Mother and daughter transfer dissatisfied glances to the head of the family. He continues to eat calmly, and clink a spoon.

Polycarp (calmly, without looking up "from the case"). And …, well, that's right. The announcement hung on the building of the village Council. Short-term outages are possible. I completely forgot.

Vera (throws up her hands nervously). No, I am so touched by this imperturbable calmness! As he ate, so he eats. At least for the sake of appearances, whether the place of deployment has changed. My daughter and I are trying something here, trying, and he, you see, is eating!

Polycarp (calmly, without looking up "from the case"). Nervous worries for health do not contribute much. And then – the guy came home from work! Don't you dare touch the man! This law has been honored for centuries in the families of our village. That's how it should be. And there's nothing for me to stir up trouble!

Polycarp turns to the ladies.

Polycarp (calmly). Well, what are you standing for? Let's get to the table before the lights go out again. It's not so convenient to have dinner in the dark. I tried. So hurry up, ladies, hurry up… Don't waste your time.

The father of the family hands his bowl to his daughter.

Polycarp (in a masterly manner). Come on, Myna, give me another splash! And then the mother, something is not in the spirit today.

Myna takes her father's bowl, goes to the pot, pours the soup.

Vera, dissatisfied, goes to her place at the table. But before she can reach it, Polycarp grabs her playfully and pulls her to him. Vera squeals in surprise. The daughter turns around, smiles, understanding what's what.

Vera (playfully, through resentment). Let go, crazy! Polycarp, let go, the tea has decided the wrong moment!

Polycarp (cheerfully). Don't puff, you're Vera. All is well! Look at how my daughter was raised! The hostess! Hooch soup folder pour, hooch…

Vera (interrupts). She can do everything! My school!

Vera breaks out of the embrace and sits down at her place, starts eating.

Maina brings her father a bowl.

Everyone sits down at the table, dinner continues, as, apparently, before that, before the lights go out.

They eat quietly for five to ten seconds, without excesses. Suddenly Vera throws up her hands, groans, takes off, runs into the hall.

Vera (wailing and running into the pantry). Ugh! I almost forgot!

Father and daughter calmly watch Vera, exchange glances, are silent.

Vera returns with a flask in her hands, carries this flask to her backpack, and puts it inside there.

Vera (pointing to the flask). That's it! I prepared it in advance, but I almost forgot. It seems that she prepared everything, provided for everything, and almost left the flask in the hallway.

Vera returns to the table.

Polycarp (daughters). So what, you say, for a hike you have? Where are you going?

Myna (indifferently). Into the woods, Dad!

Polycarp (daughters). Heh, it's clear that in the forest. We have a forest here and there is nothing. And why did you suddenly get carried away with the guys?

Vera (with understanding, to her husband). Well, what are you, Father, don't you understand? The case is young. Hiking, bonfires, romance. While young – we need to move! We must live to the fullest. And then there will be no time to walk. Now he will stay at home – then there will be nothing to remember.

Polycarp (to his wife). I'm not forbidding it at all. I understand everything. Of course, you have to live your life, and not sit by the stove. I'm just worried about making sure everything is on the mind. (Daughters) Which of the guys is coming with you?

Myna (unconvincingly). Yes, our guys won't be there almost, they will be from a neighboring village, but we know them well with Callista. Do you remember Miron, Vadka with bangs like that… Andrey and his brother, well, and their rural girls will also be there… They are good guys, we have been friends with them for several years …, so to speak …

Polycarp (wary, daughters). How is that, friends? What else does it mean, so to speak?

Vera (with understanding, to her husband). Why are you attached to a girl? She's not a child, tea! It's high time to show your nose to the light from under your mother's hem. Let him go, they'll figure out what's what. Ali weren't we like that?

Polycarp calms down, nods his head condescendingly, concealing a certain trick of memories.

Polycarp (daughters). Well, good-good. So, on the road in the morning? At dawn? Come on, I'm spending a little time…