A Protegee of the Mistress:Acts III-IV

Act III. Scene I

Part of the garden; to the rear, a pond, on the shore of which is a boat. Starry night. A choral song is heard in the far distance. For a while the stage is empty.

Enter NADYA and LIZA

LIZA: Oh, Nadya, what's this we're doing? When the mistress hears of this, it'll be your last day on earth.

NADYA: If you're afraid, take yourself home.

LIZA: No, I'll wait for you. But all the same, my girl, it's awful, no matter what you say! Lord preserve us when she finds it out.

NADYA: Always singing the same tune! If you fear the wolf, keep out of the woods.

LIZA: But what has happened to you? Before, you didn't talk like this. You used to hide yourself; and now you go to him of your own accord.

NADYA: Yes, before I ran away from him; now I don't want to. (She stands musing) Now I myself don't know what has suddenly happened within me! Just when the mistress said, a short while ago, that I shouldn't dare to argue, but marry the man she said to marry, just then my whole heart revolted. “Oh, Lord, what a life for me!” I thought. (She weeps) What's the use in my living purely, guarding myself not merely from every word, but even from every look? Even so, evil seized upon me. “Why,” I thought, “should I guard myself?” I don't want to! I don't want to! It was just as if my heart died within me. It seemed that if she said another word, I should die on the spot.

LIZA: What are you saying! Why, I really thought you were coming to the master as a joke.

NADYA: As a joke! I can't bear an insult! I cannot. (Silence) Oh, Liza, if life were better, I shouldn't have come into the garden at night. You know how it used to be, when I would think about myself – I suppose it must have come into your head, too – that here you are, an honest girl; you live like a bird, suddenly you're fascinated by some man, he makes love to you, comes to see you often, kisses you… You're abashed before him, yet happy to see him. That's the way it always is. Although you may not be rich; although it may be you have to sit with your lover in the servants' room; yet it is as if you were a queen, just as if every day were a holiday for you. Then they marry you, and all congratulate you. Well, then, no matter how hard married life may be, perhaps there may be lots of work, in spite of that you live as if in paradise; just as if you were proud of something.

LIZA: Naturally, my girl.

NADYA: But when they say to you: “Pack off to this drunkard, and don't you dare argue, and don't you dare cry over yourself!”… Oh, Liza!… And then you think how that horrid man will make fun of you, will bully you, show his authority, will begin to ruin your life, all for nothing! You grow old by his side without having a chance to live. (She weeps) It breaks your heart even to tell about it! (Waving her hand) And so, indeed, the young master is better.

LIZA: Oh, Nadya; it would be better if you hadn't spoken, and I hadn't listened!

NADYA: Stop, Liza! Why are you playing the prude with me? What would you do yourself if the master fell in love with you?

LIZA (stammering): Well, how should I know? Of course, what shall I say… the old Nick is strong.

NADYA: There you are!… (Silence) Here is what I wanted to say to you, Liza. What a strange inspiration has come over me! When such thoughts came into my head, and, Liza, when I began to think about the master – then how dear he became to me!… so dear, that, really, I can't tell… Before, when he ran after me, I didn't care; but now it's just as if something drew me to him.

LIZA: Oh, my girl! Just think of it; surely this is fate!

NADYA: And such a spirit came into me, I am afraid of nothing! I feel as if you could cut me to pieces, and still I'd not change my mind. And why this is so, I don't know. (silence) I could hardly wait till night! It seems as if I could fly to him on wings! The one thing that I have in mind is that, at any rate, I am not a pretty girl for nothing; I shall have something by which to remember my youth. (Musingly) I thought to myself: “What a young man, how handsome! Am I, silly girl that I am, worth his loving me?” May I be choked here, in this lonely spot, if he does not.

LIZA: What's this, Nadya? You seem beside yourself.

NADYA: And I really am beside myself. While she spoiled me, caressed me, then I thought that I was a person like other people; and my thoughts about life were entirely different. But when she began to command me, like a doll; when I saw that I was to have no will of my own, and no protection, then, Liza, despair fell upon me. What became of my fear, of my shame – I don't know. “Only one day, but mine!” I thought; “then come what may, I don't care to inquire. Marry me off to a herdsman, lock me in a castle with thirty locks!… it's all the same to me!”

LIZA: I think the master's coming.

(LEONID enters from the opposite side, in a cloak).

NADYA: Well, Liza, isn't he handsome, ha?

LIZA: Oh, stop! You're either sick or half out of your head!

Scene II

The same and LEONID.

LEONID (approaching): I was thinking you would deceive me by not coming.

NADYA: Why did you think so?

LEONID: Well, you see, you said you didn't love me.

NADYA: No matter what girls say, don't you believe them. How could one help loving such a handsome fellow?

LEONID (surprised): Why, Nadya! He takes her hand, for a short time holds it, then kisses it.

NADYA (in fright withdrawing her hand): Oh! why did you do that? Dear, kind master! Aren't you ashamed?

LEONID: I love you ever so much, Nadya!

NADYA: You love me? Well, then, you might give me a kiss!

LEONID: May I, Nadya? Will you let me?

NADYA: What's the harm in it?

LEONID (turning about): Oh, and you, Liza, here…

LIZA: I'm going, I'm going … I shan't meddle.

LEONID (confused): I didn't mean that. Where did you get that idea?

LIZA: Oh, don't dodge. We know, too…

(She goes out behind the shrubs).

LEONID: And so you will let me kiss you? (He kisses her timidly) No, no, let me kiss your hand.

NADYA (hides her hand): No, no, how could you! What do you mean…

LEONID: Why not? I'll tell you what, you are the most precious thing on earth to me.

NADYA: Is that really so?

LEONID: You see, no one ever loved me before.

NADYA: Aren't you fooling?

LEONID: No, truly!… Truly, no one has ever loved me. Honest to God…

NADYA: Don't swear; I believe you without it.

LEONID: Let's go sit down on the bench.

NADYA: Yes, let's. (They sit down).

LEONID: Why do you tremble so?

NADYA: Am I trembling?

LEONID: You are.

NADYA: Then, it must be that I feel a bit chilly.

LEONID: Just let me wrap you up. He covers her with one side of his cloak, embracing her as he holds it around her. She takes his hand and holds it.

NADYA: And now let's sit this way and talk.

LEONID: What are we going to talk about? I shall say only one thing to you: I love you.

NADYA: You will say it, and I shall listen.

LEONID: You'll get tired of one and the same thing.

NADYA: Maybe you'll get tired of it; I never shall.

LEONID: Then let me speak. I love you, little Nadya. (He rises and kisses her).

NADYA: Why do you do that? Just sit quietly, as we said we would.

LEONID: Shall we sit like this, with our hands folded?

NADYA (laughing): Like that. Hear, a nightingale is singing in the thicket. Sit down and listen. How nice it is to listen!

LEONID: Like this?

NADYA: Yes, as we sit together. It seems as if I could sit here all my life and listen. What could be better, what more could one want?…

LEONID: Nadya, dear, that would really be a bore.

NADYA: What fellows you men are! You get sick of things in no time. But I, you see, am ready to sit out the whole night, to look at you, without lowering my eyes. It seems as if I should forget the whole world!

(Tears start in her eyes, she bends her head, and then looks at LEONID fixedly and musingly).

LEONID: Now it would be nice to go rowing; it is warm, the moon is shining.

NADYA (absently and almost mechanically): What is it, sir?

LEONID: To go rowing; I should row you out to the little island. It is so pleasant there, on the island. Well, let's go. (He takes her by the hand).

NADYA (in a revery): Where, sir?

LEONID: Where, where? I told you; didn't you hear me?

NADYA: Oh, forgive me, dearest master. I was thinking and didn't hear anything. Dearest master, forgive me!

(She lays her head upon his shoulder).

LEONID: I say, let's go to the island.

NADYA (nestling up to him): Oh, wherever you please! Even to the end of the world! If only with you… Take me wherever you want.

LEONID: Nadya, you are so good, so sweet, that it seems as if I must burst out crying, just to look at you. (They approach the boat) Good-by, Liza.

LIZA (coming from the bushes, she makes a warning gesture): Look out, you two! (LEONID and NADYA sit down in the boat and move away) There, they've gone! And I must wait here for them! This is awful, simply awful! At night, in the garden, and all alone, too! What a fix for me – afraid of everything, and… (She glances about her) Heavens, this is deadly! If there were only somebody here, it would be all right, I'd have somebody to talk to. Holy Saints! Somebody's coming! (She looks) Oh, all right; just our old folks from the fair. (She hides herself).

Scene III

Enter POTAPYCH in an overcoat and a broad-brimmed hat, and with a cane, somewhat tipsy; GAVRILOVNA in an old-fashioned bonnet. They sit down on the bench.

POTAPYCH: No, Gavrilovna, not that … don't say that!… Our lady is so … such a kind mistress!… Here, we asked if we could go to the fair, and she said to go along… But what they say about her… that I don't know: it's not my business, and so I don't know anything about it.

GAVRILOVNA: Why not let us go, Potapych? You and I are not youngsters; we shan't be spoiled!

POTAPYCH: You can't let the young folks go, because you must have models for everything, Gavrilovna. Whatever models a person has in front of him, he may, very likely … most probably…

GAVRILOVNA: Well, why did she let Grisha go? She said she wouldn't; well, and then she ought not to have done it.

POTAPYCH: Vasilisa Peregrinovna stirred me up a lot on Grisha's account a while ago … she stirred me up a lot, but I don't know. It's not my business, so I don't know anything about it.

GAVRILOVNA: What's this you were saying about models? It would be better for her to show a better example herself! As it is, she only keeps shouting: “Watch, I tell you, watch the girls!” But what's the use of watching them? Are they all babies? Every person has his own brains in his head. Let every one think for himself. All you need to do is to look out for the five-year-olds, that they don't spoil something or other. What a life for a girl! There's nothing worse on earth! But the mistress doesn't want to consider whether a girl gets much fun out of life. Well, does she get much? Say!

POTAPYCH (sighs): A dog's life.

GAVRILOVNA: It surely is! Consequently one ought to pity them and not insult them at every step. As it is, it's simply awful! Nobody trusts them at all; it's just as if they weren't human beings. Just let a girl poke her nose out, and the guards are on the job!

POTAPYCH: But you can't.

GAVRILOVNA: Can't what? You can do everything. That'll do, Potapych! You're used to saying over other people's words like a magpie; but just think for yourself.

POTAPYCH: But I don't know … I don't know anything.

GAVRILOVNA: You won't gain anything through severity. You may tell 'em, if you please, that they'll be hung for such-and-such; they'll go and do it anyway. Where there's the greatest strictness, there's the most sin. You ought to reason like a human being. No matter if our masters pay money for their wits while we have only what we're born with, we have our own way of thinking, all the same. It's all right to lay down the law strictly; but don't always punish a fellow who makes a slip; let him off now and then. Some bad comes from spoiling people; but now and then you can't help going wrong.

POTAPYCH: Now, if you ask me … what can I answer to that? How can I answer you?

GAVRILOVNA: Well, how?

POTAPYCH: Just this: I don't know anything about it, because it isn't my business … it's the mistress's business.

GAVRILOVNA: Bah, you old idiot! You've lost your wits in your old age.

POTAPYCH: Why should I … I, thanks to the lady's kindness, now in her employ … I carry out all her orders … but I don't know.

GAVRILOVNA: Well, let's go home. She may have thought up something or other about even you and me.

(They go out.)

Scene IV

LIZA (enters): Alone again! Where are those precious darlings of mine? I suppose they've forgotten about me! But, then, why should they remember me? Saints alive, it'll soon be daylight. This night is shorter than a sparrow's beak. How can we go home then? How brave that Nadya is!

(Enter VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA).

Scene V

LIZA and VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA).

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA: What are you doing there, dearest?

LIZA: Can't you see? I'm taking a stroll.

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA: I see! How can I help it? But what kind of a night-walk is this?

LIZA: Well, when can we go walking? We work all day and wait on the gentry, and we go walking at night. But I am surprised at you! Don't you walk enough daytimes that you still want to wander around at night and scare people, just like…

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA: Just like what?… Well, say it, say it!

LIZA: What? Oh, nothing.

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA: No, you said, “Just like” … well, say it now; just like who?

LIZA: I said what I said.

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA: No, don't you dare sneak out of it! Come, speak up!

LIZA: Why did you stick to it? All right, I'll tell you: like a spook.

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA: What, what! Like a spook!… How do you dare, you dirty hussy, ha? What's this! You want to push me alive into the grave! But I'll find your lover here, and take you to the mistress. Then we'll see what song you'll sing.

LIZA: I haven't any lover! There's no use in your looking. Search the whole garden if you want to! And even if I had, it's none of your business! It's shameful for you even to speak of it. You ought not even to know about it: you're an old maid. You ought to be ashamed of yourself!

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA: Sing on, sing on, my dear; you sing very finely on the wing; but you'll perch pretty soon! You're not going to roam about at night for nothing. I know your tricks. I'll show you all up! I'm so mad now, that even if you bow down to my feet, I'll not forgive you.

LIZA: Just wait! I see myself bowing before you! Don't count on it!

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA: No, now I'm going to look around every bush.

LIZA: Do it!

(VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA looks about on both sides, then approaches the pond).

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA: Ha, what's this? Do tell, what tricks they're up to! In the boat! Hugging each other! How tender that is! Just like a picture! You ought to have thought to take a guitar along and sing love-songs!… They're kissing each other! Very good! Delightful! Again! Excellent! What could be better? Phew, what an abomination! It's disgusting to look at! Well, my dears, you will remember me. Now I have nothing to say to you. To-morrow I shall! (She goes out).

LIZA: What devil brought her here? You can't clear up the mess now!

(LEONID and NADYA reach the shore and disembark from the boat).

Scene VI

LIZA, NADYA, and LEONID.

LIZA: What have you done, what have you done!..

NADYA (not listening to her, softly to LEONID): You will come to-morrow?

LEONID: I will.

LIZA: What's the matter, don't you hear?

NADYA: If I can't come, I'll send a note somehow or other.

LEONID: Good!

NADYA: Well, good-by. (They kiss).

LIZA (loudly): Nadya!

NADYA (goes up to LIZA. LEONID sits down upon the bench): What's the matter?

LIZA: Vasilisa Peregrinovna saw you rowing on the pond.

NADYA: Well, deuce take her!

LIZA: My dear girl, don't carry your head too high!

LEONID: Nadya! (NADYA goes to him) Oh, Nadya, what a vile, good-for-nothing fellow I am!

NADYA: What do you mean?

LEONID: Little Nadya! (He whispers in her ear).

NADYA (shakes her head): Oh, my precious darling, why did that come into your head? I'm not sorry for this, but you are. How kind you are! Now, good-by! It's high time. I shouldn't leave you, but I can't help it; I'm not my own mistress.

LEONID: Good-by, then!

(Slowly, as if unwillingly, they separate. NADYA returns, overtakes LEONID and gazes into his eyes).

NADYA: Do you love me?

LEONID: I do love you, indeed I do!

(They kiss and go out in different directions).

Act IV. Scene I

Same room as in second picture.

POTAPYCH is leaning against the door-jamb, his hand to his head. VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA enters quietly.

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA: Result of yesterday evening, I suppose, my friend?

POTAPYCH: Wha-a-t?

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA: Your head aches.

POTAPYCH: Did you put up the money?

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA: You haven't any money for anything else; but you have for such things.

POTAPYCH: Well, anyhow, it ain't your business.

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA: Of course, Potapych, you're an old man, why shouldn't you take a drink once in a while?

POTAPYCH: Sure, I guess I work for it.

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA: Just so, Potapych!

POTAPYCH: I'm tired of being lectured by you!

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA: I wish you well, Potapych.

POTAPYCH: No need for it! (Silence) But you keep upsetting the mistress so! If you'd only put in a word for us when she's in a good humor; but you just look for the wrong time, in order to complain of us.

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA: What do you say, Potapych? God preserve me!

POTAPYCH: What's that! No matter how much you swear, I know you! For instance, why are you coming to the mistress now?

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA: To wish the benefactress good morning.

POTAPYCH: You'd better not come.

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA: Why so?

POTAPYCH: It must be she got out the wrong side of bed; she's out of sorts. (VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA rubs her hands with pleasure) Here now, I see that you're happy; you're dying for some deviltry or other. Phew! Lord forgive us! What a disposition!

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA: You are saying insulting words to me, Potapych, insulting to my very heart. When did I ever say anything about you to the mistress?

POTAPYCH: If not about me, then about somebody else.

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA: But that's my business.

POTAPYCH: Your spite's always getting in its work.

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA: Not spite, not spite, my friend! You're mistaken! I have just been so insulted that it's impossible to live in this world after it. I shall die, but I shall not forget.

MADAM ULANBEKOV enters; POTAPYCH goes out).

Scene II

MADAM ULANBEKOV and VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA.

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA (kissing both of MADAM ULANBEKOV's hands): You have risen early, benefactress. You must have an awful lot of things on your mind.

MADAM ULANBEKOV (sitting down): I didn't sleep much. I had a bad dream.

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA: What, a dream, benefactress? The dream may be terrible, but God is merciful. Not the dream, but what is going on in reality, disturbs you, benefactress. I see that; I've seen it a long time.

MADAM ULANBEKOV: Bah, what is it to me what's going on?

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA: Why, benefactress, don't we know that your son, dear little soul! is struck with every creature he meets?

MADAM ULANBEKOV: You make me tired.

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA: I'm so sorry for you, benefactress! Don't look for any consolation in this life! You scatter benefactions upon every one; but how do they repay you? The world is full of lust.

MADAM ULANBEKOV: Go away!

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA (weeping): I can't keep back my tears when I look at you! My heart bleeds that they don't respect you, that they don't respect you even in your own house! In your honorable house, in such pious premises as these, to do such things!

MADAM ULANBEKOV (frowning): You silly crow! You want to croak about something or other. Well, croak away!

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA: Benefactress, I'm afraid it might upset you.

MADAM ULANBEKOV: You've upset me already. Talk!

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA (glances about in all directions and sits down on a stool at the feet of MADAM ULANBEKOV): Yesterday, benefactress, I was ending my evening prayer to the Heavenly Creator, and went out to stroll in the garden, and to occupy myself for the night with pious meditations.

MADAM ULANBEKOV: Well!

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA: And what did I see there, benefactress! How my legs held me up, I don't know! That Liza of yours was running through the bushes with a depraved look; it must be she was seeking her lovers. Our master, the little angel! was rowing in the boat on the pond, and Nadya, also with a depraved expression, was clinging to him with her arms about his neck, and was kissing him. And it was easy to see that he, because of his purity, was trying to thrust her away; but she kept clasping him about the neck, kissing and tempting him.

MADAM ULANBEKOV: Are you lying?

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA: You may quarter me, benefactress.

MADAM ULANBEKOV: It's enough if there is one grain of truth in your words.

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA: It's all true, benefactress.

MADAM ULANBEKOV: Fiddlesticks! not all – it can't be! You always make up more than half. But where were the servants?

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA: All of them, benefactress, were more or less drunk. No sooner had you gone to bed, than they all went to the fair and got tipsy. Gavrilovna, Potapych, all were drunk. What an example to the young!

MADAM ULANBEKOV: This must be looked into thoroughly. Of course, I shouldn't have expected the least mischief of Leonid. Quiet lads like him! Well, if he'd been a soldier, it would be pardonable; but as it is… (She muses).

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA: And furthermore, benefactress, so far Grisha hasn't come back from the fair.

MADAM ULANBEKOV: How's that? He didn't sleep at home?

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA: He did not, benefactress!

MADAM ULANBEKOV: You lie, you lie, you lie! I'll drive you off the place!

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA: May I die in my tracks!

MADAM ULANBEKOV (sinking back in her chair): You want to kill me. (Raising herself from the chair) You simply want to kill me. (She rings. Enter POTAPYCH) Where's Grisha?

POTAPYCH: Just came, ma'am.

MADAM ULANBEKOV: Send him here! (POTAPYCH goes out) This certainly beats all!

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA: You'll not find anybody more devoted than I, benefactress; only I am unhappy in one respect: that my disposition displeases you.

Enter GRISHA, his hair tousled and dishevelled).

Scene III

The same, and GRISHA).

MADAM ULANBEKOV: Where've you been?

GRISHA (now opens, now closes his eyes, not sure of his tongue, and unsteady on his legs): At the fair, ma'am.

MADAM ULANBEKOV: Just come from it? (GRISHA is silent) Why don't you talk? (Silence) Am I going to get a word out of you, or not?

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA: Answer the mistress.

GRISHA: What's that to you?

MADAM ULANBEKOV: Answer me! Where have you been all this time?

GRISHA: I've done wrong, ma'am.

MADAM ULANBEKOV: I'm not asking you whether you've done wrong or not; I'm asking you where you were!

GRISHA (looks at the ceiling with a vacant stare): Why, where should I be? The idea! The same place as usual!

MADAM ULANBEKOV: Well, where's that?

GRISHA: I just informed you that I was there all the time, ma'am.

MADAM ULANBEKOV: You'll drive me out of patience! Where's there?

GRISHA: But, really, ma'am! Your will in everything, ma'am. What did I, ma'am… I've done wrong, ma'am.

MADAM ULANBEKOV: Good Lord! You're still drunk, I guess.

GRISHA: Not a bit, ma'am.

MADAM ULANBEKOV: Nonsense! I can see.

GRISHA: But, really, ma'am! One can say anything about a man.

MADAM ULANBEKOV: Bah, you disgraceful scamp! He still denies it! This is awful! This is awful! Now, speak up, where've you been?

GRISHA: Why, really, ma'am! I just informed you, ma'am.

MADAM ULANBEKOV: Were you at the fair all night?

GRISHA: I just informed you so, ma'am.

MADAM ULANBEKOV: How did you dare, when I let you go for only a short time?

GRISHA: Well, really, ma'am! I did want to go home, but they wouldn't let me, ma'am.

MADAM ULANBEKOV: Who wouldn't let you go?

GRISHA: My friends wouldn't, ma'am.

MADAM ULANBEKOV: Who are these friends of yours?

GRISHA: Why, really, ma'am! Government office clerks.

MADAM ULANBEKOV: Great heavens! Clerks! Do you understand what kind of people they are?

GRISHA: Who, ma'am, clerks? Understand what about them, ma'am?

MADAM ULANBEKOV: And you prowled about with them all night! It would have been better if you hadn't told me, nasty scamp that you are! I know how they act! They'll teach you all sorts of things! What does this mean? Be-gone! And don't you dare show yourself before my eyes!

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA: Ask forgiveness, you blockhead! Kiss the dear lady's hand!

(GRISHA waves his hand impatiently and goes out).

MADAM ULANBEKOV: What an affliction! It'll simply make me ill! Already I feel my spasms are beginning. What a worthless scamp! He went out just as if he had no responsibilities! And without a sign of repentance!

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA: Ah, benefactress, you see he's still a child; he did it just out of stupidity.

MADAM ULANBEKOV: No, he needs a good…

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA: What do you say, benefactress? He's still a regular booby! What can you expect of him! He'll get wiser, then it will be altogether different.

MADAM ULANBEKOV: What offends me most is ingratitude! It seems to me he ought to feel what I am doing for him. I'm positively sick. Go for the doctor!

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA: Calm yourself, benefactress; as if that rabble were worth your getting upset over!

MADAM ULANBEKOV: Hand me the smelling-salts.

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA (hands her them): Snap your fingers at them, that's all. Now, if only those girls…

MADAM ULANBEKOV: Oh, here's another affliction! Now I certainly can't collect my thoughts; I'm completely distracted, and now she begins on the girls! I shall take to my bed at any moment.

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA: Lust, benefactress, is beyond all endurance.

MADAM ULANBEKOV: No, they needn't expect any mercy from me. As it is, I forgive one, then another, and so the whole crowd is spoiled. (She rings; enter POTAPYCH) Call Nadezhda, and come here yourself! (POTAPYCH goes out) That's what it is to be a woman. If I were a man, would they dare be so willful?

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA: They don't give a fig for you, benefactress, not a fig. They aren't a little bit afraid of you!

MADAM ULANBEKOV: They're going to find out pretty quick whether I amount to anything.

(Enter POTAPYCH and NADYA. GAVRILOVNA and LIZA look through the door).

Scene IV

The same, POTAPYCH and NADYA

MADAM ULANBEKOV: Nadezhda! Vasilisa PEREGRINOVNA says she saw you in the garden last night with the master. Is that so? (NADYA is silent) You're silent, that means it's true. Well, now, you can thank yourself. I'm not a conniver at loose conduct, and I won't endure it in my house. I can't turn you out as a vagabond, that would weigh upon my conscience. I am obliged to marry you off. (to POTAPYCH) Send to town and tell NEGLIGENTOV that I shall marry Nadya to him; and let the wedding be just as soon as possible.

(She rises from her chair and is about to leave).

NADYA (falling at her feet): Whatever you wish, only not marriage with him!

MADAM ULANBEKOV: Fiddlesticks! What I have once said is sacred. And what do you mean by this scene? Can't you see that I'm not well? To keep on plaguing me! Potapych! She has no father; you be a father to her instead; and impress upon her in fatherly fashion the baseness of her conduct, and the fact that she must obey my commands.

POTAPYCH: You listen, Nadezhda, to what the mistress commands! Because when she intrusts you to me, it means that I must show my authority over you. If you command it, mistress, I can at once, in your presence, give her some moral instruction with my own hand! Here, if you dare to say one tiny word to the contrary, I'll drag you off by the hair, no matter what any one says.

(He raises his hand threateningly.)

NADYA: Oh!… (She crouches.)

MADAM ULANBEKOV: Don't strike her! What disgusting scenes!

POTAPYCH: But, mistress! You can't get results by talking! Besides, if I'm her father, that's the regular thing! That's the law, and according to that, since she is rebelling against you now, I ought to give you that satisfaction.

NADYA (weeping): Mistress, don't ruin me!

MADAM ULANBEKOV: Oh, my God! You don't spare me at all. Tears, squabblings! Send for the doctor at once! How many times have I got to say it? It's your own fault, you've nobody to blame for your tears. Potapych! get this business over with! I don't like to repeat the same thing ten times over.

(She goes out, GAVRILOVNA after her. Silence. GAVRILOVNA returns).

GAVRILOVNA: She's gone to bed, and banged the door behind her.

POTAPYCH (at the window): Antoshka! Antoshka! Post boy! Saddle the horse and ride to town for the doctor. Oh, you! Lord!

NADYA (rising from her knees): Don't you think it's a sin for you to abuse me, Potapych? What have I ever done to you?

POTAPYCH: What do I care? What do I care about you? When the mistress really wants something, I have to try to please her in every way; because I was born her servant.

NADYA: If she had commanded you to kill me, would you have done it?

POTAPYCH: That's not my affair, I can't argue about that.

GAVRILOVNA: That's enough, Nadya, don't cry! God doesn't abandon orphans.

(NADYA falls upon GAVRILOVNA'S bosom).

LIZA (to VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA): Well, is your heart content now?

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA: Wait, my dear, your turn will come.

LEONID enters).

Scene V

The same and LEONID).

LEONID: What's this? What has happened?

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA: You made all the trouble yourself, and then ask what has happened.

LEONID: What trouble did I make? What are you continually thinking up?

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA: Now, don't pretend! The whole truth has come out. You've been having a little fun. What of it? At your age, why shouldn't you have?

LIZA: She's reported the whole thing to the mistress. The mistress got so angry that it was awful! And now, sir, she is going to marry Nadya to that government clerk.

LEONID: Are you sure?

NADYA: The thing's settled, dearest master! I have to answer for last evening's sport.

LEONID: Is mamma very angry?

GAVRILOVNA: No one dares go near her.

LEONID: But how can that be? Isn't it possible to talk her over somehow or other?

GAVRILOVNA: Just go and try. No, she won't come out of her room now for five days; and she won't let any one at all see her there.

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA: Do you want to talk your mamma over?

LEONID: Yes.

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA: Do you want me to tell you how?

LEONID: Please be so kind, Vasilisa Peregrinovna.

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA: Well, permit me. Our benefactress is very much hurt at Grisha, because he didn't spend the night at home: he came in drunk, and didn't even ask forgiveness nor kiss her hand. It was this vexation that made her sick. And then this Nadezhda happened to come her way when she was angry. Now our benefactress won't even come out of her room, and won't allow any one to go to her, so long as that stubborn Grisha doesn't beg forgiveness.

GAVRILOVNA: How contrarily everything happened! Grisha will keep up his character, too. Although he is a blockhead, he has some sense. Now he'll flop down on the hay and he'll lie there on his belly for four days.

POTAPYCH: Somebody ought to take Uncle Gerasim's club and dress him down from top to toe.

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA: Now, our dear master, wouldn't you like to go present your compliments to him, in order that he might hurry up and ask your mamma's forgiveness?

LEONID (upon reflection): That would be too great an honor for him. But see here, Gavrilovna, is mamma actually very angry?

GAVRILOVNA: So angry, sir, that it's terrible!

LEONID: Well, what's to be done now!

NADYA: Why are you bothering? You see, there's nothing you can do: better leave me! Now you'll soon go away to Petersburg; you will be happy: why should you think about such trifles, or disturb yourself?

LEONID: Why, you see, I'm sorry for you!

NADYA: Don't be sorry, if you please! I ran to my own destruction of my own free will, like a mad girl, without once stopping to think.

LEONID: What are you planning to do now?

NADYA: That's my business.

LEONID: But, you see, it's going to be very hard for you.

NADYA: What business is it of yours? It will be all the happier for you.

LEONID: But why do you talk like this?

NADYA: Because you're still a boy!… Leave me!

LEONID: But, you see, he's such a drunken, vile fellow.

NADYA: Oh, my God! It would be better for you to go off somewhere: out of my sight.

LEONID: Yes, really, it would be better for me to spend a week with our neighbors.

NADYA: For God's sake, do!

LEONID: But Nadya, if it should be awfully hard for you to live with your husband, what then?

NADYA (weeping): Oh, leave me alone! Be good enough to leave me alone! (Sobbing) I beg only one thing of you: leave me, for God's sake! (She sobs).

GAVRILOVNA and LIZA. (Motioning with their hands): Go away! Go away!

LEONID: Why do you drive me out? I guess I'm sorry enough for her! I keep thinking somehow or other, that it may still be possible to help her in some way.

NADYA (with desperation): I don't want any helpers or defenders! I don't want them! If my patience fails, that pond of ours isn't far off!

LEONID (timidly): Well, I'll go away if you wish… Only what is she saying? You folks, look after her, please! Good-by! (He goes to the door).

NADYA (after him in a loud voice): Good-by!

(LEONID goes out).

LIZA: And so the old proverb is true: What's fun for the cat is tears for the mouse.

Footnote: