A Sportsman's Sketches: Works of Ivan Turgenev 1

by Ivan Turgenev

  Ivanov: What’s that to look at?

  Kuzovkin: What do you mean by “What’s that to look at?” Whaf s the matter? Olga Petrovna got married in St. Petersburg. It’s interesting to see her husband. And then, you and I haven’t seen her for a long time . It’s a little over six years since we’ve seen her. Sit down.

  Ivanov: But truly, Yasili Semenych . . .

  Kuzovkin: Sit down, sit down, I tell you. Don’t mind the new Superintendent. The Lord be with him. That’s his business.

  Ivanov: Olga Petrovna surely married a rich man. [Ee sits down.]

  Kuzovkin: I don’t know, Ivan, what to tell you. They say he’s some high official. Well, Olga Petrovna deserves a good man. She couldn’t live forever with her aunt.

  Ivanov: Suppose, Vasili Semenych, her husband kicks both of us out.

  Kuzovkin: Why should he kick us out?

  Ivanov: I really meant you.

  Kuzovkin [with a sigh]: I know, Ivan, I know what you meant. You, my dear fellow, are a land - owner, though a small one, and my clothes aren’t even my own. They have always been on some other body first, and still the new master wouldn’t kick me out. The deceased, the real master, he didn’t kick me out, either. And how mad he was at me!

  Ivanov: But you, Vasili Semenych, don’t know the young fellows from the capital.

  Kuzovkin: Are they really . . .?

  Ivanov: They say they are simply terrible! I don’t know them personally, but I’ve heard so.

  Kuzovkin [after a moment’s silence]: Well, we’ll see. I shall rely upon Olga Petrovna. She wouldn’t betray me.

  Ivanov: Betray you? She wouldn’t? But she must have completely forgotten you. She left here with her aunt after the death of her mother. She wasn’t even fourteen years old. You played dolls with her. But what of that? She wouldn’t even look at you.

  Kuzovkin: Oh, no, Ivan!

  Ivanov: You’ll see!

  Kuzovkin: Oh, stop that, Ivan, please!

  Ivanov: Well, you’ll see, Vasili Semenych.

  Kuzovkin: Please stop that, Ivan! Let’s rather play a game of checkers. What do you say? [Ivan is silent.] Why should we sit idle? Let’s play, my dear fellow. [Takes the checker set and puts out the pieces.]

  Ivanov [helping along]: This is a nice time to play checkers! The Superintendent won’t let you.

  Kuzovkin: We’re in nobody’s way.

  Ivanov: But the young couple will soon arrive.

  Kuzovkin: Well, if they come, we’ll stop. To the right or to the left?

  Ivanov: Well, they’ll kick you and me out. You’ll see. To the left. Your move.

  Kuzovkin: Mine? All right. I begin this way to - day.

  Ivanov: Hm. Is that the way you move? Well, then I’ll move differently.

  Kuzovkin: Then I’ll move this way.

  Ivanov: Then I’ll move this way.

  [A noise is suddenly heard from the anteroom. Vaska runs at breakneck speed and shouts: “They are coming, they are coming! Nartsys Konstantinovich, they are coming!” Kuzovkin and Ivanov get up.]

  Kuzovkin [greatly agitated]: They are coming, they are coming!

  Vaska [shouting]: They gave the signal that they are coming!

  [From the reception - room is heard Trembinski’s voice. “What’s the matter? Are the people coming?” He and Petr run out of the reception - room.] Trembinski [shouting]: Musicians! Musicians! Take your places!

  [Runs into the anteroom, Petr and Vaska after him. From the corridor Masha appears.] Masha: They are coining! They are coming! Kuzovkin: They are coming, they are coming!

  [Ivanov goes silently into the corner. Masha runs into the corridor and shouts, “They are coming, they are coming!” Praskovia Ivanovna runs in from the corridor, and Trembinski from the anteroom.] Praskovia: They are coming! Trembinski: Call the girls!

  Praskovia [shouts in the corridor]: Girls! Girls! Egor [coming in from the anteroom]: Where is the bread and salt, Nartsys Konstantinovich?

  Trembinski [shouts at the top of his lungs]: Petr! Petr! The bread and salt! Where is the bread and salt? [From the corridor enter six girls gaily dressed.] Girls, go to the anteroom!

  [The girls run into the anteroom, and on the way run into Pete. He holds a large platter with a round loaf of bread on it and a salt cellar on top.] Pete: Careful, careful, you crazy things! Tbembinski [takes the platter away from Pete, and hands it over to Egoe]: That’s for you. Take it and go out on the veranda. Go! [He pushes him out together with Pete and Pbaskovia. Then he runs towards the anteroom and shouts.] People, people! Everybody come in here! Pete’s Voice: Somebody call Anpadist.

  Another Voice: The constable took his boots away.

  Trembinski’s Voice: Call the footmen here. Let the footmen come.

  The Girls’ Voices: They are coming, they are coming!

  Trembinski’s Voice: Silence, now, silence!

  [Silence reigns. Kuzovkin, who all through the commotion has been somewhat agitated, but hasn’t left his place, eagerly listens to everything. Suddenly the music begins to play badly, “The Voice of Victory Resounds.” ... A carriage rolls up to the front, and conversation is heard. The music stops. Kissing is heard. After a moment, Olga Petrovna and her husband enter. He carries the round bread in one hand. Trembinski follows them in. Egor follows Trembinski with the platter. Praskovia and the rest of the household follow them but remain in the doorway.]

  Olga [with a smile to her husband]: Now we are finally home, Paul. [Eletski presses her hand.] How glad I am! [Turning to the people.] Thank you, thank you! [Pointing to Eletski.] This is your new master. I ask you to love and respect him. [To her husband.] Eendez cela, mon ami. [Eletski gives the bread away to Egor.]

  Trembinski [bowing low]: Wouldn’t it please you to give some orders to prepare something to eat, or you would perhaps like tea.

  Olga: No, thank you, Peter. [To her husband.] I want to show you the whole house and your office. I haven’t been here for seven years, seven long years.

  Eletski: All right, show it to me.

  Praskovia [taking Olga’s hat and coat]: My dear mistress, my dear . . .

  Olga [smiles in answer to it, and looks around]: But our house has grown old, and the rooms seem smaller to me.

  Eletski [in a voice of a kind master]: It always seems like that. You left here as a child.

  Kuzovkin [who hasn’t taken his eyes from Olga, goes up to her now]: Olga Petrovna, permit me . . . [His voice breaks down.]

  Olga [not recognizing him at first]: Oh . . . Oh . . . Oh, Yasili Petrovich, how are you! I didn’t recognize you at first.

  Kuzovkin [kisses her hand]: Permit me ... to congratulate you . . .

  Olga [to her husband, pointing to Kuzovkin]: An old friend, Vasili Petrovich.

  Eletski [bowing]: Very pleased.

  [Ivanov bows from afar, although he hasn’t been noticed by anyone yet.]

  Kuzovkin [6ou>s to Eletski]: Welcome. ... We are all so glad . . .

  Eletski [bows once more, and semi - audibly to his wife]: Who is that man?

  Olga: He is a poor nobleman living in our house. [Louder.] Come, I want to show you the whole house. I was born here, Paul, and grew up here.

  Eletski: Come on. With pleasure! [Turning to Tbembinski.] If you please, order my valet ... my things are out there . . .

  Trembinski [quickly]: Yes, sir. Yes, sir.

  Olga: Come, Paul. [Both go into the reception - room.]

  Trembinski [to all the people]: Well, my friends, now you may return to your respective places. You, Egor, may remain in the anteroom. The master may want something.

  [Egor and the rest of the people go into the anteroom.

  Pbaskovia and the girls go out through the corridor.]

  Praskovia [in the doorway]: Go, go! What are you laughing about, Masha? [Goes out.]

  Trembinski [to Kuzovkin and Ivanov]: Are you gentlemen going to remain here?

  Kuzovkin: Yes, we’ll remain here.

  Trembinski: Very well, only please, you know . . .
[He makes signs with his hands.] For God’s sake . . . Otherwise, I shall be reproached for it. [Goes on tiptoe into the anteroom.]

  Kuzovkin [following him with his eyes, then quickly turning around to Ivanov]: Ivan, how is she? No, tell me, how is she? How she has grown up! What a handsome woman she has become! And she hasn’t forgotten me! You see, it turned out that I was right.

  Ivanov: She hasn’t forgotten you. . . . Then why did she call you by your full name instead of your first name?

  Kuzovkin: What a man you are, Ivan! What difference does that make? Isn’t it just the same? Judge yourself, you are a bright fellow. She introduced me to her husband. He’s a handsome man. Quite a brave fellow, too. And his face is so . . . Oh, but he must be a high official. What do you think, Ivan?

  Ivanov: I don’t know, Vasili Semenych. I had better go -

  Kuzovkin: What a funny fellow you are, Ivan! What’s the matter with you? You don’t act like yourself. “I’d better go! I’d better go!” You had better tell me how the newly - married woman impressed you.

  Ivanov: What shall I say? She’s surely handsome!

  Kuzovkin: Her smile is something wonderful! And her voice! Just like a bird’s! And she loves her husband — that’s very evident. Did you notice it, Ivan?

  Ivanov: The Lord knows, I don’t, Vasili Semenych.

  Kuzovkin: It’s a sin to talk that way, Ivan Kuzmich. Upon my word, it’s a sin! I am rejoicing and you’re trying to spoil my pleasure. . . . Oh, here they’re coming again!

  [From the reception - room, Olga and Eletski enter.]

  Olga: Our house isn’t large, as you see, but we are satisfied with what we have.

  Eletski: Why, my dear, it’s a beautiful house, excellently arranged.

  Olga: Now let’s go into the garden.

  Eletski: With pleasure. However, I should like to have a few words with your Superintendent.

  Olga [reproachfully]: With your Manager.

  Eletski [smilingly]: With ours. [Kisses her hand.]

  Olga: Well, as you like. I’m going to take Vasili Petrovich with me. Vasili Petrovich, will you go to the garden with me?

  Kuzovkin [his face radiating pleasure]: If it pleases you Eletski: Put on your hat, Olga.

  Olga: It isn’t necessary. [
  Kuzovkin: Permit me, Olga Petrovna, to introduce to you one . . . also ... a neighbor, Ivanov . . .

  [Ivan Kuzmich confusedly bows.]

  Olga: I am very glad . . . [To Ivanov.] Would you like to go along with us to the garden? [Ivanov bows.] Give me your arm, Vasili Petrovich.

  Kuzovkin [not believing what he has heard]: How’s that . . .

  Olga [laughing]: Just like this. [Takes his arm and, puts it through hers.] Now you know, Vasili Petrovich? . . . [They go out through the glass door. Ivanov follows them.]

  Eletski [goes up to the glass door and follows his wife with his eyes. Then he returns to the table and sits down]: Eh, who is there?

  Petr [coming in from the anteroom]: What would you like, sir?

  Eletski: What’s your name, my dear fellow?

  Petr: Petr, sir.

  Eletski: Well, call the Manager in for me. What’s his name, Egor, or what?

  Petr: That’s right, sir, Egor.

  Eletski: Call him in.

  [Petr goes out. After a moment Egor enters, stops at the door, and folds his hands behind him. He looks subserviently at Eletski.]

  Eletski [in an official voice]: Egor, to - morrow I intend to look over the estate of Olga Petrovna.

  Egor: Yes, sir.

  Eletski: How many serfs are here?

  Egor: In the hamlet of Timofeev there are three hundred and eighty - four of the male sex, according to the last census, but in reality there are more.

  Eletski: About how many more?

  Egor [coughing into his hand]: There will be about twenty or so more.

  Eletski: Hm . . . Find out exactly and report. Have we joint land too?

  Egor: In the round ridge there is a cottage with some little land.

  Eletski [looking doubtfully at Egor]: Hm . . . Have we much fertile land?

  Egor: Quite enough. Two hundred and seventy - five desiatin in the wedge.

  Eletski [again looking doubtfully at Egor]: And how much unproductive land?

  Egor [hesitatingly]: What shall I say . . . Under the bushes . . . there are cavines . . . well, and then the manor . . . also pasture land . . . [Coming to himself a little.] It all lies around the meadows.

  Eletski [knitting his brows]: Well, how much?

  Egor: Well, who knows? The land has never been surveyed. Maybe it is marked down on the plans. However, there must be about fifty desiatin.

  Eletski [to himself]: What disorder! [Aloud.] Any wooded land?

  Egor: Twenty - eight desiatin or a little over.

  Eletski [aloud but slowly]: That means then that all told there are about five hundred desiatin.

  Egor: Five hundred? Why, there’ll be more than two thousand.

  Eletski: How’s that. You yourself . . . [Ee stops a moment.] Yes ... I ... I just wanted to say so . . . You understand?

  Egor: Yes, sir.

  Eletski [quite seriously]: Well, do the peasants behave themselves well? Are they quiet?

  Egor: Yes, the people are pretty good. They like to get a warning once in a while.

  Eletski: Hm! And are they not desolate, ruined?

  Egor: Oh, no! That wouldn’t be possible! Many of them are very well pleased with their situation!

  Eletski: Well, I’ll make a personal investigation tomorrow. Now you can go. But tell me, please, who’s the gentleman that lives here?

  Egor: Kuzovkin, Yasili Semenych. He is a nobleman. He lives here on charitable bread. He has been here ever since the old master took him in. It may be said that he took him in here more as a family charge.

  Eletski: And he has lived here long?

  Egor: Yes, very long. It is twenty years since the old master died, and he came to the house quite a little before he died.

  Eletski: All right. Have you an office here?

  Egor: Yes, we couldn’t get along without one.

  Eletski: I shall look that all over to - morrow. Now you can go. [Egor goes out.] This Superintendent seems to be a fool. However, we’ll see. [Gets up and promenades around the room.] Here I am in the country in my own village. Sounds kind of strange. Still it’s agreeable.

  [Tropachev’s voice is heard from the anteroom, ashing, “Have they arrived to - day?”]

  Eletski [to himself]: Who’s that?

  Petr [entering from the anteroom]: Tropachev, Flegont Aleksandrych, is here. He wants to see you. What shall I say to him?

  Eletski [to himself]: Who can it be? The name is familiar? [Aloud.] Ask him in.

  Tropachev [entering]: How do you do, Pavel Nikolaich, bon jour. [Eletski bows with visible doubt.] You, it seems, do not recognize me. Do you remember in Petrograd in Count Kuntsov’s house . . .

  Eletski: Oh, yes! . . . Please come in. I am very glad . . . [Shakes hands with him.]

  Tropachev: I am your nearest neighbor. I live within two miles of here. When I go to the city, I pass by your house. I knew that you were expected, so I thought I would step in and find out, but if I have come at an inopportune time, just say so, please. Entre gens comme il faut, you understand? Don’t stand on ceremony with me.

  Eletski: On the contrary, I hope that you will remain to dinner with us, although I do not know what our country cook has prepared.

  Tropachev [playfully]: Oh, my Lord, I know everything in your house is on a large scale. I hope that you will do me the honor to come and take dinner with me some of these days. You would not believe me if I should tell you how glad I am of your arrival. There are so few respectable people around here. Des gens comme il faut. Et ma dame? How’s her health? I have known her since she was a child. Yes, yes, I know your wife very well — yes, very well. I congratulate you, Pavel Nikolaich, from the
bottom of my heart. He! he! She surely wouldn’t remember me at all. [He shows off again and smooths his side whiskers.]

  Eletski: She’ll be very glad. . . . She went out for a walk in the garden with . . . with this gentleman who lives here.