Act 2 — IF A CLAW IS CAUGHT THE BIRD IS LOST
Reading edition
CHARACTERS
PETER IGNÁTITCH. A well-to-do peasant, 42 years old, married for the second time, and sickly. ANÍSYA. His wife, 32 years old, fond of dress. AKOULÍNA. Peter's daughter by his first marriage, 16 years old, hard of hearing, mentally undeveloped NAN (ANNA PETRÓVNA). His daughter by his second marriage, 10 years old NIKÍTA. Their laborer, 25 years old, fond of dress. AKÍM. Nikíta's father, 50 years old, a plain-looking, God-fearing peasant. MATRYÓNA. His wife and Nikíta's mother, 50 years old. MARÍNA An orphan girl, 22 years old. MARTHA. Peter's sister. MÍTRITCH An old laborer, ex-soldier. SIMON. Marína's husband. BRIDEGROOM. Engaged to Akoulína. IVÁN. 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.