Александр Островский
Without a dowry / Бесприданница. Книга для чтения на английском языке
Karandyshov. But those are just words, we need proof. Give him and me a real analysis.
Larisa. Do you know the man you’re comparing yourself with! How can you be so blind! Sergey Sergeyich… is the ideal man. Do you understand what ideal is? Maybe I’m wrong, I’m still young and don’t know people, but it will be impossible to change this opinion in me, it will die with me.
Karandyshov. I just can’t understand what’s so special about him, I don’t see anything. There’s a certain boldness, an impudence. But anybody can have that if he wants.
Larisa. And do you know what boldness is?
Karandyshov. Whatever it is, what’s so wonderful about it? All it takes is putting on airs.
Larisa. To show what it is I’ll tell you something that happened. There was an officer from the Caucasus passing through here, an acquaintance of Sergey Sergeyich, and he was a wonderful shot. They were both at our place, and Sergey Sergeyich says to him, “I hear you’re a wonderful shot.” “Yes, not bad,” says the officer. Sergey Sergeyich gives him a pistol, puts a glass on his own head, and he goes off to another room, about twelve steps away. “Shoot,” he says.
Karandyshov. And he shot?
Larisa. He shot, and, of course, he knocked off the glass, only he turned a little pale. Sergey Sergeyich says, “You shoot beautifully, but you turned pale, and you were shooting at a man, and a man not close to you. Look, I’m going to shoot at a young woman who’s dearer to me than anything in the world, and I won’t turn pale.” He gives me a coin to hold, and, with indifference and a smile, he shoots from the same distance and hits it.
Karandyshov. And you obeyed him?
Larisa. How could I do anything else?
Karandyshov. You really had so much confidence in him?
Larisa. How can you ask! How could I not have confidence in him?
Karandyshov. He has no heart, that’s why he’s so bold.
Larisa. No, he has a heart too. I saw myself how he helped the poor, how he gave away all the money he had on him.
Karandyshov. So, let’s grant that Paratov has some virtues, at least in your eyes, but what about this petty merchant, this Vasya of yours?
Larisa. You’re not being jealous, are you? No, you stop all this nonsense. It’s degrading, and I won’t tolerate it, I’m telling you in advance. Don’t worry, I’m not in love with anybody, and I won’t fall in love with anybody.
Karandyshov. But what if Paratov should show up?
Larisa. Of course, if Paratov should show up and were free, then it would take only one look from him… But you can set your mind at ease, he hasn’t showed up, and even if he should show up now, it’s already too late. We’ll probably never see each other again.
A cannon shot on the Volga.
What’s that?
Karandyshov. Some high and mighty merchant is coming in, so they’re firing a salute in his honor.
Larisa. Oh, how it frightened me!
Karandyshov. Why, why should it?
Larisa. My nerves are upset. Just now I was looking down from this bench, and I began to get dizzy. Could one hurt oneself here very much?
Karandyshov. Hurt oneself! Here it’s sure death, it’s paved with stone below. And it’s so high here you’d die before you hit the bottom.
Larisa. Let’s go home, it’s time.
Karandyshov. I have to go too, I have that dinner, you know.
Larisa (going to the railing). Wait awhile. (She looks below.) Oh, oh, hold on to me!
Karandyshov (takes Larisa by the arm). Come on, you’re just being childish!
They leave. Gavrilo and Ivan enter from the coffee house.
Ivan. The cannon! The gentleman’s come, the gentleman’s come, Sergey Sergeyich.
Gavrilo. I told you it was him. I know-you can tell a falcon by its flight.
Ivan. The carriage is coming uphill empty. That means the gentlemen are coming on foot. There they are! (He runs off into the coffee house.)
Gavrilo. Welcome to them. I wish I could figure out what to treat them with.
Paratov enters. He is wearing a single-breasted, close-fitting, black frock coat, varnished high boots, a white service cap; across his shoulder is a traveling bag. With him are Robinson (wearing a cloak, the right flap of which is thrown over his left shoulder, and a tall soft hat perched on one side of his head), Knurov, and Vozhevatov. Ivan runs out of the coffee house with a hand broom to brush off Paratov.
Paratov (to Ivan). What are you doing! I’ve just come from the water, there’s no dust on the Volga.
Ivan. All the same, sir, it’s impossible not to… custom requires it. It’s been a whole year since we saw you… we want to welcome you, sir.
Paratov. All right, fine, thank you. Here. (Hegives him a ruble note.)
Ivan. Thank you very much, sir. (He goes off.)
Paratov. So, Vasily Danilych, you were expecting me to come on the Flier?
Vozhevatov. I didn’t know you’d be coming on your Swallow. I thought you’d be coming with the barges.
Paratov. No, I sold my barges. I thought I’d get here early this morning. I wanted to pass the Flier, but the engineer’s a coward. I keep shouting to the stokers, “Stoke away!”-but he takes the wood from them. He climbs out of the hold and says, “If you throw down just one more log, I’ll throw myself overboard.” He was afraid the boiler wouldn’t stand it. He scratched out some figures for me on paper, calculated the pressure. He’s a foreigner, a Dutchman, a timid soul; they have arithmetic instead of a soul. But gentlemen, I forgot to introduce you to my friend. Moky Parmenych, Vasily Danilych, I present you-Robinson.
Robinson bows solemnly and shakes hands with Knurov and Vozhevatov.
Vozhevatov. And what’s his first name and patronymic?
Paratov. He’s just Robinson, that’s all, no first name or patronymic.
Robinson (to Paratov). Serge!
Paratov. What is it?
Robinson. It’s noon, my friend, I’m suffering.
Paratov. You just wait, we’ll be going to an inn.
Robinson (pointing to the coffee house). Voilà!
Paratov. All right, go ahead, have it your own way!
Robinson goes to the coffee house.
Gavrilo, don’t serve that gentleman more than one small glass; he has a restless disposition.
Robinson (shrugging his shoulders). Serge! (He enters the coffee house, Gavrilo after him.)
Paratov. That, gentlemen, is an actor from the provinces, Arkady Shchastlivtsev by name.
Vozhevatov. Then why is he called Robinson?
Paratov. I’ll tell you. He was traveling on some steamboat or other, I don’t know which one, with a friend of his, a merchant’s son named Neputôvy, both drunk, of course, drunk as could be. They did whatever came into their head, and the passengers put up with it all. At last, to top off all their insane antics, they thought up a dramatic performance. They took off their clothes, cut open a pillow, covered themselves with down and began to play savages. At that point the captain, on the insistence of the passengers, put them ashore on a desert island. We go sailing by that island, I look, and somebody calls out, lifting his arms. Immediately I shout, “Stop,” get into a boat myself, and I find the actor Shchastlivtsev. I take him onto our boat and dress him from head to foot in my own clothes since I have extra. Gentlemen, I have a weakness for actors… That’s why he’s Robinson.
Vozhevatov. And Neputovy stayed on the island?
Paratov. But what good was he to me? Let him get the fresh air. You can judge for yourselves, gentlemen. You know, when you’re traveling it can get awfully boring, you’re glad for any companion.
Knurov. Quite right, of course.
Vozhevatov. That was lucky, a real stroke of luck! Like finding gold!
Knurov. Just one drawback, he’s given to drunkenness.
Paratov. No, gentlemen, he can’t get drunk with me, I’m strict about that. He has no money, and he can’t get anything without my permission. And if he asks me for something, then I make him learn some French conversations from a phrase book I was lucky enough to have. He learns a page first or I won’t give him anything. So he sits down and studies, how hard he tries!
Vozhevatov. How lucky you are, Sergey Sergeyich! I wouldn’t spare anything to have a man like that, but there aren’t any around. Is he a good actor?
Paratov. Well no, hardly! He went through all the roles and was a prompter, but now he plays in operettas. It doesn’t matter, he’ll pass well enough, he’s amusing.
Vozhevatov. You mean he’s fun?
Paratov. He’s entertaining.
Vozhevatov. And can you play jokes on him?
Paratov. Sure, he’s not touchy. Look, to satisfy you I can let you have him for two or three days.
Vozhevatov. Thank you very much. If I like him, he won’t lose by it.
Knurov. How is it, Sergey Sergeyich, that you don’t feel sorry about selling the Swallow?
Paratov. I don’t know what it means to “feel sorry”: for me, Moky Parmenych, nothing is sacred. If it’s to my advantage, I’ll sell anything, no matter what. But now, gentlemen, I have other business and other considerations. I’m going to marry a very rich young woman, I’ll be getting gold mines for a dowry.
Vozhevatov. A good dowry.
Paratov. It won’t come cheap. I have to say good-bye to my freedom and my life of fun. That’s why we should try hard to have a high old time these last days.
Vozhevatov. We’ll try hard, Sergey Sergeyich, we’ll try hard.
Paratov. My fiancée’s father is an important official. He’s a strict old man, and he can’t stand hearing about gypsies, carousals, and the like. He doesn’t even like it if somebody smokes a lot. What you’re supposed to do is put on your frockcoat and parlez français! That’s why I’m practicing now with Robinson. Only he, maybe for show, I don’t know, calls me “la Serge,” not simply “Serge.” He’s terribly funny!
Robinson appears on the steps of the coffee house, chewing something. Gavrilo is behind him.
Paratov (to Robinson). Que faites-vous là? Venez!
Robinson (with a distinguished air). Comment?
Paratov. What charm! What a tone, gentlemen! (To Robinson.) You give up that filthy habit of abandoning respectable society for the tavern.
Vozhevatov. Yes, they have a way of doing that.
Robinson. La Serge, you’ve managed to… There was no need to do that.
Paratov. Yes, forgive me, I gave away your pseudonym.
Vozhevatov. We won’t give you away, Robinson, you’ll pass among us as an Englishman, old man.
Robinson. Why this sudden familiarity? You and I haven’t drunk any fraternal pledge.
Vozhevatov. It doesn’t matter… Why stand on ceremony!
Robinson. But I don’t tolerate familiarity, and I won’t permit just anybody.
Vozhevatov. But I’m not just anybody.
Robinson. Then who are you?
Vozhevatov. A merchant.
Robinson. A rich one?
Vozhevatov. A rich one.
Robinson. And generous?
Vozhevatov. And generous.
Robinson. Now that’s something to my taste. (He extends his hand to Vozhevatov.) Very pleased to meet you. Now I can permit you to deal with me without formalities.
Vozhevatov. That means we’re friends, two bodies, one soul.
Robinson. And one pocket. What’s your first name and patronymic? I mean, your first name, the patronymic’s not necessary.
Vozhevatov. Vasily Danilych.
Robinson. Tell you what, Vasya, in honor of our first acquaintance you pay for me.
Vozhevatov. Gavrilo, write it down to my account. Sergey Sergeyich, we’re getting up a picnic for tonight on the other side of the Volga. In one boat there’ll be gypsies, and we’ll be in the other. When we get there we’ll sit down on a rug and heat up some hot punch.
Gavrilo. And I, Sergey Sergeyich, have two pineapples that have been waiting for you a long time. They should be broken into to celebrate your arrival.
Paratov (to Gavrilo). Fine, cut them up! (To Vozhevatov.) Gentlemen, I’m at your disposal, do what you want with me.
Gavrilo. And I, Vasily Danilych, will make all the necessary arrangements. I have a silver saucepan for such occasions, and I’ll let my help go off with you.
Vozhevatov. All right, very good. Have everything ready by six. If you should get in something extra, it won’t be held against you, but you’ll have to answer for any lack.
Gavrilo. We understand, sir.
Vozhevatov. And when we come back we’ll light up colored lanterns on the boats.
Robinson. I haven’t known him long, and already I’ve grown fond of him, gentlemen. There’s a miracle for you!
Paratov. The main thing is, there should be a good time. I’m saying goodbye to my bachelor life, so I want something to remember it by. And this evening, gentlemen, I invite you to have dinner with me.
Vozhevatov. What a pity! I’m afraid that’s impossible, Sergey Sergeyich.
Knurov. We’ve been invited elsewhere.
Paratov. Decline, gentlemen.
Vozhevatov. We can’t decline. Larisa Dmitriyevna is getting married, so we’re having dinner at her fiancé’s.
Paratov. Larisa is getting married! (He becomes pensive.) So then… God be with her! This is even better… I’m a bit guilty towards her, or rather, I’m so guilty I shouldn’t show my face to them. But now she’s getting married it means the old scores are settled, and I can show up and kiss her little hands, and aunty’s too. I call Kharita Ignatyevna aunty for short. You know, I almost married Larisa; that would have given people something to laugh at! Yes, I almost made a fool of myself. So she’s getting married. That’s very nice on her part; all the same I do feel a bit relieved… and may God grant her health and every blessing! I’ll drop in on them, I’ll drop in. It’ll be interesting, very interesting to have a look at her.
Vozhevatov. They’ll probably invite you.
Paratov. Of course, how could they do without me!
Knurov. I’m very glad. Now at least I’ll have somebody at dinner to exchange a word with.
Vozhevatov. When we’re there we’ll talk over how we can pass time to have more fun. Maybe we can think up something else.
Paratov. Yes, gentlemen, life is short, that’s what the philosophers tell us, so we’ve got to know how to take advantage of it… N’est-ce pas, Robinson?
Robinson. Oui, la Serge.
Vozhevatov. We’ll try hard, you won’t be bored, we’ll stand on that. We’ll take a third boat, and we’ll put the regimental band on it.
Paratov. Good day, gentlemen! I’m going to the inn. Robinson, forward… march!
Robinson (lifting his hat).
Long live merriment!
Long live delight![3]
Act two
A room in the home of Mme Ogudalov. Two doors: an entrance door in the background, the other to the left of the actors. On the right is a window. The furniture is presentable. A piano with a guitar lying on it. Mme Ogudalov is alone. She is walking toward the door at the left with a small box in her hands.
Mme Ogudalov. Larisa, Larisa! (Larisa's voice off stage: "I'm getting dressed, Mama.”) Just see what a gift Vasya’s brought you! (Larisa off stage: "I'll look later.”) What things! They must be worth five hundred rubles. He told me, “Put them in her room tomorrow morning and don’t say who they’re from.” But he knows, the scamp, that I won’t be able to control myself, that I’ll tell. I asked him to stay awhile, but he wouldn’t stay. He’s going around with some foreigner, he’s showing him the town. But Vasya’s such a joker you can’t tell whether he’s thought up something or whether it’s the real thing. “What I’ve got to do,” he says, “is show this foreigner all the tavern institutions worthy of note.” He wanted to drag that foreigner along to visit us. (Looking out the window.) There comes Moky Parmenych! Don’t come out, it’s better for me to talk with him alone. (Knurov enters.)
Knurov (in the doorway). You’re alone?
Mme Ogudalov. Alone, Moky Parmenych.
Knurov (enters). Very good.
Mme Ogudalov. To what can I ascribe this good fortune! I’m grateful, Moky Parmenych, so very grateful that you’ve honored us with your visit. I’m so glad I’ve even lost my bearings. Really… I don’t know where to have you sit.
Knurov. It doesn’t matter. I’ll sit some place. (He sits down.)
Mme Ogudalov. You must excuse Larisa, she’s changing. But I suppose I could hurry her up.
Knurov. No, why bother!
Mme Ogudalov. What made you think of visiting us?
Knurov. I walk about a lot before dinner, so I just dropped in.
Mme Ogudalov. You can rest assured, Moky Parmenych, that we consider your visit a special stroke of good fortune. I just can’t compare it with anything.
Knurov. So you’re marrying off Larisa Dmitriyevna?
Mme Ogudalov. Yes, she’s getting married, Moky Parmenych.
Knurov. There was a groom who’d take her without money?
Mme Ogudalov. Without money, Moky Parmenych. Where do you think we could get any money?
Knurov. Well then, does he have great means, that groom of yours?
Mme Ogudalov. What means! He has very little!
Knurov. I see… And how do you feel, do you think you’re doing the right thing to marry off Larisa Dmitriyevna to a poor man?
Mme Ogudalov. I don’t know, Moky Parmenych. I didn’t have anything to do with it, it was her choice.
Knurov. Well, and this young man, what about him? Do you think he’s doing the right thing?
Mme Ogudalov. Why not? I find it praiseworthy on his part.
Knurov. There’s nothing praiseworthy about it; on the contrary it’s blameworthy. To be sure, from his point of view he’s not being stupid. What is he, who knows him, who’s paid any attention to him! But now the whole town’ll start talking about him, he’s climbing into the best society, he allows himself to invite me to dinner, for example. But here’s the stupid part. He didn’t think or didn’t want to think about how and on what means he’s going to live with such a wife. That’s something you and I ought to talk about.
Mme Ogudalov. Be so kind, Moky Parmenych!
Knurov. What opinion do you have of your daughter? What’s she like?
Mme Ogudalov. I really don’t know what to say. About all I can do is listen to you.
Knurov. You know as well as I there’s none of that commonness in Larisa Dmitriyevna, none of that everyday stuff. Well, you know what I mean, none of the petty triviality you need for a family living in poverty.
Mme Ogudalov. There’s none of that, none.
Knurov. You could call her an ethereal creature.
Mme Ogudalov. An ethereal creature, Moky Parmenych.
Knurov. She was created for splendor.
Mme Ogudalov. For splendor, Moky Parmenych.
Knurov. And can your Karandyshov give her that splendor?
Mme Ogudalov. No, how could he!
Knurov. She won’t be able to endure life when it’s poor and common. And what will be left for her then? She’ll fade away, and then, the way these things go, she’ll end up with consumption.
Mme Ogudalov. Oh, how can you say things like that! God forbid!
Knurov. It would be a good thing if she’d decide very quickly to leave her husband and come back to you.
Mme Ogudalov. But that would be just more misery, Moky Parmenych, what would my daughter and I have to live on!
Knurov. Well, that’s a misery that could be remedied. The heartfelt concern of a strong and rich man…
Mme Ogudalov. How nice if such a concern should turn up.
Knurov. You should try to gain it. In cases like this it is quite necessary to have a good friend, one who’s solid and steady.
Mme Ogudalov. It is quite necessary.
Knurov. Now you might tell me that she’s not even married yet, that the time is still far off when she could leave her husband. Yes, it could well be far off, but then again it could be very close. So it’s better to let you know now, so you won’t make some kind of mistake, that I won’t begrudge a thing for Larisa Dmitriyevna. Why are you smiling?
Mme Ogudalov. It makes me very happy, Moky Parmenych, that you’re so well disposed to us.
Knurov. Do you think, perhaps, that my suggestions are not disinterested?
Mme Ogudalov. Oh, Moky Parmenych!
Knurov. Take offense if you want, throw me out.
Mme Ogudalov (embarrassed). Oh, Moky Parmenych!
Knurov. Go find those people who’ll promise you tens of thousands for nothing in return, then you can scold me. Only don’t bother to look, you won’t find them. But I got carried away, that wasn’t what I came to talk about. What’s that box you have there?
Mme Ogudalov. I wanted to give it to my daughter for a present, Moky Parmenych.
Knurov (looking over the things in the box). I see…
Mme Ogudalov. But it’s all expensive, more than I can afford.
Knurov (gives back the box). Well, those are just trifles, there are more important things to think about. You have to provide a good wardrobe for Larisa Dmitriyevna, what I mean is, not just good but very good. A wedding dress and everything else that’s required.
Mme Ogudalov. Yes, yes, Moky Parmenych.
Knurov. It would be a great shame for her to be dressed just any old way. So you go ahead and order everything in the best store, and don’t count the cost or worry over the kopecks. Just send the bills to me, I’ll pay.
Mme Ogudalov. Really, I can’t find the words to thank you.
Knurov. To tell the truth, that was why I came. (He gets up.)
Mme Ogudalov. All the same, I’d still like to give my daughter a surprise tomorrow. A mother’s heart, you know.
Knurov (takes the box). Well now, what do we have here? How much does it cost?
Mme Ogudalov. You set a price on it, Moky Parmenych!
Knurov. Why price it, why bother! Let’s say it costs three hundred rubles. (He takes money from his wallet and gives it to Mme Ogudalov.) Good-bye. I’m going to walk a bit more, I expect to have a good dinner tonight. We’ll see each other at dinner. (He goes to the door.)
Mme Ogudalov. I’m very grateful, very grateful to you for everything, Moky Parmenych, everything!
Knurov goes off. Larisa enters with a basket in her hand.
Larisa (places the basket on the table and examines the things in the box). Are these what Vasya gave me? Not bad. How nice of him!
Mme Ogudalov. “Not bad.” They’re very expensive. Aren’t you glad to get them?
Larisa. I don’t feel especially glad about it.
Mme Ogudalov. You thank Vasya, just whisper in his ear, “Thank you.” And Knurov too.
Larisa. Why Knurov?
Mme Ogudalov. It’s something necessary, I know why.
Larisa. Oh, Mama, you always have your secrets and tricks.
Mme Ogudalov. Tricks! You can’t live in this world without tricks.
Larisa (takes the guitar, sits next to the window, and starts to sing).
Mother mine, so dear to me, sun so warm and mild, Mother mine, caress your own tiny baby child.[4]Yuly Kapitonych wants to enter the election for Justice of Peace.
Mme Ogudalov. That’s very nice. For what district?
Larisa. For Zabolotye.
Mme Ogudalov. Aie, isn’t that off in the sticks somewhere? Where did he get the idea of going so far?
Larisa. There aren’t so many candidates there; he’d probably get elected.
Mme Ogudalov. Well, all right, even there people can live.
Larisa. I don’t mind going even to the sticks, just so long as I can get away from here first.
Mme Ogudalov. It could be a good thing living in the sticks for a while. Your Karandyshov will look good there, he might be the first man in the district, and little by little you’ll get used to him.
Larisa. But he’s a good man here too. I don’t see anything bad in him.
Mme Ogudalov. Oh come now! As if there aren’t others just as good as him!
Larisa. Of course, some are even better. I know that myself, very well.
Mme Ogudalov. They’re better all right, only they’re not for the likes of us.
Larisa. Right now even this one’s good enough for me. But why talk about it, it’s all decided.
Mme Ogudalov. I’m just glad you like him, thank God for that! I’m not going to judge him before you, but we don’t have to pretend to each other, you’re not blind.
Larisa. I’ve become blind, I’ve lost all my feelings, and I’m glad of it. For a long time now everything around me’s been like a dream. No, I simply must leave here, I must tear myself away. I’ll keep after Yuly Kapitonych. Soon summer will be over, and I want to walk through the woods, to pick berries and mushrooms…
Mme Ogudalov. So that’s why you’ve gotten yourself a basket! Now I understand. Get yourself a straw hat with a wide brim, and then you’ll be a shepherd girl.
Larisa. I’ll get a hat too. (She sings.)
O tempt me not if there’s no need.[5]
It’s calm and quiet there.
Mme Ogudalov. But when September comes it won’t be so quiet; the wind will blow at your window.
Larisa. So what?
Mme Ogudalov. The wolves will howl in different keys.
Larisa. Still, it will be better than here. At least my soul will have some rest.
Mme Ogudalov. Do you think I’m trying to talk you out of it? Go there, please do, and let your soul have its rest. But you must realize, Zabolotye is no Italy. I have to tell you that so you won’t be disillusioned. You’d blame me for not warning you.
Larisa. Thanks. But even if it will be wild there, and far away, and cold, for me, after the kind of life I’ve had here, every quiet nook will seem like heaven. Why Yuly Kapitonych is putting it off is something I can’t understand.
Mme Ogudalov. But why should he want to rush off to the country! He wants to do some showing off. And no wonder. He was nothing, and now he’s become somebody.
Larisa (sings). O tempt me not if there’s no need… How irritating, I just can’t get the right key. (She looks out the window.) Ilya, Ilya! Come in for a minute! I’ll take some songs with me to the country to play and sing when I’m bored.
Ilya enters.
Ilya. Happy birthday! May God grant you health and happiness! (He puts his peak cap on the chair by the door.)
Larisa. Ilya, give me the right key for “O tempt me not if there’s no need.” I’m always off-key. (She gives him the guitar.)
Ilya. Right away, miss. (He takes the guitar and tunes up.) That’s a pretty song. It’s good for three voices, you need a tenor for the second part… It’s awful pretty. But you know, an awful thing happened with us, an awful thing!
Mme Ogudalov. What awful thing?
Ilya. Our Anton, he sings tenor.
Mme Ogudalov. I know, I know.
Ilya. He’s our only tenor, all the rest sing bass. What basses they are, what basses! But Anton’s our only tenor.
Mme Ogudalov. So what about it?
Ilya. He’s not fit for the chorus, no good at all.
Mme Ogudalov. He’s not well?
Ilya. His health is all right, nothing wrong there.
Mme Ogudalov. Then what’s the matter with him?
Ilya. He’s bent over on one side, at an angle. He walks like that, bent over at a right angle, and he’ll be like that for another week, it’s awful! Every man is worth a lot in a chorus, but what can you do without a tenor! He went to the doctor, and the doctor says, “After a week or two it’ll go away, you’ll be straight again.” But we need him now.
Larisa. But I want you to sing!
Ilya. Right away, miss. The guitar’s out of tune. It’s awful, just awful! In a chorus you’ve got to stand up straight, and there he is bent over.
Mme Ogudalov. How did he get that way?
Ilya. From stupidity.
Mme Ogudalov. What kind of stupidity?
Ilya. That kind of stupidity our people have. I said, “Watch out, Anton, be careful now!” But he didn’t understand.
Mme Ogudalov. And we don’t understand either.
Ilya. Well, I hate to tell you, but he went on a spree, and what a spree, what a spree! I said, “Anton, watch out, careful now!” But he didn’t understand. Oh it’s awful, awful! Right now a man’s worth a hundred rubles, that’s the business at hand, the kind of gentleman we’re expecting, and there’s Anton bent over crooked. He was a real straight-up gypsy, but now he’s twisted! (He starts to sing in a bass voice.) “O tempt me not…”
Voice through the window: “Ilya, Ilya, come here! Come quick!"
Why? What do you want?
Voice from the street: “Come, the gentleman is here!"
You’re joking!
Voice from the street: “He's really come!"
I don’t have any more time, miss, the gentleman’s come. (He puts down the guitar and takes his peak cap.)
Mme Ogudalov. What gentleman?
Ilya. The one we’ve been waiting for a whole year, that one! (Hegoes off.)
Mme Ogudalov. Who do you suppose could have come? He must be rich and probably a bachelor, Larisa, since the gypsies are so glad to see him. You can see he spends time with the gypsies. Oh Larisa, have we missed out on a suitor? Why did we have to hurry so?
Larisa. Oh Mama, haven’t I suffered enough? No, I’ve been humiliated enough.
Mme Ogudalov. You used that horrible word “humiliated”! Did you mean to frighten me, perhaps? We’re poor folk, and that means being humiliated all our life. So it’s better to be humiliated when you’re young if you can later live like a human being.
Larisa. No, I can’t, it’s more than I can bear.
Mme Ogudalov. But you can’t get anything easily, and you’d stay nobody all your life.
Larisa. To pretend again, lie again!
Mme Ogudalov. So pretend then, and lie too! Happiness won’t come running after you if you run away from it. (Karandyshov enters.) Yuly Kapitonych, our Larisa’s all set to go to the country, here she’s gotten herself a basket for mushrooms.
Larisa. Yes, please, for my sake, let’s go right away!
Karandyshov. I don’t understand you. Why are you in such a hurry to get there?
Larisa. I want so much to get away from here.
Karandyshov (in an outburst). Who is it you want to get away from? Who’s persecuting you? Or could you be ashamed of me?
Larisa (coldly). No, I’m not ashamed of you, I don’t know how it’s going to be in the future, but so far you haven’t given me any cause for that.
Karandyshov. Then why run away, why hide from people? Give me some time to get settled, to pull myself together, to come to my senses. I’m glad, I’m happy. So give me a chance to feel the pleasure of my position.
Mme Ogudalov. To show off.
Karandyshov. Yes, to show off, I won’t hide it. My self-respect has suffered many, many wounds, and my pride has been offended more than once. Now I rightly want to be proud and strut some.
Larisa. Then when are you thinking of going to the country?
Karandyshov. After the wedding, whenever you want, even the very next day. Only we absolutely must get married here, so nobody can say we’re hiding out because I’m not a good match for you but just the straw a drowning man grabs for.
Larisa. But you know, Yuly Kapitonych, that last part’s almost the way it is, it’s true.
Karandyshov (angrily). Then keep that truth to yourself! (In tears.) Have a little pity on me! At least let the others think you love, that you made a free choice.
Larisa. But why do that?
Karandyshov. What do you mean, “why”? Don’t you make any allowance for self-respect in a man?
Larisa. Self-respect! All you think about is yourself! Everybody loves himself! When is anybody ever going to love me? You’re going to lead me to ruin.