utter a sound.  I’ll carry water on my back, just to be with her always.  So listen, grandfather!  Is it strange that with my hot temper I hurt her?  If there’s no love, then there’s no anger.  But you tell me that she herself wants to bow down to me!  Such happiness can’t come to me even in a dream.  Certainly that is a load off my shoulders.  It seems as though I’d just been born into the world!  Thank you, grandfather Arkhip!  I was a dead man and you brought me to life again!  I had such thoughts in my head that I can’t make up for them by praying all my life.  The devil was surely near me.  Not only did he whisper in my ear, but—­it’s a sin to say it—­[in a low voice] he might have made me raise my arm.

ARKHIP.  What!  At whom?

KRASNOV.  Well, what’s past is past.  God preserve me from such torment in the future!  I wouldn’t wish such for my enemy.

ARKHIP.  You’d better calm your heart!

KRASNOV.  Ah, grandfather!  I’d be glad to, but one can’t restrain oneself.  All at once your eyes become clouded, your head whirls, it seems as if some one were gripping your heart with his hand and you can think only of misfortune and sin.  You walk about as if half crazed, and see nothing all around you.  But now when your anger has calmed down, then you’re at ease, as if nothing had happened. [LUKERYA comes in and takes the bowl from the table] Where’s Tatyana Danilovna?

LUKERYA.  She’s there, in the kitchen.

KRASNOV.  Why in the kitchen?  What is she doing there?  The kitchen is no place for her to sit in!  Call her in here.

LUKERYA goes out.

AFONYA. [In a low voice to ARKHIP] Grandfather, will she bow down to brother’s feet or not?  If not, then I’ll leave.

ARKHIP.  As they please, that’s not our business!

Enter TATYANA and LUKERYA.

SCENE V

KRASNOV, TATYANA, LUKERYA, ARKHIP, and AFONYA

TATYANA.  Did you call me?

KRASNOV.  Yes, because the kitchen is no fit place for you to sit in.

ARKHIP.  I have spoken to him, Tatyana; now do as you like yourself.

TATYANA.  Lev Rodionych!  If I’ve done you any wrong whatever, please pardon me.  If you wish it, I’ll bow down to your feet.

KRASNOV.  No, why should you?  I can feel it without your doing that.  I could never allow you to do that—­to bow down before me!  What kind of man would I be then?

TATYANA.  I’m willing to do anything, only do not be angry with me.

KRASNOV.  I need nothing but your word.  You gave your word—­that’s enough; it’s my duty to believe you.

TATYANA.  Then you’re not angry with me?

KRASNOV.  Not at all!  I’m not a man of polished manners; in my excitement I stormed—­but don’t take it ill of me; I did it because I was fond of you.

LUKERYA.  Oh, stop!  Who could take it ill of you?