The Storm

In the foreground a narrow arcade running round an old building which has begun to fall into decay; bushes and grass about it; in the background the banks of the Volga and view beyond it.

(_Several Persons of both Sexes approach the Arcade._)

First. It's spotting with rain, seems as though it might be a storm coming on.

Second. Look, it's gathering yonder.

First. A good thing we've somewhere to take shelter.

[_They all go under the arches._

A Woman. What a lot of folks out on the parade, too! To-day being a holiday, everyone's out walking. The merchants' ladies all pranked out in their best.

First. They'll stand up somewhere out of the rain.

Second. Look, at the people hurrying this way now!

First. (_staring round at the walls_) I say, old fellow, it must have been covered with paintings once, do you know. One can make them out even now, here and there.

Second. To be sure! Of course the walls were covered with paintings. Now it's all been let go to rack and ruin, and the old place is falling to pieces. There's been nothing done to it since the fire. But to be sure you don't remember that fire, it will be forty years ago.

First. Whatever's this picture here, old fellow? It's not easy to make out what it's about.

Second. That's a picture of the torments of hell.

First. Oh! so that's what it is!

Second. And there's folks of all sorts and conditions going down into the fire, see?

First. To be sure, yes, I understand it now.

Second. Of every sort and rank.

First. And niggers too?

Second. Yes, niggers too.

First. And I say, old fellow, what's this?

Second. That's the Lithuanian invasion. A battle, d'ye see? Our men fighting with the men of Lithuania.

First. Who were these Lithuanians?

Second. Can't say. Lithuanians, to be sure.

First. But they do say, you know, they fell down on us from heaven.

Second. I can't tell about that, I daresay they did.

A Woman. What ignorance! Why, everyone knows the Lithuanians fell from heaven. Well to be sure! and it was in memory of the battle with them that these mounds were made.

First. There, old fellow! That's so, you see!

[_Enter Dikoy and Kuligin, his head bare. All the bystanders bow and assume a respectful air on seeing Dikoy._