R4 ,MAYBE Y\'LL RECOV] 
YET4 ,!RE WAS A MAN 9 \R VILLAGE JU/ LIKE ?AT1 AT 
! V]Y PO9T ( DEA? 444 

,P,E,T,]4 ,NO1 ,I FEEL ,I %ALL DIE TO-DAY1 ,I FEEL IT4 .<,LEANS 
BACK & %UTS HIS EYES.>4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A .<5T]S.> ,WELL N[1 >E Y\ COM+ 9 OR NOT8 
,Y\ DO KEEP ONE WAIT+4 ,PET]6 EH1 ,PET]6 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A .</EPS ASIDE & BECKONS TO ,ANISYA ) H] F+].> 
,WELL8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A .<COMES D[N ! POR* /EPS.> ,NOT !RE4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,BUT HAVE Y\ SE>*$ EV]Y:]E8 ,UND] 
! FLOOR8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,NO1 IT'S NOT !RE EI!R4 ,9 ! %$ P]HAPS2 
HE WAS RUMMAG+ !RE YE/]DAY4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,GO1 SE>*1 SE>* = ALL Y\'RE WOR?4 ,GO 
ALL OV] EV]Y:]E1 AS IF Y\ LICK$ ) Y\R TONGUE6 
,BUT ,I SEE HE'LL DIE ?IS V]Y DAY1 HIS NAILS >E TURN+ 
BLUE & HIS FACE LOOKS E>?Y4 ,IS ! SAMOV> READY8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,JU/ ON ! BOIL4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<COMES FROM ! O!R SIDE1 IF POSSIBLE ON HORSEBACK1 
UP TO ! GATE1 & DOES NOT SEE ,PET]4 ,TO ,MATRYONA.> ,H[ 
D'Y\ DO1 MO!R1 IS ALL WELL AT HOME8 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,! ,LORD BE ?ANK$1 WE'RE ALL ALIVE & 
HAVE A CRU/ TO BITE4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,WELL1 & H['S MA/]8 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,HU%1 !RE HE SITS4 .<,PO9TS TO POR*.>4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,WELL1 LET HIM SIT4 ,:AT'S IT TO ME8 

,P,E,T,] .<OP5S HIS EYES.> ,NIKITA1 ,I SAY1 ,NIKITA1 COME H]E6 
.<,NIKITA APPROA*ES4 ,ANISYA & ,MATRYONA :ISP] TOGE!R.>4 

,P,E,T,]4 ,:Y HAVE Y\ COME BACK SO E>LY8 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,I'VE F9I%$ PL[+4 

,P,E,T,]4 ,HAVE Y\ DONE ! /RIP BEYOND ! BRIDGE8 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,IT'S TOO F> TO GO !RE4 

,P,E,T,]4 ,TOO F>8 ,FROM H]E IT'S /ILL F>!R4 ,Y\'LL 
HAVE TO GO ON PURPOSE N[4 ,Y\ MI<T HAVE MADE ONE 
JOB ( IT4 .<,ANISYA1 )\T %[+ H]SELF1 /&S & LI/5S.>4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A .<APPROA*ES.> ,OH1 SONNIE1 :Y DON'T Y\ TAKE 
MORE PA9S = Y\R MA/]8 ,Y\R MA/] IS ILL & 
DEP5DS ON Y\2 Y\ %\LD S]VE HIM AS Y\ W\LD Y\R 
[N FA!R1 /RA9+ EV]Y MUSCLE JU/ AS ,I ALWAYS TELL 
Y\ TO4 

,P,E,T,]4 ,WELL !N--O-OH6444 ,GET \T ! SE$ POTATOES1 
& ! WOM5 WILL GO & SORT !M4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A .<ASIDE.> ,NO FE>1 ,I'M NOT GO+4 ,HE'S AGA9 
S5D+ EV]Y ONE AWAY2 HE MU/ HAVE ! MONEY ON HIM 
N[1 & WANTS TO HIDE IT SOME:]E4 

,P,E,T,]4 ,ELSE 444 O-OH6 :5 ! TIME COMES = PLANT+1 
!Y'LL ALL BE ROTT54 ,OH1 ,I CAN'T /& IT6 .<,RISES.>4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A .<RUNS UP 9TO ! POR* & HOLDS ,PET] UP.> 
,%ALL ,I HELP Y\ 9TO ! HUT8 

,P,E,T,]4 ,HELP ME 94 .<,/OPS.> ,NIKITA6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<ANGRILY.> ,:AT N[8 

,P,E,T,]4 ,I %AN'T SEE Y\ AGA9 444 ,I'LL DIE TO-DAY4444 
,=GIVE ME1.<#c.> = ,*RI/'S SAKE1 =GIVE ME IF ,I HAVE EV] 
S9N$ AGA9/ Y\ 444 ,IF ,I HAVE S9N$ 9 WORD OR 
DE$ 444 ,!RE'S BE5 ALL SORTS ( ?+S4 ,=GIVE ME6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,:AT'S !RE TO =GIVE8 ,I'M A S9N] MYSELF4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,AH1 SONNIE1 HAVE SOME FEEL+4 

,P,E,T,]4 ,=GIVE ME1 = ,*RI/'S SAKE4 .<,WEEPS.>4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<SNIVELS.> ,GOD WILL =GIVE Y\1 ,DADDY ,PET]4 ,I 
HAVE NO CAUSE TO COMPLA9 ( Y\4 ,Y\'VE NEV] DONE 
ME ANY WRONG4 ,Y\ =GIVE ME2 MAYBE ,I'VE S9N$ 
WORSE AGA9/ Y\4 .<,WEEPS.>4 

,PET] GOES 9 :IMP]+1 ,MATRYONA SUPPORT+ HIM4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,OH1 MY POOR HEAD6 ,IT'S NOT )\T SOME 
REASON HE'S HIT ON ?AT4 .<,APPROA*ES ,NIKITA.> ,:Y DID 
Y\ SAY ! MONEY WAS UND] ! FLOOR8 ,IT'S NOT !RE4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<DOES NOT ANSW]1 BUT CRIES.> ,I HAVE NEV] HAD 
ANY?+ BAD FROM HIM1 NO?+ BUT GOOD1 & :AT HAVE 
,I GONE & DONE6 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,5\< N[6 ,:]E'S ! MONEY8 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<ANGRILY.> ,H[ %\LD ,I KN[8 ,GO & LOOK 
= IT Y\RSELF6 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,:AT'S MADE Y\ SO T5D]8 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,I AM SORRY = HIM1--?AT SORRY4 ,H[ HE CRI$6 
,OH DE>6 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,LOOK AT HIM1--SEIZ$ ) PITY6 ,HE HAS F\ND 
SOMEONE TO PITY TOO6 ,HE'S BE5 TREAT+ Y\ LIKE A DOG1 
& EV5 JU/ N[ WAS GIV+ ORD]S TO HAVE Y\ TURN$ 
\T ( ! H\SE4 ,Y\'D BETT] %[ ME SOME PITY6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,:AT >E Y\ TO BE PITI$ =8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,IF HE DIES1 & ! MONEY'S BE5 HIDD5 
AWAY 444 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,NO FE>1 HE'LL NOT HIDE IT 444 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,OH1 ,NIKITA D>L+6 HE'S S5T = HIS SI/]1 & 
WANTS TO GIVE IT TO H]4 ,IT WILL BE A BAD LOOK\T = US4 
,H[ >E WE GO+ TO LIVE1 IF HE GIVES H] ! MONEY8 
,!Y'LL TURN ME \T ( ! H\SE6 ,Y\ TRY & MANAGE 
SOMEH[6 ,Y\ SAID HE W5T TO ! %$ LA/ NI<T4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,I SAW HIM COM+ FROM !RE1 BUT :]E HE'S 
%OV$ IT TO1 :O CAN TELL8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,OH1 MY POOR HEAD6 ,I'LL GO & HAVE A LOOK 
!RE4 .<,NIKITA /EPS ASIDE.>4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A .<COMES \T ( ! HUT & D[N ! /EPS ( ! 
POR* TO ,ANISYA & ,NIKITA.> ,DON'T GO ANY:]E4 ,HE'S 
GOT ! MONEY ON HIM4 ,I FELT IT ON A /R+ R\ND HIS 
NECK4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,OH MY HEAD1 MY HEAD6 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,IF Y\ DON'T KEEP WIDE AWAKE N[1 !N 
Y\ MAY :I/LE = IT4 ,IF HIS SI/] COMES--!N GOOD-BYE 
TO IT6 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,?AT'S TRUE4 ,%E'LL COME & HE'LL GIVE IT H]4 
,:AT'S TO BE DONE8 ,OH MY POOR HEAD6 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,:AT IS TO BE DONE8 ,:Y1 LOOK H]E2 
! SAMOV> IS BOIL+1 GO & MAKE ! TEA & P\R 
HIM \T A CUP1 & !N .<:ISP]S.> PUT 9 ALL ?AT'S LEFT 9 
! PAP]4 ,:5 HE'S DRUNK ! CUP1 !N JU/ TAKE IT4 
,HE'LL NOT TELL1 NO FE>4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,OH6 ,I'M AFE>$6 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,DON'T BE TALK+ N[1 BUT LOOK ALIVE1 & 
,I'LL KEEP HIS SI/] (F IF NE$ BE4 ,M9D1 DON'T MAKE A 
BLUND]6 ,GET HOLD ( ! MONEY & BR+ IT H]E1 & 
,NIKITA WILL HIDE IT4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,OH MY HEAD1 MY HEAD6 ,I DON'T KN[ H[ ,I'M 
GO+ TO 444 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,DON'T TALK AB\T IT ,I TELL Y\1 DO AS ,I BID 
Y\4 ,NIKITA6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,:AT IS IT8 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,Y\ /AY H]E--SIT D[N--9 CASE SOME?+ 
IS WANT$4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<WAVES HIS H&.> ,OH !SE WOM51 :AT WON'T !Y 
BE UP TO8 ,MUDDLE ONE UP COMPLETELY4 ,BO!R !M6 
,I'LL REALLY GO & FET* \T ! POTATOES4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A .<CAT*ES HIM BY ! >M.> ,/AY H]E1 ,I TELL 
Y\4 

,NAAN 5T]S4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,WELL8 

,N,A,A,N4 ,%E WAS D[N 9 H] DAU<T]'S VEGETABLE PLOT--%E'S 
COM+4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,COM+6 ,:AT %ALL WE DO8 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,!RE'S PL5TY ( TIME IF Y\ DO AS ,I TELL 
Y\4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,I DON'T KN[ :AT TO DO2 ,I KN[ NO?+1 MY 
BRA9'S ALL 9 A :IRL4 ,NAAN6 ,GO1 DAU<T]1 & SEE TO 
! CALVES1 !Y'LL HAVE RUN AWAY1 ,I'M AFRAID4444 ,OH 
DE>1 ,I HAV5'T ! C\RAGE4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,GO ON6 ,I %\LD ?9K ! SAMOV>'S BOIL+ 
OV]4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,OH MY HEAD1 MY POOR HEAD6 .<,EXIT.>4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A .<APPROA*ES ,NIKITA.> ,N[ !N1 SONNIE4 .<,SITS 
D[N BESIDE HIM.> ,Y\R AFFAIRS MU/ ALSO BE ?\<T AB\T1 
& NOT LEFT ANYH[4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,:AT AFFAIRS8 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,:Y1 ?IS AFFAIR--H[ Y\'RE TO LIVE Y\R 
LIFE4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,H[ TO LIVE MY LIFE8 ,O!RS LIVE1 & ,I %ALL 
LIVE6 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,! OLD MAN WILL PROBABLY DIE TO-DAY4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,WELL1 IF HE DIES1 ,GOD GIVE HIM RE/6 ,:AT'S 
?AT TO ME8 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A .<KEEPS LOOK+ T[>DS ! POR* :ILE %E 
SPEAKS.> ,EH1 SONNIE6 ,?OSE ?AT >E ALIVE HAVE TO ?9K 
AB\T LIV+4 ,ONE NE$S PL5TY ( S5SE 9 !SE MATT]S1 
HONEY4 ,:AT DO Y\ ?9K8 ,I'VE TRAMP$ ALL OV] ! 
PLACE AFT] Y\R AFFAIRS1 ,I'VE GOT QUITE FOOTSORE BO!R+ 
AB\T MATT]S4 ,& Y\ MU/ NOT =GET ME :5 ! 
TIME COMES4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,& :AT'S IT Y\'VE BE5 BO!R+ AB\T8 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,AB\T Y\R AFFAIRS1 AB\T Y\R FUTURE4 ,IF Y\ 
DON'T TAKE TR\BLE 9 GOOD TIME Y\'LL GET NO?+4 ,Y\ 
KN[ ,IVAN ,MOSEIT*8 ,WELL1 ,I'VE BE5 TO HIM TOO4 ,I 
W5T !RE ! O!R DAY4 ,I HAD SOME?+ ELSE TO SETTLE1 
Y\ KN[4 ,WELL1 SO ,I SAT & *ATT$ A:ILE & !N 
CAME TO ! PO9T4 0,TELL ME1 ,IVAN ,MOSEIT*10 SAYS ,I1 
0H['S ONE TO MANAGE AN AFFAIR ( ?IS K9D8 ,SUPPOS+10 
SAYS ,I1 0A PEASANT AS IS A WID[] M>RI$ A 
SECOND WIFE1 & SUPPOS+ ALL ! *ILDR5 HE HAS IS A 
DAU<T] BY ! FIR/ WIFE1 & A DAU<T] BY ! SECOND4 
,!N10 SAYS ,I1 0:5 ?AT PEASANT DIES1 C\LD AN \TSID] 
GET HOLD ( ! HOME/EAD BY M>RY+ ! WID[8 
,C\LD HE10 SAYS ,I1 0GIVE BO? ! DAU<T]S 9 M>RIAGE 
& REMA9 MA/] ( ! H\SE HIMSELF80 0,YES1 HE 
C\LD10 SAYS HE1 0BUT10 SAYS HE1 0IT W\LD MEAN A DEAL 
( TR\BLE2 /ILL ! ?+ C\LD BE MANAG$ BY MEANS ( 
MONEY1 BUT IF !RE'S NO MONEY IT'S NO GOOD TRY+40 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<LAU<S.> ,?AT GOES )\T SAY+1 ONLY =K \T 
! MONEY4 ,:O DOES NOT WANT MONEY8 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,WELL !N1 HONEY1 SO ,I SPOKE \T PLA9LY 
AB\T ! AFFAIR4 ,& HE SAYS1 0,FIR/ & =EMO/1 Y\R 
SON WILL HAVE TO GET HIMSELF ON ! REGI/] ( ?AT VILLAGE--?AT 
WILL CO/ SOME?+4 ,! ELD]S WILL HAVE TO BE 
TREAT$4 ,& !Y1 Y\ SEE1 !Y'LL SIGN4 ,EV]Y?+10 
SAYS HE1 0MU/ BE DONE S5SIBLY40 ,LOOK1 .<UNWRAPS H] 
K]*IEF & TAKES \T A PAP].> HE'S WRITT5 \T ?IS PAP]2 
JU/ READ IT1 Y\'RE A S*OL>1 Y\ KN[4 .<,NIKITA READS.>4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,?IS PAP]'S ONLY A DECISION = ! ELD]S TO 
SIGN4 ,!RE'S NO GREAT WISDOM NE$$ = ?AT4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,BUT Y\ JU/ HE> :AT ,IVAN ,MOSEIT* BIDS 
US DO4 0,ABOVE ALL10 HE SAYS1 0M9D & DON'T LET ! 
MONEY SLIP AWAY1 DAME4 ,IF %E DON'T GET HOLD ( ! 
MONEY10 HE SAYS1 0!Y'LL NOT LET H] DO IT4 ,MONEY'S ! 
GREAT ?+60 ,SO LOOK \T1 SONNIE1 ?+S >E COM+ TO 
A HEAD4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,:AT'S ?AT TO ME8 ,! MONEY'S H]S--SO LET 
H] LOOK \T4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,AH1 SONNIE1 H[ Y\ LOOK AT IT6 ,H[ CAN 
A WOMAN MANAGE SU* AFFAIRS8 ,EV5 IF %E DOES GET 
! MONEY1 IS %E CAPABLE ( >RANG+ IT ALL8 ,ONE KN[S 
:AT A WOMAN IS6 ,Y\'RE A MAN ANYH[4 ,Y\ CAN HIDE 
IT1 & ALL ?AT4 ,Y\ SEE1 Y\'VE AFT] ALL GOT MORE S5SE1 
9 CASE ( ANY?+ HAPP5+4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,OH1 Y\R WOMAN'S NOTIONS >E ALL SO 9EXP$I5T6 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,:Y 9EXP$I5T8 ,Y\ JU/ COLL> ! 
MONEY1 & ! WOMAN'S 9 Y\R H&S4 ,& !N %\LD 
%E EV] TURN SNAPPI% Y\'D BE ABLE TO TI<T5 ! RE9S6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,BO!R Y\ ALL1--,I'M GO+4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A .<QUITE PALE1 RUNS \T ( ! HUT & R\ND ! CORN] 
TO ,MATRYONA.> ,SO IT WAS1 IT WAS ON HIM6 ,H]E IT IS6 
.<,%[S ?AT %E HAS SOME?+ UND] H] APRON.>4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,GIVE IT TO ,NIKITA1 HE'LL HIDE IT4 ,NIKITA1 TAKE 
IT & HIDE IT SOME:]E4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,ALL RI<T1 GIVE H]E6 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,O-OH1 MY POOR HEAD6 ,NO1 ,I'D BETT] DO IT 
MYSELF4 .<,GES T[>DS ! GATE.>4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A .<SEIZ+ H] BY ! >M.> ,:]E >E Y\ GO+ 
TO8 ,Y\'LL BE MISS$4 ,!RE'S ! SI/] COM+2 GIVE 
IT HIM2 HE KN[S :AT TO DO4 ,EH1 Y\ BLOCKHEAD6 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A .</OPS IRRESOLUTELY.> ,OH1 MY HEAD1 MY HEAD6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,WELL1 GIVE IT H]E4 ,I'LL %OVE IT AWAY SOME:]E4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,:]E WILL Y\ %OVE IT TO8 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<LAU<+.> ,:Y1 >E Y\ AFRAID8 

,5T] ,AK\L9A1 C>RY+ CLO!S FROM ! WA%4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,O-OH1 MY POOR HEAD6 .<,GIVES ! MONEY.> ,M9D1 
,NIKITA4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,:AT >E Y\ AFRAID (8 ,I'LL HIDE IT SO ?AT 
,I'LL NOT BE ABLE TO F9D IT MYSELF4 .<,EXIT.>4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A .</&S 9 T]ROR.> ,OH DE>1 & SUPPOS+ HE 444 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,WELL1 IS HE DEAD8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,YES1 HE SEEMS DEAD4 ,HE DID NOT MOVE :5 ,I 
TOOK IT4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,GO 91 !RE'S ,AK\L9A4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,WELL !RE1 ,I'VE DONE ! S9 & HE HAS ! 
MONEY4444 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,HAVE DONE & GO 96 ,!RE'S ,M>?A COM+6 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,!RE N[1 ,I'VE TRU/$ HIM4 ,:AT'S GO+ 
TO HAPP5 N[8 .<,EXIT.>4 

,M,>,?,A .<5T]S FROM ONE SIDE1 ,AK\L9A 5T]S FROM ! 
O!R4 ,TO ,AK\L9A.> ,I %\LD HAVE COME BE=E1 BUT ,I WAS 
AT MY DAU<T]'S4 ,WELL1 H['S ! OLD MAN8 ,IS HE 
DY+8 

,A,K,\,L,9,A .<PUTS D[N ! CLO!S.> ,DON'T KN[1 ,I'VE BE5 
TO ! RIV]4 

,M,>,?,A .<PO9T+ TO ,MATRYONA.> ,:O'S ?AT8 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,I'M FROM ,Z\EVO4 ,I'M ,NIKITA'S MO!R FROM 
,Z\EVO1 MY DE>Y4 ,GOOD AFT]NOON TO Y\4 ,HE'S 
WI!R+1 WI!R+ AWAY1 POOR DE>--Y\R BRO!R1 ,I 
MEAN4 ,HE CAME \T HIMSELF4 0,S5D = MY SI/]10 HE 
SAID1 0BECAUSE10 SAID HE 444 ,DE> ME1 :Y1 ,I DO BELIEVE1 
HE'S DEAD6 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A .<RUNS \T SCREAM+4 ,CL+S TO A PO/1 & BEG9S 
WAIL+.>.<#d.> ,OH1 OH1 AH6 :O-O-O-M HAVE Y\ LEFT ME 
TO1 :Y-Y-Y HAVE Y\ DESE-E-E-E-RT$ ME--A MIS]ABLE 
WID[ 444 TO LIVE MY LIFE ALONE 444 ,:Y HAVE Y\ 
CLOS$ Y\R BRI<T EYES 444 

,5T] ,NEI<BOR4 ,MATRYONA & ,NEI<BOR CAT* HOLD ( 
,ANISYA UND] ! >MS TO SUPPORT H]4 ,AK\L9A & ,M>?A 
GO 9TO ! HUT4 ,A CR[D ASSEMBLES4 

,A ,V,O,I,C,E ,9 ,! ,C,R,[,D4 ,S5D = ! OLD WOM5 TO LAY 
\T ! BODY4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A .<ROLLS UP H] SLEEVES.> ,IS !RE ANY WAT] 9 
! COPP]8 ,BUT ,I D>ESAY ! SAMOV> IS /ILL HOT4 
,I'LL ALSO GO & HELP A BIT4 

,CURTA94 

O ,ACT #c 

,! SAME HUT4 ,W9T]4 ,N9E MON?S HAVE PASS$ S9CE 
,ACT ,I,I4 ,ANISYA1 PLA9LY DRESS$1 SITS BE=E A LOOM WEAV+4 
,NAAN IS ON ! OV54 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,* .<AN OLD LABOR]1 5T]S1 & SL[LY TAKES (F HIS 
\TDOOR ?+S.> ,OH ,LORD1 HAVE M]CY6 ,WELL1 HASN'T ! 
MA/] COME HOME YET8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,:AT8 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,NIKITA ISN'T BACK FROM T[N1 IS HE8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,NO4 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,MU/ HAVE BE5 ON ! SPREE4 ,OH ,LORD6 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,HAVE Y\ F9I%$ 9 ! /ACKY>D8 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,:AT D'Y\ ?9K8 ,GOT IT ALL AS IT %\LD 
BE1 & COV]$ EV]Y?+ ) /RAW6 ,I DON'T LIKE 
DO+ ?+S BY HALVES6 ,OH ,LORD6 HOLY ,NI*OLAS6 .<,PICKS 
AT ! CORNS ON HIS H&S.> ,BUT IT'S TIME HE WAS BACK4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,:AT NE$ HAS HE TO HURRY8 ,HE'S GOT MONEY4 
,M]RY-MAK+ ) ?AT GIRL1 ,I D>ESAY 444 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,:Y %\LDN'T ONE MAKE M]RY IF ONE HAS 
! MONEY8 ,& :Y DID ,AK\L9A GO TO T[N8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,Y\'D BETT] ASK H]4 ,H[ DO ,I KN[ :AT 
! DEVIL TOOK H] !RE6 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,:AT6 TO T[N8 ,!RE'S ALL SORTS ( ?+S 
TO BE GOT 9 T[N IF ONE'S GOT ! MEANS4 ,OH ,LORD6 

,N,A,A,N4 ,MO!R1 ,I HE>D MYSELF4 0,I'LL GET Y\ A LITTLE 
%AWL10 HE SAYS1 BLE/ IF HE DIDN'T2 0Y\ %ALL *OOSE IT 
Y\RSELF10 HE SAYS4 ,& %E GOT H]SELF UP SO F9E2 %E 
PUT ON H] VELVETE5 COAT & ! ,FR5* %AWL4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,REALLY1 A GIRL'S MODE/Y REA*ES ONLY TO ! 
DOOR4 ,/EP OV] ! ?RE%OLD & IT'S =GOTT54 ,%E 
IS A %AMELESS CREATURE4 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,OH MY6 ,:AT'S ! USE ( BE+ A%AM$8 
,:ILE !RE'S PL5TY ( MONEY MAKE M]RY4 ,OH ,LORD6 
,IT IS TOO SOON TO HAVE SUPP]1 EH8 .<,ANISYA DOES NOT ANSW].> 
,I'LL GO & GET W>M MEAN:ILE4 .<,CLIMBS ON ! /OVE.> 
,OH ,LORD6 ,BLESS$ ,VIRG9 ,MO!R6 HOLY ,NI*OLAS6 

,N,E,I,<,B,O,R .<5T]S.> ,SEEMS Y\R GOODMAN'S NOT BACK YET8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,NO4 

,N,E,I,<,B,O,R4 ,IT'S TIME HE WAS4 ,HASN'T HE P]HAPS 
/OPP$ AT \R 9N8 ,MY SI/]1 ,!KLA1 SAYS !RE'S HEAPS 
( SL$GES /&+ !RE AS HAVE COME FROM ! T[N4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,NAAN6 ,NAAN1 ,I SAY6 

,N,A,A,N4 ,YES8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,Y\ RUN TO ! 9N & SEE6 ,MAYHAP1 BE+ 
DRUNK1 HE'S GONE !RE4 

,N,A,A,N .<JUMPS D[N FROM ! OV5 & DRESSES.> ,ALL RI<T4 

,N,E,I,<,B,O,R4 ,& HE'S TAK5 ,AK\L9A ) HIM8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,ELSE HE'D NOT HAVE HAD ANY NE$ ( GO+4 ,IT'S 
BECAUSE ( H] HE'S UNE>!D ALL ! BUS9ESS !RE4 
0,MU/ GO TO ! BANK10 HE SAYS2 0IT'S TIME TO RECEIVE 
! PAYM5TS10 HE SAYS4 ,BUT IT'S ALL H] FOOL+4 

,N,E,I,<,B,O,R .<%AKES H] HEAD.> ,IT'S A BAD LOOK-\T4 
.<,SIL5CE.>4 

,N,A,A,N .<AT ! DOOR.> ,& IF HE'S !RE1 :AT AM ,I TO SAY8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,Y\ ONLY SEE IF HE'S !RE4 

,N,A,A,N4 ,ALL RI<T4 ,I'LL BE BACK 9 A W9K+4 .<,LONG 
SIL5CE.>4 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,* .<RO>S.> ,OH ,LORD6 M]CIFUL ,NI*OLAS6 

,N,E,I,<,B,O,R .</>T+.> ,OH1 H[ HE SC>$ ME8 ,:O 
IS IT8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,:Y1 ,MITRIT*1 \R LABOR]4 

,N,E,I,<,B,O,R4 ,OH DE>1 OH DE>1 :AT A FRI<T HE DID 
GIVE ME6 ,I HAD QUITE =GOTT54 ,BUT TELL ME1 DE>1 
,I'VE HE>D SOMEONE'S BE5 WOO+ ,AK\L9A8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A .<GETS UP FROM ! LOOM & SITS D[N BY ! TABLE.> 
,!RE WAS SOME ONE FROM ,D$LOVO2 BUT IT SEEMS ! 
AFFAIR'S GOT W9D !RE TOO4 ,!Y MADE A />T1 & 
!N /OPP$2 SO ! ?+ FELL ?R\<4 ,( C\RSE1 
:O'D C>E TO8 

,N,E,I,<,B,O,R4 ,& ! ,LIZ\N(S FROM ,Z\EVO8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,!Y MADE SOME /EPS TOO1 BUT IT DIDN'T COME 
(F EI!R4 ,!Y WON'T EV5 SEE US4 

,N,E,I,<,B,O,R4 ,YET IT'S TIME %E WAS M>RI$4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,TIME & MORE ?AN TIME6 ,AH1 MY DE>1 ,I'M 
?AT IMPATI5T TO GET H] \T ( ! H\SE2 BUT ! 
MATT] DOES NOT COME (F4 ,HE DOES NOT WI% IT1 NOR %E 
EI!R4 ,HE'S NOT YET HAD 5\< ( HIS BEAUTY1 Y\ 
SEE4 

,N,E,I,<,B,O,R4 ,EH1 EH1 EH1 :AT DO+S6 ,ONLY ?9K ( IT4 
,:Y1 HE'S H] /EP-FA!R6 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,AH1 FRI5D1 !Y'VE TAK5 ME 9 COMPLETELY4 
,!Y'VE DONE ME SO F9E IT'S BEYOND SAY+4 ,I1 FOOL ?AT 
,I WAS1 NOTIC$ NO?+1 SUSPECT$ NO?+1 & SO ,I M>RI$ 
HIM4 ,I GUESS$ NO?+1 BUT !Y ALREADY UND]/OOD 
ONE ANO!R4 

,N,E,I,<,B,O,R4 ,OH DE>1 :AT GO+S ON6 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,SO IT W5T ON FROM BAD TO WORSE1 & ,I SEE !Y 
BEG9 HID+ FROM ME4 ,AH1 FRI5D1 ,I WAS ?AT SICK--?AT 
SICK ( MY LIFE6 ,IT'S NOT AS IF ,I DIDN'T LOVE HIM4 

,N,E,I,<,B,O,R4 ,?AT GOES )\T SAY+4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,AH1 H[ H>D IT IS TO BE> SU* TREATM5T FROM 
HIM6 ,OH1 H[ IT HURTS6 

,N,E,I,<,B,O,R4 ,YES1 & ,I'VE HE>D SAY HE'S BECOM+ TOO 
FREE ) HIS FI/S8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,& ?AT TOO6 ,!RE WAS A TIME :5 HE WAS 
G5TLE :5 HE'D HAD A DROP4 ,HE US$ TO HIT \T BE=E1 
BUT ( ME HE WAS ALWAYS FOND6 ,BUT N[ :5 HE'S 9 A 
TEMP] HE GOES = ME & IS READY TO TRAMPLE ME UND] 
HIS FEET4 ,! O!R DAY HE GOT BO? H&S 5TANGL$ 9 
MY HAIR SO ?AT ,I C\LD H>DLY GET AWAY4 ,& ! GIRL'S 
WORSE ?AN A S]P5T2 IT'S A WOND] ! E>? BE>S SU* 
FURIES4 

,N,E,I,<,B,O,R4 ,AH1 AH1 MY DE>1 N[ ,I LOOK AT Y\1 Y\ 
>E A SUFF]]6 ,TO SUFF] LIKE ?AT IS NO JOKE4 ,TO HAVE 
GIV5 %ELT] TO A BEGG>1 & HE TO LEAD Y\ SU* A 
DANCE6 ,:Y DON'T Y\ PULL 9 ! RE9S8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,AH1 BUT MY DE>1 IF IT W]5'T = MY HE>T6 
,HIM AS IS GONE WAS /]N 5\<1 /ILL ,I C\LD TWI/ HIM 
AB\T ANY WAY ,I LIK$2 BUT ) ?IS ONE ,I CAN DO NO?+4 
,AS SOON AS ,I SEE HIM ALL MY ANG] GOES4 ,I HAV5'T A GRA9 
( C\RAGE BE=E HIM2 ,I GO AB\T LIKE A DR[N$ H54 

,N,E,I,<,B,O,R4 ,AH1 NEI<BOR1 Y\ MU/ BE UND] A SPELL4 
,I'VE HE>D ?AT ,MATRYONA GOES 9 = ?AT SORT ( ?+4 
,IT MU/ BE H]4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,YES1 DE>2 ,I ?9K SO MYSELF SOMETIMES4 
,GRACI\S ME1 H[ HURT ,I FEEL AT TIMES6 ,I'D LIKE TO 
TE> HIM TO PIECES4 ,BUT :5 ,I SET EYES ON HIM1 MY 
HE>T WON'T GO AGA9/ HIM4 

,N,E,I,<,B,O,R4 ,IT'S PLA9 Y\'RE BEWIT*$4 ,IT DON'T TAKE 
LONG TO BLI<T A BODY4 ,!RE N[1 :5 ,I LOOK AT Y\1 
:AT Y\ HAVE DW9DL$ TO6 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,GR[+ A REGUL> SP9DLE-%ANKS4 ,& JU/ 
LOOK AT ?AT FOOL ,AK\L9A4 ,WASN'T ! GIRL A REGUL> 
UNTIDY SLATT]N1 & JU/ LOOK AT H] N[6 ,:]E HAS IT 
ALL COME FROM8 ,YES1 HE HAS FITT$ H] \T4 ,%E'S GR[N 
SO SM>T1 SO PUFF$ UP1 JU/ LIKE A BUBBLE ?AT'S READY TO 
BUR/4 ,&1 ?\< %E'S A FOOL1 %E'S GOT IT 9TO H] 
HEAD1 0,I'M ! MI/RESS10 %E SAYS2 0! H\SE IS M9E2 
IT'S ME FA!R WANT$ HIM TO M>RY40 ,& %E'S ?AT 
VICI\S6 ,LORD HELP US1 :5 %E GETS 9TO A RAGE %E'S 
READY TO TE> ! ?AT* (F ! H\SE4 

,N,E,I,<,B,O,R4 ,OH DE>1 :AT A LIFE Y\RS IS1 N[ ,I COME 
TO LOOK AT Y\4 ,& YET !RE'S PEOPLE 5VY+ Y\3 
0,!Y'RE RI*10 !Y SAY2 BUT IT SEEMS ?AT GOLD DON'T 
KEEP TE>S FROM FALL+4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,MU* REASON = 5VY 9DE$6 ,& ! RI*ES1 
TOO1 WILL SOON BE MADE DUCKS & DRAKES (4 ,DE> ME1 
H[ HE SQU&]S MONEY6 

,N,E,I,<,B,O,R4 ,BUT H['S IT1 DE>1 Y\'VE BE5 SO SIMPLE 
TO GIVE UP ! MONEY8 ,IT'S Y\RS4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,AH1 IF Y\ KNEW ALL6 ,! ?+ IS ?AT ,I'VE 
MADE ONE LITTLE MI/AKE4 

,N,E,I,<,B,O,R4 ,WELL1 IF ,I W]E Y\1 ,I'D GO /RAI<T & 
HAVE ! LAW ( HIM4 ,! MONEY'S Y\RS2 H[ D>E HE 
SQU&] IT8 ,!RE'S NO SU* RI<TS4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,!Y DON'T PAY HE$ TO ?AT N[ADAYS4 

,N,E,I,<,B,O,R4 ,AH1 MY DE>1 N[ ,I COME TO LOOK AT Y\1 
Y\'VE GOT ?AT WEAK4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,YES1 QUITE WEAK1 DE>1 QUITE WEAK4 ,HE'S GOT 
ME 9TO A REGUL> FIX4 ,I DON'T MYSELF KN[ ANY?+4 
,OH1 MY POOR HEAD6 

,N,E,I,<,B,O,R .<LI/5+.> ,!RE'S SOMEONE COM+1 ,I ?9K4 
.<,! DOOR OP5S & ,AKIM 5T]S.>4 

,A,K,I,M .<CROSSES HIMSELF1 KNOCKS ! SN[ (F HIS FEET1 & TAKES 
(F HIS COAT.> ,PEACE BE TO ?IS H\SE6 ,H[ DO Y\ DO8 
,>E Y\ WELL1 DAU<T]8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,H[ D'Y\ DO1 FA!R8 ,DO Y\ COME /RAI<T 
FROM HOME8 

,A,K,I,M4 ,I'VE BE5 A-?9K+1 ,I'LL GO & SEE :AT'S NAME1 
GO TO SEE MY SON1 ,I MEAN1--MY SON4 ,I DIDN'T />T 
E>LY--HAD MY D9N]1 ,I MEAN2 ,I W5T1 & IT'S SO :AT 
D'Y\ CALL IT--SO SN[Y1 H>D WALK+1 & SO !RE ,I'M 
:AT D'Y\ CALL IT--LATE1 ,I MEAN4 ,& MY SON--IS HE AT 
HOME8 ,AT HOME8 ,MY SON1 ,I MEAN4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,NO2 HE'S GONE TO ! T[N4 

,A,K,I,M .<SITS D[N ON A B5*.> ,I'VE SOME BUS9ESS ) 
HIM1 D'Y\ SEE1 SOME BUS9ESS1 ,I MEAN4 ,I TOLD HIM T'O!R 
DAY1 TOLD HIM ,I WAS 9 NE$--TOLD HIM1 ,I MEAN1 ?AT \R 
HORSE WAS DONE =1 \R HORSE1 Y\ SEE4 ,SO WE MU/ :AT 
D'YE CALL IT1 GET A HORSE1 ,I MEAN1 SOME K9D ( A HORSE1 ,I 
MEAN4 ,SO !RE1 ,I'VE COME1 Y\ SEE4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,NIKITA TOLD ME4 ,:5 HE COMES BACK Y\'LL 
HAVE A TALK4 .<,GES TO ! OV5.> ,HAVE SOME SUPP] N[1 
& HE'LL SOON COME4 ,MITRIT*1 EH ,MITRIT*1 COME HAVE 
Y\R SUPP]4 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,OH ,LORD6 M]CIFUL ,NI*OLAS6 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,COME TO SUPP]4 

,N,E,I,<,B,O,R4 ,I %ALL GO N[4 ,GOOD-NI<T4 .<,EXIT.>4 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,* .<GETS D[N FROM ! OV5.> ,I NEV] NOTIC$ 
H[ ,I FELL ASLEEP4 ,OH ,LORD6 GRACI\S ,NI*OLAS6 ,H[ 
D'Y\ DO1 ,DADDY ,AKIM8 

,A,K,I,M4 ,AH1 ,MITRIT*6 ,:AT >E Y\1 :AT D'YE CALL IT1 ,I 
MEAN8444 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,:Y1 ,I'M WORK+ = Y\R SON1 ,NIKITA4 

,A,K,I,M4 ,DE> ME6 ,:AT D'YE CALL 444 WORK+ = MY 
SON1 ,I MEAN4 ,DE> ME6 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,I WAS LIV+ ) A TRADESMAN 9 T[N1 BUT 
DRANK ALL ,I HAD !RE4 ,N[ ,I'VE COME BACK TO ! 
VILLAGE4 ,I'VE NO HOME1 SO ,I'VE GONE 9TO S]VICE4 .<,GAPES.> 
,OH ,LORD6 

,A,K,I,M4 ,BUT H['S ?AT1 :AT D'Y\ CALL IT1 OR :AT'S 
NAME1 ,NIKITA1 :AT DOES HE DO8 ,HAS HE SOME BUS9ESS1 
,I MEAN BESIDES1 ?AT HE %\LD HIRE A LABOR]1 A LABOR] 
,I MEAN1 HIRE A LABOR]8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,:AT BUS9ESS %\LD HE HAVE8 ,HE US$ TO 
MANAGE1 BUT N[ HE'S O!R ?+S ON HIS M9D1 SO HE'S 
HIR$ A LABOR]4 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,:Y %\LDN'T HE1 SEE+ HE HAS MONEY8 

,A,K,I,M4 ,N[ ?AT'S :AT D'Y\ CALL IT1 ?AT'S WRONG1 ,I 
MEAN1 QUITE WRONG1 ,I MEAN4 ,?AT'S SPOIL+ ONESELF4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,OH1 HE HAS GOT SPOIL$1 ?AT SPOIL$1 IT'S JU/ 
AWFUL4 

,A,K,I,M4 ,!RE N[1 :AT D'Y\ CALL IT1 ONE ?9KS H[ 
TO MAKE ?+S BETT]1 & IT GETS WORSE ,I MEAN4 ,RI*ES 
SPOIL A MAN1 SPOIL1 ,I MEAN4 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,FATNESS MAKES EV5 A DOG GO MAD2 H['S ONE 
NOT TO GET SPOIL$ BY FAT LIV+8 ,MYSELF N[2 H[ ,I W5T 
ON ) FAT LIV+4 ,I DRANK = ?REE WEEKS )\T BE+ 
SOB]4 ,I DRANK MY LA/ BREE*ES4 ,:5 ,I HAD NO?+ 
LEFT1 ,I GAVE IT UP4 ,N[ ,I'VE DET]M9$ NOT TO4 ,BO!R 
IT6 

,A,K,I,M4 ,& :]E'S :AT D'Y\ CALL1 Y\R OLD WOMAN8 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,MY OLD WOMAN HAS F\ND H] RI<T PLACE1 
OLD FELL[4 ,%E'S HANG+ AB\T ! G9-%OPS 9 T[N4 
,%E'S A SWELL TOO2 ONE EYE KNOCK$ \T1 & ! O!R 
BLACK1 & H] MUZZLE TWI/$ TO ONE SIDE4 ,& %E'S 
NEV] SOB]2 DRAT H]6 

,A,K,I,M4 ,OH1 OH1 OH1 H['S ?AT8 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,& :]E'S A SOLDI]'S WIFE TO GO8 ,%E HAS 
F\ND H] RI<T PLACE4 .<,SIL5CE.>4 

,A,K,I,M .<TO ,ANISYA.> ,& ,NIKITA1--HAS HE :AT D'Y\ CALL 
IT1 TAK5 ANY?+ UP TO T[N8 ,I MEAN1 ANY?+ TO 
SELL8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A .<LAY+ ! TABLE & S]V+ UP.> ,NO1 HE'S TAK5 
NO?+4 ,HE'S GONE TO GET MONEY FROM ! BANK4 

,A,K,I,M .<SITT+ D[N TO SUPP].> ,:Y8 ,D'Y\ WI% TO PUT 
IT TO ANO!R USE1 ! MONEY ,I MEAN8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,NO1 WE DON'T T\* IT4 ,ONLY SOME TW5TY OR 
?IRTY RUBLES AS HAVE COME DUE2 !Y MU/ BE TAK54 

,A,K,I,M4 ,MU/ BE TAK54 ,:Y TAKE IT1 ! MONEY ,I 
MEAN8 ,Y\'LL TAKE SOME TO-DAY ,I MEAN1 & SOME TO-MORR[2 
& SO Y\'LL :AT D'Y\ CALL IT1 TAKE IT ALL1 ,I 
MEAN4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,WE GET ?IS BESIDES4 ,! MONEY IS ALL SAFE4 

,A,K,I,M4 ,ALL SAFE8 ,H['S ?AT1 SAFE8 ,Y\ TAKE IT1 & 
IT :AT D'Y\ CALL IT1 IT'S ALL SAFE4 ,H['S ?AT8 ,Y\ PUT 
A HEAP ( MEAL 9TO A B91 OR A B>N1 ,I MEAN1 & GO ON 
TAK+ MEAL1 WILL IT REMA9 !RE :AT D'Y\ CALL IT1 ALL 
SAFE ,I MEAN8 ,?AT'S1 :AT D'Y\ CALL IT1 IT'S *EAT+4 
,Y\'D BETT] F9D \T1 OR ELSE !Y'LL *EAT Y\4 ,SAFE 
9DE$6 ,I MEAN Y\ :AT D'YE CALL 444 Y\ TAKE IT & 
IT REMA9S ALL SAFE !RE8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,I KN[ NO?+ AB\T IT4 ,IVAN ,MOSEIT* ADVIS$ 
US AT ! TIME4 0,PUT ! MONEY 9 ! BANK10 HE 
SAID1 0! MONEY WILL BE SAFE1 & Y\'LL GET 9T]E/10 
HE SAID4 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,* .<HAV+ F9I%$ HIS SUPP].> ,?AT'S SO4 ,I'VE 
LIV$ ) A TRADESMAN4 ,!Y ALL DO LIKE ?AT4 ,PUT ! 
MONEY 9 ! BANK1 !N LIE D[N ON ! OV5 & IT 
WILL KEEP COM+ 94 

,A,K,I,M4 ,?AT'S QUE] TALK4 ,H['S ?AT--:AT D'YE CALL1 
COM+ 91 H['S ?AT COM+ 91 & !Y1 :O DO !Y 
GET IT FROM ,I MEAN1 ! MONEY ,I MEAN8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,!Y TAKE ! MONEY \T ( ! BANK4 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,GET ALONG6 ',TA9'T A ?+ A WOMAN CAN 
UND]/&6 ,Y\ LOOK H]E1 ,I'LL MAKE IT ALL CLE> TO Y\4 
,M9D & REMEMB]4 ,Y\ SEE1 SUPPOSE Y\'VE GOT SOME 
MONEY1 & ,I1 = 9/ANCE1 HAVE SPR+ COM+ ON1 MY 
L&'S IDLE1 ,I'VE GOT NO SE$S1 OR ,I HAVE TO PAY TAXES4 
,SO1 Y\ SEE1 ,I GO TO Y\4 0,AKIM10 ,I SAY1 0GIVE US A 
T5-RUBLE NOTE1 & :5 ,I'VE H>VE/$ 9 AUTUMN ,I'LL 
RETURN IT1 & TILL TWO ACRES = Y\ BESIDES1 = HAV+ 
OBLIG$ ME60 ,& Y\1 SEE+ ,I'VE SOME?+ TO FALL 
BACK ON--A HORSE SAY1 OR A C[--Y\ SAY1 0,NO1 GIVE TWO 
OR ?REE RUBLES = ! OBLIGATION10 & !RE'S AN 5D ( 
IT4 ,I'M /UCK 9 ! MUD1 & CAN'T DO )\T4 ,SO ,I 
SAY1 0,ALL RI<T60 & TAKE A T5N]4 ,9 ! AUTUMN1 
:5 ,I'VE MADE MY TURNOV]1 ,I BR+ IT BACK1 & Y\ 
SQUEEZE ! EXTRA ?REE RUBLES \T ( ME4 

,A,K,I,M4 ,YES1 BUT ?AT'S :AT PEASANTS DO :5 !Y :AT 
D'YE CALL IT1 :5 !Y =GET ,GOD4 ,IT'S NOT HONE/1 ,I 
MEAN1 IT'S NO GOOD1 ,I MEAN4 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,Y\ WAIT4 ,Y\'LL SEE IT COMES JU/ TO ! 
SAME ?+4 ,N[ DON'T =GET H[ Y\'VE SK9N$ ME4 
,& ,ANISYA1 SAY1 HAS GOT SOME MONEY LY+ IDLE4 ,%E 
DOES NOT KN[ :AT TO DO ) IT1 BESIDES1 %E'S A 
WOMAN1 & DOES NOT KN[ H[ TO USE IT4 ,%E COMES TO 
Y\4 0,C\LDN'T Y\ MAKE SOME PR(IT ) MY MONEY 
TOO80 %E SAYS4 0,:Y NOT80 SAY Y\1 & Y\ WAIT4 
,BE=E ! SUMM] ,I COME AGA9 & SAY1 0,GIVE ME 
ANO!R T5N]1 & ,I'LL BE OBLIG$40 ,!N Y\ F9D \T 
IF MY HIDE ISN'T ALL GONE1 & IF ,I CAN BE SK9N$ AGA9 
Y\ GIVE ME ,ANISYA'S MONEY4 ,BUT SUPPOS+ ,I'M CLEAN 
%ORN1--HAVE NO?+ TO EAT1--!N Y\ SEE ,I CAN'T BE 
FLEEC$ ANY MORE1 & Y\ SAY1 0,GO Y\R WAY1 FRI5D10 
& Y\ LOOK \T = ANO!R1 & L5D HIM Y\R [N & 
,ANISYA'S MONEY & SK9 HIM4 ,?AT'S :AT ! BANK IS4 
,SO IT GOES R\ND & R\ND4 ,IT'S A CUTE ?+1 OLD FELL[6 

,A,K,I,M .<EXCIT$LY.> ,GRACI\S ME1 :ATEV] IS ?AT LIKE8 
,IT'S :AT D'YE CALL IT1 IT'S FIL?Y6 ,! PEASANTS--:AT 
D'YE CALL IT1 ! PEASANTS DO SO ,I MEAN1 & KN[ IT'S1 
:AT D'YE CALL IT1 A S96 ,IT'S :AT D'Y\ CALL1 NOT RI<T1 
NOT RI<T1 ,I MEAN4 ,IT'S FIL?Y6 ,H[ CAN PEOPLE AS HAVE 
LE>N$ 444 :AT D'YE CALL IT 444 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,?AT1 OLD FELL[1 IS JU/ :AT !Y'RE FOND (6 
,& REMEMB]1 !M ?AT >E /UPID1 OR ! WOM5 FOLK1 
AS CAN'T PUT !IR MONEY 9TO USE !MSELVES1 !Y TAKE 
IT TO ! BANK1 & !Y !RE1 DEUCE TAKE 'EM1 CLUT* 
HOLD ( IT1 & ) ?IS MONEY !Y FLEECE ! PEOPLE4 
,IT'S A CUTE ?+6 

,A,K,I,M .<SI<+.> ,OH DE>1 ,I SEE1 :AT D'YE CALL IT1 )\T 
MONEY IT'S BAD1 & ) MONEY IT'S WORSE6 ,H['S 
?AT8 ,GOD TOLD US TO WORK1 BUT Y\1 :AT D'YE CALL 444 
,I MEAN Y\ PUT MONEY 9TO ! BANK & GO TO SLEEP1 & 
! MONEY WILL :AT D'YE CALL IT1 WILL FE$ Y\ :ILE Y\ 
SLEEP4 ,IT'S FIL?Y1 ?AT'S :AT ,I CALL IT2 IT'S NOT RI<T4 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,NOT RI<T8 ,EH1 OLD FELL[1 :O C>ES AB\T 
?AT N[ADAYS8 ,& H[ CLEAN !Y PLUCK Y\1 TOO6 
,?AT'S ! FACT ( ! MATT]4 

,A,K,I,M .<SI<S.> ,AH YES1 SEEMS ! TIME'S :AT D'YE CALL 
IT1 ! TIME'S GR[+ RIPE4 ,!RE1 ,I'VE HAD A LOOK AT ! 
CLOSETS 9 T[N4 ,:AT !Y'VE COME TO6 ,IT'S ALL POLI%$ 
& POLI%$ ,I MEAN1 IT'S F9E1 IT'S :AT D'YE CALL IT1 IT'S 
LIKE 9SIDE AN 9N4 ,& :AT'S IT ALL =8 ,:AT'S ! 
GOOD ( IT8 ,OH1 !Y'VE =GOTT5 ,GOD4 ,=GOTT51 ,I 
MEAN4 ,WE'VE =GOTT51 =GOTT5 ,GOD1 ,GOD ,I MEAN6 
,?ANK Y\1 MY DE>1 ,I'VE HAD 5\<4 ,I'M QUITE SATISFI$4 
.<,RISES4 ,MITRIT* CLIMBS ON TO ! OV5.>4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A .<EATS1 & COLLECTS ! DI%ES.> ,IF HIS FA!R W\LD 
ONLY TAKE HIM TO TASK6 ,BUT ,I'M A%AM$ TO TELL HIM4 

,A,K,I,M4 ,:AT D'Y\ SAY8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,OH6 IT'S NO?+4 

,5T] ,NAAN4 

,A,K,I,M4 ,H]E'S A GOOD GIRL1 ALWAYS BUSY6 ,Y\'RE COLD1 ,I 
%\LD ?9K8 

,N,A,A,N4 ,YES1 ,I AM1 T]RIBLY4 ,H[ D'Y\ DO1 GR&FA!R8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,WELL8 ,IS HE !RE8 

,N,A,A,N4 ,NO4 ,BUT ,&RIYAN IS !RE4 ,HE'S BE5 TO T[N1 
& HE SAYS HE SAW !M AT AN 9N 9 T[N4 ,HE SAYS 
,DAD'S AS DRUNK AS DRUNK CAN BE6 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,DO Y\ WANT ANY?+ TO EAT8 ,H]E Y\ >E4 

,N,A,A,N .<GOES TO ! OV5.> ,WELL1 IT IS COLD4 ,MY H&S >E 
QUITE NUMB4 .<,AKIM TAKES (F HIS LEG-B&S & BA/-%OES4 
,ANISYA WA%ES UP.>4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,FA!R6 

,A,K,I,M4 ,WELL1 :AT IS IT8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,& IS ,M>9A LIV+ WELL8 

,A,K,I,M4 ,YES1 %E'S LIV+ ALL RI<T4 ,! LITTLE WOMAN IS 
:AT D'YE CALL IT1 CLEV] & /EADY2 %E'S LIV+1 & :AT 
D'YE CALL IT1 DO+ H] BE/4 ,%E'S ALL RI<T2 ! LITTLE 
WOMAN'S ( ! RI<T SORT ,I MEAN2 PA9/AK+ & :AT 
D'YE CALL IT1 SUBMISSIVE2 ! LITTLE WOMAN'S ALL RI<T ,I 
MEAN1 ALL RI<T1 Y\ KN[4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,& IS !RE NO TALK 9 Y\R VILLAGE ?AT A 
RELATIVE ( ,M>9A'S HUSB& ?9KS ( M>RY+ \R 
,AK\L9A8 ,HAVE Y\ HE>D NO?+ ( IT8 

,A,K,I,M4 ,AH2 ?AT'S ,MIRON(4 ,YES1 ! WOM5 DID *ATT] 
SOME?+4 ,BUT ,I DIDN'T PAY HE$1 Y\ KN[4 
,IT DON'T 9T]E/ ME ,I MEAN1 ,I DON'T KN[ ANY?+4 
,YES1 ! OLD WOM5 DID SAY SOME?+1 BUT ,I'VE A BAD 
MEMORY1 BAD MEMORY1 ,I MEAN4 ,BUT ! ,MIRON(S >E 
:AT D'YE CALL IT1 !Y'RE ALL RI<T1 ,I MEAN !Y'RE ALL 
RI<T4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,I'M ?AT IMPATI5T TO GET H] SETTL$4 

,A,K,I,M4 ,& :Y8 

,N,A,A,N .<LI/5S.> ,!Y'VE COME6 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,WELL1 DON'T Y\ GO BO!R+ !M4 .<,GES ON 
WA%+ ! SPOONS )\T TURN+ H] HEAD.>4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<5T]S.> ,ANISYA6 ,WIFE6 :O HAS COME8 .<,ANISYA 
LOOKS UP & TURNS AWAY 9 SIL5CE.>4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<SEV]ELY.> ,:O HAS COME8 ,HAVE Y\ =GOTT58 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,N[ DON'T HUMBUG4 ,COME 96 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .</ILL MORE SEV]ELY.> ,:O'S COME8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A .<GOES UP & TAKES HIM BY ! >M.> ,WELL !N1 
HUSB& HAS COME4 ,N[ !N1 COME 96 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<HOLDS BACK.> ,AH1 ?AT'S IT6 ,HUSB&6 ,& 
:AT'S HUSB& CALL$8 ,SPEAK PROP]LY4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,OH BO!R Y\6 ,NIKITA6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,:]E HAVE Y\ LE>N$ MANN]S8 ,! FULL 
NAME4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,NIKITA ,AKIMIT*6 ,N[ !N6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .</ILL 9 ! DOORWAY.> ,AH1 ?AT'S IT6 ,BUT N[--! 
SURNAME8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A .<LAU<S & PULLS HIM BY ! >M.> ,T*ILIK94 
,DE> ME1 :AT AIRS6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,AH1 ?AT'S IT4 .<,HOLDS ON TO ! DOOR-PO/.> ,NO1 
N[ SAY ) :I* FOOT ,T*ILIK9 /EPS 9TO ?IS 
H\SE6 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,?AT'S 5\<6 ,Y\'RE LETT+ ! COLD 96 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,SAY ) :I* FOOT HE /EPS8 ,Y\'VE GOT TO 
SAY IT1--?AT'S FLAT4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A .<ASIDE.> ,HE'LL GO ON WORRY+4 .<,TO ,NIKITA.> ,WELL 
!N1 ) ! LEFT4 ,COME 96 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,AH1 ?AT'S IT4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,Y\ LOOK :O'S 9 ! HUT6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,AH1 MY P>5T6 ,WELL1 :AT ( ?AT8 ,I'M NOT 
A%AM$ ( MY P>5T4 ,I CAN PAY MY RESPECTS TO MY 
P>5T4 ,H[ D'Y\ DO1 FA!R8 .<,B[S & PUTS \T HIS 
H&.> ,MY RESPECTS TO Y\4 

,! ,P,[,] ,( ,D,>,K,N,E,S,S4 ,ACT ,I,I,I4 
,ANISYA4 ,COME 96 
,NIKITA4 ,AH1 ?AT'S IT4 
,ANISYA4 ,Y\ LOOK :O'S 9 ! HUT6 
,NIKITA4 ,AH1 MY P>5T6 ,WELL1 :AT ( ?AT8 ,I'M NOT A%AM$ ( MY P>5T4 

,A,K,I,M .<DOES NOT ANSW].> ,DR9K1 ,I MEAN DR9K1 :AT IT 
DOES6 ,IT'S FIL?Y6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,DR9K1 :AT'S ?AT8 ,I'VE BE5 DR9K+8 ,I'M 
TO BLAME1 ?AT'S FLAT6 ,I'VE HAD A GLASS ) A FRI5D1 
DRANK HIS HEAL?4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,GO & LIE D[N1 ,I SAY4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,WIFE1 SAY :]E AM ,I /&+8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,N[ !N1 IT'S ALL RI<T1 LIE D[N6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,NO1 ,I'LL FIR/ DR9K A SAMOV> ) MY P>5T4 
,GO & LI<T ! SAMOV>4 ,AK\L9A1 ,I SAY1 COME H]E6 

,5T] ,AK\L9A1 SM>TLY DRESS$ & C>RY+ !IR PUR*ASES4 

,A,K,\,L,9,A4 ,:Y HAVE Y\ ?R[N EV]Y?+ AB\T8 
,:]E'S ! Y>N8 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,! Y>N8 ,! Y>N'S !RE4 ,HULLO1 ,MITRIT*1 
:]E >E Y\8 ,ASLEEP8 ,ASLEEP8 ,GO & PUT ! 
HORSE UP4 

,A,K,I,M .<NOT SEE+ ,AK\L9A BUT LOOK+ AT HIS SON.> ,DE> 
ME1 :AT IS HE DO+8 ,! OLD MAN'S :AT D'YE CALL IT1 
QUITE DONE UP1 ,I MEAN1--BE5 ?RA%+1--& LOOK AT 
HIM1 :AT D'YE CALL IT1 PUTT+ ON AIRS6 ,PUT UP ! 
HORSE6 ,FAU<1 :AT FIL?6 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,* .<CLIMBS D[N FROM ! OV51 & PUTS ON FELT 
BOOTS.> ,OH1 M]CIFUL ,LORD6 ,IS ! HORSE 9 ! Y>D8 
,DONE IT TO DEA?1 ,I D>E SAY4 ,JU/ SEE H[ HE'S BE5 
SWILL+1 ! DEUCE TAKE HIM4 ,UP TO HIS V]Y ?ROAT4 ,OH 
,LORD1 HOLY ,NI*OLAS6 .<,PUTS ON %EEPSK91 & EXIT.>4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<SITS D[N.> ,Y\ MU/ =GIVE ME1 FA!R4 ,IT'S 
TRUE ,I'VE HAD A DROP2 WELL1 :AT ( ?AT8 ,EV5 A H5 
WILL DR9K4 ,A9'T IT TRUE8 ,SO Y\ MU/ =GIVE ME4 
,NEV] M9D ,MITRIT*1 HE DOESN'T M9D1 HE'LL PUT IT UP4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,%ALL ,I REALLY LI<T ! SAMOV>8 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,LI<T IT6 ,MY P>5T HAS COME4 ,I WI% TO TALK 
TO HIM1 & %ALL DR9K TEA ) HIM4 .<,TO ,AK\L9A.> 
,HAVE Y\ BR\<T ALL ! P>CELS8 

,A,K,\,L,9,A4 ,! P>CELS8 ,I'VE BR\<T M9E1 ! RE/'S 
9 ! SL$GE4 ,HI1 TAKE ?IS1 ?IS ISN'T M9E6 

,?R[S A P>CEL ON ! TABLE & PUTS ! O!RS 9TO H] BOX4 
,NAAN WAT*ES H] :ILE %E PUTS !M AWAY4 ,AKIM DOES NOT LOOK 
AT HIS SON1 BUT PUTS HIS LEG-B&S & BA/-%OES ON ! OV54 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A .<GO+ \T ) ! SAMOV>.> ,H] BOX IS FULL AS 
IT IS1 & /ILL HE'S B\<T MORE6 

,! ,P,[,] ,( ,D,>,K,N,E,S,S4 ,ACT ,I,I,I4 
,NIKITA4 ,HAVE Y\ BR\<T ALL ! P>CELS8 
,AK\L9A4 ,! P>CELS8 ,I'VE BR\<T M9E1 ! RE/'S 9 ! SL$GE4 
,ANISYA4 ,H] BOX IS FULL AS IT IS1 & /ILL HE'S B\<T MORE6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<PRET5D+ TO BE SOB].> ,Y\ MU/ NOT BE CROSS 
) ME1 FA!R4 ,Y\ ?9K ,I'M DRUNK8 ,I AM ALL !RE1 
?AT'S FLAT6 ,AS !Y SAY1 0,DR9K1 BUT KEEP Y\R WITS AB\T 
Y\40 ,I CAN TALK ) Y\ AT ONCE1 FA!R4 ,I CAN ATT5D 
TO ANY BUS9ESS4 ,Y\ TOLD ME AB\T ! MONEY2 Y\R 
HORSE IS WORN-\T1--,I REMEMB]6 ,?AT CAN ALL BE MANAG$4 
,?AT'S ALL 9 \R H&S4 ,IF IT WAS AN 5ORM\S SUM ?AT'S 
WANT$1 !N WE MI<T WAIT2 BUT AS IT IS ,I CAN DO EV]Y?+4 
,?AT'S ! CASE4 

,A,K,I,M .<GOES ON FIDGET+ ) ! LEG-B&S.> ,EH1 LAD1 0,IT'S 
ILL SL$G+ :5 ! ?AW HAS SET 940 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,:AT D'Y\ MEAN BY ?AT8 0,& IT'S ILL TALK+ 
) ONE :O IS DRUNK08 ,BUT DON'T Y\ WORRY1 LET'S HAVE 
SOME TEA4 ,& ,I CAN DO ANY?+2 ?AT'S FLAT6 ,I CAN PUT 
EV]Y?+ TO RI<TS4 

,A,K,I,M .<%AKES HIS HEAD.> ,EH1 EH1 EH6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,! MONEY1 H]E IT IS4 .<,PUTS HIS H& 9 HIS 
POCKET1 PULLS \T POCKET-BOOK1 H&LES ! NOTES 9 IT & 
TAKES \T A T5-RUBLE NOTE.> ,TAKE ?IS TO GET A HORSE2 ,I CAN'T 
=GET MY P>5T4 ,I %AN'T =SAKE HIM1 ?AT'S FLAT4 ,BECAUSE 
HE'S MY P>5T6 ,H]E Y\ >E1 TAKE IT6 ,REALLY N[1 
,I DON'T GRUDGE IT4 .<,COMES UP & PU%ES ! NOTE T[>DS 
,AKIM :O WON'T TAKE IT4 ,NIKITA CAT*ES HOLD ( HIS FA!R'S 
H&.> ,TAKE IT1 ,I TELL Y\4 ,I DON'T GRUDGE IT4 

,A,K,I,M4 ,I CAN'T1 :AT D'Y\ CALL IT1 ,I MEAN1 CAN'T TAKE IT6 
,& CAN'T :AT D'YE CALL IT1 TALK TO Y\1 BECAUSE Y\'RE 
NOT Y\RSELF1 ,I MEAN4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,I'LL NOT LET Y\ GO6 ,TAKE IT6 .<,PUTS ! MONEY 
9TO ,AKIM'S H&.>4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A .<5T]S1 & /OPS.> ,Y\'D BETT] TAKE IT1 HE'LL GIVE 
Y\ NO PEACE6 

,A,K,I,M .<TAKES IT1 & %AKES HIS HEAD.> ,OH6 ?AT LIQUOR4 
,NOT LIKE A MAN1 ,I MEAN6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,?AT'S BETT]6 ,IF Y\ REPAY IT Y\'LL REPAY IT1 
IF NOT ,I'LL MAKE NO BO!R4 ,?AT'S :AT ,I AM6 .<,SEES 
,AK\L9A.> ,AK\L9A1 %[ Y\R PRES5TS4 

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

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,%[ Y\R PRES5TS4 

,A,K,\,L,9,A4 ,! PRES5TS1 :AT'S ! USE ( %[+ 
'EM8 ,I'VE PUT 'EM AWAY4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,GET !M1 ,I TELL Y\4 ,NAAN WILL LIKE TO SEE 'EM4 
,UNDO ! %AWL4 ,GIVE IT H]E4 

,A,K,I,M4 ,OH1 OH6 ,IT'S SICK5+6 .<,CLIMBS ON ! OV5.>4 

,A,K,\,L,9,A .<GETS \T ! P>CELS & PUTS !M ON ! TABLE.> 
,WELL1 !RE Y\ >E1--:AT'S ! GOOD ( LOOK+ AT 'EM8 

,N,A,A,N4 ,OH H[ LOVELY6 ,IT'S AS GOOD AS ,/EPANIDA'S4 

,A,K,\,L,9,A4 ,/EPANIDA'S8 ,:AT'S ,/EPANIDA'S COMP>$ 
TO ?IS8 .<,BRI<T5+ UP & UNDO+ ! P>CELS.> ,JU/ LOOK 
H]E1--SEE ! QUALITY6 ,IT'S A ,FR5* ONE4 

,N,A,A,N4 ,! PR9T IS F9E6 ,M>Y HAS A DRESS LIKE IT1 ONLY 
LI<T] ON A BLUE GR\ND4 ,?IS IS PRETTY4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,AH1 ?AT'S IT6 

,ANISYA PASSES ANGRILY 9TO ! CLOSET1 RETURNS ) A TABLECLO? 
& ! *IMNEY ( ! SAMOV>1 & GOES UP TO ! 
TABLE4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,DRAT Y\1 LITT]+ ! TABLE6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,Y\ LOOK H]E6 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,:AT AM ,I TO LOOK AT8 ,HAVE ,I NEV] SE5 
ANY?+8 ,PUT IT AWAY6 .<,SWEEPS ! %AWL ON TO ! FLOOR 
) H] >M.>4 

,A,K,\,L,9,A4 ,:AT >E Y\ PIT*+ ?+S D[N =8 
,Y\ PIT* Y\R [N ?+S AB\T6 .<,PICKS UP ! %AWL.>4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,ANISYA6 ,LOOK H]E6 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,:Y AM ,I TO LOOK8 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,Y\ ?9K ,I HAVE =GOTT5 Y\8 ,LOOK H]E6 
.<,%[S H] A P>CEL & SITS D[N ON IT.> ,IT'S A PRES5T 
= Y\4 ,ONLY Y\ MU/ E>N IT6 ,WIFE1 :]E AM ,I 
SITT+8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,5\< ( Y\R HUMBUG4 ,I'M NOT AFRAID ( 
Y\4 ,:OSE MONEY >E Y\ SPREE+ ON & BUY+ Y\R 
FAT W5* PRES5TS )8 ,M9E6 

,A,K,\,L,9,A4 ,Y\RS 9DE$8 ,NO FE>6 ,Y\ WI%$ TO /EAL 
IT1 BUT IT DID NOT COME (F6 ,GET \T ( ! WAY6 .<,PU%ES 
H] :ILE TRY+ TO PASS.>4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,:AT >E Y\ %OV+ =8 ,I'LL TEA* Y\ TO 
%OVE6 

,A,K,\,L,9,A4 ,%OVE ME8 ,Y\ TRY6 .<,PRESSES AGA9/ ,ANISYA.>4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,N[ !N1 N[ !N1 Y\ WOM54 ,HAVE DONE 
N[6 .<,/EPS BETWE5 !M.>4 

,A,K,\,L,9,A4 ,COMES %OV+ H]SELF 96 ,Y\ \<T TO 
KEEP QUIET & REMEMB] Y\R DO+S6 ,Y\ ?9K NO 
ONE KN[S6 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,KN[S :AT8 ,\T ) IT1 \T ) IT6 ,:AT 
DO !Y KN[8 

,A,K,\,L,9,A4 ,I KN[ SOME?+ AB\T Y\6 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,Y\'RE A SLUT :O GOES ) ANO!R'S HUSB&6 

,A,K,\,L,9,A4 ,& Y\ DID Y\RS TO DEA?6 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A .<?R[+ H]SELF ON ,AK\L9A.> ,Y\'RE RAV+6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<HOLD+ H] BACK.> ,ANISYA1 Y\ SEEM TO HAVE =GOTT56 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,WANT TO FRI<T5 ME6 ,I'M NOT AFRAID ( Y\6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<TURNS ,ANISYA R\ND & PU%ES H] \T.> ,BE (F6 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,:]E AM ,I TO GO8 ,I'LL NOT GO \T ( MY [N 
H\SE6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,BE (F1 ,I TELL Y\1 & DON'T D>E TO COME 9 
H]E6 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,I WON'T GO6 .<,NIKITA PU%ES H]1 ,ANISYA CRIES & 
SCREAMS & CL+S TO ! DOOR.> ,:AT6 AM ,I TO BE TURN$ 
\T ( MY [N H\SE BY ! SCRUFF ( ! NECK8 ,:AT 
>E Y\ DO+1 Y\ SC\NDREL8 ,DO Y\ ?9K !RE'S NO 
LAW = Y\8 ,Y\ WAIT A BIT6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,N[ !N6 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,I'LL GO TO ! ,ELD]6 ,TO ! POLICEMAN6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,(F1 ,I TELL Y\6 .<,PU%ES H] \T.>4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A .<BEH9D ! DOOR.> ,I'LL HANG MYSELF6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,NO FE>6 

,N,A,A,N4 ,OH1 OH1 OH6 ,MO!R1 DE>1 D>L+6 .<,CRIES.>4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,ME FRI<T5$ ( H]6 ,A LIKELY ?+6 ,:AT 
>E Y\ CRY+ =8 ,%E'LL COME BACK1 NO FE>4 ,GO & 
SEE TO ! SAMOV>4 .<,EXIT ,NAAN.>4 

,A,K,\,L,9,A .<COLLECTS & FOLDS H] PRES5TS.> ,! MEAN 
WRET*1 H[ %E'S MESS$ IT UP4 ,BUT WAIT A BIT1 ,I'LL CUT 
UP H] JACKET = H]6 ,SURE ,I WILL6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,I'VE TURN$ H] \T1 :AT MORE DO Y\ WANT8 

,A,K,\,L,9,A4 ,%E'S DIRTI$ MY NEW %AWL4 ,IF ?AT BIT* 
HADN'T GONE AWAY1 ,I'D HAVE TORN H] EYES \T6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,?AT'S 5\<4 ,:Y %\LD Y\ BE ANGRY8 
,N[ IF ,I LOV$ H] 444 

,A,K,\,L,9,A4 ,LOV$ H]8 ,%E'S WOR? LOV+1 ) H] FAT 
MUG6 ,IF Y\'D HAVE GIV5 H] UP1 !N NO?+ W\LD 
HAVE HAPP5$4 ,Y\ %\LD HAVE S5T H] TO ! DEVIL4 
,& ! H\SE WAS M9E ALL ! SAME1 & ! MONEY WAS 
M9E6 ,SAYS %E IS ! MI/RESS1 BUT :AT SORT ( MI/RESS 
IS %E TO H] HUSB&8 ,%E'S A MURD]ESS1 ?AT'S 
:AT %E IS6 ,%E'LL S]VE Y\ ! SAME WAY6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,OH DE>1 H['S ONE TO /OP A WOMAN'S JAW8 
,Y\ DON'T Y\RSELF KN[ :AT Y\'RE JABB]+ AB\T6 

,A,K,\,L,9,A4 ,YES1 ,I DO4 ,I'LL NOT LIVE ) H]6 ,I'LL TURN 
H] \T ( ! H\SE6 ,%E CAN'T LIVE H]E ) ME4 
,! MI/RESS 9DE$6 ,%E'S NOT ! MI/RESS1--?AT JAILBIRD6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,?AT'S 5\<6 ,:AT HAVE Y\ TO DO ) 
H]8 ,DON'T M9D H]4 ,Y\ LOOK AT ME6 ,I AM ! 
MA/]6 ,I DO AS ,I LIKE4 ,I'VE CEAS$ TO LOVE H]1 & 
N[ ,I LOVE Y\4 ,I LOVE :O ,I LIKE6 ,! P[] IS M9E1 
%E'S UND] ME4 ,?AT'S :]E ,I KEEP H]4 .<,PO9TS TO HIS 
FEET.> ,A PITY WE'VE NO CONC]T9A4 .<,S+S.>4 

0,WE HAVE LOAVES ON ! /OVES1 

,WE HAVE PORRIDGE ON ! %ELF4 

,SO WE'LL LIVE & BE GAY1 

,MAK+ M]RY EV]Y DAY1 

,& :5 DEA? COMES1 

,!N WE'LL DIE6 

,WE HAVE LOAVES ON ! /OVES1 

,WE HAVE PORRIDGE ON ! %ELF 4440 

,5T] ,MITRIT*4 ,HE TAKES (F HIS \TDOOR ?+S & CLIMBS 
ON ! OV54 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,SEEMS ! WOM5 HAVE BE5 FI<T+ AGA96 
,TE>+ EA* O!R'S HAIR4 ,OH ,LORD1 GRACI\S ,NI*OLAS6 

,A,K,I,M .<SITT+ ON ! $GE ( ! OV51 TAKES HIS LEG-B&S 
& %OES & BEG9S PUTT+ !M ON.> ,GET 91 GET 9TO ! 
CORN]4 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,SEEMS !Y CAN'T SETTLE MATT]S BETWE5 
!M4 ,OH ,LORD6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,GET \T ! LIQUOR1 WE'LL HAVE SOME ) \R 
TEA4 

,N,A,A,N .<TO ,AK\L9A.> ,SI/]1 ! SAMOV> IS JU/ BOIL+ 
OV]4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,& :]E'S Y\R MO!R8 

,N,A,A,N4 ,%E'S /&+ & CRY+ \T !RE 9 ! PASSAGE4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,OH1 ?AT'S IT6 ,CALL H]1 & TELL H] TO BR+ 
! SAMOV>4 ,& Y\1 ,AK\L9A1 GET ! TEA ?+S4 

,A,K,\,L,9,A4 ,! TEA ?+S8 ,ALL RI<T4 .<,BR+S ! ?+S.>4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<UNPACKS SPIRITS1 RUSKS1 & SALT H]R+S.> ,?AT'S = 
MYSELF4 ,?IS IS Y>N = ! WIFE4 ,! P>AFF9 IS \T 
!RE 9 ! PASSAGE1 & H]E'S ! MONEY4 ,WAIT A BIT1 
.<TAKES A C\NT+-FRAME.> ,I'LL ADD IT UP4 .<,ADDS.> ,:EAT-FL\R1 
#h KOPEYKAS1 OIL 444 ,FA!R1 #a RUBLES4444 ,FA!R1 
COME LET'S HAVE SOME TEA6 

,SIL5CE4 ,AKIM SITS ON ! OV5 & W9DS ! B&S R\ND 
HIS LEGS4 ,5T] ,ANISYA ) SAMOV>4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,:]E %ALL ,I PUT IT8 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,H]E ON ! TABLE4 ,WELL6 HAVE Y\ BE5 TO 
! ,ELD]8 ,AH1 ?AT'S IT6 ,HAVE Y\R SAY & !N EAT 
Y\R WORDS4 ,N[ !N1 ?AT'S 5\<4 ,DON'T BE CROSS1 
SIT D[N & DR9K ?IS4 .<,FILLS A W9E-GLASS = H].> ,& 
H]E'S Y\R PRES5T4 .<,GIVES H] ! P>CEL HE HAD BE5 SITT+ 
ON4 ,ANISYA TAKES IT SIL5TLY & %AKES H] HEAD.>4 

,A,K,I,M .<GETS D[N & PUTS ON HIS %EEPSK91 !N COMES UP TO 
! TABLE & PUTS D[N ! MONEY.> ,H]E1 TAKE Y\R MONEY 
BACK6 ,PUT IT AWAY4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<DOES NOT SEE ! MONEY.> ,:Y HAVE Y\ PUT ON 
Y\R ?+S8 

,A,K,I,M4 ,I'M GO+1 GO+ ,I MEAN2 =GIVE ME = ! 
,LORD'S SAKE4 .<,TAKES UP HIS CAP & BELT.>4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,MY GRACI\S6 ,:]E >E Y\ GO+ TO AT ?IS 
TIME ( NI<T8 

,A,K,I,M4 ,I CAN'T1 ,I MEAN :AT D'YE CALL 'EM1 9 Y\R H\SE1 
:AT D'YE CALL 'EM1 CAN'T /AY ,I MEAN1 /AY1 CAN'T /AY1 
=GIVE ME4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,BUT >E Y\ GO+ )\T HAV+ ANY TEA8 

,A,K,I,M .<FA/5S HIS BELT.> ,GO+1 BECAUSE1 ,I MEAN1 IT'S NOT 
RI<T 9 Y\R H\SE1 ,I MEAN1 :AT D'Y\ CALL IT1 NOT RI<T1 
,NIKITA1 9 ! H\SE1 :AT D'YE CALL IT1 NOT RI<T6 ,I MEAN1 
Y\ >E LIV+ A BAD LIFE1 ,NIKITA1 BAD1--,I'LL GO4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,EH N[6 ,HAVE DONE TALK+6 ,SIT D[N & 
DR9K Y\R TEA6 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,:Y1 FA!R1 Y\'LL %AME US BE=E ! NEI<BORS4 
,:AT HAS (F5D$ Y\8 

,A,K,I,M4 ,NO?+ :AT D'YE CALL IT1 NO?+ HAS (F5D$ 
ME1 NO?+ AT ALL6 ,I MEAN ONLY1 ,I SEE1 :AT D'Y\ CALL 
IT1 ,I MEAN1 ,I SEE MY SON1 TO RU9 ,I MEAN1 TO RU91 ,I MEAN 
MY SON'S ON ! ROAD TO RU91 ,I MEAN4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,:AT RU98 ,JU/ PROVE IT6 

,A,K,I,M4 ,RU91 RU92 Y\'RE 9 ! MID/ ( IT6 ,:AT DID 
,I TELL Y\ ?AT TIME8 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,Y\ SAID ALL SORTS ( ?+S6 

,A,K,I,M4 ,I TOLD Y\1 :AT D'YE CALL IT1 ,I TOLD Y\ AB\T ! 
ORPHAN LASS4 ,?AT Y\ HAD WRONG$ AN ORPHAN--,M>9A1 
,I MEAN1 WRONG$ H]6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,EH6 HE'S AT IT AGA94 ,LET BYGONES BE BYGONES 
444 ,ALL ?AT'S PA/6 

,A,K,I,M .<EXCIT$.> ,PA/6 ,NO1 LAD1 IT'S NOT PA/4 ,S91 ,I 
MEAN1 FA/5S ON TO S9--DRAGS S9 AFT] IT1 & Y\'VE 
/UCK FA/1 ,NIKITA1 FA/ 9 S96 ,/UCK FA/ 9 S96 ,I SEE 
Y\'RE FA/ 9 S94 ,/UCK FA/1 SUNK 9 S91 ,I MEAN6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,SIT D[N & DR9K Y\R TEA1 & HAVE DONE 
) IT6 

,A,K,I,M4 ,I CAN'T1 ,I MEAN CAN'T :AT D'YE CALL IT1 CAN'T 
DR9K TEA4 ,BECAUSE ( Y\R FIL?1 ,I MEAN2 ,I FEEL :AT 
D'YE CALL IT1 ,I FEEL SICK1 V]Y SICK6 ,I CAN'T :AT D'YE CALL 
IT1 ,I CAN'T DR9K TEA ) Y\4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,EH6 ,!RE HE GOES RAMBL+6 ,COME TO ! 
TABLE4 

,A,K,I,M4 ,Y\'RE 9 Y\R RI*ES SAME AS 9 A NET--Y\'RE 
9 A NET1 ,I MEAN4 ,AH1 ,NIKITA1 IT'S ! S\L ?AT ,GOD 
NE$S6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,N[ REALLY1 :AT RI<T HAVE Y\ TO REPROVE ME 
9 MY [N H\SE8 ,:Y DO Y\ KEEP ON AT ME8 ,AM ,I 
A *ILD ?AT Y\ CAN PULL BY ! HAIR8 ,N[ADAYS ?OSE 
?+S HAVE BE5 DROPP$6 

,A,K,I,M4 ,?AT'S TRUE4 ,I HAVE HE>D ?AT N[ADAYS1 :AT 
D'YE CALL IT1 ?AT N[ADAYS *ILDR5 PULL !IR FA!RS' 
BE>DS1 ,I MEAN6 ,BUT ?AT'S RU91 ?AT'S RU91 ,I MEAN6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<ANGRILY.> ,WE >E LIV+ )\T HELP FROM Y\1 
& IT'S Y\ :O CAME TO US ) Y\R WANTS6 

,A,K,I,M4 ,! MONEY8 ,!RE'S Y\R MONEY6 ,I'LL GO BEGG+1 
BEGG+ ,I MEAN1 BE=E ,I'LL TAKE IT1 ,I MEAN4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,?AT'S 5\<6 ,:Y BE ANGRY & UPSET ! 
:OLE COMPANY6 .<,HOLDS HIM BY ! >M.>4 

,A,K,I,M .<%RIEKS.> ,LET GO6 ,I'LL NOT /AY4 ,I'D RA!R SLEEP 
UND] SOME F5CE ?AN 9 ! MID/ ( Y\R FIL?6 ,FAU<6 
,GOD =GIVE ME6 .<,EXIT.>4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,H]E'S A GO6 

,A,K,I,M .<REOP5S ! DOOR.> ,COME TO Y\R S5SES1 ,NIKITA6 
,IT'S ! S\L ?AT ,GOD WANTS6 .<,EXIT.>4 

,A,K,\,L,9,A .<TAKES CUPS.> ,WELL1 %ALL ,I P\R \T ! TEA8 
.<,TAKES A CUP4 ,ALL >E SIL5T.>4 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,* .<RO>S.> ,OH ,LORD1 BE M]CIFUL TO ME A S9N]6 
.<,ALL />T.>4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<LIES D[N ON ! B5*.> ,OH1 IT'S DULL1 IT'S DULL6 
.<,TO ,AK\L9A.> ,:]E'S ! CONC]T9A8 

,A,K,\,L,9,A4 ,! CONC]T9A8 ,HE'S BE?\<T HIMSELF ( 
IT4 ,:Y1 Y\ TOOK IT TO BE M5D$4 ,I'VE P\R$ \T 
Y\R TEA4 ,DR9K IT6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,I DON'T WANT IT6 ,PUT \T ! LI<T 444 ,OH1 
H[ DULL ,I FEEL1 H[ DULL6 .<,SOBS.>4 

,CURTA94 

O ,ACT #d 

,AUTUMN4 ,EV5+4 ,! MOON IS %9+4 ,! /AGE REPRES5TS 
! 9T]IOR ( C\RTY>D4 ,! SC5]Y AT ! BACK 
%[S1 9 ! MIDDLE1 ! BACK POR* ( ! HUT4 ,TO ! RI<T 
! W9T] HALF ( ! HUT & ! GATE2 TO ! LEFT ! SUMM] 
HALF & ! CELL>4 ,TO ! RI<T ( ! /AGE IS A %$4 ,! 
S\ND ( TIPSY VOICES & %\TS >E HE>D FROM ! HUT4.<#e.> 
,SECOND ,NEI<BOR ,WOMAN COMES \T ( ! HUT & BECKONS TO 
,FIR/ ,NEI<BOR ,WOMAN4 

,S,E,C,O,N,D ,N,E,I,<,B,O,R4 ,H['S IT ,AK\L9A HAS NOT %[N 
H]SELF8 

,F,I,R,/ ,N,E,I,<,B,O,R4 ,:Y HASN'T %E %[N H]SELF8 ,%E'D 
HAVE BE5 GLAD TO2 BUT %E'S TOO ILL1 Y\ KN[4 ,! 
SUITOR'S RELATIVES HAVE COME1 & WANT TO SEE ! GIRL2 & 
%E1 MY DE>1 %E'S LY+ 9 ! COLD HUT & CAN'T COME 
\T1 POOR ?+6 

,S,E,C,O,N,D ,N,E,I,<,B,O,R4 ,BUT H['S ?AT8 

,F,I,R,/ ,N,E,I,<,B,O,R4 ,!Y SAY %E'S BE5 BEWIT*$ BY AN 
EVIL EYE6 ,%E'S GOT PA9S 9 ! /OMA*6 

,S,E,C,O,N,D ,N,E,I,<,B,O,R4 ,Y\ DON'T SAY SO8 

,F,I,R,/ ,N,E,I,<,B,O,R4 ,:AT ELSE C\LD IT BE8 .<,:ISP]S.>4 

,S,E,C,O,N,D ,N,E,I,<,B,O,R4 ,DE> ME6 ,!RE'S A GO6 ,BUT HIS 
RELATIVES WILL SURELY F9D IT \T8 

,F,I,R,/ ,N,E,I,<,B,O,R4 ,!Y F9D IT \T6 ,!Y'RE ALL DRUNK6 
,BESIDES1 !Y >E *IEFLY AFT] H] D[RY4 ,JU/ ?9K :AT 
!Y GIVE ) ! GIRL6 ,TWO FURS1 MY DE>1 SIX DRESSES1 
A ,FR5* %AWL1 & ,I DON'T KN[ H[ MANY PIECES 
( L951 & MONEY AS WELL1--TWO HUNDR$ RUBLES1 IT'S 
SAID6 

,S,E,C,O,N,D ,N,E,I,<,B,O,R4 ,?AT'S ALL V]Y WELL1 BUT EV5 MONEY 
CAN'T GIVE MU* PLEASURE 9 ! FACE ( SU* A DISGRACE4 

,F,I,R,/ ,N,E,I,<,B,O,R4 ,HU%6444 ,!RE'S HIS FA!R1 ,I ?9K4 

,!Y CEASE TALK+1 & GO 9TO ! HUT4 

,! ,SUITOR'S ,FA!R COMES \T ( ! HUT HICC\<+4 

,! ,F,A,!,R4 ,OH1 ,I'M ALL 9 A SWEAT4 ,IT'S AWFULLY HOT6 
,WILL JU/ COOL MYSELF A BIT4 .<,/&S PUFF+.> ,! ,LORD ONLY 
KN[S :AT--SOME?+ IS NOT RI<T4 ,I CAN'T FEEL HAPPY4--,WELL1 
IT'S ! OLD WOMAN'S AFFAIR4 

,5T] ,MATRYONA FROM HUT4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,& ,I WAS JU/ ?9K+1 :]E'S ! FA!R8 
,:]E'S ! FA!R8 ,& H]E Y\ >E1 DE> FRI5D4444 
,WELL1 DE> FRI5D1 ! ,LORD BE ?ANK$6 ,EV]Y?+ IS 
AS HONORABLE AS CAN BE6 ,:5 ONE'S >RANG+ A MAT* 
ONE %\LD NOT BOA/4 ,& ,I HAVE NEV] LE>N$ TO BOA/4 
,BUT AS Y\'VE COME AB\T ! RI<T BUS9ESS1 SO ) ! 
,LORD'S HELP1 Y\'LL BE GRATEFUL TO ME ALL Y\R LIFE6 ,%E'S 
A WOND]FUL GIRL6 ,!RE'S NO O!R LIKE H] 9 ALL ! 
DI/RICT6 

,! ,F,A,!,R4 ,?AT'S TRUE 5\<1 BUT H[ AB\T ! 
MONEY8 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,DON'T Y\ TR\BLE AB\T ! MONEY6 ,ALL 
%E HAD FROM H] FA!R GOES ) H]4 ,& IT'S MORE 
?AN ONE GETS EASILY1 AS ?+S >E N[ADAYS4 ,?REE 
TIMES FIFTY RUBLES6 

,! ,F,A,!,R4 ,WE DON'T COMPLA91 BUT IT'S = \R [N 
*ILD4 ,NATURALLY WE WANT TO GET ! BE/ WE CAN4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,I'LL TELL Y\ /RAI<T1 FRI5D3 IF IT HADN'T 
BE5 = ME1 Y\'D NEV] HAVE F\ND ANY?+ LIKE H]6 
,!Y'VE HAD AN (F] FROM ! ,K>MIL9S1 BUT ,I /OOD \T 
AGA9/ IT4 ,& AS = ! MONEY1 ,I'LL TELL Y\ TRULY3 
:5 H] FA!R1 ,GOD BE M]CIFUL TO HIS S\L1 WAS DY+1 
HE GAVE ORD]S ?AT ! WID[ %\LD TAKE ,NIKITA 9TO 
! HOME/EAD--( C\RSE ,I KN[ ALL AB\T IT FROM MY 
SON1--& ! MONEY WAS TO GO TO ,AK\L9A4 ,:Y1 ANO!R 
ONE MI<T HAVE ?\<T ( HIS [N 9T]E/S1 BUT ,NIKITA 
GIVES EV]Y?+ CLEAN6 ,IT'S NO TRIFLE4 ,FANCY :AT A SUM 
IT IS6 

,! ,F,A,!,R4 ,PEOPLE >E SAY+1 ?AT MORE MONEY WAS 
LEFT H]8 ,! LAD'S %>P TOO6 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,OH1 DE> S\L ALIVE6 ,A SLICE 9 ANO!R'S 
H& ALWAYS LOOKS BIG2 ALL %E HAD WILL BE H&$ OV]4 
,I TELL Y\1 ?R[ D\BTS TO ! W9D & MAKE ALL SURE6 
,:AT A GIRL %E IS6 AS FRE% AS A DAISY6 

,! ,F,A,!,R4 ,?AT'S SO4 ,BUT MY OLD WOMAN & ,I 
W]E ONLY WOND]+ AB\T ! GIRL2 :Y HAS %E NOT 
COME \T8 ,WE'VE BE5 ?9K+1 SUPPOSE %E'S SICKLY8 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,OH1 AH4444 ,:O8 ,%E8 ,SICKLY8 ,:Y1 
!RE'S NONE TO COMP>E ) H] 9 ! DI/RICT4 ,! 
GIRL'S AS S\ND AS A BELL2 Y\ CAN'T P9* H]4 ,BUT Y\ 
SAW H] ! O!R DAY6 ,& AS = WORK1 %E'S WOND]FUL6 
,%E'S A BIT DEAF1 ?AT'S TRUE1 BUT !RE >E SPOTS ON ! 
SUN1 Y\ KN[4 ,& H] NOT COM+ \T1 Y\ SEE1 IT'S 
FROM AN EVIL EYE6 ,A SPELL'S BE5 CA/ ON H]6 ,& ,I 
KN[ ! BIT* :O'S DONE ! BUS9ESS6 ,!Y KN[ ( 
! BETRO?AL & !Y BEWIT*$ H]4 ,BUT ,I KN[ A 
C\NT]-SPELL4 ,! GIRL WILL GET UP TO-MORR[4 ,DON'T 
Y\ WORRY AB\T ! GIRL6 

,! ,F,A,!,R4 ,WELL1 ( C\RSE1 ! ?+'S SETTL$4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,YES1 ( C\RSE6 ,DON'T Y\ TURN BACK4 ,& 
DON'T =GET ME1 ,I'VE HAD A LOT ( TR\BLE4 ,DON'T =GET 444 

,A WOMAN'S VOICE FROM ! HUT4 

,V,O,I,C,E4 ,IF WE >E TO GO1 LET'S GO4 ,COME ALONG1 ,IVAN6 

,! ,F,A,!,R4 ,I'M COM+4 .<,EXEUNT4 ,GUE/S CR[D TOGE!R 
9 ! PASSAGE & PREP>E TO GO AWAY.>4 

,N,A,A,N .<RUNS \T ( ! HUT & CALLS TO ,ANISYA.> ,MO!R6 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A .<FROM 9SIDE.> ,:AT D'Y\ WANT8 

,N,A,A,N4 ,MO!R1 COME H]E1 OR !Y'LL HE>4 

,ANISYA 5T]S & !Y GO TOGE!R TO ! %$4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,WELL8 ,:AT IS IT8 ,:]E'S ,AK\L9A8 

,N,A,A,N4 ,%E'S GONE 9TO ! B>N4 ,IT'S AWFUL :AT'S %E'S 
DO+ !RE6 ,I'M BLE/6 0,I CAN'T BE> IT10 %E SAYS4 
0,I'LL SCREAM10 %E SAYS1 0,I'LL SCREAM \T L\D40 ,BLE/ 
IF %E DIDN'T4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,%E'LL HAVE TO WAIT4 ,WE'LL SEE \R VISITORS (F 
FIR/4 

,N,A,A,N4 ,OH MO!R6 ,%E'S SO BAD6 ,& %E'S ANGRY 
TOO4 0,:AT'S ! GOOD ( !IR DR9K+ MY HEAL?80 
%E SAYS4 0,I %AN'T M>RY10 %E SAYS4 0,I %ALL DIE10 
%E SAYS4 ,MO!R1 SUPPOS+ %E DOES DIE6 ,IT'S AWFUL4 
,I'M SO FRI<T5$6 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,NO FE>1 %E'LL NOT DIE4 ,BUT DON'T Y\ GO NE> 
H]4 ,COME ALONG4 .<,EXIT ,ANISYA & ,NAAN.>4 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,* .<COMES 9 AT ! GATE & BEG9S COLLECT+ ! 
SCATT]$ HAY.> ,OH ,LORD6 ,M]CIFUL ,NI*OLAS6 ,:AT A LOT 
( LIQUOR !Y'VE BE5 & SWILL$1 & ! SMELL !Y'VE 
MADE6 ,IT SMELLS EV5 \T H]E6 ,BUT NO1 ,I DON'T WANT 
ANY1 DRAT IT6 ,SEE H[ !Y'VE SCATT]$ ! HAY AB\T4 
,!Y DON'T EAT IT1 BUT ONLY TRAMPLE IT UND] FOOT4 ,A TRUSS 
GONE BE=E Y\ KN[ IT4 ,OH1 ?AT SMELL1 IT SEEMS TO BE 
JU/ UND] MY NOSE6 ,DRAT IT6 .<,YAWNS.> ,IT'S TIME TO GO TO 
SLEEP6 ,BUT ,I DON'T C>E TO GO 9TO ! HUT4 ,IT SEEMS 
TO FLOAT JU/ R\ND MY NOSE6 ,IT HAS A /RONG SC5T1 ! 
DAMN$ /UFF6 .<,! GUE/S >E HE>D DRIV+ (F.> ,!Y'RE 
(F AT LA/4 ,OH ,LORD6 ,M]CIFUL ,NI*OLAS6 ,!RE !Y 
GO1 B9D+ !MSELVES & GULL+ ONE ANO!R4 ,& IT'S 
ALL GAMMON6 

,5T] ,NIKITA4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,MITRIT*1 Y\ GET (F TO SLEEP & ,I'LL PUT ?IS 
/RAI<T4 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,ALL RI<T1 Y\ ?R[ IT TO ! %EEP4 ,WELL1 
HAVE Y\ SE5 'EM ALL (F8 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,YES1 !Y'RE (F6 ,BUT ?+S >E NOT RI<T6 ,I 
DON'T KN[ :AT TO DO6 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,IT'S A F9E MESS4 ,BUT !RE'S ! ,F\NDL+S'.<#f.> 
= ?AT SORT ( ?+4 ,:OEV] LIKES MAY DROP ONE 
!RE2 !Y'LL TAKE 'EM ALL4 ,GIVE 'EM AS MANY AS Y\ 
LIKE1 !Y ASK NO QUE/IONS1 & EV5 PAY--IF ! MO!R 
GOES 9 AS A WET-NURSE4 ,IT'S EASY 5\< N[ADAYS4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,BUT M9D1 ,MITRIT*1 DON'T GO BLABB+4 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,IT'S NO CONC]N ( M9E4 ,COV] ! TRACKS AS 
Y\ ?9K BE/4 ,DE> ME1 H[ Y\ SMELL ( LIQUOR6 ,I'LL 
GO 94 ,OH ,LORD6 .<,EXIT1 YAWN+.>4 

,NIKITA IS LONG SIL5T4 ,SITS D[N ON A SL$GE4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,H]E'S A GO6 

,5T] ,ANISYA4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,:]E >E Y\8 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,H]E4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,:AT >E Y\ DO+ !RE8 ,!RE'S NO TIME TO 
BE LO/6 ,WE MU/ TAKE IT \T DIRECTLY6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,:AT >E WE TO DO8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,I'LL TELL Y\ :AT Y\ >E TO DO4 ,& Y\'LL 
HAVE TO DO IT6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,Y\'D BETT] TAKE IT TO ! ,F\NDL+S'--IF ANY?+4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,!N Y\'D BETT] TAKE IT !RE Y\RSELF IF Y\ 
LIKE6 ,Y\'VE A HANK]+ = SMUT1 BUT Y\'RE WEAK 
:5 IT COMES TO SETTL+ UP1 ,I SEE6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,:AT'S TO BE DONE8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,GO D[N 9TO ! CELL>1 ,I TELL Y\1 & DIG A 
HOLE6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,C\LDN'T Y\ MANAGE1 SOMEH[1 SOME O!R WAY8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A .<IMITAT+ HIM.> 0,SOME O!R WAY80 ,SEEMS WE 
CAN'T 0SOME O!R WAY60 ,Y\ %\LD HAVE ?\<T AB\T 
IT A YE> AGO4 ,DO :AT Y\'RE TOLD TO6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,OH DE>1 :AT A GO6 

,5T] ,NAAN4 

,N,A,A,N4 ,MO!R6 ,GR&MO!R'S CALL+6 ,I ?9K SI/]'S 
GOT A BABY6 ,I'M BLE/ IF IT DIDN'T SCREAM6 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,:AT >E Y\ BABBL+ AB\T8 ,PLAGUE TAKE 
Y\6 ,IT'S KITT5S :9+ !RE4 ,GO 9TO ! HUT & 
SLEEP1 OR ,I'LL GIVE IT Y\6 

,N,A,A,N4 ,MAMMY DE>1 TRULY1 ,I SWE> 444 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A .<RAIS+ H] >M AS IF TO /RIKE.> ,I'LL GIVE IT Y\6 
,Y\ BE (F & DON'T LET ME CAT* SI<T ( Y\6 .<,NAAN 
RUNS 9TO HUT4 ,TO ,NIKITA.> ,DO AS Y\'RE TOLD1 OR ELSE M9D6 
.<,EXIT.>4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<ALONE4 ,AFT] A LONG SIL5CE.> ,H]E'S A GO6 ,OH 
!SE WOM56 ,:AT A FIX6 ,SAYS Y\ %\LD HAVE ?\<T 
( IT A YE> AGO4 ,:5'S ONE TO ?9K BE=EH&8 
,:5'S ONE TO ?9K8 ,:Y1 LA/ YE> ?IS ,ANISYA DANGL$ 
AFT] ME4 ,:AT WAS ,I TO DO8 ,AM ,I A MONK8 ,! 
MA/] DI$2 & ,I COV]$ MY S9 AS WAS PROP]1 SO ,I WAS 
NOT TO BLAME !RE4 ,>5'T !RE LOTS ( SU* CASES8 
,& !N ?OSE P[D]S4 ,DID ,I PUT H] UP TO ?AT8 
,:Y1 HAD ,I KN[N :AT ! BIT* WAS UP TO1 ,I'D HAVE 
KILL$ H]6 ,I'M SURE ,I %\LD HAVE KILL$ H]6 ,%E'S 
MADE ME H] P>TN] 9 !SE HORRORS--?AT JADE6 ,& 
%E BECAME LOA?SOME TO ME FROM ?AT DAY6 ,%E BECAME 
LOA?SOME1 LOA?SOME TO ME AS SOON AS MO!R TOLD ME 
AB\T IT4 ,I CAN'T BE> ! SI<T ( H]6 ,WELL !N1 H[ 
C\LD ,I LIVE ) H]8 ,& !N IT BEGUN4444 ,?AT 
W5* BEGAN HANG+ R\ND4 ,WELL1 :AT WAS ,I TO 
DO6 ,IF ,I HAD NOT DONE IT1 SOMEONE ELSE W\LD4 ,& 
?IS IS :AT COMES ( IT6 ,/ILL ,I'M NOT TO BLAME 9 ?IS 
EI!R4 ,OH1 :AT A GO6 .<,SITS ?9K+.> ,!Y >E BOLD1 
!SE WOM56 ,:AT A PLAN TO ?9K (6 ,BUT ,I WON'T 
HAVE A H& 9 IT6 

,5T] ,MATRYONA ) A LANT]N & SPADE1 PANT+4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,:Y >E Y\ SITT+ !RE LIKE A H5 ON 
A P]*8 ,:AT DID Y\R WIFE TELL Y\ TO DO8 ,Y\ JU/ 
GET ?+S READY6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,:AT DO Y\ MEAN TO DO8 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,WE KN[ :AT TO DO4 ,Y\ DO Y\R %>E6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,Y\'LL BE GETT+ ME 9TO A MESS6 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,:AT8 ,Y\'RE NOT ?9K+ ( BACK+ \T1 
>E Y\8 ,N[ IT'S COME TO ?IS1 & Y\ BACK \T6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,?9K :AT A ?+ IT W\LD BE6 ,IT'S A LIV+ 
S\L4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,A LIV+ S\L 9DE$6 ,:Y1 IT'S MORE DEAD 
?AN ALIVE4 ,& :AT'S ONE TO DO ) IT8 ,GO & TAKE 
IT TO ! ,F\NDL+S'--IT WILL DIE JU/ ! SAME1 & ! 
RUMOR WILL GET AB\T1 & PEOPLE WILL TALK1 & ! GIRL BE 
LEFT ON \R H&S4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,& SUPPOS+ IT'S F\ND \T8 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,NOT MANAGE TO DO IT 9 ONE'S [N H\SE8 
,WE'LL MANAGE IT SO ?AT NO ONE WILL HAVE AN 9KL+4 ,ONLY 
DO AS ,I TELL Y\4 ,WE WOM5 CAN'T DO IT )\T A MAN4 
,!RE1 TAKE ! SPADE1 & GET IT DONE !RE1--,I'LL HOLD 
! LI<T4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,:AT AM ,I TO GET DONE8 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A .<9 A L[ VOICE.> ,DIG A HOLE2 !N WE'LL BR+ 
IT \T & GET IT \T ( ! WAY 9 A TRICE6 ,!RE1 %E'S 
CALL+ AGA94 ,N[ !N1 GET 91 & ,I'LL GO4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,IS IT DEAD !N8 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,( C\RSE IT IS4 ,ONLY Y\ MU/ BE QUICK1 OR 
ELSE PEOPLE WILL NOTICE6 ,!Y'LL SEE OR !Y'LL HE>6 ,! 
RASCALS MU/ NE$S KN[ EV]Y?+4 ,& ! POLICEMAN 
W5T BY ?IS EV5+4 ,WELL !N1 Y\ SEE .<GIVES HIM ! 
SPADE.>1 Y\ GET D[N 9TO ! CELL> & DIG A HOLE RI<T 
9 ! CORN]2 ! E>? IS S(T !RE1 & Y\'LL SMOO? 
IT OV]4 ,MO!R E>? WILL NOT BLAB TO ANY ONE2 %E'LL 
KEEP IT CLOSE4 ,GO !N2 GO1 DE>4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,Y\'LL GET ME 9TO A MESS1 BO!R Y\6 ,I'LL GO 
AWAY6 ,Y\ DO IT ALONE AS BE/ Y\ CAN6 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A .<?R\< ! DOORWAY.> ,WELL8 ,HAS HE DUG IT8 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,:Y HAVE Y\ COME AWAY8 ,:AT HAVE 
Y\ DONE ) IT8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,I'VE COV]$ IT ) RAGS4 ,NO ONE CAN HE> IT4 
,WELL1 HAS HE DUG IT8 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,HE DOESN'T WANT TO6 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A .<SPR+S \T 5RAG$.> ,DOESN'T WANT TO6 ,H[ 
WILL HE LIKE FE$+ V]M9 9 PRISON6 ,I'LL GO /RAI<T 
AWAY & TELL EV]Y?+ TO ! POLICE6 ,IT'S ALL ! SAME 
IF ONE MU/ P]I%4 ,I'LL GO /RAI<T & TELL6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<TAK5 ABACK.> ,:AT WILL Y\ TELL8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,:AT8 ,EV]Y?+6 ,:O TOOK ! MONEY8 
,Y\6 .<,NIKITA IS SIL5T.> ,& :O GAVE ! POISON8 ,I DID6 
,BUT Y\ KNEW6 ,Y\ KNEW6 ,Y\ KNEW6 ,WE W]E 9 
AGREEM5T6 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,?AT'S 5\< N[4 ,NIKITA DE>1 :Y >E 
Y\ OB/9ATE8 ,:AT'S TO BE DONE N[8 ,ONE MU/ TAKE 
SOME TR\BLE4 ,GO1 HONEY4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,SEE ! F9E G5TLEMAN6 ,HE DOESN'T LIKE IT6 
,Y\'VE PUT UPON ME LONG 5\<6 ,Y\'VE TRAMPL$ ME 
UND] FOOT6 ,N[ IT'S MY TURN6 ,GO1 ,I TELL Y\1 OR ELSE ,I'LL 
DO :AT ,I SAID4444 ,!RE1 TAKE ! SPADE2 !RE1 N[ GO6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,DRAT Y\6 ,CAN'T Y\ LEAVE A FELL[ ALONE6 .<,TAKES 
! SPADE1 BUT %R9KS.> ,IF ,I DON'T *OOSE TO1 ,I'LL NOT GO6 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,NOT GO8 .<,BEG9S TO %\T.> ,NEI<BORS6 ,HEH6 
HEH6 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A .<CLOSES H] M\?.> ,:AT >E Y\ AB\T8 ,Y\'RE 
MAD6 ,HE'LL GO4444 ,GO1 SONNIE2 GO1 MY [N4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,I'LL CRY MURD]6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,N[ /OP6 ,OH :AT PEOPLE6 ,Y\'D BETT] BE 
QUICK4444 ,AS WELL BE HUNG = A %EEP AS A LAMB6 .<,GES 
T[>DS ! CELL>.>4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,YES1 ?AT'S JU/ IT1 HONEY4 ,IF Y\ KN[ H[ 
TO AMUSE Y\RSELF1 Y\ MU/ KN[ H[ TO HIDE ! CONSEQU5CES4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A .</ILL EXCIT$.> ,HE'S TRAMPL$ ON ME 444 HE & 
HIS SLUT6 ,BUT IT'S 5\<6 ,I'M NOT GO+ TO BE ! 
ONLY ONE6 ,LET HIM ALSO BE A MURD]]6 ,!N HE'LL 
KN[ H[ IT FEELS6 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,!RE1 !RE6 ,H[ %E FL>ES UP6 ,DON'T 
Y\ BE CROSS1 LASS1 BUT DO ?+S QUIETLY LITTLE BY LITTLE1 AS 
IT'S BE/4 ,Y\ GO TO ! GIRL1 & HE'LL DO ! WORK4 
.<,FOLL[S ,NIKITA TO ! CELL> ) A LANT]N4 ,HE DESC5DS 
9TO ! CELL>.>4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,& ,I'LL MAKE HIM /RANGLE HIS DIRTY BRAT6 .<,/ILL 
EXCIT$.> ,I'VE WORRI$ MYSELF TO DEA? ALL ALONE1 ) ,PET]'S 
BONES WEI<+ ON MY M9D6 ,LET HIM FEEL IT TOO6 ,I'LL 
NOT SP>E MYSELF2 ,I'VE SAID ,I'LL NOT SP>E MYSELF6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<FROM ! CELL>.> ,%[ A LI<T6 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A .<HOLDS UP ! LANT]N TO HIM4 ,TO ,ANISYA.> ,HE'S 
DIGG+4 ,GO & BR+ IT4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,Y\ /AY ) HIM1 OR HE'LL GO AWAY1 ! WRET*6 
,& ,I'LL GO & BR+ IT4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,M9D1 DON'T =GET TO BAPTIZE IT1 OR ,I WILL 
IF Y\ LIKE4 ,HAVE Y\ A CROSS8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,I'LL F9D ONE4 ,I KN[ H[ TO DO IT4 .<,EXIT.>4 

,SEE AT 5D ( ,ACT1 ,V>IATION1 :I* MAY BE US$ 9/EAD 
( ! FOLL[+4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,H[ ! WOMAN BRI/L$ UP6 ,BUT ONE 
MU/ ALL[ %E'S BE5 PUT UPON4 ,WELL1 BUT ) ! ,LORD'S 
HELP1 :5 WE'VE COV]$ ?IS BUS9ESS1 !RE'LL BE AN 
5D ( IT4 ,WE'LL %OVE ! GIRL (F )\T ANY TR\BLE4 
,MY SON WILL LIVE 9 COM=T4 ,! H\SE1 ?ANK ,GOD1 IS 
AS FULL AS AN EGG4 ,!Y'LL NOT =GET ME EI!R4 ,:]E 
W\LD !Y HAVE BE5 )\T ,MATRYONA8 ,!Y'D NOT 
HAVE KN[N H[ TO CONTRIVE ?+S4 .<,PE]+ 9TO ! 
CELL>.> ,IS IT READY1 SONNIE8 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<PUTS \T HIS HEAD.> ,:AT >E Y\ AB\T !RE8 
,BR+ IT QUICK6 ,:AT >E Y\ DAWDL+ =8 ,IF IT IS TO 
BE DONE1 LET IT BE DONE4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A .<GOES T[>DS DOOR ( ! HUT & MEETS ,ANISYA4 
,ANISYA COMES \T ) A BABY WRAPP$ 9 RAGS.> ,WELL1 HAVE 
Y\ BAPTIZ$ IT8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,:Y1 ( C\RSE6 ,IT WAS ALL ,I C\LD DO TO TAKE 
IT AWAY--%E W\LDN'T GIVE IT UP6 .<,COMES =W>D & H&S 
IT TO ,NIKITA.>4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<DOES NOT TAKE IT.> ,Y\ BR+ IT Y\RSELF6 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,TAKE IT1 ,I TELL Y\6 .<,?R[S ! BABY TO HIM.>4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<CAT*ES IT.> ,IT'S ALIVE6 ,GRACI\S ME1 IT'S MOV+6 
,IT'S ALIVE6 ,:AT AM ,I TO 444 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A .<SNAT*ES ! BABY FROM HIM & ?R[S IT 9TO ! 
CELL>.> ,BE QUICK & SMO!R IT1 & !N IT WON'T BE 
ALIVE6 .<,PU%ES ,NIKITA D[N.> ,IT'S Y\R DO+1 & Y\ MU/ 
F9I% IT4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A .<SITS ON ! DOOR/EP ( ! HUT.> ,HE'S T5D]-HE>T$4 
,IT'S H>D ON HIM1 POOR DE>4 ,WELL1 :AT ( 
?AT8 ,ISN'T IT ALSO HIS S98 

,ANISYA /&S BY ! CELL>4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A .<SITS LOOK+ AT H] & DISC\RSES.> ,OH1 OH1 OH6 
,H[ FRI<T5$ HE WAS3 WELL1 BUT :AT ( ?AT8 ,IF IT IS 
H>D1 IT'S ! ONLY ?+ TO BE DONE4 ,:]E WAS ONE TO PUT 
IT8 ,& JU/ ?9K1 H[ (T5 IT HAPP5S ?AT PEOPLE PRAY 
TO ,GOD TO HAVE *ILDR56 ,BUT NO1 ,GOD GIVES !M NONE2 OR 
!Y >E ALL /ILL-BORN4 ,LOOK AT \R PRIE/'S WIFE N[4444 
,& H]E1 :]E IT'S NOT WANT$1 H]E IT LIVES4 .<,LOOKS T[>DS 
! CELL>.> ,I SUPPOSE HE'S F9I%$4 .<,TO ,ANISYA.> ,WELL8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A .<LOOK+ 9TO ! CELL>.> ,HE'S PUT A BO>D ON IT 
& IS SITT+ ON IT4 ,IT MU/ BE F9I%$6 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,OH1 OH6 ,ONE W\LD BE GLAD NOT TO S91 
BUT :AT'S ONE TO DO8 

,RE5T] ,NIKITA FROM CELL>1 TREMBL+ ALL OV]4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,IT'S /ILL ALIVE6 ,I CAN'T6 ,IT'S ALIVE6 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,IF IT'S ALIVE1 :]E >E Y\ (F TO8 .<,TRIES TO 
/OP HIM.>4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<RU%ES AT H].> ,GO AWAY6 ,I'LL KILL Y\6 .<,CAT*ES 
HOLD ( H] >MS2 %E ESCAPES1 HE RUNS AFT] H] ) ! SPADE4 
,MATRYONA RUNS T[>DS HIM & /OPS HIM4 ,ANISYA RUNS 9TO 
! POR*4 ,MATRYONA TRIES TO WR5* ! SPADE FROM HIM4 
,TO HIS MO!R.> ,I'LL KILL Y\6 ,I'LL KILL Y\6 ,GO AWAY6 
.<,MATRYONA RUNS TO ,ANISYA 9 ! POR*4 ,NIKITA /OPS.> ,I'LL 
KILL Y\6 ,I'LL KILL Y\ ALL6 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,?AT'S BECAUSE HE'S SO FRI<T5$6 ,NEV] 
M9D1 IT WILL PASS6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,:AT HAVE !Y MADE ME DO8 ,:AT HAVE 
!Y MADE ME DO8 ,H[ IT :IMP]$4444 ,H[ IT 
CRUN*$ UND] ME6 ,:AT HAVE !Y DONE ) ME8444 
,& IT'S REALLY ALIVE1 /ILL ALIVE6 .<,LI/5S 9 SIL5CE.> 
,IT'S :IMP]+ 444 ,!RE1 IT'S :IMP]+4 .<,RUNS TO ! 
CELL>.>4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A .<TO ,ANISYA.> ,HE'S GO+2 IT SEEMS HE MEANS 
TO BURY IT4 ,NIKITA1 Y\'D BETT] TAKE ! LANT]N6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<DOES NOT HE$ H]1 BUT LI/5S BY ! CELL> DOOR.> 
,I CAN HE> NO?+6 ,I SUPPOSE IT WAS FANCY6 .<,MOVES AWAY1 
!N /OPS.> ,H[ ! LITTLE BONES CRUN*$ UND] ME4 
,KRR 444 KR 444 ,:AT HAVE !Y MADE ME DO8 .<,LI/5S 
AGA9.> ,AGA9 :IMP]+6 ,IT'S REALLY :IMP]+6 ,:AT 
CAN IT BE8 ,MO!R6 ,MO!R1 ,I SAY6 .<,GES UP TO H].>4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,:AT IS IT1 SONNIE8 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,MO!R1 MY [N MO!R1 ,I CAN'T DO ANY MORE6 
,CAN'T DO ANY MORE6 ,MY [N MO!R1 HAVE SOME PITY ON 
ME6 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,OH DE>1 H[ FRI<T5$ Y\ >E1 MY D>L+6 
,COME1 COME1 DR9K A DROP TO GIVE Y\ C\RAGE6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,MO!R1 MO!R6 ,IT SEEMS MY TIME HAS COME6 
,:AT HAVE Y\ DONE ) ME8 ,H[ ! LITTLE BONES 
CRUN*$1 & H[ IT :IMP]$6 ,MY [N MO!R6 ,:AT 
HAVE Y\ DONE ) ME8 .<,/EPS ASIDE & SITS D[N ON ! 
SL$GE.>4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,COME1 MY [N1 HAVE A DR9K6 ,IT C]TA9LY 
DOES SEEM UNCANNY AT NI<TTIME4 ,BUT WAIT A BIT4 ,:5 
! DAY BREAKS1 Y\ KN[1 & ONE DAY & ANO!R 
PASSES1 Y\'LL =GET EV5 TO ?9K ( IT4 ,WAIT A BIT2 :5 
! GIRL'S M>RI$ WE'LL EV5 =GET TO ?9K ( IT4 ,BUT 
Y\ GO & HAVE A DR9K2 HAVE A DR9K6 ,I'LL GO & PUT 
?+S /RAI<T 9 ! CELL> MYSELF4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<R\SES HIMSELF.> ,IS !RE ANY DR9K LEFT8 ,P]HAPS 
,I CAN DR9K IT (F6 .<,EXIT.>4 

,ANISYA1 :O HAS /OOD ALL ! TIME BY ! DOOR1 SIL5TLY MAKES 
WAY = HIM4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,GO1 GO1 HONEY1 & ,I'LL SET TO WORK6 ,I'LL GO 
D[N MYSELF & DIG6 ,:]E HAS HE ?R[N ! SPADE 
TO8 .<,F9DS ! SPADE1 & GOES D[N 9TO ! CELL>.> ,ANISYA1 
COME H]E6 ,HOLD ! LI<T1 WILL Y\8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,& :AT ( HIM8 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,HE'S SO FRI<T5$6 ,Y\'VE BE5 TOO H>D 
) HIM4 ,LEAVE HIM ALONE1 HE'LL COME TO HIS S5SES4 
,GOD HELP HIM6 ,I'LL SET TO WORK MYSELF4 ,PUT ! LANT]N 
D[N H]E4 ,I CAN SEE4 

,MATRYONA DISAPPE>S 9TO ! CELL>4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A .<LOOK+ T[>DS ! DOOR BY :I* ,NIKITA 5T]$ 
! HUT.> ,WELL1 HAVE Y\ HAD 5\< SPREE8 ,Y\'VE BE5 
PUFF+ Y\RSELF UP1 BUT N[ Y\'LL KN[ H[ IT FEELS6 
,Y\'LL LOSE SOME ( Y\R BLU/]6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<RU%ES \T ( ! HUT T[>DS ! CELL>.> ,MO!R6 
MO!R1 ,I SAY6 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A .<PUTS \T H] HEAD.> ,:AT IS IT1 SONNIE8 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<LI/5+.> ,DON'T BURY IT1 IT'S ALIVE6 ,DON'T Y\ 
HE>8 ,ALIVE6 ,!RE--IT'S :IMP]+6 ,!RE 444 QUITE 
PLA96 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,H[ CAN IT :IMP]8 ,:Y1 Y\'VE FLATT5$ 
IT 9TO A PANCAKE6 ,! :OLE HEAD IS SMA%$ TO 
BITS6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,:AT IS IT !N8 .<,/OPS HIS E>S.> ,IT'S /ILL 
:IMP]+6 ,I AM LO/6 ,LO/6 ,:AT HAVE !Y DONE 
) ME8444 ,:]E %ALL ,I GO8 .<,SITS D[N ON ! /EP.>4 

,CURTA94 

  

,V,>,I,A,T,I,O,N 

,9/EAD ( ! 5D ( ,ACT ,I,V4 7FROM ! WORDS1 
0,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,I'LL F9D ONE4 ,I KN[ H[ TO DO IT4 .<,EXIT.>07 ! 
FOLL[+ V>IATION MAY BE READ1 & IS ! ONE USUALLY ACT$4 

  
,SC5E #b4 

,! 9T]IOR ( ! HUT AS 9 ,ACT ,I4 

,NAAN LIES ON ! B5*1 & IS COV]$ ) A COAT4 ,MITRIT* 
IS SITT+ ON ! OV5 SMOK+4 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,DE> ME6 ,H[ !Y'VE MADE ! PLACE 
SMELL6 ,DRAT 'EM6 ,!Y'VE BE5 SPILL+ ! F9E /UFF4 
,EV5 TOBACCO DON'T GET RID ( ! SMELL6 ,IT KEEPS TICKL+ 
ONE'S NOSE SO4 ,OH ,LORD6 ,BUT IT'S B$TIME1 ,I GUESS4 
.<,APPROA*ES ! LAMP TO PUT IT \T.>4 

,N,A,A,N .<JUMPS UP1 & REMA9S SITT+ UP.> ,DADDY DE>1.<#g.> 
DON'T PUT IT \T6 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,NOT PUT IT \T8 ,:Y8 

,N,A,A,N4 ,DIDN'T Y\ HE> !M MAK+ A R[ 9 ! Y>D8 
.<,LI/5S.> ,D'Y\ HE>1 !RE 9 ! B>N AGA9 N[8 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,:AT'S ?AT TO Y\8 ,I GUESS NO ONE'S ASK$ 
Y\ TO M9D6 ,LIE D[N & SLEEP6 ,& ,I'LL TURN D[N 
! LI<T4 .<,TURNS D[N LAMP.>4 

,N,A,A,N4 ,DADDY D>L+6 ,DON'T PUT IT RI<T \T2 LEAVE A 
LITTLE BIT IF ONLY AS BIG AS A M\SE'S EYE1 ELSE IT'S SO 
FRI<T5+6 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,* .<LAU<S.> ,ALL RI<T1 ALL RI<T4 .<,SITS D[N BY H].> 
,:AT'S !RE TO BE AFRAID (8 

,N,A,A,N4 ,H[ CAN ONE HELP BE+ FRI<T5$1 DADDY6 
,SI/] DID GO ON SO6 ,%E WAS BEAT+ H] HEAD AGA9/ 
! BOX6 .<,:ISP]S.> ,Y\ KN[1 ,I KN[ 444 A LITTLE BABY 
IS GO+ TO BE BORN4444 ,IT'S ALREADY BORN1 ,I ?9K4444 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,EH1 :AT A LITTLE BUSYBODY IT IS6 ,MAY ! 
FROGS KICK H]6 ,MU/ NE$S KN[ EV]Y?+4 ,LIE D[N 
& SLEEP6 .<,NAAN LIES D[N.> ,?AT'S RI<T6 .<,TUCKS H] UP.> 
,?AT'S RI<T6 ,!RE N[1 IF Y\ KN[ TOO MU* Y\'LL 
GR[ OLD TOO SOON4 

,N,A,A,N4 ,& Y\ >E GO+ TO LIE ON ! OV58 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,WELL1 ( C\RSE6 ,:AT A LITTLE SILLY Y\ >E1 
N[ ,I COME TO LOOK AT Y\6 ,MU/ NE$S KN[ EV]Y?+4 
.<,TUCKS H] UP AGA91 !N /&S UP TO GO.> ,!RE N[1 LIE 
/ILL & SLEEP6 .<,GES UP TO ! OV5.>4 

,N,A,A,N4 ,IT GAVE JU/ ONE CRY1 & N[ !RE'S NO?+ TO 
BE HE>D4 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,OH ,LORD6 ,GRACI\S ,NI*OLAS6 ,:AT IS IT 
Y\ CAN'T HE>8 

,N,A,A,N4 ,! BABY4 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,!RE IS NONE1 ?AT'S :Y Y\ CAN'T HE> IT4 

,N,A,A,N4 ,BUT ,I HE>D IT6 ,BLE/ IF ,I DIDN'T HE> IT6 ,SU* 
A ?9 VOICE6 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,HE>D 9DE$6 ,MU* Y\ HE>D6 ,WELL1 IF 
Y\ KN[1--:Y !N IT WAS JU/ SU* A LITTLE GIRL AS Y\ 
?AT ! BOGEY POPP$ 9TO HIS BAG & MADE (F )4 

,N,A,A,N4 ,:AT BOGEY8 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,:Y1 JU/ HIS V]Y SELF6 .<,CLIMBS UP ON TO ! 
OV5.> ,! OV5 IS BEAUTIFULLY W>M TO-NI<T4 ,QUITE A 
TREAT6 ,OH ,LORD6 ,GRACI\S ,NI*OLAS6 

,N,A,A,N4 ,DADDY6 >E Y\ GO+ TO SLEEP8 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,:AT ELSE8 ,DO Y\ ?9K ,I'M GO+ TO S+ 
SONGS8 

,SIL5CE4 

,N,A,A,N4 ,DADDY6 ,DADDY1 ,I SAY6 ,!Y >E DIGG+6 !Y'RE 
DIGG+--DON'T Y\ HE>8 ,BLE/ IF !Y'RE NOT1 !Y'RE 
DIGG+6 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,:AT >E Y\ DREAM+ AB\T8 ,DIGG+6 
,DIGG+ 9 ! NI<T6 ,:O'S DIGG+8 ,! C['S RUBB+ 
H]SELF1 ?AT'S ALL4 ,DIGG+ 9DE$6 ,GO TO SLEEP 
,I TELL Y\1 ELSE ,I'LL JU/ PUT \T ! LI<T6 

,N,A,A,N4 ,DADDY D>L+1 DON'T PUT IT \T6 ,I WON'T 444 
TRULY1 TRULY1 ,I WON'T4 ,IT'S SO FRI<TFUL6 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,FRI<TFUL8 ,DON'T BE AFRAID & !N IT WON'T 
BE FRI<TFUL4 ,LOOK AT H]1 %E'S AFRAID1 & !N SAYS IT'S 
FRI<TFUL4 ,H[ CAN IT HELP BE+ FRI<TFUL IF Y\ >E 
AFRAID8 ,EH1 :AT A /UPID LITTLE GIRL6 

,SIL5CE4 ,! CRICKET *IRPS4 

,N,A,A,N .<:ISP]S.> ,DADDY6 ,I SAY1 DADDY6 ,>E Y\ 
ASLEEP8 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,N[ !N1 :AT D'Y\ WANT8 

,N,A,A,N4 ,:AT'S ! BOGEY LIKE8 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,:Y1 LIKE ?IS6 ,:5 HE F9DS SU* A ONE 
AS Y\1 :O WON'T SLEEP1 HE COMES ) A SACK & POPS 
! GIRL 9TO IT1 !N 9 HE GETS HIMSELF1 HEAD & ALL1 
LIFTS H] DRESS1 & GIVES H] A F9E :IPP+6 

,N,A,A,N4 ,:AT )8 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,HE TAKES A BIR*-BROOM ) HIM4 

,N,A,A,N4 ,BUT HE CAN'T SEE !RE--9SIDE ! SACK6 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,HE'LL SEE1 NO FE>6 

,N,A,A,N4 ,BUT ,I'LL BITE HIM4 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,NO1 FRI5D1 HIM Y\ CAN'T BITE6 

,N,A,A,N4 ,DADDY1 !RE'S SOME ONE COM+6 ,:O IS IT8 ,OH 
GRACI\S GOODNESS6 ,:O CAN IT BE8 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,WELL1 IF SOME ONE'S COM+1 LET !M COME6 
,:AT'S ! MATT] ) Y\8 ,I SUPPOSE IT'S Y\R MO!R6 

,5T] ,ANISYA4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,NAAN6 .<,NAAN PRET5DS TO BE ASLEEP.> ,MITRIT*6 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,:AT8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,:AT'S ! LAMP BURN+ =8 ,WE >E GO+ 
TO SLEEP 9 ! SUMM]-HUT4 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,:Y1 Y\ SEE ,I'VE ONLY JU/ GOT /RAI<T4 ,I'LL 
PUT ! LI<T \T ALL RI<T4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A .<RUMMAGES 9 H] BOX & GRUMBLES.> ,:5 A ?+'S 
WANT$ ONE NEV] CAN F9D IT6 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,:Y1 :AT IS IT Y\ >E LOOK+ =8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,I'M LOOK+ = A CROSS4 ,SUPPOSE IT W]E TO DIE 
UNBAPTIZ$6 ,IT W\LD BE A S91 Y\ KN[6 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,( C\RSE IT W\LD6 ,EV]Y?+ 9 DUE 
ORD]4444 ,HAVE Y\ F\ND IT8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,YES1 ,I'VE F\ND IT4 .<,EXIT.>4 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,?AT'S RI<T1 ELSE ,I'D HAVE L5T H] M9E4 
,OH ,LORD6 

,N,A,A,N .<JUMPS UP TREMBL+.> ,OH1 OH1 DADDY6 ,DON'T GO TO 
SLEEP2 = GOODNESS' SAKE1 DON'T6 ,IT'S SO FRI<TFUL6 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,:AT'S FRI<TFUL8 

,N,A,A,N4 ,IT WILL DIE--! LITTLE BABY WILL6 ,AT ,AUNT ,IR5E'S 
! OLD WOMAN ALSO BAPTIZ$ ! BABY1 & IT DI$6 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,IF IT DIES1 !Y'LL BURY IT6 

,N,A,A,N4 ,BUT MAYBE IT W\LDN'T HAVE DI$1 ONLY OLD ,GRANNY 
,MATRYONA'S !RE6 ,DIDN'T ,I HE> :AT GRANNY WAS SAY+8 
,I HE>D H]6 ,BLE/ IF ,I DIDN'T6 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,:AT DID Y\ HE>8 ,GO TO SLEEP1 ,I TELL 
Y\4 ,COV] Y\RSELF UP1 HEAD & ALL1 & LET'S HAVE AN 
5D ( IT6 

,N,A,A,N4 ,IF IT LIV$1 ,I'D NURSE IT6 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,* .<RO>S.> ,OH ,LORD6 

,N,A,A,N4 ,:]E WILL !Y PUT IT8 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,9 ! RI<T PLACE6 ,IT'S NO BUS9ESS ( Y\RS6 
,GO TO SLEEP ,I TELL Y\1 ELSE MO!R WILL COME2 %E'LL GIVE 
IT Y\6 .<,SIL5CE.>4 

,N,A,A,N4 ,DADDY6 ,EH1 DADDY6 ,?AT GIRL1 Y\ KN[1 Y\ 
W]E TELL+ AB\T--!Y DIDN'T KILL H]8 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,?AT GIRL8 ,OH YES4 ,?AT GIRL TURN$ \T ALL 
RI<T6 

,N,A,A,N4 ,H[ WAS IT8 ,Y\ W]E SAY+ Y\ F\ND H]8 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,WELL1 WE JU/ F\ND H]6 

,N,A,A,N4 ,BUT :]E DID Y\ F9D H]8 ,DO TELL6 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,:Y1 9 !IR [N H\SE2 ?AT'S :]E6 ,WE 
CAME TO A VILLAGE1 ! SOLDI]S BEGAN HUNT+ AB\T 9 ! 
H\SE1 :5 SUDD5LY !RE'S ?AT SAME LITTLE GIRL LY+ 
ON ! FLOOR1 FLAT ON H] /OMA*4 ,WE W]E GO+ TO GIVE 
H] A KNOCK ON ! HEAD1 BUT ALL AT ONCE ,I FELT ?AT SORRY1 
?AT ,I TOOK H] UP 9 MY >MS2 BUT NO1 %E W\LDN'T LET 
ME6 ,MADE H]SELF SO HEAVY1 QUITE A HUNDR$WEI<T1 
& CAU<T HOLD :]E %E C\LD ) H] H&S1 SO ?AT 
ONE C\LDN'T GET !M (F6 ,WELL1 SO ,I BEGAN /ROK+ H] 
HEAD4 ,IT WAS SO BRI/LY1--JU/ LIKE A H$GEHOG6 ,SO ,I 
/ROK$ & /ROK$1 & %E QUIET$ D[N AT LA/4 ,I 
SOAK$ A BIT ( RUSK & GAVE IT H]4 ,%E UND]/OOD 
?AT1 & BEGAN NIBBL+4 ,:AT W]E WE TO DO ) H]8 
,WE TOOK H]2 TOOK H]1 & BEGAN FE$+ & FE$+ 
H]1 & %E GOT SO US$ TO US ?AT WE TOOK H] ) US ON 
! M>*1 & SO %E W5T AB\T ) US4 ,AH1 %E WAS 
A F9E GIRL6 

,N,A,A,N4 ,YES1 & NOT BAPTIZ$8 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,:O CAN TELL6 ,!Y US$ TO SAY1 NOT ALTOGE!R4 
',COS :Y1 ?OSE PEOPLE W]5'T \R [N4 

,N,A,A,N4 ,G]MANS8 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,:AT AN IDEA6 ,G]MANS6 ,NOT ,G]MANS1 
BUT ,ASIATICS4 ,!Y >E JU/ ! SAME AS ,JEWS1 BUT /ILL 
NOT ,JEWS4 ,POLI%1 YET ,ASIATICS4 ,CURLS 444 OR1 ,CURDLYS 
IS !IR NAME4444 ,I'VE =GOTT5 :AT IT IS6.<#h.> ,WE 
CALL$ ! GIRL ,SA%KA4 ,%E WAS A F9E GIRL1 ,SA%KA WAS6 
,!RE N[1 ,I'VE =GOTT5 EV]Y?+ ,I US$ TO KN[6 
,BUT ?AT GIRL--! DEUCE TAKE H]--SEEMS TO BE BE=E 
MY EYES N[6 ,\T ( ALL MY TIME ( S]VICE1 ,I REMEMB] 
H[ !Y FLOGG$ ME1 & ,I REMEMB] ?AT GIRL4 ,?AT'S ALL 
,I REMEMB]6 ,%E'D HANG R\ND ONE'S NECK1 & ONE 
'UD C>RY H] SO4 ,?AT WAS A GIRL1--IF Y\ WANT$ A 
BETT] Y\'D NOT F9D ONE6 ,WE GAVE H] AWAY AFT]W>DS4 
,! CAPTA9'S WIFE TOOK H] TO BR+ UP AS H] 
DAU<T]4 ,SO--%E WAS ALL RI<T6 ,H[ SORRY ! SOLDI]S 
W]E TO LET H] GO6 

,N,A,A,N4 ,!RE N[1 DADDY1 & ,I REMEMB] :5 FA!R 
WAS DY+1--Y\ W]E NOT LIV+ ) US !N4 ,WELL1 HE 
CALL$ ,NIKITA & SAYS1 0,=GIVE ME1 ,NIKITA60 HE SAYS1 
& BEG9S TO CRY4 .<,SI<S.> ,?AT ALSO FELT V]Y SAD6 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,YES2 !RE N[1 SO IT IS 444 

,N,A,A,N4 ,DADDY6 ,DADDY1 ,I SAY6 ,!RE !Y >E AGA91 
MAK+ A NOISE 9 ! CELL>6 ,OH GRACI\S HEAV5S6 ,OH 
DE>6 ,OH DE>6 ,OH1 DADDY6 ,!Y'LL DO SOME?+ TO IT6 
,!Y'LL MAKE AWAY ) IT1 & IT'S SO LITTLE6 ,OH1 OH6 
.<,COV]S UP H] HEAD & CRIES.>4 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,* .<LI/5+.> ,REALLY !Y'RE UP TO SOME VILLA9Y1 
BL[ !M TO %IV]S6 ,OH1 !SE WOM5 >E VILE CREATURES6 
,ONE CAN'T SAY MU* = M5 EI!R2 BUT WOM56444 
,!Y >E LIKE WILD BEA/S1 & /ICK AT NO?+6 

,N,A,A,N .<RIS+.> ,DADDY2 ,I SAY1 DADDY6 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,WELL1 :AT N[8 

,N,A,A,N4 ,! O!R DAY A TRAVEL] /AY$ ! NI<T2 HE 
SAID ?AT :5 AN 9FANT DI$ ITS S\L GOES UP /RAI<T TO 
HEAV54 ,IS ?AT TRUE8 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,:O CAN TELL4 ,I SUPPOSE SO4 ,WELL8 

,N,A,A,N4 ,OH1 IT W\LD BE BE/ IF ,I DI$ TOO4 .<,:IMP]S.>4 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,!N Y\'D BE (F ! LI/6 

,N,A,A,N4 ,UP TO T5 ONE'S AN 9FANT1 & MAYBE ONE'S S\L 
W\LD GO TO ,GOD4 ,ELSE ONE'S SURE TO GO TO ! BAD6 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,& H[ TO ! BAD8 ,H[ %\LD ! LIKES 
( Y\ NOT GO TO ! BAD8 ,:O TEA*ES Y\8 ,:AT DO 
Y\ SEE8 ,:AT DO Y\ HE>8 ,ONLY VIL5ESS6 ,I1 ?\< 
,I'VE NOT BE5 TAU<T MU*1 /ILL KN[ A ?+ OR TWO4 
,I'M NOT QUITE LIKE A PEASANT WOMAN4 ,A PEASANT WOMAN1 
:AT IS %E8 ,JU/ MUD6 ,!RE >E MANY MILLIONS ( ! 
LIKES ( Y\ 9 ,RUSSIA1 & ALL AS BL9D AS MOLES--KN[+ 
NO?+6 ,ALL SORTS ( SPELLS3 H[ TO /OP ! CATTLE-PLAGUE 
) A PL[1 & H[ TO CURE *ILDR5 BY PUTT+ 
!M UND] ! P]*ES 9 ! H5-H\SE6 ,?AT'S 
:AT !Y KN[6 

,N,A,A,N4 ,YES1 MO!R ALSO DID ?AT6 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,YES1--!RE IT IS1--JU/ SO6 ,SO MANY MILLIONS 
( GIRLS & WOM51 & ALL LIKE BEA/S 9 A =E/6 ,AS %E 
GR[S UP1 SO %E DIES6 ,NEV] SEES ANY?+2 NEV] HE>S 
ANY?+4 ,A PEASANT1--HE MAY LE>N SOME?+ AT ! 
PUB1 OR MAYBE 9 PRISON1 OR 9 ! >MY1--AS ,I DID4 ,BUT A 
WOMAN8 ,LET ALONE AB\T ,GOD1 %E DOESN'T EV5 KN[ 
RI<TLY :AT ,FRIDAY IT IS6 ,FRIDAY6 ,FRIDAY6 ,BUT ASK H] 
:AT'S ,FRIDAY8 ,%E DON'T KN[6 ,!Y'RE LIKE BL9D 
PUPPIES1 CREEP+ AB\T & POK+ !IR NOSES 9TO 
! DUNG-HEAP4444 ,ALL !Y KN[ >E !IR SILLY SONGS4 
,HO1 HO1 HO1 HO6 ,BUT :AT !Y MEAN BY HO-HO1 !Y 
DON'T KN[ !MSELVES6 

,N,A,A,N4 ,BUT ,I1 DADDY1 ,I DO KN[ HALF ! ,LORD'S ,PRAY]6 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,A LOT Y\ KN[6 ,BUT :AT CAN ONE EXPECT 
( Y\8 ,:O TEA*ES Y\8 ,ONLY A TIPSY PEASANT--) 
! /RAP P]HAPS6 ,?AT'S ALL ! TEA*+ Y\ GET6 ,I 
DON'T KN[ :O'LL HAVE TO ANSW] = Y\4 ,= A RECRUIT1 
! DRILL-S]GEANT OR ! CORPORAL HAS TO ANSW]2 BUT = 
! LIKES ( Y\ !RE'S NO ONE RESPONSIBLE6 ,JU/ AS ! 
CATTLE ?AT HAVE NO H]DSMAN >E ! MO/ MIS*IEV\S1 SO 
) Y\ WOM5--Y\ >E ! /UPIDE/ CLASS6 ,! MO/ 
FOOLI% CLASS IS Y\RS6 

,N,A,A,N4 ,!N :AT'S ONE TO DO8 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,?AT'S :AT ONE HAS TO DO4444 ,Y\ JU/ 
COV] UP Y\R HEAD & SLEEP6 ,OH ,LORD6 

,SIL5CE4 ,! CRICKET *IRPS4 

,N,A,A,N .<JUMPS UP.> ,DADDY6 ,SOME ONE'S SCREAM+ AWFULLY6 
,BLE/ IF SOME ONE ISN'T SCREAM+6 ,DADDY D>L+1 IT'S 
COM+ H]E6 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,COV] UP Y\R HEAD1 ,I TELL Y\6 

,5T] ,NIKITA1 FOLL[$ BY ,MATRYONA4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,:AT HAVE !Y DONE ) ME8 ,:AT HAVE 
!Y DONE ) ME8 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,HAVE A DROP1 HONEY2 HAVE A DROP ( DR9K6 
,:AT'S ! MATT]8 .<,FET*ES ! SPIRITS & SETS ! BOTTLE 
BE=E HIM.>4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,GIVE IT H]E6 ,P]HAPS ! DR9K WILL HELP ME6 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,M9D6 ,!Y'RE NOT ASLEEP6 ,H]E Y\ >E1 
HAVE A DROP6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,:AT DOES IT ALL MEAN8 ,:Y DID Y\ PLAN 
IT8 ,Y\ MI<T HAVE TAK5 IT SOME:]E6 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A .<:ISP]S.> ,SIT /ILL A BIT & DR9K A LITTLE 
MORE1 OR HAVE A SMOKE4 ,IT WILL EASE Y\R ?\<TS6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,MY [N MO!R6 ,MY TURN SEEMS TO HAVE COME6 
,H[ IT BEGAN TO :IMP]1 & H[ ! LITTLE BONES 
CRUN*$ 444 KRR 444 ,I'M NOT A MAN N[6 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,EH1 N[1 :AT'S ! USE ( TALK+ SO SILLY6 
,( C\RSE IT DOES SEEM FE>SOME AT NI<T1 BUT WAIT TILL ! 
DAYLI<T COMES1 & A DAY OR TWO PASSES1 & Y\'LL =GET 
TO ?9K ( IT6 .<,GES UP TO ,NIKITA & PUTS H] H& ON HIS 
%\LD].>4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,GO AWAY FROM ME6 ,:AT HAVE Y\ DONE ) 
ME8 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,COME1 COME1 SONNIE6 ,N[ REALLY1 :AT'S 
! MATT] ) Y\8 .<,TAKES HIS H&.>4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,GO AWAY FROM ME6 ,I'LL KILL Y\6 ,IT'S ALL ONE 
TO ME N[6 ,I'LL KILL Y\6 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,OH1 OH1 H[ FRI<T5$ HE'S GOT6 ,Y\ 
%\LD GO & HAVE A SLEEP N[6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,I HAVE NO:]E TO GO2 ,I'M LO/6 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A .<%AK+ H] HEAD.> ,OH1 OH1 ,I'D BETT] GO & 
TIDY ?+S UP4 ,HE'LL SIT & RE/ A BIT1 & IT WILL PASS6 
.<,EXIT.>4 

,NIKITA SITS ) HIS FACE 9 HIS H&S4 ,MITRIT* & ,NAAN 
SEEM /UNN$4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,IT'S :9+6 ,IT'S :9+6 ,IT IS REALLY--!RE1 
!RE1 QUITE PLA96 ,%E'LL BURY IT1 REALLY %E WILL6 .<,RUNS 
TO ! DOOR.> ,MO!R1 DON'T BURY IT1 IT'S ALIVE4444 

,5T] ,MATRYONA4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A .<:ISP]S.> ,N[ !N1 :AT IS IT8 ,HEAV5 
HELP Y\6 ,:Y WON'T Y\ GET TO RE/8 ,H[ CAN IT BE 
ALIVE8 ,ALL ITS BONES >E CRU%$6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,GIVE ME MORE DR9K6 .<,DR9KS.>4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,N[ GO1 SONNIE4 ,Y\'LL FALL ASLEEP N[ ALL 
RI<T4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .</&S LI/5+.> ,/ILL ALIVE 444 !RE 444 IT'S 
:9+6 ,DON'T Y\ HE>8444 ,!RE6 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A .<:ISP]S.> ,NO6 ,I TELL Y\6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,MO!R6 ,MY [N MO!R6 ,I'VE RU9$ MY 
LIFE6 ,:AT HAVE Y\ DONE ) ME8 ,:]E AM ,I TO GO8 
.<,RUNS \T ( ! HUT2 ,MATRYONA FOLL[S HIM.>4 

,N,A,A,N4 ,DADDY DE>1 D>L+1 !Y'VE SMO!R$ IT6 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,* .<ANGRILY.> ,GO TO SLEEP1 ,I TELL Y\6 ,OH DE>1 
MAY ! FROGS KICK Y\6 ,I'LL GIVE IT TO Y\ ) ! BROOM6 
,GO TO SLEEP1 ,I TELL Y\6 

,N,A,A,N4 ,DADDY1 MY TREASURE6 ,SOME?+ IS CAT*+ HOLD 
( MY %\LD]S1 SOME?+ IS CAT*+ HOLD ) ITS PAWS6 
,DADDY DE> 444 REALLY1 REALLY 444 ,I MU/ GO6 ,DADDY1 
D>L+6 LET ME GET UP ON ! OV5 ) Y\6 ,LET ME1 
= ,HEAV5'S SAKE6 ,CAT*+ HOLD 444 CAT*+ HOLD6 
,OH6 .<,RUNS TO ! /OVE.>4 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,SEE H[ !Y'VE FRI<T5$ ! GIRL4444 
,:AT VILE CREATURES !Y >E6 ,MAY ! FROGS KICK !M6 
,WELL !N1 CLIMB UP4 

,N,A,A,N .<CLIMBS ON OV5.> ,BUT DON'T Y\ GO AWAY6 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,:]E %\LD ,I GO TO8 ,CLIMB UP1 CLIMB 
UP6 ,OH ,LORD6 ,GRACI\S ,NI*OLAS6 ,HOLY ,MO!R6444 
,H[ !Y HAVE FRI<T$ ! GIRL4 .<,COV]S H] UP.> ,!RE'S 
A LITTLE FOOL--REALLY A LITTLE FOOL6 ,H[ !Y'VE FRI<T$ 
H]2 REALLY1 !Y >E VILE CREATURES6 ,! DEUCE TAKE 
'EM6 

,CURTA94 

O ,ACT #e 
,SC5E #a4 

,9 FRONT ( SC5E A /ACK-/&1 TO ! LEFT A ?RA%+ GR\ND1 
TO ! RI<T A B>N4 ,! B>N DOORS >E OP54 ,/RAW IS 
/REWN AB\T 9 ! DOORWAY4 ,! HUT ) Y>D & \T-BUILD+S 
IS SE5 9 ! BACKGR\ND1 :5CE PROCE$ S\NDS ( 
S++ & ( A TAMB\R9E4 ,TWO ,GIRLS >E WALK+ PA/ ! 
B>N T[>DS ! HUT4 

,F,I,R,/ ,G,I,R,L4 ,!RE1 Y\ SEE WE'VE MANAG$ TO PASS )\T 
SO MU* AS GETT+ \R BOOTS DIRTY6 ,BUT TO COME BY 
! /REET IS T]RIBLY MUDDY6 .<,/OP & WIPE !IR BOOTS ON 
! /RAW4 ,FIR/ ,GIRL LOOKS AT ! /RAW & SEES SOME?+.> 
,:AT'S ?AT8 

,S,E,C,O,N,D ,G,I,R,L .<LOOKS :]E ! /RAW LIES & SEES SOME ONE.> 
,IT'S ,MITRIT*1 !IR LABOR]4 ,JU/ LOOK H[ DRUNK HE IS6 

,F,I,R,/ ,G,I,R,L4 ,:Y1 ,I ?\<T HE DIDN'T DR9K4 

,S,E,C,O,N,D ,G,I,R,L4 ,IT SEEMS HE DIDN'T1 UNTIL IT WAS GO+ 
>\ND4 

,F,I,R,/ ,G,I,R,L4 ,JU/ SEE6 ,HE MU/ HAVE COME TO FET* 
SOME /RAW4 ,LOOK6 HE'S GOT A ROPE 9 HIS H&1 & HE'S 
FALL5 ASLEEP4 

,S,E,C,O,N,D ,G,I,R,L .<LI/5+.> ,!Y'RE /ILL S++ ! PRAISES4.<#i.> 
,SO ,I S'POSE ! BRIDE & BRIDEGROOM HAVE NOT YET BE5 
BLESS$6 ,!Y SAY ,AK\L9A DIDN'T EV5 LAM5T6.<#a.> 

,F,I,R,/ ,G,I,R,L4 ,MAMMIE SAYS %E IS M>RY+ AGA9/ H] 
WILL4 ,H] /EPFA!R ?REAT5$ H]1 OR ELSE %E'D NOT 
HAVE DONE IT = ! WORLD6 ,:Y1 Y\ KN[ :AT !Y'VE 
BE5 SAY+ AB\T H]8 

,M,>,9,A .<CAT*+ UP ! ,GIRLS.> ,H[ D'Y\ DO1 LASSIES8 

,G,I,R,L,S4 ,H[ D'Y\ DO8 

,M,>,9,A4 ,GO+ TO ! W$D+1 MY DE>S8 

,F,I,R,/ ,G,I,R,L4 ,IT'S NE>LY OV]6 ,WE'VE COME JU/ TO HAVE 
A LOOK4 

,M,>,9,A4 ,W\LD Y\ CALL MY OLD MAN = ME8 ,SIMON1 
FROM ,Z\EVO2 BUT SURELY Y\ KN[ HIM8 

,F,I,R,/ ,G,I,R,L4 ,TO BE SURE WE DO2 HE'S A RELATIVE ( ! 
BRIDEGROOM'S1 ,I ?9K8 

,M,>,9,A4 ,( C\RSE2 HE'S MY OLD MAN'S NEPHEW1 ! 
BRIDEGROOM IS4 

,S,E,C,O,N,D ,G,I,R,L4 ,:Y DON'T Y\ GO Y\RSELF8 ,FANCY NOT 
GO+ TO A W$D+6 

,M,>,9,A4 ,I HAVE NO M9D = IT1 & NO TIME EI!R4 ,IT'S 
TIME = US TO BE GO+ HOME4 ,WE DIDN'T MEAN TO COME 
TO ! W$D+4 ,WE W]E TAK+ OATS TO T[N4 ,WE ONLY 
/OPP$ TO FE$ ! HORSE1 & !Y MADE MY OLD MAN 
GO 94 

,F,I,R,/ ,G,I,R,L4 ,:]E DID Y\ PUT UP !N8 ,AT ,FYODORIT*'S8 

,M,>,9,A4 ,YES4 ,WELL !N1 ,I'LL /AY H]E & Y\ GO & 
CALL HIM1 MY DE>--MY OLD MAN4 ,CALL HIM1 MY PET1 & 
SAY 0,Y\R MISSUS1 ,M>9A1 SAYS Y\ MU/ GO N[60 ,HIS 
MATES >E H>NESS+4 

,F,I,R,/ ,G,I,R,L4 ,WELL1 ALL RI<T--IF Y\ WON'T GO 9 Y\RSELF4 

,! ,GIRLS GO AWAY T[>DS ! H\SE ALONG A FOOTPA?4 
,S\NDS ( SONGS & TAMB\R9E4 

,M,>,9,A .<ALONE1 /&S ?9K+.> ,I MI<T GO 91 BUT ,I DON'T 
LIKE TO1 BECAUSE ,I HAVE NOT MET HIM S9CE ?AT DAY HE 
?REW ME OV]4 ,IT'S MORE ?AN A YE> N[4 ,BUT ,I'D 
HAVE LIK$ TO HAVE A PEEP & SEE H[ HE LIVES ) HIS 
,ANISYA4 ,PEOPLE SAY !Y DON'T GET ON4 ,%E'S A CO>SE 
WOMAN1 & ) A *>ACT] ( H] [N4 ,I %\LD ?9K 
HE'S REMEMB]$ ME MORE ?AN ONCE4 ,HE'S BE5 CAU<T 
BY ! IDEA ( A COM=TABLE LIFE & HAS *ANG$ ME = 
IT4 ,BUT1 ,GOD HELP HIM1 ,I DON'T *]I% ILL-WILL6 ,!N 
IT HURT6 ,OH DE>1 IT WAS PA96 ,BUT N[ IT'S WORN 
AWAY & BE5 =GOTT54 ,BUT ,I'D LIKE TO HAVE SE5 HIM4 
.<,LOOKS T[>DS HUT & SEES ,NIKITA.> ,LOOK !RE6 ,:Y1 HE 
IS COM+ H]E6 ,HAVE ! GIRLS TOLD HIM8 ,H['S IT HE 
HAS LEFT HIS GUE/S8 ,I'LL GO AWAY6 .<,NIKITA APPROA*ES1 
HANG+ HIS HEAD D[N1 SW++ HIS >MS1 & MUTT]+.> 
,& H[ SULL5 HE LOOKS6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<SEES & RECOGNIZES ,M>9A.> ,M>9A1 DE>E/ 
FRI5D1 LITTLE ,M>9A1 :AT DO Y\ WANT8 

,M,>,9,A4 ,I HAVE COME = MY OLD MAN4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,:Y DIDN'T Y\ COME TO ! W$D+8 ,Y\ 
MI<T HAVE HAD A LOOK R\ND1 & A LAU< AT MY EXP5SE6 

,M,>,9,A4 ,:AT HAVE ,I TO LAU< AT8 ,I'VE COME = MY 
HUSB&4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,AH1 ,M>9A DE>6 .<,TRIES TO EMBRACE H].>4 

,M,>,9,A .</EPS ANGRILY ASIDE.> ,Y\'D BETT] DROP ?AT SORT 
( ?+1 ,NIKITA6 ,:AT HAS BE51 IS PA/6 ,I'VE COME = 
MY HUSB&4 ,IS HE 9 Y\R H\SE8 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,SO ,I MU/ NOT REMEMB] ! PA/8 ,Y\ WON'T 
LET ME8 

,M,>,9,A4 ,IT'S NO USE RECALL+ ! PA/6 ,:AT US$ TO 
BE IS OV] N[6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,& CAN NEV] COME BACK1 Y\ MEAN8 

,M,>,9,A4 ,& WILL NEV] COME BACK6 ,BUT :Y HAVE 
Y\ GONE AWAY8 ,Y\1 ! MA/]1--& TO GO AWAY FROM 
! FEA/6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<SITS D[N ON ! /RAW.> ,:Y HAVE ,I GONE AWAY8 
,EH1 IF Y\ KNEW1 IF Y\ HAD ANY IDEA 444 ,I'M DULL1 
,M>9A1 SO DULL ?AT ,I WI% MY EYES W\LD NOT SEE6 ,I 
ROSE FROM ! TABLE & LEFT !M1 TO GET AWAY FROM ! 
PEOPLE4 ,IF ,I C\LD ONLY AVOID SEE+ ANY ONE6 

,M,>,9,A .<COM+ NE>] TO HIM.> ,H['S ?AT8 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,?IS IS H[ IT IS3 :5 ,I EAT1 IT'S !RE6 ,:5 
,I DR9K1 IT'S !RE6 ,:5 ,I SLEEP1 IT'S !RE6 ,I'M SO SICK ( 
IT--SO SICK6 ,BUT IT'S *IEFLY BECAUSE ,I'M ALL ALONE ?AT ,I'M 
SO SICK1 LITTLE ,M>9A4 ,I HAVE NO ONE TO %>E MY TR\BLE4 

,M,>,9,A4 ,Y\ CAN'T LIVE Y\R LIFE )\T TR\BLE1 ,NIKITA4 
,H[EV]1 ,I'VE WEPT OV] M9E & WEPT IT AWAY4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,! =M]1 ! OLD TR\BLE6 ,AH1 DE> FRI5D1 
Y\'VE WEPT Y\RS AWAY1 & ,I'VE GOT M9E UP TO !RE6 
.<,PUTS HIS H& TO HIS ?ROAT.>4 

,M,>,9,A4 ,BUT :Y8 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,:Y1 ,I'M SICK ( MY :OLE LIFE6 ,I AM SICK ( 
MYSELF6 ,AH1 ,M>9A1 :Y DID Y\ NOT KN[ H[ TO 
KEEP ME8 ,Y\'VE RU9$ ME1 & Y\RSELF TOO6 ,IS ?IS 
LIFE8 

,M,>,9,A .</&S BY ! B>N CRY+1 BUT RE/RA9S H]SELF.> ,I 
DO NOT COMPLA9 ( MY LIFE1 ,NIKITA6 ,GOD GRANT EV]Y ONE 
A LIFE LIKE M9E4 ,I DO NOT COMPLA94 ,I CONFESS$ TO MY 
OLD MAN AT ! TIME1 & HE =GAVE ME4 ,& HE DOES 
NOT REPROA* ME4 ,I'M NOT DISCONT5T$ ) MY LIFE4 ,! 
OLD MAN IS QUIET1 & IS FOND ( ME1 & ,I KEEP HIS *ILDR5 
CLO!D & WA%$6 ,HE IS REALLY K9D TO ME4 ,:Y 
%\LD ,I COMPLA98 ,IT SEEMS ,GOD WILL$ IT SO4 ,& 
:AT'S ! MATT] ) Y\R LIFE8 ,Y\ >E RI* 444 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,MY LIFE6444 ,IT'S ONLY ?AT ,I DON'T WI% TO DI/URB 
! W$D+ FEA/1 OR ,I'D TAKE ?IS ROPE H]E .<TAKES 
HOLD ( ! ROPE ON ! /RAW.> & ?R[ IT ACROSS ?AT RAFT] 
!RE4 ,!N ,I'D MAKE A NOOSE & /RET* IT \T1 & ,I'D 
CLIMB ON TO ?AT RAFT] & JUMP D[N ) MY HEAD 9 
! NOOSE6 ,?AT'S :AT MY LIFE IS6 

,M,>,9,A4 ,?AT'S 5\<6 ,LORD HELP Y\6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,Y\ ?9K ,I'M JOK+8 ,Y\ ?9K ,I'M DRUNK8 
,I'M NOT DRUNK6 ,TO-DAY EV5 DR9K TAKES NO HOLD ON ME6 
,I'M DEV\R$ BY MIS]Y6 ,MIS]Y IS EAT+ ME UP COMPLETELY1 
SO ?AT ,I C>E = NO?+6 ,OH1 LITTLE ,M>9A1 IT'S 
ONLY ) Y\ ,I EV] LIV$6 ,DO Y\ REMEMB] H[ WE 
US$ TO :ILE AWAY ! NI<TS TOGE!R AT ! RAILWAY8 

,M,>,9,A4 ,DON'T Y\ RUB ! SORES1 ,NIKITA6 ,I'M B\ND 
LEGALLY N[1 & Y\ TOO4 ,MY S9 HAS BE5 =GIV51 DON'T 
DI/URB 444 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,:AT %ALL ,I DO ) MY HE>T8 ,:]E AM ,I 
TO TURN TO8 

,M,>,9,A4 ,:AT'S !RE TO BE DONE8 ,Y\'VE GOT A WIFE4 
,DON'T GO LOOK+ AT O!RS1 BUT KEEP TO Y\R [N6 ,Y\ 
LOV$ ,ANISYA1 !N GO ON LOV+ H]6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,OH1 ?AT ,ANISYA1 %E'S GALL & WORMWOOD TO 
ME1 BUT %E'S R\ND MY FEET LIKE RANK WE$S6 

,M,>,9,A4 ,:ATEV] %E IS1 /ILL %E'S Y\R WIFE4444 
,BUT :AT'S ! USE ( TALK+2 Y\'D BETT] GO TO Y\R 
VISITORS1 & S5D MY HUSB& TO ME4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,OH DE>1 IF Y\ KNEW ! :OLE BUS9ESS 444 
BUT !RE'S NO GOOD TALK+6 

,5T] ,M>9A'S HUSB&1 R$ & TIPSY1 & ,NAAN4 

,M,>,9,A',S ,H,U,S,B,&4 ,M>9A6 ,MISSUS6 ,MY OLD WOMAN6 
>E Y\ H]E8 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,!RE'S Y\R HUSB& CALL+ Y\4 ,GO6 

,M,>,9,A4 ,& Y\8 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,I8 ,I'LL LIE D[N H]E = A BIT6 .<,LIES D[N ON 
! /RAW.>4 

,H,U,S,B,&4 ,:]E IS %E !N8 

,N,A,A,N4 ,!RE %E IS1 NE> ! B>N4 

,H,U,S,B,&4 ,:AT >E Y\ /&+ !RE =8 ,COME TO 
! FEA/6 ,! HO/S WANT Y\ TO COME & DO !M 
HONOR6 ,! W$D+ P>TY IS JU/ GO+ TO />T1 & 
!N WE CAN GO TOO4 

,M,>,9,A .<GO+ T[>DS H] HUSB&.> ,I DIDN'T WANT TO 
GO 94 

,H,U,S,B,&4 ,COME ON1 ,I TELL Y\6 ,Y\'LL DR9K A GLASS TO 
\R NEPHEW ,PET]'S HEAL?1 ! RASCAL6 ,ELSE ! HO/S 
MI<T TAKE (F5SE6 ,!RE'S PL5TY ( TIME = \R 
BUS9ESS4 .<,M>9A'S HUSB& PUTS HIS >M >\ND H]1 & 
GOES REEL+ \T ) H].>4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<RISES & SITS D[N ON ! /RAW.> ,AH1 N[ ?AT ,I'VE 
SE5 H]1 LIFE SEEMS MORE SICK5+ ?AN EV]6 ,IT WAS 
ONLY ) H] ?AT ,I EV] REALLY LIV$6 ,I'VE RU9$ MY 
LIFE = NO?+6 ,I'VE DONE = MYSELF6 .<,LIES D[N.> ,:]E 
CAN ,I GO8 ,IF MO!R E>? W\LD BUT OP5 & SWALL[ 
ME6 

,N,A,A,N .<SEES ,NIKITA1 & RUNS T[>DS HIM.> ,DADDY1 ,I SAY1 
DADDY6 ,!Y'RE LOOK+ = Y\6 ,H] GODFA!R & 
ALL ( !M HAVE ALREADY BLESS$ H]4 ,TRULY !Y HAVE1 
!Y'RE GETT+ CROSS6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<ASIDE.> ,:]E CAN ,I GO TO8 

,N,A,A,N4 ,:AT8 ,:AT >E Y\ SAY+8 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,I'M NOT SAY+ ANY?+6 ,DON'T BO!R6 

,N,A,A,N4 ,DADDY6 ,COME1 ,I SAY6 .<,NIKITA IS SIL5T1 ,NAAN PULLS HIM 
BY ! H&.> ,DAD1 GO & BLESS !M6 ,MY WORD1 !Y'RE 
ANGRY1 !Y'RE GRUMBL+6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<DRAGS AWAY HIS H&.> ,LEAVE ME ALONE6 

,N,A,A,N4 ,N[ !N6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<?REAT5S H] ) ! ROPE.> ,GO1 ,I SAY6 ,I'LL GIVE 
IT Y\6 

,N,A,A,N4 ,!N ,I'LL S5D MO!R6 .<,RUNS AWAY.>4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<RISES.> ,H[ CAN ,I GO8 ,H[ CAN ,I TAKE ! 
HOLY ICON 9 MY H&S8 ,H[ AM ,I TO LOOK H] 9 
! FACE6 .<,LIES D[N AGA9.> ,OH1 IF !RE W]E A HOLE 9 ! 
GR\ND1 ,I'D JUMP 96 ,NO ONE %\LD SEE ME1 & ,I %\LD 
SEE NO ONE6 .<,RISES AGA9.> ,NO1 ,I %AN'T GO 444 ,MAY !Y 
ALL GO TO ! DEVIL1 ,I %AN'T GO6 .<,TAKES ! ROPE & MAKES 
A NOOSE1 & TRIES IT ON HIS NECK.> ,?AT'S ! WAY6 

,5T] ,MATRYONA4 ,NIKITA SEES HIS MO!R1 TAKES ! ROPE 
(F HIS NECK1 & AGA9 LIES D[N 9 ! /RAW4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A .<COMES 9 HURRI$LY.> ,NIKITA6 ,NIKITA1 ,I SAY6 
,HE DON'T EV5 ANSW]6 ,NIKITA1 :AT'S ! MATT]8 ,HAVE 
Y\ HAD A DROP TOO MU*8 ,COME1 ,NIKITA DE>2 COME1 
HONEY6 ,! PEOPLE >E TIR$ ( WAIT+4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,OH DE>1 :AT HAVE Y\ DONE ) ME8 ,I'M A 
LO/ MAN6 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,BUT :AT IS ! MATT] !N8 ,COME1 MY 
[N2 COME1 GIVE !M Y\R BLESS+1 AS IS PROP] & 
HONORABLE1 & !N IT'LL ALL BE OV]6 ,:Y1 ! PEOPLE 
>E WAIT+6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,H[ CAN ,I GIVE BLESS+S8 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,:Y1 9 ! USUAL WAY6 ,DON'T Y\ KN[8 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,I KN[1 ,I KN[6 ,BUT :O IS IT ,I AM TO BLESS8 
,:AT HAVE ,I DONE TO H]8 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,:AT HAVE Y\ DONE8 ,EH1 N[ HE'S GO+ 
TO REMEMB] IT6 ,:Y1 :O KN[S ANY?+ AB\T IT8 
,NOT A S\L6 ,& ! GIRL IS GO+ ( H] [N ACCORD4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,YES1 BUT H[8 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,BECAUSE %E'S AFRAID1 ( C\RSE4 ,BUT /ILL 
%E'S GO+4 ,BESIDES1 :AT'S TO BE DONE N[8 ,%E %\LD 
HAVE ?\<T SOON]6 ,N[ %E CAN'T REFUSE4 ,& HIS 
K9SFOLK CAN'T TAKE (F5SE EI!R4 ,!Y SAW ! GIRL 
TWICE1 & GET MONEY ) H] TOO6 ,IT'S ALL SAFE & 
S\ND6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,YES1 BUT :AT'S 9 ! CELL>8 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A .<LAU<S.> ,9 ! CELL>8 ,:Y1 CABBAGES1 MU%ROOMS1 
POTATOES1 ,I SUPPOSE6 ,:Y REMEMB] ! PA/8 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,I'D BE ONLY TOO GLAD TO =GET IT2 BUT ,I CAN'T6 
,:5 ,I LET MY M9D GO1 IT'S JU/ AS IF ,I HE>D4444 ,OH1 
:AT HAVE Y\ DONE ) ME8 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,N[1 :AT >E Y\ HUMBUGG+ =8 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<TURNS FACE D[NW>D.> ,MO!R6 ,DON'T TORM5T ME6 
,I'VE GOT IT UP TO !RE6 .<,PUTS HIS H& TO HIS ?ROAT.>4 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,/ILL IT HAS TO BE DONE6 ,AS IT IS1 PEOPLE >E 
TALK+4 0,! MA/]'S GONE AWAY & WON'T COME2 HE 
CAN'T MAKE UP HIS M9D TO GIVE HIS BLESS+40 ,!Y'LL BE 
PUTT+ TWO & TWO TOGE!R4 ,AS SOON AS !Y SEE Y\'RE 
FRI<T5$ !Y'LL BEG9 GUESS+4 0,! ?IEF NONE SUSPECT 
:O WALKS BOLD & ]ECT60 ,BUT Y\'LL BE GETT+ \T ( 
! FRY+-PAN 9TO ! FIRE6 ,ABOVE ALL1 LAD1 DON'T %[ 
IT2 DON'T LOSE C\RAGE1 ELSE !Y'LL F9D \T ALL ! 
MORE6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,OH DE>6 ,Y\ HAVE SN>$ ME 9TO A TRAP6 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,?AT'LL DO1 ,I TELL Y\2 COME ALONG6 ,COME 9 
& GIVE Y\R BLESS+1 AS IS RI<T & HONORABLE2--& 
!RE'S AN 5D ( ! MATT]6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<LIES FACE D[N.> ,I CAN'T6 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A .<ASIDE.> ,:AT HAS COME OV] HIM8 ,HE SEEM$ 
ALL RI<T1 & SUDD5LY ?IS COMES OV] HIM6 ,IT SEEMS 
HE'S BEWIT*$6 ,GET UP1 ,NIKITA6 ,SEE6 ,!RE'S ,ANISYA 
COM+2 %E'S LEFT H] GUE/S6 

,ANISYA 5T]S1 DRESS$ UP1 R$ & TIPSY4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,OH1 H[ NICE IT IS1 MO!R6 ,SO NICE1 SO RESPECTABLE6 
,& H[ ! PEOPLE >E PLEAS$4444 ,BUT :]E 
IS HE8 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,H]E1 HONEY1 HE'S H]E2 HE'S LAID D[N ON 
! /RAW & !RE HE LIES6 ,HE WON'T COME6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<LOOK+ AT HIS WIFE.> ,JU/ SEE1 %E'S TIPSY TOO6 
,:5 ,I LOOK AT H] MY HE>T SEEMS TO TURN6 ,H[ CAN 
ONE LIVE ) H]8 .<,TURNS ON HIS FACE.> ,I'LL KILL H] SOME 
DAY6 ,IT'LL BE WORSE !N6 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,ONLY LOOK1 H[ HE'S GOT ALL AMONG ! /RAW6 
,IS IT ! DR9K8 .<,LAU<S.> ,I'D NOT M9D LY+ D[N !RE 
) Y\1 BUT ,I'VE NO TIME6 ,COME1 ,I'LL LEAD Y\6 ,IT IS 
SO NICE 9 ! H\SE6 ,IT'S A TREAT TO LOOK ON6 ,A CONC]T9A6 
,& ! WOM5 S++ SO WELL6 ,ALL TIPSY6 
,EV]Y?+ SO RESPECTABLE1 SO NICE6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,:AT'S NICE8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,! W$D+--SU* A JOLLY W$D+6 ,!Y ALL 
SAY IT'S QUITE AN UNCOMMON F9E W$D+6 ,ALL SO RESPECTABLE1 
SO NICE6 ,COME ALONG6 ,WE'LL GO TOGE!R6 ,I HAVE 
HAD A DROP1 BUT ,I CAN GIVE Y\ A H& YET6 .<,TAKES HIS 
H&.>4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<PULLS IT BACK ) DISGU/.> ,GO ALONE6 ,I'LL COME6 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,:AT >E Y\ HUMBUGG+ =8 ,WE'VE GOT RID 
( ALL ! BO!R1 WE'VE GOT RID ( H] AS CAME BETWE5 
US2 N[ WE HAVE NO?+ TO DO BUT TO LIVE & BE M]RY6 
,& ALL SO RESPECTABLE1 & QUITE LEGAL6 ,I'M SO PLEAS$6 
,I HAVE NO WORDS = IT6 ,IT'S JU/ AS IF ,I W]E GO+ TO 
M>RY Y\ OV] AGA96 ,& OH1 ! PEOPLE1 !Y >E 
PLEAS$6 ,!Y'RE ALL ?ANK+ US6 ,& ! GUE/S >E 
ALL ( ! BE/3 ,IVAN ,MOSEIT* IS !RE1 & ! ,POLICE 
,(FIC]2 !Y'VE ALSO BE5 S++ SONGS ( PRAISE6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,!N Y\ %\LD HAVE /AY$ ) !M6 ,:AT 
HAVE Y\ COME =8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,TRUE 5\<1 ,I MU/ GO BACK6 ,ELSE :AT DOES 
IT LOOK LIKE6 ,! HO/S BO? GO & LEAVE ! VISITORS6 
,& ! GUE/S >E ALL ( ! BE/6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<GETS UP & BRU%ES ! /RAW (F HIMSELF.> ,GO1 & 
,I'LL COME AT ONCE6 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,JU/ SEE6 ,HE LI/5S TO ! Y\NG BIRD1 BUT 
W\LDN'T LI/5 TO ! OLD ONE6 ,HE W\LD NOT HE> ME1 
BUT HE FOLL[S HIS WIFE AT ONCE6 .<,MATRYONA & ,ANISYA 
TURN TO GO.> ,WELL1 >E Y\ COM+8 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,I'LL COME DIRECTLY6 ,Y\ GO & ,I'LL FOLL[6 ,I'LL 
COME & GIVE MY BLESS+6 .<,! WOM5 /OP.> ,GO ON6 ,I'LL 
FOLL[6 ,N[ !N1 GO6 .<,EXIT WOM54 ,SITS D[N & TAKES 
HIS BOOTS (F.> ,YES1 ,I'M GO+6 ,A LIKELY ?+6 ,NO1 Y\'D 
BETT] LOOK AT ! RAFT] = ME6 ,I'LL FIX ! NOOSE & 
JUMP ) IT FROM ! RAFT]1 !N Y\ CAN LOOK = ME6 
,& ! ROPE IS H]E JU/ H&Y4 .<,POND]S.> ,I'D HAVE GOT 
OV] IT1 OV] ANY SORR[--,I'D HAVE GOT OV] ?AT4 ,BUT ?IS 
N[--H]E IT IS1 DEEP 9 MY HE>T1 & ,I CAN'T GET OV] IT6 
.<,LOOKS T[>DS ! Y>D.> ,SURELY %E'S NOT COM+ BACK8 
.<,IMITATES ,ANISYA.> 0,SO NICE1 SO NICE4 ,I'D LIE D[N H]E ) 
Y\40 ,OH1 ! BAGGAGE6 ,WELL !N1 H]E ,I AM6 ,COME 
& CUDDLE :5 !Y'VE TAK5 ME D[N FROM ! RAFT]6 
,!RE'S ONLY ONE WAY6 .<,TAKES ! ROPE & PULLS IT.>4 

,MITRIT*1 :O IS TIPSY1 SITS UP & WON'T LET GO ( ! ROPE4 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,%AN'T GIVE IT UP6 ,%AN'T GIVE IT TO NO 
ONE6 ,I'LL BR+ IT MYSELF6 ,I SAID ,I'D BR+ ! /RAW--& 
SO ,I WILL6 ,NIKITA1 IS ?AT Y\8 .<,LAU<S.> ,OH1 ! 
DEVIL6 ,HAVE Y\ COME TO GET ! /RAW8 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,GIVE ME ! ROPE6 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,NO1 Y\ WAIT A BIT6 ,! PEASANTS S5T ME6 
,I'LL BR+ IT 444 .<,RISES TO HIS FEET & BEG9S GETT+ ! /RAW 
TOGE!R1 BUT REELS = A TIME1 !N FALLS.> ,IT HAS BEAT5 ME4 
,IT'S /RONG] 444 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,GIVE ME ! ROPE6 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,DIDN'T ,I SAY ,I WON'T6 ,OH1 ,NIKITA1 Y\'RE AS 
/UPID AS A HOG6 .<,LAU<S.> ,I LOVE Y\1 BUT Y\'RE A FOOL6 
,Y\ SEE ?AT ,I'M DRUNK 444 DEVIL TAKE Y\6 ,Y\ ?9K 
,I NE$ Y\8444 ,Y\ JU/ LOOK AT ME2 ,I'M A ,NON 444 FOOL1 
CAN'T SAY IT--,NONCOMMISSION$ ,(FIC] ( ,H] ,MAJE/Y'S 
V]Y ,FIR/ ,REGIM5T ( ,GR5ADI] ,GU>DS6 ,I'VE S]V$ 
,CZ> & C\NTRY1 LOYAL & TRUE6 ,BUT :O AM ,I8 ,Y\ 
?9K ,I'M A W>RIOR8 ,NO1 ,I'M NOT A W>RIOR2 ,I'M ! 
V]Y LEA/ ( M51 A POOR LO/ ORPHAN6 ,I SWORE NOT TO 
DR9K1 & N[ ,I HAD A SMOKE1 & 444 ,WELL !N1 DO Y\ 
?9K ,I'M AFRAID ( Y\8 ,NO FE>2 ,I'M AFRAID ( NO MAN6 
,I'VE TAK5 TO DR9K1 & ,I'LL DR9K6 ,N[ ,I'LL GO IT = A 
=TNI<T2 ,I'LL GO IT H>D6 ,I'LL DR9K MY LA/ %IRT2 ,I'LL 
DR9K MY CAP2 ,I'LL PAWN MY PASSPORT2 & ,I'M AFRAID ( 
NO ONE6 ,!Y FLOGG$ ME 9 ! >MY TO /OP ME DR9K+6 
,!Y SWIT*$ & SWIT*$6 0,WELL10 !Y SAY1 
0WILL Y\ LEAVE (F80 0,NO10 SAYS ,I6 ,:Y %\LD ,I BE 
AFRAID ( !M8 ,H]E ,I AM6 ,SU* AS ,I AM1 ,GOD MADE ME6 
,I SWORE (F DR9K+1 & DIDN'T DR9K4 ,N[ ,I'VE TOOK TO 
DR9K1 & ,I'LL DR9K6 ,& ,I FE> NO MAN6 ',COS ,I DON'T 
LIE2 BUT JU/ AS 444 ,:Y %\LD ONE M9D !M--SU* 
MUCK AS !Y >E6 0,H]E Y\ >E10 ,I SAY2 ?AT'S ME4 
,A PRIE/ TOLD ME1 ! DEVIL'S ! BIGGE/ BRAGG]6 0,AS 
SOON10 SAYS HE1 0AS Y\ BEG9 TO BRAG1 Y\ GET FRI<T5$2 
& AS SOON AS Y\ FE> M51 !N ! HO($ ONE 
JU/ COLL>S Y\ & PU%ES Y\ :]E HE LIKES60 ,BUT 
AS ,I DON'T FE> M51 ,I'M EASY6 ,I CAN SPIT 9 ! DEVIL'S 
BE>D1 & AT ! S[ HIS MO!R6 ,HE CAN'T DO ME NO 
H>M6 ,!RE1 PUT ?AT 9 Y\R PIPE6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<CROSS+ HIMSELF.> ,TRUE 5\<6 ,:AT WAS ,I 
AB\T8 .<,?R[S D[N ! ROPE.>4 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,:AT8 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<RISES.> ,Y\ TELL ME NOT TO FE> M58 

,M,I,T,R,I,T,*4 ,:Y FE> SU* MUCK AS !Y >E8 ,Y\ LOOK 
AT 'EM 9 ! BA?-H\SE6 ,ALL MADE ( ONE PA/E6 ,ONE 
HAS A BIGG] BELLY1 ANO!R A SMALL]2 ?AT'S ALL ! DIFF]5CE 
!RE IS6 ,FANCY BE+ AFRAID ( 'EM6 ,DEUCE TAKE 
'EM6 

,! ,P,[,] ,( ,D,>,K,N,E,S,S4 ,ACT ,V4 
,NIKITA4 ,TRUE 5\<6 ,:AT WAS ,I AB\T8 
,MITRIT*4 ,:AT8 
,NIKITA4 ,Y\ TELL ME NOT TO FE> M58 
,MITRIT*4 ,:Y FE> SU* MUCK AS !Y >E8 ,Y\ LOOK AT 'EM 9 ! BA?-H\SE6 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A .<FROM ! Y>D.> ,WELL1 >E Y\ COM+8 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,AH6 ,BETT] SO6 ,I'M COM+6 .<,GES T[>DS 
Y>D.>4 

  
,SC5E #b4 

,9T]IOR ( HUT1 FULL ( PEOPLE1 SOME SITT+ R\ND TABLES & 
O!RS /&+4 ,9 ! FRONT CORN] ,AK\L9A & ! ,BRIDEGROOM4 
,ON ONE ( ! TABLES AN ,ICON & A LOAF ( RYE-BREAD4 
,AMONG ! VISITORS >E ,M>9A1 H] HUSB&1 & A ,POLICE 
,(FIC]1 ALSO A ,HIR$ ,DRIV]1 ! ,MAT*MAK]1 & ! ,BE/ 
,MAN4 ,! WOM5 >E S++4 ,ANISYA C>RIES R\ND ! DR9K4 
,! S++ /OPS4 

,! ,D,R,I,V,]4 ,IF WE >E TO GO1 LET'S GO6 ,! *UR* A9'T 
SO NE>4 

,! ,B,E,/ ,M,A,N4 ,ALL RI<T2 Y\ WAIT A BIT TILL ! /EP-FA!R 
HAS GIV5 HIS BLESS+4 ,BUT :]E IS HE8 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,HE IS COM+--COM+ AT ONCE1 DE> FRI5DS6 
,HAVE ANO!R GLASS ALL ( Y\2 DON'T REFUSE6 

,! ,M,A,T,*,M,A,K,]4 ,:Y IS HE SO LONG8 ,WE'VE BE5 
WAIT+ SU* A TIME6 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,HE'S COM+2 COM+ DIRECTLY1 COM+ 9 NO 
TIME6 ,HE'LL BE H]E BE=E ONE C\LD PLAIT A GIRL'S HAIR 
:O'S HAD H] HAIR CROPP$6 ,DR9K1 FRI5DS6 .<,(F]S ! 
DR9K.> ,COM+ AT ONCE6 ,S+ AGA91 MY PETS1 MEAN:ILE6 

,! ,D,R,I,V,]4 ,!Y'VE SUNG ALL !IR SONGS1 WAIT+ H]E6 

,! WOM5 S+4 ,NIKITA & ,AKIM 5T] DUR+ ! S++4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<HOLDS HIS FA!R'S >M & PU%ES HIM 9 BE=E HIM.> 
,GO1 FA!R2 ,I CAN'T DO )\T Y\6 

,A,K,I,M4 ,I DON'T LIKE--,I MEAN :AT D'YE CALL IT 444 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<TO ! WOM5.> ,5\<6 ,BE QUIET6 .<,LOOKS R\ND 
! HUT.> ,M>9A1 >E Y\ !RE8 

,! ,M,A,T,*,M,A,K,]4 ,GO1 TAKE ! ICON1 & GIVE !M Y\R 
BLESS+6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,WAIT A :ILE6 .<,LOOKS R\ND.> ,AK\L9A1 >E Y\ 
!RE8 

,M,A,T,*,M,A,K,]4 ,:AT >E Y\ CALL+ EV]YBODY =8 
,:]E %\LD %E BE8 ,H[ QUE] HE SEEMS6 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,GRACI\S GOODNESS6 ,:Y1 HE'S B>EFOOT6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,FA!R1 Y\ >E H]E6 ,LOOK AT ME6 ,*RI/IAN 
,COMMUNE1 Y\ >E ALL H]E1 & ,I AM H]E6 ,I AM 444 
.<,FALLS ON HIS KNEES.>4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,NIKITA D>L+1 :AT'S ! MATT] ) Y\8 
,OH MY HEAD1 MY HEAD6 

,M,A,T,*,M,A,K,]4 ,H]E'S A GO6 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,I DID SAY HE WAS TAK+ TOO MU* ( ?AT 
,FR5* W9E6 ,COME TO Y\R S5SES2 :AT >E Y\ AB\T8 

,!Y TRY TO LIFT HIM2 HE TAKES NO HE$ ( !M1 BUT LOOKS 9 
FRONT ( HIM4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,*RI/IAN ,COMMUNE6 ,I HAVE S9N$1 & ,I WI% 
TO CONFESS6 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A .<%AKES HIM BY ! %\LD].> ,>E Y\ MAD8 
,DE> FRI5DS1 HE'S GONE CRAZY6 ,HE MU/ BE TAK5 AWAY6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<%AKES H] (F.> ,LEAVE ME ALONE6 ,& Y\1 
FA!R1 HE> ME6 ,& FIR/1 ,M>9A1 LOOK H]E6 .<,B[S 
TO ! GR\ND TO H] & RISES.> ,I HAVE S9N$ T[>DS Y\6 
,I PROMIS$ TO M>RY Y\1 ,I TEMPT$ Y\1 & =SOOK 
Y\6 ,=GIVE ME1 9 ,*RI/'S NAME6 .<,AGA9 B[S TO ! 
GR\ND BE=E H].>4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,& :AT >E Y\ DRIVEL+ AB\T8 ,IT'S NOT 
BECOM+6 ,NO ONE WANTS TO KN[6 ,GET UP6 ,IT'S LIKE 
Y\R IMPUD5CE6 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,OH1 OH1 HE'S BEWIT*$6 ,& H[EV] DID 
IT HAPP58 ,IT'S A SPELL6 ,GET UP6 :AT NONS5SE >E 
Y\ JABB]+8 .<,PULLS HIM.>4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<%AKES HIS HEAD.> ,DON'T T\* ME6 ,=GIVE ME 
MY S9 T[>DS Y\1 ,M>9A6 ,=GIVE ME1 = ,*RI/'S 
SAKE6 

,M>9A COV]S H] FACE ) H] H&S 9 SIL5CE4 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A4 ,GET UP1 ,I TELL Y\6 ,DON'T BE SO IMPUD5T6 
,:AT >E Y\ ?9K+ AB\T--TO RECALL IT8 ,5\< 
HUMBUG6 ,IT'S %AMEFUL6 ,OH MY POOR HEAD6 ,HE'S 
QUITE CRAZY6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<PU%ES HIS WIFE AWAY & TURNS TO ,AK\L9A.> 
,AK\L9A1 N[ ,I'LL SPEAK TO Y\6 ,LI/51 ,*RI/IAN ,COMMUNE6 
,I'M A FI5D1 ,AK\L9A6 ,I HAVE S9N$ AGA9/ 
Y\6 ,Y\R FA!R DI$ NO NATURAL DEA?6 ,HE WAS 
POISON$6 

,A,N,I,S,Y,A .<SCREAMS.> ,OH MY HEAD6 ,:AT'S HE AB\T8 

,M,A,T,R,Y,O,N,A4 ,! MAN'S BESIDE HIMSELF6 ,LEAD HIM AWAY6 

,! FOLK COME UP & TRY TO SEIZE HIM4 

,A,K,I,M .<MOTIONS !M BACK ) HIS >MS.> ,WAIT6 ,Y\ LADS1 
:AT D'YE CALL IT1 WAIT1 ,I MEAN6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,AK\L9A1 ,I POISON$ HIM6 ,=GIVE ME1 9 
,*RI/'S NAME6 

,A,K,\,L,9,A .<JUMPS UP.> ,HE'S TELL+ LIES6 ,I KN[ :O 
DID IT6 

,M,A,T,*,M,A,K,]4 ,:AT >E Y\ AB\T8 ,Y\ SIT /ILL6 

,A,K,I,M4 ,OH ,LORD1 :AT S9S1 :AT S9S6 

,P,O,L,I,C,E ,(,F,I,C,]4 ,SEIZE HIM1 & S5D = ! ,ELD]6 ,WE 
MU/ DRAW UP AN 9DICTM5T & HAVE WITNESSES TO IT6 
,GET UP & COME H]E6 

,A,K,I,M .<TO ,POLICE ,(FIC].> ,N[ Y\--) ! BRI<T BUTTONS--,I 
MEAN1 Y\ WAIT6 ,LET HIM1 :AT D'YE CALL IT1 
SPEAK \T1 ,I MEAN6 

,P,O,L,I,C,E ,(,F,I,C,]4 ,M9D1 OLD MAN1 & DON'T 9T]F]E6 ,I 
HAVE TO DRAW UP AN 9DICTM5T6 

,A,K,I,M4 ,EH1 :AT A FELL[ Y\ >E2 WAIT1 ,I SAY6 ,DON'T 
TALK1 ,I MEAN1 AB\T1 :AT D'YE CALL IT1 'DITEM5TS6 ,H]E 
,GOD'S WORK IS BE+ DONE4444 ,A MAN IS CONFESS+1 ,I 
MEAN6 ,& Y\1 :AT D'YE CALL IT 444 'DITEM5TS6 

,P,O,L,I,C,E ,(,F,I,C,]4 ,! ,ELD]6 

,A,K,I,M4 ,LET ,GOD'S WORK BE DONE1 ,I MEAN1 & !N Y\1 
,I MEAN1 Y\ DO Y\R BUS9ESS6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,&1 ,AK\L9A1 MY S9 IS GREAT T[>DS Y\2 ,I 
S$UC$ Y\2 =GIVE ME 9 ,*RI/'S NAME6 .<,B[S TO ! 
GR\ND BE=E H].>4 

,A,K,\,L,9,A .<LEAVES ! TABLE.> ,LET ME GO6 ,I %AN'T BE 
M>RI$6 ,HE TOLD ME TO1 BUT ,I %AN'T N[6 

,P,O,L,I,C,E ,(,F,I,C,]4 ,REPEAT :AT Y\ HAVE SAID4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,WAIT1 SIR1 LET ME F9I%6 

,A,K,I,M .<) RAPTURE.> ,SPEAK1 MY SON6 ,TELL EV]Y?+--Y\'LL 
FEEL BETT]6 ,CONFESS TO ,GOD1 DON'T FE> M56 ,GOD--,GOD6 
,IT IS ,HE6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,I POISON$ ! FA!R1 DOG ?AT ,I AM1 & ,I 
RU9$ ! DAU<T]6 ,%E WAS 9 MY P[]1 & ,I 
RU9$ H]1 & H] BABY6 

,A,K,\,L,9,A4 ,TRUE1 ?AT'S TRUE6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,I SMO!R$ ! BABY 9 ! CELL> ) A BO>D6 
,I SAT ON IT & SMO!R$ IT--& ITS BONES CRUN*$6 
.<,WEEPS.> ,& ,I BURI$ IT6 ,I DID IT1 ALL ALONE6 

,A,K,\,L,9,A4 ,HE RAVES6 ,I TOLD HIM TO6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,DON'T %IELD ME6 ,I FE> NO ONE N[6 ,=GIVE 
ME1 ,*RI/IAN ,COMMUNE6 .<,B[S TO ! GR\ND.>4 

,SIL5CE4 

,P,O,L,I,C,E ,(,F,I,C,]4 ,B9D HIM6 ,! M>RIAGE IS EVID5TLY 
(F6 

,M5 COME UP ) !IR BELTS4 

,N,I,K,I,T,A4 ,WAIT1 !RE'S PL5TY ( TIME6 .<,B[S TO ! GR\ND 
BE=E HIS FA!R.> ,FA!R1 DE> FA!R1 =GIVE ME TOO1--FI5D 
?AT ,I AM6 ,Y\ TOLD ME FROM ! FIR/1 :5 ,I 
TOOK TO BAD WAYS1 Y\ SAID !N1 0,IF A CLAW IS CAU<T1 
! BIRD IS LO/60 ,I W\LD NOT LI/5 TO Y\R WORDS1 DOG 
?AT ,I WAS1 & IT HAS TURN$ \T AS Y\ SAID6 ,=GIVE ME1 
= ,*RI/'S SAKE6 

,A,K,I,M .<RAPTUR\SLY.> ,GOD WILL =GIVE Y\1 MY [N SON6 
.<,EMBRACES HIM.> ,Y\ HAVE HAD NO M]CY ON Y\RSELF1 ,HE 
WILL %[ M]CY ON Y\6 ,GOD--,GOD6 ,IT IS ,HE6 

,5T] ,ELD]4 

,E,L,D,]4 ,!RE >E WITNESSES 5\< H]E4 

,P,O,L,I,C,E ,(,F,I,C,]4 ,WE WILL HAVE ! EXAM9ATION AT ONCE4 

,NIKITA IS B\ND4 

,A,K,\,L,9,A .<GOES & /&S BY HIS SIDE.> ,I %ALL TELL ! 
TRU?6 ,ASK ME6 

,N,I,K,I,T,A .<B\ND.> ,NO NE$ TO ASK6 ,I DID IT ALL MYSELF4 
,! DESIGN WAS M9E1 & ! DE$ WAS M9E4 ,TAKE ME 
:]E Y\ LIKE4 ,I WILL SAY NO MORE6 

,CURTA94 

,5,D ,( 0,! ,P,[,] ,( ,D,>,K,N,E,S,S40 

O ,NOTES 

.<#a.> ,IT IS CU/OM>Y TO PLACE A DY+ P]SON UND] ! ICON4 ,ONE OR 
MORE ICONS HANG 9 ! HUT ( EA* ,OR?ODOX PEASANT4 

.<#b.> ,PEASANT W$D+S >E USUALLY 9 AUTUMN4 ,!Y >E =BIDD5 
9 ,L5T1 & SOON AFT] ,EA/] ! PEASANTS BECOME TOO BUSY TO 
M>RY TILL H>VE/ IS OV]4 

.<#c.> ,A =MAL REQUE/ = =GIV5ESS IS CU/OM>Y AMONG ,RUSSIANS1 
BUT IT IS (T5 NO M]E =MALITY4 ,NIKITA'S FIR/ REPLY IS EVASIVE2 
HIS SECOND REPLY1 0,GOD WILL =GIVE Y\10 IS ! CORRECT ONE SANCTION$ 
BY CU/OM4 

.<#d.> ,L\D PUBLIC WAIL+ ( ?IS K9D IS CU/OM>Y1 & CONSID]$ 
9DISP5SABLE1 AMONG ! PEASANTS4 

.<#e.> ,:]E NOT O!RWISE M5TION$ 9 ! /AGE DIRECTIONS1 IT IS 
ALWAYS ! W9T] HALF ( ! HUT ?AT IS REF]R$ TO AS 0! HUT40 
,! SUMM] HALF IS NOT HEAT$1 & NOT US$ 9 W9T] UND] ORD9>Y 
CIRCUM/ANCES4 

.<#f.> ,! ,F\NDL+S' ,HOSPITAL 9 ,MOSC[1 :]E #h TO #i P] C5T4 
( ! *ILDR5 DIE4 

.<#g.> ,NAAN CALLS ,MITRIT* 0DADDY0 M]ELY AS A T]M ( 5DE>M5T4 

.<#h.> ,PROBABLY ,KURDS4 

.<#i.> ,?IS REF]S TO ! SONGS CU/OM>Y AT ! W$D+ ( ,RUSSIAN 
PEASANTS1 PRAIS+ ! BRIDE & BRIDEGROOM4 

.<#a.> ,IT IS ETIQUETTE = A BRIDE TO BEWAIL ! APPROA*+ LOSS ( H] 
MAID5HOOD4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,NOVEMB] #c1 #ahhe 3 ,! ,P[] ( ,D>KNESS -- ,PUBLICATION4 
,JUNE #h1 #bba 3 ,! ,P[] ( ,D>KNESS -- ,ADD$4 
,JANU>Y #i1 #bbb 3 ,! ,P[] ( ,D>KNESS -- ,UPDAT$4 

 FILE G5]AT$ FROM 3  
HTTP3_/_/REVOLTLIB4COM_/