The Power of Darkness - Leo Tolstoy (the kiss of deception read online .txt) 📗

and pushes you where he likes!” But as I don’t fear men, I’m easy! I can spit in the devil’s beard, and at the sow his mother! He can’t do me no harm! There, put that in your pipe! Nikíta Crossing himself. True enough! What was I about? Throws down the rope. Mítritch What? Nikíta Rises. You tell me not to fear men? Mítritch Why fear such muck as they are? You look at ’em in the bathhouse! All made of one paste! One has a bigger belly, another a smaller; that’s all the difference there is! Fancy being afraid of ’em! Deuce take ’em! Nikíta True enough! What was I about? Mítritch What? Nikíta You tell me not to fear men? Mítritch Why fear such muck as they are? You look at ’em in the bathhouse! Matryóna From the yard. Well, are you coming? Nikíta Ah! Better so! I’m coming! Goes towards yard. Scene II

Interior of hut, full of people, some sitting round tables and others standing. In the front corner Akoulína and the Bridegroom. On one of the tables an Icon and a loaf of rye-bread. Among the visitors are Marína, her husband, and a Police Officer, also a Hired Driver, the Matchmaker, and the Best Man. The women are singing. Anísya carries round the drink. The singing stops.

The Driver If we are to go, let’s go! The church ain’t so near. The Best Man All right; you wait a bit till the stepfather has given his blessing. But where is he? Anísya He is coming⁠—coming at once, dear friends! Have another glass all of you; don’t refuse! The Matchmaker Why is he so long? We’ve been waiting such a time! Anísya He’s coming; coming directly, coming in no time! He’ll be here before one could plait a girl’s hair who’s had her hair cropped! Drink, friends! Offers the drink. Coming at once! Sing again, my pets, meanwhile! The Driver They’ve sung all their songs, waiting here! The women sing. Nikíta and Akím enter during the singing. Nikíta Holds his father’s arm and pushes him in before him. Go, father; I can’t do without you! Akím I don’t like⁠—I mean what d’ye call it⁠ ⁠… Nikíta To the women. Enough! Be quiet! Looks round the hut. Marína, are you there? The Matchmaker Go, take the icon, and give them your blessing! Nikíta Wait a while! Looks round. Akoulína, are you there? Matchmaker What are you calling everybody for? Where should she be? How queer he seems! Anísya Gracious goodness! Why, he’s barefoot! Nikíta Father, you are here! Look at me! Christian Commune, you are all here, and I am here! I am⁠ ⁠… Falls on his knees. Anísya Nikíta darling, what’s the matter with you? Oh my head, my head! Matchmaker Here’s a go! Matryóna I did say he was taking too much of that French wine! Come to your senses; what are you about? They try to lift him; he takes no heed of them, but looks in front of him. Nikíta Christian Commune! I have sinned, and I wish to confess! Matryóna Shakes him by the shoulder. Are you mad? Dear friends, he’s gone crazy! He must be taken away! Nikíta Shakes her off. Leave me alone! And you, father, hear me! And first, Marína, look here! Bows to the ground to her and rises. I have sinned towards you! I promised to marry you, I tempted you, and forsook you! Forgive me, in Christ’s name! Again bows to the ground before her. Anísya And what are you drivelling about? It’s not becoming! No one wants to know! Get up! It’s like your impudence! Matryóna Oh, oh, he’s bewitched! And however did it happen? It’s a spell! Get up! what nonsense are you jabbering? Pulls him. Nikíta Shakes his head. Don’t touch me! Forgive me my sin towards you, Marína! Forgive me, for Christ’s sake! Marína covers her face with her hands in silence. Anísya Get up, I tell you! Don’t be so impudent! What are you thinking about⁠—to recall it? Enough humbug! It’s shameful! Oh my poor head! He’s quite crazy! Nikíta Pushes his wife away and turns to Akoulína. Akoulína, now I’ll speak to you! Listen, Christian Commune! I’m a fiend, Akoulína! I have sinned against you! Your father died no natural death! He was poisoned! Anísya Screams. Oh my head! What’s he about? Matryóna The man’s beside himself! Lead him away! The folk come up and try to seize him. Akím Motions them back with his arms. Wait! You lads, what d’ye call it, wait, I mean! Nikíta Akoulína, I poisoned him! Forgive me, in Christ’s name! Akoulína Jumps up. He’s telling lies! I know who did it! Matchmaker What are you about? You sit still! Akím Oh Lord, what sins, what sins! Police Officer Seize him, and send for the Elder! We must draw up an indictment and have witnesses to it! Get up and come here! Akím To Police Officer. Now you⁠—with the bright buttons⁠—I mean, you wait! Let him, what d’ye call it, speak out, I mean! Police Officer Mind, old man, and don’t interfere! I have to draw up an indictment! Akím Eh, what a fellow you are; wait, I say! Don’t talk, I mean, about, what d’ye call it, ’ditements! Here God’s work is being done.⁠ ⁠… A man is confessing, I mean! And you, what d’ye call it⁠ ⁠… ’ditements! Police Officer The Elder! Akím Let God’s work be done, I mean, and then you, I mean, you do your business! Nikíta And, Akoulína, my sin is great towards you; I seduced you; forgive me in Christ’s name! Bows to the ground before her. Akoulína Leaves the table. Let me go! I shan’t be married! He told me to, but I shan’t now! Police Officer Repeat what you have said. Nikíta Wait, sir, let me finish! Akím With rapture. Speak, my son! Tell everything⁠—you’ll feel better! Confess to God, don’t fear men! God⁠—God! It is He! Nikíta I poisoned the father, dog that I am, and I ruined the daughter! She