by Leo Tolstoy
MATRYONA. But what is the matter then? Come, my own; come, give them your blessing, as is proper and honorable, and then it’ll all be over! Why, the people are waiting!
NIKITA. How can I give blessings?
MATRYONA. Why, in the usual way! Don’t you know?
NIKITA. I know, I know! But who is it I am to bless? What have I done to her?
MATRYONA. What have you done? Eh, now he’s going to remember it! Why, who knows anything about it? Not a soul! And the girl is going of her own accord.
NIKITA. Yes, but how?
MATRYONA. Because she’s afraid, of course. But still she’s going. Besides, what’s to be done now? She should have thought sooner! Now she can’t refuse. And his kinsfolk can’t take offence either. They saw the girl twice, and get money with her too! It’s all safe and sound!
NIKITA. Yes, but what’s in the cellar?
MATRYONA [laughs] In the cellar? Why, cabbages, mushrooms, potatoes, I suppose! Why remember the past?
NIKITA. I’d be only too glad to forget it; but I can’t! When I let my mind go, it’s just as if I heard. . . . Oh, what have you done with me?
MATRYONA. Now, what are you humbugging for?
NIKITA [turns face downward ] Mother! Don’t torment me! I’ve got it up to there! [Puts his hand to his throat].
MATRYONA. Still it has to be done! As it is, people are talking. “The master’s gone away and won’t come; he can’t make up his mind to give his blessing.” They’ll be putting two and two together. As soon as they see you’re frightened they’ll begin guessing. “The thief none suspect who walks bold and erect!” But you’ll be getting out of the frying-pan into the fire! Above all, lad, don’t show it; don’t lose courage, else they’ll find out all the more!
NIKITA. Oh dear! You have snared me into a trap!
MATRYONA. That’ll do, I tell you; come along! Come in and give your blessing, as is right and honorable;—and there’s an end of the matter!
NIKITA [lies face down] I can’t!
MATRYONA [aside] What has come over him? He seemed all right, and suddenly this comes over him! It seems he’s bewitched! Get up, Nikita! See! There’s Anisya coming; she’s left her guests!
Anisya enters, dressed up, red and tipsy.
ANISYA. Oh, how nice it is, mother! So nice, so respectable! And how the people are pleased. . . . But where is he?
MATRYONA. Here, honey, he’s here; he’s laid down on the straw and there he lies! He won’t come!
NIKITA [looking at his wife] Just see, she’s tipsy too! When I look at her my heart seems to turn! How can one live with her? [Turns on his face] I’ll kill her some day! It’ll be worse then!
ANISYA. Only look, how he’s got all among the straw! Is it the drink? [Laughs] I’d not mind lying down there with you, but I’ve no time! Come, I’ll lead you! It is so nice in the house! It’s a treat to look on! A concertina! And the women singing so well! All tipsy! Everything so respectable, so nice!
NIKITA. What’s nice?
ANISYA. The wedding—such a jolly wedding! They all say it’s quite an uncommon fine wedding! All so respectable, so nice! Come along! We’ll go together! I have had a drop, but I can give you a hand yet! [Takes his hand ].
NIKITA [pulls it back with disgust] Go alone! I’ll come!
ANISYA. What are you humbugging for? We’ve got rid of all the bother, we’ve got rid of her as came between us; now we have nothing to do but to live and be merry! And all so respectable, and quite legal! I’m so pleased! I have no words for it! It’s just as if I were going to marry you over again! And oh, the people, they are pleased! They’re all thanking us! And the guests are all of the best: Ivan Moseitch is there, and the Police Officer; they’ve also been singing songs of praise!
NIKITA. Then you should have stayed with them! What have you come for?
ANISYA. True enough, I must go back! Else what does it look like! The hosts both go and leave the visitors! And the guests are all of the best!
NIKITA [ gets up and brushes the straw off himself ] Go, and I’ll come at once!
MATRYONA. Just see! He listens to the young bird, but wouldn’t listen to the old one! He would not hear me, but he follows his wife at once! [Matryona and Anisya turn to go] Well, are you coming?
NIKITA. I’ll come directly! You go and I’ll follow! I’ll come and give my blessing! [The women stop] Go on! I’ll follow! Now then, go! [Exit women. Sits down and takes his boots off ] Yes, I’m going! A likely thing! No, you’d better look at the rafter for me! I’ll fix the noose and jump with it from the rafter, then you can look for me! And the rope is here just handy. [Ponders] I’d have got over it, over any sorrow—I’d have got over that. But this now—here it is, deep in my heart, and I can’t get over it! [Looks towards the yard ] Surely she’s not coming back? [Imitates Anisya] “So nice, so nice. I’d lie down here with you.” Oh, the baggage! Well then, here I am! Come and cuddle when they’ve taken me down from the rafter! There’s only one way! [Takes the rope and pulls it].
Mitritch, who is tipsy, sits up and won’t let go of the rope.
MITRITCH. Shan’t give it up! Shan’t give it to no one! I’ll bring it myself ! I said I’d bring the straw—and so I will! Nikita, is that you? [Laughs] Oh, the devil! Have you come to get the straw?
NIKITA. Give me the rope!
MITRITCH. No, you wait a bit! The peasants sent me! I’ll bring it . . . [Rises to his feet and begins getting the straw together, but reels for a time, then falls] It has beaten me. It’s stronger . . .
NIKITA. Give me the rope!
MITRITCH. Didn’t I say I won’t! Oh, Nikita, you’re as stupid as a hog! [Laughs] I love you, but you’re a fool! You see that I’m drunk . . . devil take you! You think I need you? . . . You just look at me; I’m a Non . . . fool, can’t say it—Non-commissioned Officer of Her Majesty’s very First Regiment of Grenadier Guards! I’ve served Tzar and country, loyal and true! But who am I? You think I’m a warrior? No, I’m not a warrior; I’m the very least of men, a poor lost orphan! I swore not to drink, and now I had a smoke, and . . . Well then, do you think I’m afraid of you? No fear; I’m afraid of no man! I’ve taken to drink, and I’ll drink! Now I’ll go it for a fortnight; I’ll go it hard! I’ll drink my last shirt; I’ll drink my cap; I’ll pawn my passport; and I’m afraid of no one! They flogged me in the army to stop me drinking! They switched and switched! “Well,” they say, “will you leave off ?” “No,” says I! Why should I be afraid of them? Here I am! Such as I am, God made me! I swore off drinking, and didn’t drink. Now I’ve took to drink, and I’ll drink! And I fear no man! ’Cos I don’t lie; but just as . . . Why should one mind them—such muck as they are! “Here you are,” I say; that’s me. A priest told me, the devil’s the biggest bragger! “As soon,” says he, “as you begin to brag, you get frightened; and as soon as you fear men, then the hoofed one just collars you and pushes you where he likes!” But as I don’t fear men, I’m easy! I can spit in the devil’s beard, and at the sow his mother! He can’t do me no harm! There, put that in your pipe!
NIKITA [crossing himself ] True enough! What was I about? [Throws down the rope].
MITRITCH. What?
NIKITA [rises] You tell me not to fear men?
MITRITCH. Why fear such muck as they are? You look at ’em in the bath! All made of one paste! One has a bigger belly, another a smaller; that’s all the difference there is! Fancy being afraid of ’em! Deuce take ’em!
MATRYONA [ from the yard ] Well, are you coming?
NIKITA. Ah! Better so! I’m coming! [Goes towards yard ].
SCENE 2.
Interior of hut, full of people, some sitting round tables and others standing. In the front corner Akoulina and the Bridegroom. On one of the tables an Icon and a loaf of rye-bread. Among the visitors are Marina, her husband, and a Police Officer, also a Hired Driver, the Matchmaker, and the Best Man. The women are singing. Anisya carries round the drink. The singing stops.
THE DRIVER. If we are
to go, let’s go! The church ain’t so near.
THE BEST MAN. All right; you wait a bit till the stepfather has given his blessing. But where is he?
ANISYA. He is coming—coming at once, dear friends! Have another glass all of you; don’t refuse!
THE MATCHMAKER. Why is he so long? We’ve been waiting such a time!
ANISYA. He’s coming; coming directly, coming in no time! He’ll be here before one could plait a girl’s hair who’s had her hair cropped! Drink, friends! [Offers the drink] Coming at once! Sing again, my pets, meanwhile!
THE DRIVER. They’ve sung all their songs, waiting here!
The women sins. Nikita and Akim enter during the singing.
NIKITA [holds his father’s arm and pushes him in before him] Go, father; I can’t do without you!
AKIM. I don’t like—I mean what d’ye call it . . .
NIKITA [to the women] Enough! Be quiet! [Looks round the hut] Marina, are you there?
THE MATCHMAKER. Go, take the icon, and give them your blessing!
NIKITA. Wait a while! [Looks round ] Akoulina, are you there?
MATCHMAKER. What are you calling everybody for? Where should she be? How queer he seems!
ANISYA. Gracious goodness! Why, he’s barefoot!
NIKITA. Father, you are here! Look at me! Christian Commune, you are all here, and I am here! I am . . . [Falls on his knees].
ANISYA. Nikita darling, what’s the matter with you? Oh my poor head!
MATCHMAKER. Here’s a go!
MATRYONA. I did say he was taking too much of that French wine! Come to your senses; what are you about?
They try to lift him; he takes no heed of them, but looks in front of him.
NIKITA. Christian Commune! I have sinned, and I wish to confess!
MATRYONA [shakes him by the shoulder] Are you mad? Dear friends, he’s gone crazy! He must be taken away!
NIKITA [shakes her off ] Leave me alone! And you, father, hear me! And first, Marina, look here! [Bows to the ground to her and rises] I have sinned towards you! I promised to marry you, I tempted you, and forsook you! Forgive me, in Christ’s name! [Again bows to the ground before her].
ANISYA. And what are you driveling about? It’s not becoming! No one wants to know! Get up! It’s like your impudence!
MATRYONA. Oh, oh, he’s bewitched! And however did it happen? It’s a spell! Get up! what nonsense are you jabbering? [Pulls him].
NIKITA [shakes his head ] Don’t touch me! Forgive me my sin towards you, Marina! Forgive me, for Christ’s sake!
Marina covers her face with her hands in silence.
ANISYA. Get up, I tell you! Don’t be so impudent! What are you thinking about—to recall it? Enough humbug! It’s shameful! Oh my poor head! He’s quite crazy!
NIKITA [pushes his wife away and turns to Akoulina] Akoulina, now I’ll speak to you! Listen, Christian Commune! I’m a fiend, Akoulina! I have sinned against you! Your father died no natural death! He was poisoned!
ANISYA [screams] Oh my head! What’s he about?
MATRYONA. The man’s beside himself ! Lead him away!
The folk come up and try to seize him.
AKIM [motions them back with his arms] Wait! You lads, what d’ye call it, wait, I mean!
NIKITA. Akoulina, I poisoned him! Forgive me, in Christ’s name!
AKOULINA [ jumps up] He’s telling lies! I know who did it!
MATCHMAKER. What are you about? You sit still!
AKIM. Oh Lord, what sins, what sins!
POLICE OFFICER. Seize him, and send for the Elder! We must draw up an indictment and have witnesses to it! Get up and come here!
AKIM [to Police Officer] Now you—with the bright buttons—I mean, you wait! Let him, what d’ye call it, speak out, I mean!
POLICEOFFICER. Mind, old man, and don’t interfere! I have to draw up an indictment!
AKIM. Eh, what a fellow you are; wait, I say! Don’t talk, I mean, about, what d’ye call it, ’ditements! Here God’s work is being done. . . . A man is confessing, I mean! And you, what d’ye call it . . . ’ditements!
POLICE OFFICER. The Elder!
AKIM. Let God’s work be done, I mean, and then you, I mean, you do your business!
NIKITA. And, Akoulina, my sin is great towards you; I seduced you; forgive me in Christ’s name! [Bows to the ground before her].
AKOULINA [leaves the table] Let me go! I shan’t be married! He told me to, but I shan’t now!
POLICE OFFICER. Repeat what you have said.
NIKITA. Wait, sir, let me finish!
AKIM [with rapture] Speak, my son! Tell everything—you’ll feel better! Confess to God, don’t fear men! God —God! It is He!
NIKITA. I poisoned the father, dog that I am, and I ruined the daughter! She was in my power, and I ruined her, and her baby!
AKOULINA. True, that’s true!
NIKITA. I smothered the baby in the cellar with a board! I sat on it and smothered it—and its bones crunched! [Weeps] And I buried it! I did it, all alone!
AKOULINA. He raves! I told him to!
NIKITA. Don’t shield me! I fear no one now! Forgive me, Christian Commune! [Bows to the ground].
Silence.
POLICE OFFICER. Bind him! The marriage is evidently off !
Men come up with their belts.
NIKITA. Wait, there’s plenty of time! [Bows to the ground before his father] Father, dear father, forgive me too,—fiend that I am! You told me from the first, when I took to bad ways, you said then, “If a claw is caught, the bird is lost!” I would not listen to your words, dog that I was, and it has turned out as you said! Forgive me, for Christ’s sake!
AKIM [rapturously] God will forgive you, my own son! [Embraces him] You have had no mercy on yourself, He will show mercy on you! God—God! It is He!
Enter Elder.
ELDER. There are witnesses enough here.
POLICE OFFICER. We will have the examination at once.
Nikita is bound.
AKOULINA [ goes and stands by his side] I shall tell the truth! Ask me!
NIKITA [bound ] No need to ask! I did it all myself. The design was mine, and the deed was mine. Take me where you like. I will say no more!
Curtain.
* * *
1 This refers to the songs customary at the wedding of Russian peasants, praising the bride and bridegroom.
2 It is etiquette for a bride to bewail the approaching loss of her maidenhood.
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