ony and Speransky appear._

FRIAR

Are these fellows here too? For goodness' sake, what do they want?
What are they looking for? I don't like it. Mr. Tropinin, come; let's
go away from here.

SAVVA

Why?

FRIAR

They are coming this way, Speransky--

SAVVA

Aha! The "Tramp of Death" is approaching.

_[Lipa looks at him in astonishment. The Friar presses his hand to his
bosom in a state of agitation._

FRIAR _(plaintively)_

What are you saying? Oh, God! Why did you say that? You mustn't do it.
This is no tramp of death, nothing of the kind.

SAVVA

It's a kind of story he has written--Good morning, good morning. What
can I do for you?

SPERANSKY

Mr. Anthony Tropinin is looking for you, Mr. Savva.

SAVVA

What do you want?

TONY _(very sadly, hiding a little behind Speransky)_

Nothing.

FRIAR _(listening attentively and then speaking with passion)_ What
are you running around for then, and whom are you hunting? If you want
nothing, do nothing. But you are running around and hunting, hunting.
It isn't nice, I tell you!

TONY _(after a passing glance at the Friar he fixes his gaze on
Savva)_ Savva.

SAVVA _(irritated)_

What do you want?

_[Tony makes no answer, but hides behind Speransky, looking over his
shoulder. In the course of what follows he keeps steadily looking at
Savva. His lips and eyebrows twitch, and at times he presses both his
hands hard against his mouth._

SPERANSKY

The crowd is in a state of great agitation, Miss Olympiada. They broke
the old gate opening on the other side of the woods and rushed in. The
Father Superior came out and asked them to behave. They shout so
you can't hear anything at all. Many are rolling on the ground in
convulsions. I suppose they are sick. It's very strange, quite unusual
in fact.

LIPA

Will they carry Him out soon? I must go. _(Rises)_

SPERANSKY

They say it'll be soon now. One wagon with cripples in it was
upset--cripples without hands or feet. They are lying on the ground
crying. It's all so strange.

FRIAR

What? Did you see it yourself?

_[Kondraty appears on the road coming from the monastery. He is
walking in the company of two pilgrims, who are listening attentively
to him. Catching sight of Savva, Kondraty says something to his
companions, who remain standing where they are while he goes up to
Savva._

SAVVA

Aha!

KONDRATY _(clean, spruce, beaming)_

Good morning, Miss Olympiada. Good morning to you