Plays by Aleksandr Nikolaevich Ostrovsky Part 10

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! n.o.body 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 sh.o.r.e 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?