Redemption and two other plays Part 52

SAHaTOF (shrugging his shoulders). Dear me, this is very interesting, you know. I think you should try him.

LEONiD FYoDORITCH. So we will! And he is not alone; there are thousands of mediums, only we do not know them. Why, only a short time ago a bedridden old woman moved a brick wall!

SAHaTOF. Moved a brick ... a brick wall?

LEONiD FYoDORITCH. Yes, yes. She was lying in bed, and did not even know she was a medium. She just leant her arm against the wall, and the wall moved!

SAHaTOF. And did not cave in?

LEONiD FYoDORITCH. And did not cave in.

SAHaTOF. Very strange! Well, then, I'll come this evening.

LEONiD FYoDORITCH. Pray, do. We shall have a seance in any case.

[SAHATOF puts on his outdoor things; LEONiD FYoDORITCH sees him to the door.

PORTER (to TaNYA). Do tell your mistress! Am I to spend the night here?

TaNYA. Wait a little; she's going to drive out with the young lady, so she'll soon be coming downstairs.

[Exit.

LEONiD FYoDORITCH (comes up to the PEASANTS, who bow and offer him their presents). That's not necessary!

FIRST PEASANT (smiling). Oh, but this-here is our first duty, it is!

It's also the Commune's orders that we should do it!

SECOND PEASANT. That's always been the proper way.

THIRD PEASANT. Say no more about it! 'Cause as we are much satisfied.... As our parents, let's say, served, let's say, your parents, so we would like the same with all our hearts ... and not just anyhow!

[Bows.

LEONiD FYoDORITCH. But what is it about? What do you want?

FIRST PEASANT. It's to your honor we've come....

[Enter PETRiSTCHEF briskly, in fur-lined overcoat.

PETRiSTCHEF. Is Vasily Leoniditch awake yet?

[Seeing LEONiD FYoDORITCH, bows, moving only his head.

LEONiD FYoDORITCH. You have come to see my son?

PETRiSTCHEF. I? Yes, just to see Vovo for a moment.

LEONiD FYoDORITCH. Step in, step in.

[PETRiSTCHEF takes off his overcoat and walks in briskly. Exit.

LEONiD FYoDORITCH (to PEASANTS). Well, what is it you want?

SECOND PEASANT. Please accept our presents!

FIRST PEASANT (smiling). That's to say, the peasants' offerings.

THIRD PEASANT. Say no more about it; what's the good? We wish you the same as if you were our own father! Say no more about it!

LEONiD FYoDORITCH. All right. Here, Theodore, take these.

THEODORE IVaNITCH (to PEASANTS). Give them here.

[Takes the presents.

LEONiD FYoDORITCH. Well, what is the business?

FIRST PEASANT. We've come to your honor....

LEONiD FYoDORITCH. I see you have; but what do you want?

FIRST PEASANT. It's about making a move towards completing the sale of the land. It comes to this....

LEONiD FYoDORITCH. Do you mean to buy the land?

FIRST PEASANT. That's just it. It comes to this.... I mean the buying of the property of the land. The Commune has given us, let's say, the power of atturning, to enter, let's say, as is lawful, through the Government bank, with a stamp for the lawful amount.

LEONiD FYoDORITCH. You mean that you want to buy the land through the land-bank.

FIRST PEASANT. That's just it. Just as you offered it to us last year.

It comes to this, then, the whole sum in full for the buying of the property of the land is 32,864 roubles.

LEONiD FYoDORITCH. That's all right, but how about paying up?

FIRST PEASANT. As to the payment, the Commune offers just as it was said last year--to pay in 'stalments, and your receipt of the ready money by lawful regulations, 4000 roubles in full. [2]

SECOND PEASANT. Take 4000 now, and wait for the rest of the money.

THIRD PEASANT (unwrapping a parcel of money). And about this be quite easy. We should p.a.w.n our own selves rather than do such a thing just anyhow say, but in this way, let's say, as it ought to be done.

LEONiD FYoDORITCH. But did I not write and tell you that I should not agree to it unless you brought the whole sum?

FIRST PEASANT. That's just it. It would be more agreeable, but it is not in our possibilities, I mean.

LEONiD FYoDORITCH. Well then, the thing can't be done!

FIRST PEASANT. The Commune, for example, relied its hopes on that, that you made the offer last year to sell it in easy 'stalments....