Please note: This audiobook has been created using AI voice.

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. anísya and akoulína 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. Nikíta! Hey, Nikíta! Is the fellow deaf? Listens. To the women. Shut up, one can’t hear anything.