Plays by Aleksandr Nikolaevich Ostrovsky Part 37

BABaYEV. Yes, but that was in an entirely different social circle. There manners are much more free.

LUKeRYA. How do you know whether my sister has freedom or hasn't?

BABaYEV. [_Taking both her hands_] At all events, I'm so glad, so thankful to you for furnishing me with diversion when I was bored. Don't you want something? Be good enough to make yourself at home; everything is at your service. Will you have some tea?

LUKeRYA. Thank you, I've just had tea. But I must hurry home now. I have to attend to some matters with sister. Shall I extend her your greetings?

BABaYEV. Please be so kind.

LUKeRYA. [_Going to the door_] Why don't you invite sister and me to call on you?

BABaYEV. I should be so happy to have you, only I really don't know how to arrange it. I should like very much to see Tatyana Danilovna.

LUKeRYA. If you wish to see her, then where's the obstacle? She isn't a princess imprisoned behind ten locks. You'll go for a walk, no doubt, as you can't remain in your room?

BABaYEV. I should like to go, but I hardly know in what direction.

LUKeRYA. You needn't go far. Stroll out of the rear gate to the river-bank, sit down on the bench and enjoy the beauty of nature. It's a quiet, secluded place; few people ever go there. It's a most delightful walk for sentimental young people. Sister and I will go that way, and there you may be able to see her. Good day! [_She goes out._

BABaYEV. What a surprise! Could I have expected such good fortune? Little Tanya, little Tanya! I shall see her again! I'll go mad with joy. She was so charming, so delicate. Some people said that she didn't have much sense, but is that a fault in a woman? And then her beauty, her beauty! It's likely that instead of four days I'll stay four weeks. [_Goes out._

TABLEAU II

_The bank of a river; at one side a fence and gate, at the other a corner of a barn; beyond the river stretches the countryside; sunset._

SCENE I

_Enter_ ARKHiP _and_ AFoNYA

AFoNYA. Grandfather, let's rest here awhile. I feel ill to-day. Sit down here, on the bench.

ARKHiP. Very well, Afonya, we'll sit down here. You and I are unfortunate: age is overcoming me and sickness you.

AFoNYA. I'm not ailing. I was born so. Grandfather, I shan't live long in this bright world.

ARKHiP. Don't listen to old wives' tales. No one knows what fate awaits him.

AFoNYA. What do I care for old wives! I know that I shall not live long. My appet.i.te is failing. Others have such hearty appet.i.tes after working. They eat a whole lot and want more. There's brother Lev, when he's tired--just keep giving him food. But I don't care if I never eat at all. My soul won't take anything. I just swallow a crust--and am satisfied.

ARKHiP. That helps growth.

AFoNYA. No, it doesn't. Why should I grow any more, anyhow! As it is, I am tall for my age. But it's a sign that I shall not live. Just listen, grandfather; a man who is alive thinks of living things, but I don't have any interest in anything. Some people like nice clothes, but for me it's all the same--whatever rag is near at hand--just so I'm warm. For instance, all the boys have some hobby; some like fishing, others games, some sing songs; but nothing attracts me. While others are happy I feel depressed.

Misery seems to grip my heart.

ARKHiP. That is G.o.d's gift to you. From your childhood you have had no love for this vain world. Some lose their faint-heartedness with years, when woes and afflictions, Afonya, crush and grind a man into powder; but you have never lived, have not yet tasted the world's sorrows or joys, and yet you reason like an old man. Thank G.o.d that he has made you wise. The world does not charm you: you do not know temptation, so your sins are less. That is your good fortune. Just listen to me. I, Afonya, have known temptation and have not always turned aside from it, and most often I sought temptation of my own free will. You say everything seems the same to you, that nothing in the world delights you; but to me G.o.d's world was good and bright. Everything beckoned and charmed me. An unsated eye and free will command one to taste all the pleasures of the universe. But in the world, Afonya, good and evil go hand in hand. Well, one's sins may be more in number than the sands of the sea. Luckily G.o.d prolonged my life, that I might repent, and did not strike me down in my sins. We repent and humble ourselves and hope for mercy; but you will have nothing to repent of; you, Afonya, are a man of G.o.d.

AFoNYA. No, grandfather, no, do not speak so. How am I a man of G.o.d? I have seen men of G.o.d, but they are good and do not remember evil. They are abused and mocked, but they laugh at it, while I am rough and harsh, just like my brother; only brother is forgiving though quick-tempered, while I am not. I, grandfather, I have an evil temper.

ARKHiP. At whom should you be angry, my child; who injures you?

AFoNYA. No one injures me, but my heart aches for every one--for you, for brother, for all of you.

ARKHiP. Why are you grieving for us? We have nothing to complain of.

AFoNYA. We didn't have anything to complain of, grandfather, before brother married. Grandfather, why does brother love his wife so?

ARKHiP. Why shouldn't he love her? Why did he marry her? You should be happy because he loves his wife. What a foolish fellow you are!

AFoNYA. No, I speak the truth. Formerly brother used to love you and me much more than now.

ARKHiP. So you are jealous! Probably you are envious.

AFoNYA. No, it isn't envy; but is my brother blind? Does she love him as he does her? Is she worthy of him? Why is he so servile in the presence of her and her kin? His servility offends me. Is he inferior to her and her sister? One marries a wife to have a helper; but she sits with folded hands. Brother alone works and dances attendance on them. I pity him.

ARKHiP. What business is it of yours? It's his own choice. He works and doesn't force you to. You and I are fed by his kindness.

AFoNYA. Don't I know that? Tell me, grandfather, is she any better than brother or not?

ARKHiP. Better or not, she is of different sort.

AFoNYA. What do you mean by "different sort"! As it is, brother is obliged to work for them, feed and clothe them, while they give themselves airs.

There isn't a better man in the world than brother, and they have made him their drudge.

ARKHiP. How do you know? Your brother himself may not wish her to work.

AFoNYA. But if she doesn't work then she'd better not put on airs. Since she married a commoner she should be one like the rest of us. Are we a sort of accursed people? Lord, pardon me for saying it! We too have our communal society and we pay taxes and take part in other obligations. My brother gets money by sweat and toil, and contributes it to the community. She might stay at home and play the lady, but if she marries, then she should know that there is one master in the house--her husband. You see, grandfather, I see and hear everything, since they are so shameless as not to pay any heed to me. Brother gives her kerchiefs and silk dresses, while she and her sister laugh at him and call him a fool. I hear it all; it is bitter to me, grandfather, bitter. I began to speak to brother about it, but he scolded me. [_Pause_] Grandfather, that is why I can't sleep. What I see by day appears to me at night, gnaws at my heart, and I weep all night.

I shan't live long. My health cannot improve now because my temper is altogether too violent. If G.o.d would only take me quickly so that I should have less suffering!

ARKHiP. Don't say such sinful things! You have to live and live! You see, Afonya, I have nothing to live for, yet I keep on living. G.o.d knows the reason of all this. What a man I am! I never see the fair sun or the bright moon, and likewise I shall never see the green meadows or the cool waters and all creatures of G.o.d. But hardest of all is that I cannot see the bright face of man.

AFoNYA. It is a pity, grandfather, that you cannot see; but I'm tired of everything, nothing comforts me.

ARKHiP. The reason you are not comforted is that your heart is not at peace. Look at G.o.d's world longer and more often, and less at men and women, and you will become lighter of heart; you will sleep at night and have pleasant dreams. Where are we sitting now, Afonya?

AFoNYA. On the bank, grandfather, beside Prokofyevna's house.

ARKHiP. Is the bridge at our right?

AFoNYA. Yes, grandfather.

ARKHiP. Is the sun at our left?

AFoNYA. Yes, grandfather, but it's almost set.