Description

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Extract: THE POWER OF DARKNESS ACT I The Act takes place in autumn in a large village. The Scene represents Peter's roomy hut. Peter is sitting on a wooden bench, mending a horse-collar. An sya and Akoul na are spinning, and singing a part-song. PETER looking out of the window] The horses have got loose again. If we don't look out they'll be killing the colt. Nik ta Hey, Nik ta Is the fellow deaf? Listens. To the women] Shut up, one can't hear anything. NIK TA from outside] What? PETER. Drive the horses in. NIK TA. We'll drive 'em in. All in good time. PETER shaking his head] Ah, these labourers If I were well, I'd not keep one on no account. There's nothing but bother with 'em. Rises and sits down again] Nik ta ... It's no good shouting. One of you'd better go. Go, Ako l, drive 'em in. AKOUL NA. What? The horses? PETER. What else? AKOUL NA. All right. Exit]. PETER. Ah, but he's a loafer, that lad ... no good at all. Won't stir a finger if he can help it. AN SYA. You're so mighty brisk yourself. When you're not sprawling on the top of the oven you're squatting on the bench. To goad others to work is all you're fit for. PETER. If one weren't to goad you on a bit, one'd have no roof left over one's head before the year's out. Oh what people AN SYA. You go shoving a dozen jobs on to one's shoulders, and then do nothing but scold. It's easy to lie on the oven and give orders. PETER sighing] Oh, if 'twere not for this sickness that's got hold of me, I'd not keep him on another day. AKOUL NA off the scene] Gee up, gee, woo. A colt neighs, the stamping of horses' feet and the creaking of the gate are heard]. PETER. Bragging, that's what he's good at. I'd like to sack him, I would indeed. AN SYA mimicking him] "Like to sack him." You buckle to yourself, and then talk. AKOUL NA enters] It's all I could do to drive 'em in. That piebald always will ... PETER. And where's Nik ta? AKOUL NA. Where's Nik ta? Why, standing out there in the street. PETER. What's he standing there for? AKOUL NA. What's he standing there for? He stands there jabbering. PETER. One can't get any sense out of her Who's he jabbering with? AKOUL NA does not hear] Eh, what? Peter waves her off. She sits down to her spinning. NAN running in to her mother] Nik ta's father and mother have come. They're going to take him away. It's true AN SYA. Nonsense ........