Plays by Aleksandr Nikolaevich Ostrovsky Part 28

GORDeY KaRPYCH. Let's go into the reception-room, Afrikan Savvich. Wife, all of you, come there!

LYUBoV GORDeYEVNA. Where can I hide myself!

GORDeY KaRPYCH. Arina, bring along the wine!

ARiNA. Oh, wait, I can't attend to you now! My darling child! Girls, my dearies! Here's the song we'll sing. [_She sings._

"Thou art my own, my mother, Who grievest day by day, And at night to G.o.d dost pray.

Thou who art so downcast, Look but once on her here, Thy daughter who was so dear-- For the last time--the last."

LYUBoV GORDeYEVNA. For the last time.

_At the end of this song_ GORDeY KaRPYCH _and_ KoRSHUNOV _go out;_ LYUBoV GORDeYEVNA _remains in the embrace of her mother, surrounded by her friends._

ACT III

_A small room in the house of_ TORTSoV, _furnished with cupboards of various sorts; chests and shelves with plates and silver. Furniture: sofas, armchairs, and tables, all very expensive and crowded together. Usually this room is used as a sort of sitting-room for the mistress of the house, where she directs her household, and where she receives her guests informally. One door leads into the room where the guests are dining, and the other into the inner rooms._

SCENE I

ARiNA _is seated on a chair near the door leading into the dining-room; near her are several girls and women._

ARiNA. [_Looking into the dining-room_] I didn't expect this, my dear friends! I never thought to see it! He fell upon us like a hawk--like snow on the head; he seized our darling swan from the flock of her dear ones, from father, from mother, from kinsfolk, and from friends. We didn't realize what was happening. What things happen in this world of ours!

Nowadays people are double-faced and sly, crafty, and cunning. He fairly befogged Gordey Karpych with this and that in his old age, and he began to hanker after his wealth. They have engaged our lovely beauty to a disgusting old man. Now she is sitting there, my darling, broken-hearted!

Oh, I'm ready to die! After I have brought you up and nursed you, and carried you in my arms! I cared for you like a little bird--in cotton wool!

Just now she and I were talking it over together. "We won't give you up, my child," I said, "to a common man! Only if some prince comes from foreign lands, and blows his trumpet at our door." But things didn't turn out our way. Now there he sits--the man who is going to tear her away--fat and flabby! Staring and smirking at her! He likes it! Oh, confound you! Well, now they've finished eating and are getting up; I must set to work.

_Rises from her chair; the women go out;_ PELAGeYA EGoROVNA _comes in._

SCENE II

ARiNA _and_ PELAGeYA EGoROVNA

PELAGeYA EGoROVNA. Come along, Arinushka, and help me to get the table ready. Yes, I'll sit down and rest--I'm tired.

ARiNA. Of course you are tired, my dear! Day in, day out, on your feet! You aren't as young as you were once!

PELAGeYA EGoROVNA. [_Seating herself on the sofa_] Oh! Tell them to send the big samovar to the maids' room--the very biggest; and find Annushka and send her to me.

ARiNA. Certainly, certainly.

PELAGeYA EGoROVNA. Yes, go along! Go along! Oh, I can't stand it! [ARiNA _goes out_] My head's fairly splitting! Nothing but sorrow--and here comes more trouble! Yes, yes, I'm worried to death! Oh, oh, oh! I'm tired out, absolutely tired out! I've a lot to do, and my head's just spinning. I'm needed here, and I'm needed there, and I don't know what to begin on!

Really--yes--[_Sits and tries to think_] What a husband for her! What a husband! Oh, oh, oh! How can you expect her to love him! Do you think she is hankering after his money? She is a girl now--in the bloom of youth--and I suppose her heart beats now and then! What she ought to have now is a man she can love--even if he's poor--that would be life! That would be paradise!

ANNA IVaNOVNA _comes in._

SCENE III

PELAGeYA EGoROVNA _and_ ANNA IVaNOVNA

PELAGeYA EGoROVNA. Here are the keys of the tea cupboard. Go along and pour it out for the guests, and do everything that is necessary--you know yourself! I've walked my legs off! But you don't mind it; you're young yet--yes, go and serve them.

ANNA IVaNOVNA. I'd just as soon as not. It's no great work; my hands won't wear out!

PELAGeYA EGoROVNA. There--there's the tea in the cupboard, in the little red caddy.

ANNA IVaNOVNA _unlocks the door and takes out the caddy._ MiTYA _comes in._

SCENE IV

_The same and_ MiTYA

PELAGeYA EGoROVNA. What do you want, Mitya dear?

MiTYA. [_Keeping back his tears_] I--I--Pelageya Egorovna, for all your kindness, and for all your consideration--even though it may be I am not worth it--seeing that while I was an orphan--you never deserted me--and like a mother--I will be thankful to you all my life, and will always pray to G.o.d for you. [_Bows down to her feet._

PELAGeYA EGoROVNA. But what are you doing, Mitya?

MiTYA. I thank you for everything. And now good-by, Pelageya Egorovna.

[_Rises._

PELAGeYA EGoROVNA. Where are you going?

MiTYA. I plan to go to my mother's.

PELAGeYA EGoROVNA. Are you going for long?

MiTYA. Yes, I asked the master for a vacation, and it's most likely that I'll stay there for good.

PELAGeYA EGoROVNA. But why do you wish to leave us, Mitya?

MiTYA. [Hesitating] Why, I just!--You see--I've already decided.

PELAGeYA EGoROVNA. But when are you going?

MiTYA. To-night. [_Is silent_] I thought to myself that I shouldn't see you before to-night, and so I came to say good-by.