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. Aniacute;sya and Akouliacute;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. Nikiacute;ta! Hey, Nikiacute;ta! Is the fellow deaf ? [Listens. To the women] Shut up, one can`t hear anything. NIKIacute;TA [from outside] What? PETER. Drive the horses in. NIKIacute;TA. We`ll drive lsquo;em in. All in good time.