the use of talking when you don't understand, and what sort of a
brain have I now? I've only an instinct, a thirst! [Goes quickly to
the counter] Tihon, take my coat! Understand? [Tries to take it
off] My coat ...

TIHON. And what is there under your coat? [Looks under it] Your
naked body? Don't take it off, I shan't have it. ... I'm not going
to burden my soul with a sin.

[Enter MERIK.]

BORTSOV. Very well, I'll take the sin on myself! Do you agree?

MERIK. [In silence takes of his outer cloak and remains in a
sleeveless jacket. He carries an axe in his belt] A vagrant may
sweat where a bear will freeze. I am hot. [Puts his axe on the
floor and takes off his jacket] You get rid of a pailful of sweat
while you drag one leg out of the mud. And while you are dragging
it out, the other one goes farther in.

EFIMOVNA. Yes, that's true ... is the rain stopping, dear?

MERIK. [Glancing at EFIMOVNA] I don't talk to old women. [A pause.]

BORTSOV. [To TIHON] I'll take the sin on myself. Do you hear me or
don't you?

TIHON. I don't want to hear you, get away!

MERIK. It's as dark as if the sky was painted with pitch. You can't