SAVVA _(in a whisper)_

Listen, remember our talk.

KONDRATY _(aloud)_

Don't whisper to me. I have nothing to hide from anybody. How do you think miracles happen anyhow? Say, you are a smart man too, and yet you can't comprehend a simple matter like this. Why, it's all your work, all your doing, isn't it? You gave me the machine. You planned the explosion. Your orders have been carried out. And yet the ikon is untouched; it's whole. That's all I have to say. It's the plain, simple statement of fact. Yet you come here with your arguments and try to get away from those facts by mere reasoning.

LIPA _(looking around in a paroxysm of excitement)_

How simple it is! And how terrible! O Lord, O Lord! And to think that it was I who did it, I, with my own hands! O my G.o.d! _(She falls on her knees, turning her eyes toward heaven)_

SAVVA _(looking at her savagely, then at Kondraty)_

Well!

KONDRATY _(drawing back in fright)_

Why are you staying here? Why haven't you left already?

SAVVA _(shouting)_

What a ---- fool you are!

KONDRATY _(paling)_

Lower, lower, I say. Don't talk like that, or I'll shout.

SAVVA _(turning quickly toward Speransky)_

What are you staring at with your mouth wide open? You are a philosopher. You, you are a philosopher. Can you understand the stupidity of these people? They think it's a miracle. _(Laughs)_ They think it's a miracle.

SPERANSKY _(stepping back)_

Excuse me, Mr. Tropinin, but from their point of view--I don't know.

SAVVA

You don't know?

SPERANSKY

Who does know? _(Cries out, in despair)_ The dead alone, Mr. Savva, the dead alone.

KONDRATY

Ah! You are cornered--Antichrist!

LIPA _(in terror)_

Antichrist?

_[Hearing the cry, the two pilgrims who were with Kondraty approach.

They are gradually joined by others, among whom is the Man in Peasant Overcoat._

FIRST PILGRIM

What is it, father? Has he revealed himself?

KONDRATY

Look at him, look at him!

SAVVA

Va.s.sya, you dear, fine boy--Va.s.sya, what is the matter with them? Hear what they are saying. Hear the nonsense they are talking. You good, nice boy!

FRIAR _(drawing back)_

Mr. Savva, don't, don't. Go away from here. Leave this place.

SAVVA

Va.s.sya, Va.s.sya, you, you--

FRIAR _(crying)_

But I don't know. I don't know anything. I am afraid.

LIPA _(ecstatically)_

Antichrist! Antichrist!

SECOND PILGRIM

Hear! Hear!

KONDRATY

Ah! You are cornered. Here is your money--take it! It has burned holes in my pockets, your accursed money. Here, take it, take it, you brood of Antichrist! _(Throws the money at him)_

SAVVA _(raising his fist as if to deal a blow)_ I'll teach you--

FIRST PILGRIM

Boys, don't be afraid. Here boys, here!

SAVVA _(pressing his head between his hands)_

Oh, it hurts, it hurts! Darkness is closing in.