SHPIGELSKY. My honoured friend! It's reckoned over fifteen miles from your place here; at least three times every mile you put that very question to me. . . . Isn't that enough for you? Now listen; but this is the last time I give way to you. This is what Natalya Petrovna said to me: 'I . . .'
BOLSHINTSOV [nodding]. Yes.
SHPIGELSKY [with annoyance]. Yes! Why, what do you mean by 'yes'? I've told you nothing yet. ... 'I don't know,' says she, 'Mr. Bolshintsov very well, but he seems to me a good man; on the other hand, I don't intend to force Vera's inclinations; and so, let him visit us, and if he wins . . .'
BOLSHINTSOV. Wins? She said 'wins'?
SHPIGELSKY. 'If he wins her affections, Anna Semyon-ovna and I will not oppose . ..'
BOLSHINTSOV. Will not oppose? Is that what she said? Will not oppose?
SHPIGELSKY. Yes, yes, yes. What a queer fellow you are! 'We will not oppose their happiness.'
BOLSHINTSOV. Hm.
SHPIGELSKY. 'Their happiness.' . . . Yes, but observe, Afanasy Ivanitch, what your task is now. . . . You have now to persuade Vera Alexandrovna herself that marrying you really will be happiness for her; you have to win her affection.
BOLSHINTSOV [blinking]. Yes, yes, win . . . exactly so. I agree with you.
SHPIGELSKY. You insisted on my bringing you here. .. . Well, let's see how you will act.
BOLSHINTSOV. Act? Yes, yes, we must act, we must win . . . exactly so. Only you see, Ignaty Ilyitch . . . May I confess, admit to you, as to my best friend, one of my weaknesses: I did, as you truly say, wish you to bring me here to-day. . . .
SHPIGELSKY. You didn't wish it, you insisted, absolutely insisted on it....
BOLSHINTSOV. Oh, well, we'll grant that. ... I agree with you. But you see ... at home ... I certainly .,. at home I felt I was ready for anything; but now you know I feel overcome with fears.
SHPIGELSKY. But what are you afraid of?
BOLSHINTSOV [glancing at him from under his brows]. The risk, sir.
SHPIGELSKY. Wha-at?
BOLSHINTSOV. The risk. There's a great risk. I must, Ignaty Ilyitch, I must confess to you that. . .
SHPIGELSKY [interrupting him]. As to 'your best friend.' We know all about it. ... Get on. ...
BOLSHINTSOV. Exactly so. ... I agree with you. I must confess to you, Ignaty Ilyitch, that I have had very little to do with ladies, with the female sex, in general, if I may say so; I will confess frankly, Ignaty Ilyitch, that I simply can't imagine what one can talk about to a person of the female sex--and alone with her too . . . and especially a young lady.
SHPIGELSKY. You surprise me. I really don't know what one can't talk about to a person of the female sex, especially a young lady, and particularly alone with her.
BOLSHINTSOV. Oh . .. you . .. Good gracious, but I'm not you. So you see it's just in this case I want to appeal to you, Ignaty Ilyitch. They say that in these affairs it's the first step that counts, so couldn't you just ... to give me a start in the conversation . . . tell me of something to say, something agreeable in the way, for instance, of an observation ... and then I can get along. After that I could manage somehow by myself.
SHPIGELSKY. I won't tell you anything to say, Afanasy Ivanovitch, because nothing I could tell you would be of any use to you . . . but I will give you some advice if you like.
BOLSHINTSOV. My dear sir, pray do. ... And as to my gratitude . . . you know . . .
SHPIGELSKY. Oh, come, come, I'm not bargaining with you, am I?
BOLSHINTSOV [dropping his voice]. You can reckon on the three horses.
SHPIGELSKY. Oh, that will do. ... You see, Afanasy Ivanovitch . . . You are unquestionably a capital fellow in every respect . . . [BOLSHINTSOV makes a slight bow] a man of excellent qualities. . . .
BOLSHINTSOV. Oh dear!
SHPIGELSKY. You are, besides, the owner, I believe, of three hundred serfs.
BOLSHINTSOV. Three hundred and twenty, sir.
SHPIGELSKY. Not mortgaged?
BOLSHINTSOV. I owe nobody a farthing.
SHPIGELSKY. There you are. I've been telling you, you're an excellent man and the most eligible of suitors. But you say yourself you've had very little to do with ladies. ...
BOLSHINTSOV [with a sigh]. That's just so. I may say, Ignaty Ilyitch, I've avoided the female sex from a child.
SHPIGELSKY [with a sigh]. Quite so. That's not a vice in a husband; quite the contrary; but still in certain circumstances, at the first declaration of love, for instance, it is essential to be able to say something. . . isn't it?
BOLSHINTSOV. I quite agree with you.
SHPIGELSKY. Or else, you know, Vera Alexandrovna may simply suppose that you feel unwell--and nothing more. Besides, though your exterior figure is also perfectly presentable in all respects, it does not offer any feature very striking at first sight... not at first sight, you know, and that's what's wanted in this case.
BOLSHINTSOV [with a sigh]. That's what's wanted in this case.
SHPIGELSKY. Young ladies are attracted by it, anyway. And then, your age too ... in fact, it's not for you and me to try to please. And so it's no good for you to think of agreeable remarks. That's a poor thing to depend on. But you have something else to count upon, far firmer and more reliable, and that's virtues, my dear Afanasy Ivanovitch, and your three hundred and twenty serfs. In your place I should simply say to Vera Alexandrovna . . .
BOLSHINTSOV. Alone with her?
SHPIGELSKY. Oh, of course, alone with her! 'Vera Alexandrovna!' [From the movement of BOLSHINTSOV'S lips it is evident that he is repeating in a whisper every word after SHPIGELSKY.] 'I love you and ask your hand in marriage. I'm a kind-hearted, good-natured, harmless man and I'm not poor. You will be perfectly free with me; I will do my best to please you in every way. And I beg you to find out about me, to take a little more notice of me than you have done hitherto, and to give me an answer as you please and when you please. I am ready to wait and shall consider it a pleasure to do so.'
BOLSHINTSOV [uttering the last words aloud]. To do so! Yes, yes, yes. ... I quite agree with you. Only I tell you what, Ignaty Ilyitch; I believe you used the word 'harmless.' . . . You said a harmless man. . . .
SHPIGELSKY. Well, aren't you a harmless man?
BOLSHINTSOV. Ye-e-es . . . but still I fancy. . . . Will it be the right thing, Ignaty Ilyitch? Wouldn't it be better to say, for instance? . . .
SHPIGELSKY. For instance?
BOLSHINTSOV. For instance ... for instance. ... [A pause.] But maybe 'harmless' will do.
SHPIGELSKY. Now, Afanasy Ivanovitch, you listen to me; the more simply you express yourself, the plainer your words, the better it will go, trust me. And above all, don't be too pressing, Afanasy Ivanovitch. Vera Alexandrovna is very young; you may scare her. . . . Give her time to think over your offer. Avoid fine words and I guarantee your success. [Looking round] Why, here they are all coming too------ [BOLSHINTSOV wants to make off] Where are you going? To pick mushrooms again? [BOLSHINTSOV smiles, turns red and remains] The great thing is not to be scared!
BOLSHINTSOV [hurriedly], Vera Alexandrovna knows nothing about it yet, does she?
SHPIGELSKY. I should think not!
BOLSHINTSOV. Well, I rely on you. . . . [Blows his nose. Enter from Left NATALYA PETROVNA, VERA, BELIAYEV with the kite, and KOLYA, followed by RAKITIN and LlZAVETA BOGDANOVNA. NATALYA PETROVNA is in a very good humour]
NATALYA PETROVNA [to BOLSHINTSOV and SHPIGELSKY]. How do you do; how are you, Shpigelsky; I didn't expect you to-day, but I am very glad to see you. How are you, Afanasy Ivanitch. [He bows with some embarrassment]
SHPIGELSKY [to NATALYA PETROVNA, indicating BOLSHINTSOV]. This gentleman here insisted on bringing me. . . .
NATALYA PETROVNA [laughing] I'm very much obliged to him. . . . But do you need forcing to come to see us?
SHPIGELSKY. Oh, good heavens! but ... I was only here . . . this morning . . . dear me. . . .
NATALYA PETROVNA. Ah! our diplomat's caught!
SHPIGELSKY.
I'm delighted, Natalya Petrovna, to see that you are in a very good humour.
NATALYA PETROVNA. You think it necessary to remark it--is it so rare then with me?
SHPIGELSKY. Oh, good gracious--no . . . but . . .
NATALYA PETROVNA. Monsieur le Diplomate, you're getting more and more in a tangle.
KOLYA [who has been all this time impatiently fidgeting about VERA and BELIAYEV]. But, Maman, when are we going to fly the kite?
NATALYA PETROVNA. When you like. . . . Alexey Nikolaitch, and you Vera, let us go to the meadow. [Turning to the others.] You won't care about it, I expect. Lizaveta Bogdanovna, and you, Rakitin, I leave our good friend Afanasy Ivanovitch with you.
RAKITIN. But what makes you think we shan't care about it, Natalya Petrovna?
NATALYA PETROVNA. You are sensible people ... it must seem childish to you. . . . But as you like. We don't want to prevent your following us. [To BELIAYEV and VERA.] Come along. [NATALYA PETROVNA, VERA, BELIAYEV and KOLYA go off to Right.']
SHPIGELSKY [glancing with some surprise at RAKITIN, says to BOLSHINTSOV]. Our good friend Afanasy Ivanovitch, give your arm to Lizaveta Bogdanovna.
BOLSHINTSOV [nervously]. With the greatest pleasure.
[Gives LIZAVETA BOGDANOVNA his arm.]
SHPIGELSKY. And we'll go along together, if you'll allow me, Mihail Alexandritch. [Takes his arm.] My word! How they're racing along the avenue. Let's go and see them fly the kite, though we are sensible people.
Afanasy Ivanovitch, will you lead the way?
BOLSHINTSOV [as they walk, to LIZAVETA BOGDANOVNA]. The weather is certainly very agreeable to-day, one may say.
LIZAVETA BOGDANOVNA [mincing]. Yes, indeed, very agreeable!
SHPIGELSKY [to RAKITIN]. I've something I want to talk to you about, Mihail Alexandritch. . . . [RAKITIN suddenly laughs.] What is it?
RAKITIN. Oh . . . nothing. ... I was amused at our following in the rear like this.
SHPIGELSKY. The front rank easily turns into the rearguard, you know. ... It all depends which way you are going.
[All go out to Right.]
ACT III
The scene is the same as in Act I. RAKITIN and SHPIGELSKY come in from the outer room.
SHPIGELSKY. Well, how about it, Mihail Alexandritch? For goodness sake do help me.
RAKITIN. In what way can I help you, Ignaty Ilyitch?
SHPIGELSKY. In what way? Why, put yourself in my place, Mihail Alexandritch. This is no concern of mine, really. Indeed, I've been acting chiefly from a wish to serve others. . . . My kind heart will be my ruin!
RAKITIN [laughing]. Well, ruin's a good way off still.
SHPIGELSKY [laughing too]. About that there's no knowing, but my position is certainly awkward. I brought Bolshintsov here at Natalya Petrovna's wish, and have given him her answer with her permission, and now on one side I get sulky looks as though I'd done something foolish, and on the other, Bolshintsov gives me no peace. They avoid him and won't say a word to me.. . .
RAKITIN. What possessed you to take up this business, Ignaty Ilyitch? Why, Bolshintsov, between ourselves . . . he's simply a fool.
SHPIGELSKY. Well, I declare! Between ourselves! That's a piece of news! And since when have sensible men been the only ones to marry? We must leave the fools free to get married, if nothing else. You say I've taken up this business. . . . Not at all, I'll tell you how it came about: a friend asks me to put in a word for him. Well, was I to refuse? I'm a good-natured man, I don't know how to refuse. I carry out my friend's commission: the answer I get is: 'Very much obliged; pray, don't trouble yourself further.' I understand and don't trouble myself further. Then they take it up themselves and encourage me, so to speak. I obey; and now they're indignant with me. And in what way am I to blame?
RAKITIN. Why, who says you are to blame? . . . The only thing that puzzles me is what induces you to take so much trouble.
SHPIGELSKY. What induces ... what induces.... The man gives me no peace.
RAKITIN. Come, nonsense. . . .
SHPIGELSKY. Besides, he's an old friend.
RAKITIN [with an incredulous smile]. Is he? Oh, well, that's another matter.
SHPIGELSKY [smiling too]. I'll be open with you, though. . . . There's no deceiving you. ... Oh well--he has promised me ... one of my horses has gone lame, so you see he has promised me . . .
RAKITIN. A horse to replace it?
SHPIGELSKY. Well, since I must own up, three new ones.
RAKITIN. You should have said that before!
SHPIGELSKY [eagerly]. But please don't you imagine . . . I would never have consented to be a go-between in this affair, it would have been utterly unlike me [RAKITIN smiles], if I had not known Bolshintsov to be a thoroughly honest man. ... Besides, all I want even now is a definite answer--yes or no.
RAKITIN. Surely, things haven't reached that stage yet?
SHPIGELSKY. But what are you imagining? . . . It's not a question of marriage, but of permission to come, to visit. . . .
RAKITIN. But whoever forbids it?
SHPIGELSKY. Forbids . . . what a thing to say! Of course, if it were anybody else ... but Bolshintsov's a shy man, a blessed innocent, straight out of the Golden Age, scarcely weaned from the feeding bottle. ... He has so little self-confidence, he needs some encouragement. While his intentions are most honourable.
RAKITIN. Yes, and his horses good.
SHPIGELSKY. And his horses are good. [Takes a pinch of snuff and offers the box to RAKITIN.] Won't you have some?
RAKITIN. No, thanks.
SHPIGELSKY. So that's how it is, Mihail Alexandritch. As you see, I don't want to deceive you. Indeed, why should I? The thing's perfectly clear and straightforward. A man of excellent principles, with property, quite harmless. ... If he suits--good. If he doesn't--well, they should say so.
RAKITIN. That's all very well, no doubt, but how do I come in? I really don't see what I can do about it.
SHPIGELSKY. Oh, Mihail Alexandritch! As though we don't know that Natalya Petrovna has a very great respect for you and even sometimes follows your advice. . . . Now do, Mihail Alexandritch [Puts his arm round him], be a friend, put in a word. . . .
RAKITIN. And you think this is a good husband for little Vera?
SHPIGELSKY [assuming a serious air], I'm convinced of it. You don't believe it. ... Well, you'll see. As you know, the great thing in marriage is solid character. And Bolshintsov is solidity itself. [Looking round.] And here I do believe is Natalya Petrovna herself coming in. ... My dear good friend, my benefactor! The two chestnuts as trace-horses, and the bay in the shafts! You will do your best?
RAKITIN [smiling]. Oh, very well, very well. . . .
SHPIGELSKY. Mind now, I rely on you. . . . [Escapes into the outer room.]
RAKITIN [looking after him]. What a sly rogue that doctor is! Vera . . . and Bolshintsov! But there you are! There are marriages worse than that. I'll do as he asks me, and then--it's not my business! [Turns round. NATALYA PETROVNA, coming out of the study and seeing him, stops.]
NATALYA PETROVNA [irresolutely]. It's . . . you.... I thought you were in the garden.
RAKITIN. You seem sorry I'm not. . . .
NATALYA PETROVNA [interrupting]. Oh! nonsense. [Advancing to front of stage.] Are you alone here?
RAKITIN. Shpigelsky has just gone.
NATALYA PETROVNA [with a slight frown]. Oh, that local Talleyrand. . . . What has he been saying to you? Is he still hanging about?
RAKITIN. The local Talleyrand, as you call him, is evidently in disfavour to-day . . . but yesterday, I fancy . . .
NATALYA PETROVNA. He's funny; he's amusing, certainly, but... he meddles in what's not his business. . . . It's disagreeable. . . . Besides, for all his obsequiousness, he is very impudent and persistent. . . . He's a great cynic.
RAKITIN [going up to her]. You didn't speak of him like that yesterday. . . .
NATALYA PETROVNA. Perhaps not. [Eagerly.] So what was he talking about?
RAKITIN. He talked to me . .
. about Bolshintsov.
NATALYA PETROVNA. Oh? About that stupid creature?
RAKITIN. Of him, too, you spoke very differently yesterday.
NATALYA PETROVNA [with a constrained smile]. Yesterday is not to-day.
RAKITIN. True, for others . . . but it seems not for me.
NATALYA PETROVNA [dropping her eyes]. How's that?
RAKITIN. For me to-day is the same as yesterday.
NATALYA PETROVNA [holding out her hand to him]. I understand your reproach, but you are mistaken. Yesterday I wouldn't admit that I was behaving badly to you. . . . [RAKITIN attempts to stop her.] Don't contradict me. . . . I know and you know what I mean . . . but to-day I admit it. I have been thinking things over to-day. . . . But believe me, Michel, whatever silly thoughts take hold of me, whatever I say, whatever I do, there is no one I depend upon as I do on you. [Dropping her voice.] There is no one ... I love as I do you.... [A brief silence.] You don't believe me? RAKITIN. I believe you . . . but you seem depressed to-day, what's the matter?
NATALYA PETROVNA [goes on speaking without hearing him]. But I am convinced of one thing, Rakitin; one can never answer for oneself, one can never be sure of oneself. We often don't understand our past, how can we expect to answer for the future! There's no putting the future in fetters!
RAKITIN. That's true.
NATALYA PETROVNA [after a long silence]. Do you know, I want to tell you the truth. Perhaps I shall wound you a little, but I know you will be more hurt by my keeping things from you. I confess, Michel, this young student . . . this Beliayev, has made rather an impression on me. , . . RAKITIN [in a low voice]. I know that. NATALYA PETROVNA. Oh? You have noticed it? For some time?
RAKITIN. Only yesterday. NATALYA PETROVNA. Ah!
RAKITIN. The day before yesterday, you remember, I spoke of the change in you. ... I did not know then what to put it down to. But yesterday after our talk .. . and in the meadow , . . if you could have seen yourself! I didn't know you; you were like another woman. You laughed, you skipped and played about like a little girl; your eyes were shining, your cheeks were flushed, and with what confiding interest, with what joyful attention you gazed at him, how you smiled. [Glancing at her.] Why, even now your face glows at the memory of it! [Turns away.]
A Month in the Country Page 5