FIRST PEASANT [gives Tánya the paper] Then it's on you we pin all our reliance, for example.
TÁNYA. Yes, yes! You go into the street, and I'll run out to you in a minute and have a word with you.
TÁNYA. Theodore Ivánitch, dear Theodore Ivánitch, ask the master to come out and speak to me for a moment. I have something to say to him.
TÁNYA. I must, Theodore Ivánitch. Ask him, do; there's nothing wrong about it, on my sacred word.
THEODORE IVÁNITCH. But what do you want with him?
TÁNYA. That's a little secret. I will tell you later on, only ask him.
THEODORE IVÁNITCH [smiling] I can't think what you are up to! All right, I'll go and ask him. [Exit].
TÁNYA. I'll do it! Didn't he say himself that there is that power in Simon? And I know how to manage. No one found me out that time, and now I'll teach Simon what to do. If it doesn't succeed it's no great matter. After all it's not a sin.
Enter Leoníd Fyódoritch followed by Theodore Ivánitch.
LEONÍD FYÓDORITCH [smiling] Is this the petitioner? Well, what is your business?
TÁNYA. It's a little secret, Leoníd Fyódoritch; let me tell it you alone.
LEONÍD FYÓDORITCH. What is it? Theodore, leave us for a minute.
TÁNYA. As I have grown up and lived in your house, Leoníd Fyódoritch, and as I am very grateful to you for everything, I shall open my heart to you as to a father. Simon, who is living in your house, wants to marry me.
TÁNYA. I open my heart to you as to a father! I have no one to advise me, being an orphan.
LEONÍD FYÓDORITCH. Well, and why not? He seems a nice lad.
TÁNYA. Yes, that's true. He would be all right; there is only one thing I have my doubts about. It's something about him that I have noticed and can't make out ... perhaps it is something bad.
LEONÍD FYÓDORITCH. What is it? Does he drink?
TÁNYA. God forbid! But since I know that there is such a thing as spiritalism ...
TÁNYA. Of course! I understand it very well. Some, of course, through ignorance, don't understand it.
TÁNYA. I am very much afraid for Simon. It does happen to him.
TÁNYA. Something of a kind like spiritalism. You ask any of the servants. As soon as he gets drowsy at the table, the table begins to tremble, and creak like that: _tuke, ... tuke_! All the servants have heard it.