Leo Tolstoy

“ You think about yourself, lass. Why, we were talking about you the other day. "Poor thing, what torture she endures. The step-daughter an idiot; the old man rotten, sucking her lifeblood. What wouldn't one be ready to do in such a case!"
ANÍSYA. I'm not going to deny it. A life such as mine could make one do worse than that. It could make you hang yourself or throttle him. Is this a life?
MATRYÓNA. That's just it. There's no time to stand gaping; the money must be found one way or other, and then he must have his tea. ”

“ Even if she does get the money, is she capable of arranging it all? One knows what a woman is! You're a man anyhow. You can hide it, and all that. You see, you've after all got more sense, in case of anything happening.
NIKÍTA. Oh, your woman's notions are all so inexpedient!
MATRYÓNA. Why inexpedient? You just collar the money, and the woman's in your hands. And then should she ever turn snappish you'd be able to tighten the reins!
NIKÍTA. Bother you all,--I'm going.
ANÍSYA (quite pale, runs out of the hut and round the corner to MATRYÓNA) So it was, it was on him! ”

“ Who wants to marry where there are children? There now, there's our Michael. He's such a fellow, dear me....
PEASANT'S VOICE. Hullo, Mávra. Where the devil are you? Go and drive the cow in.
Exit NEIGHBOR.
MATRYÓNA (while the NEIGHBOR is within hearing speaks in her ordinary voice) Yes, lass, thank goodness, she's married. At any rate my old fool won't go bothering about Nikíta. Now (suddenly changing her tone) , she's gone! (Whispers) I say, did you give him the tea?
ANÍSYA. Don't speak about it. He'd better die of himself. It's no use --he doesn't die, and I have only taken a sin on my soul. ”

“ Then," says I, "when that peasant dies, could an outsider get hold of the homestead by marrying the widow? Could he," says I, "give both the daughters in marriage and remain master of the house himself?" "Yes, he could," says he, "but," says he, "it would mean a deal of trouble; still the thing could be managed by means of money, but if there's no money it's no good trying."
NIKÍTA (laughs) That goes without saying, only fork out the money. Who does not want money?
MATRYÓNA. Well then, honey, so I spoke out plainly about the affair. ”

“ And he says, "First and foremost, your son will have to get himself on the register of that village--that will cost something. The elders will have to be treated. And they, you see, they'll sign. Everything," says he, "must be done sensibly." ”