gave me the machine. You planned
the explosion. Your orders have been carried out. And yet the ikon
is untouched; it's whole. That's all I have to say. It's the plain,
simple statement of fact. Yet you come here with your arguments and
try to get away from those facts by mere reasoning.

LIPA _(looking around in a paroxysm of excitement)_

How simple it is! And how terrible! O Lord, O Lord! And to think that
it was I who did it, I, with my own hands! O my God! _(She falls on
her knees, turning her eyes toward heaven)_

SAVVA _(looking at her savagely, then at Kondraty)_

Well!

KONDRATY _(drawing back in fright)_

Why are you staying here? Why haven't you left already?

SAVVA _(shouting)_

What a ---- fool you are!

KONDRATY _(paling)_

Lower, lower, I say. Don't talk like that, or I'll shout.

SAVVA _(turning quickly toward Speransky)_

What are you staring at with your mouth wide open? You are a
philosopher. You, you are a philosopher. Can you understand the
stupidity of these people? They think it's a miracle. _(Laughs)_ They
think it's a miracle.

SPERANSKY _(stepping back)_

Excuse me, Mr. Tropinin, but from their point of view--I don't know.

SAVVA

You don't know?

SPERANSKY

Who does know? _(Cries out, in despair)_ The dead alone, Mr. Savva,
the dead alone.

KONDRATY

Ah! You are cornered--Antichrist!

LIPA _(in terror)_

Antichrist?

_[Hearing the cry, the two pilgrims who were with Kondraty approach.
They are gradually joined by others, among whom is the Man in Peasant
Overcoat._

FIRST PILGRIM

What is it, father? Has he revealed himself?

KONDRATY

Look at him, look at him!

SAVVA

Vassya, you dear, fine boy--Vassya, what is the matter with them? Hear
what they are saying. Hear the nonsense they are talking. You good,
nice boy!

FRIAR _(drawing back)_

Mr. Savva, don't, don't. Go away from here. Leave this place.

SAVVA

Vassya, Vassya, you, you--

FRIAR _(crying)_

But I don't know. I don't know anything. I am afraid.

LIPA _(ecstatically)_

Antichrist! Antichrist!

SECOND PILGRIM

Hear! Hear!

KONDRATY

Ah! You are cornered. Here is your money--take it! It has burned holes
in my pockets, your accursed money. Here, take it, take it, you brood
of Antichrist! _(Throws the money at him)_

SAVVA _(raising his fist as if to deal a blow)_ I'll teach you--

FIRST PILGRIM

Boys, don't be afraid. Here boys, here!

SAVVA _(pressing his head between