VARVARA. I believe it's he! (Boris advances from the background of the scene.) Sss-sss! (Boris looks round.) Come here. (She beckons, Boris goes up to her.) What are we to do with Katerina? For mercy's sake tell me!

BORIS. Why, what is it?

VARVARA. It's terrible, that's all. Her husband has come back, do you know that? We didn't expect him, but he's here.

BORIS. No, I didn't know it.

VARVARA. She's simply beside herself.

BORIS. It seems as if I had only lived for these ten short days that he has been away. And now not to see her!

VARVARA. Oh, I've no patience with you! I've something to tell you! She's shaking all over, as if she were in a fever. She's so pale, she wanders about the house, as though she were looking for something. Her eyes are wild, she's like a mad thing! She began crying long ago in the morning, she simply sobs. Merciful Heavens, what am I to do with her?

BORIS. But perhaps this will pass off.

VARVARA. I doubt it. She daren't raise her eyes to her husband. Mamma's begun to notice it, and she follows her about and keeps a suspicious eye upon her. She looks daggers at her; and that makes her worse than ever. It makes one wretched to see her. And I'm afraid too.

BORIS. What are you afraid of?

VARVARA. You don't know her. She's a strange creature. One never knows what to expect from her! She will do things ...

BORIS. My God! What's to be done? You must talk to her thoroughly. Can't you manage to soothe her?

VARVARA. I've tried. She doesn't even hear. Better leave her alone.

BORIS. Well, what do you suppose she may do?

VARVARA. Why, simply this: fling herself down at her husband's feet, and tell him everything. That's what I'm afraid of.

BORIS (with horror). Could she possibly!

VARVARA. She may do anything.

BORIS. Where is she now?

VARVARA. At this moment she's out on the parade with her husband, and my mother's with them too. You go and meet them, if you like. But no, you'd better not go, or she'll very likely lose her head completely. (A peal of thunder in the distance) Isn't that thunder? (Looks out) Yes, it's raining too. And here are people coming this way. Get somewhere out of sight, and I'll stand here where I can be seen, so that they won't notice anything. (Enter several persons of both sexes and different classes.)