The Live Corpse Part 16

ARTeMYEV [approaches] Excuse me, but I heard your story. It's a very good story, and more than that--a very useful one! You say it's horrid when one has no money? There's nothing more horrid. But you, in your position, should always have money. Aren't you a corpse? Well then ...

FeDYA. Excuse me! I did not speak to you and don't want your advice.

ARTeMYEV. But I want to give it! You are a corpse; but suppose you come to life again? Then they, your wife and that gentleman, who are so happy--they would be bigamists, and at best would be sent to the less distant parts of Siberia. So why should you lack money?

FeDYA. I beg you to leave me alone.

ARTeMYEV. Simply write a letter. I'll write it for you if you like; only give me their address, and you'll be grateful to me.

FeDYA. Be off, I tell you! I have told you nothing!

ARTeMYEV. Yes, you have! Here's my witness. The waiter heard you say you were a corpse.

WAITER. I know nothing about it.

FeDYA. You scoundrel!

ARTeMYEV. Am I a scoundrel? Eh, police! I'll give him in charge!

Fedya rises to go, but Artemyev holds him. Enter policeman.

Curtain.

SCENE 2

The ivy-covered verandah of a bungalow in the country. Anna Dmitrievna Karenina. Lisa (pregnant), nurse, and boy.

LISA. Now he's on his way from the station.

BOY. Who is?

LISA. Papa.

BOY. Papa's coming from the station?

LISA. _C'est etonnant comme il l'aime, tout-a-fait comme son pere._[23]

[23] It is surprising how he loves him--just as if he were his father.

ANNA DMiTRIEVNA. _Tant mieux! Se souvient-il de son pere veritable?_[24]

[24] So much the better! Does he remember his real father?

LISA [sighs] I never speak to him about it. I say to myself, "Why confuse him?" Sometimes I think I ought to tell him. What is your opinion, _Maman_?

ANNA DMiTRIEVNA. I think it is a matter of feeling, Lisa, and if you obey your feelings your heart will tell you what to say and when to say it. What a wonderful conciliator death is! I confess there was a time when Fedya--whom I had known from a child--was repulsive to me; but now I only remember him as that nice lad, Victor's friend, and as the pa.s.sionate man who sacrificed himself--illegally and irreligiously, but still sacrificed himself--for those he loved. _On aura beau dire, l'action est belle._[25]... I hope Victor will not forget to bring the wool: I've hardly any left. [Knits].

[25] Say what one likes--it is a fine action.

LISA. I hear him coming.

The sound of wheels and bells is heard. Lisa rises, and goes to the edge of the veranda.

LISA. There's someone with him, a lady in a bonnet--It's Mother! I have not seen her for an age. [Goes to the door].

Enter Karenin and Anna Pavlovna.

ANNA PaVLOVNA [kisses Lisa and Anna Dmitrievna] Victor met me, and has brought me here.

ANNA DMiTRIEVNA. He has done well.

ANNA PaVLOVNA. Yes, certainly. I thought to myself, "When shall I see her again?" and kept putting it off. But now I've come, and if you don't turn me out I will stay till the last train.

KAReNIN [kisses his wife, mother, and the boy] D'you know what a piece of luck! Congratulate me--I have two days' holiday. They'll be able to get on without me to-morrow.

LISA. Splendid! Two days! It's long since we had that! We'll drive to the Hermitage, shall we?

ANNA PaVLOVNA. What a likeness! Isn't he a strapping fellow? If only he has not inherited everything--his father's heart ...

ANNA DMiTRIEVNA. But not his weakness.

LISA. No, everything! Victor agrees with me that if only he had been rightly guided in childhood ...

ANNA PaVLOVNA. Well, I don't know about that; but I simply can't think of him without tears.

LISA. No more can we. How much higher he stands now in our recollection!

ANNA PaVLOVNA. Yes, I am sure of it.

LISA. How it all seemed insoluble at one time--and then everything suddenly came right.

ANNA DMiTRIEVNA. Well, Victor, did you get the wool?

KAReNIN. Yes, I did. [Brings a bag, and takes out parcels]. Here is the wool, and this is the eau-de-Cologne; and here are letters--one "On Government Service" for you, Lisa [hands her a letter]. Well Anna Pavlovna, if you want to wash your hands I will show you your room. I must make myself tidy too; it is almost dinner time. Lisa, Anna Pavlovna's room is the corner one downstairs, isn't it?

Lisa is pale; holds the letter in trembling hands, and reads it.

KAReNIN. What's the matter? Lisa, what is it?

LISA. He is alive!... Oh G.o.d! When will he release me! Victor, what does this mean? [Sobs].

KAReNIN [Takes letter and reads] This is dreadful!

ANNA DMiTRIEVNA. What is it? Why don't you tell me?

KAReNIN. It is dreadful! He's alive, she's a bigamist, and I a criminal! It's a notice from the Examining Magistrate--a summons for Lisa to appear before him.