Plays by Aleksandr Nikolaevich Ostrovsky Part 11

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._

IV

Same room as in second picture

SCENE I[1]

[Footnote 1: The whole scene in a whisper.]

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? G.o.d 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.