Characters

PETER IGN�TITCH. A well-to-do peasant, 42 years old, married for the
second time, and sickly.

AN�SYA. His wife, 32 years old, fond of dress.

AKOUL�NA. Peter's daughter by his first marriage, 16 years old, hard
of hearing, mentally undeveloped.

NAN (ANNA PETR�VNA). His daughter by his second marriage, 10 years old

NIK�TA. Their laborer, 25 years old, fond of dress.

AK�M. Nik�ta's father, 50 years old, a plain-looking, God-fearing
peasant.

MATRY�NA. His wife and Nik�ta's mother, 50 years old.

MAR�NA An orphan girl, 22 years old.

MARTHA. Peter's sister.

M�TRITCH An old laborer, ex-soldier.

SIMON. Mar�na's husband.

BRIDEGROOM. Engaged to Akoul�na.

IV�N. His father.

A NEIGHBOR.

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, Russian
baking-oven. The top of it outside is flat, so that more than one
person can lie on it.