Fruits of Culture Part 34

THEODORE IVaNITCH. Then are we not to accept their money?

ANNA PaVLOVNA. Their money? Oh yes, take their money; but they must be turned out at once, especially this one! He is quite rotten!

THIRD PEASANT. That's not just, lady. G.o.d's my witness, it's not just!

You'd better ask my old woman, let's say, whether I am rotten! I'm clear as crystal, let's say.

ANNA PaVLOVNA. He talks!... Off, off with him! It's all to spite me!...

Oh, I can't bear it, I can't!... Send for the doctor! [Runs away, sobbing. Exit also Jacob and Gregory].

TaNYA [to Betsy] Miss Elizabeth, darling, what am I to do now?

BETSY. Never mind, you go with them and I'll arrange it all. [Exit].

FIRST PEASANT. Well, your reverence, how about the reception of the sum now?

SECOND PEASANT. Let us settle up, and go.

THIRD PEASANT [fumbling with the packet of bank-notes] Had I known, I'd not have come for the world. It's worse than a fever!

THEODORE IVaNITCH [to Doorkeeper] Show them into my room. There's a counting-board there. I'll receive their money. Now go.

DOORKEEPER. Come along.

THEODORE IVaNITCH. And it's Tanya you have to thank for it. But for her you'd not have had the land.

FIRST PEASANT. That's just it. As she made the proposal, so she put it into effect.

THIRD PEASANT. She's made men of us. Else what were we? We had so little land, no room to let a hen out, let's say, not to mention the cattle.

Good-bye, dear! When you get to the village, come to us and eat honey.

SECOND PEASANT. Let me get home and I'll start brewing the beer for the wedding! You will come?

TaNYA. Yes, I'll come, I'll come! [Shrieks] Simon, this is fine, isn't it? [Exeunt Peasants].

THEODORE IVaNITCH. Well, Tanya, when you have your house I'll come to visit you. Will you welcome me?

TaNYA. Dear Theodore Ivanitch, just the same as we would our own father!

[Embraces and kisses him].

Curtain.

END OF "FRUITS OF CULTURE."