Transcriber's Note:
This e-book belongs to Tolstoy's Plays (Complete Edition).The front matter, including the table of contents, can be found in aseparate e-book;it links to the other plays in the collection.
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(1886)
PETER IGNÁTITCH. A well-to-do peasant, 42 years old, marriedfor the second time, and sickly.
ANÍSYA. His wife, 32 years old, fond of dress.
AKOULÍNA. Peter's daughter by his first marriage, 16 years old,hard of hearing, mentally undeveloped.
NAN (ANNA PETRÓVNA). His daughter by his second marriage, 10years old.
NIKÍTA. Their labourer, 25 years old, fond of dress.
AKÍM. Nikíta's father, 50 years old, a plain-looking, God-fearingpeasant.
MATRYÓNA. His wife and Nikíta's mother, 50 years old.
MARÍNA. An orphan girl, 22 years old.
MARTHA. Peter's sister.
MÍTRITCH. An old labourer, ex-soldier.
SIMON. Marína's husband.
BRIDEGROOM. Engaged to Akoulína.
IVÁN. His father.
A NEIGHBOUR.
FIRST GIRL.
SECOND GIRL.
POLICE OFFICER.
DRIVER.
BEST-MAN.
MATCHMAKER.
VILLAGE ELDER.
VISITORS, WOMEN, GIRLS, AND PEOPLE come to see the wedding.
N.B.—The ‘oven’ mentioned is the usual large, brick, Russianbaking-oven. The top of it outside is flat, so that more thanone person can lie on it.
THE POWER OF DARKNESS
The Act takes place in autumn in a large village. TheScene represents Peter's roomy hut. Peter is sitting on a woodenbench, mending a horse-collar. Anísya and Akoulína arespinning, and singing a part-song.
PETER [looking out of the window] The horses havegot loose again. If we don't look out they'll be killingthe colt. Nikíta! Hey, Nikíta! Is the fellow deaf?[Listens. To the women] Shut up, one can't hear anything.
NIKÍTA [from outside] What?
PETER. Drive the horses in.
NIKÍTA. We'll drive 'em in. All in good time.
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