A Sportsman's Sketches: Works of Ivan Turgenev 1

by Ivan Turgenev

  Tropachev [contemptuously]: Oh, with that! . . . He, I think, acts in the capacity of a buffoon here. . . . However, he’s a peaceful sort of fellow. By the way, another nobleman came with me. He is waiting there in the anteroom. Will you permit me . . .?

  Eletski: Surely, surely, bring him in! Why did you leave him in the anteroom?

  Tropachev: Oh, ne faites pas attention! That’s so. Oh, it doesn’t matter. On account of his poverty, he lives with me. Don’t discommode yourself on account of him. Je vous en prie. [Goes up to the anteroom.] Karpachov, come in, my dear boy. [Karpachov enters and bows.] I have the honor to introduce to you, Pavel Nikolaich.

  Eletski: I am very pleased to meet you.

  Tropachev [takes Eletski under his arm and quietly turns him away from Karpachov, who modestly goes away to one side]: C’est bien. C’est bien. Have you come to stay with us long, Pavel Nikolaich?

  Eletski: I am on a three - months’ furlough. [They both promenade around the room.]

  Tropachev: That’s very little, very little, but I understand you couldn’t probably get away for longer. I think that you must have had quite a little trouble getting that much time off. He, he, he! Still you must have a rest. Do you like hunting?

  Eletski: I never held a gun in my hand in my life. However, before I left for here I bought a dog. Is there much game around here?

  Tropachev: Oh, yes. That, if it pleases you, I’ll take upon myself. I’ll make a hunter out of you. [To Karpachov.] Is there much game in Malinik?

  Karpachov [from the corner, in a deep voice]: There is quite a little, but in Kamen there is more.

  Tropachev: Very well.

  Karpachov: Fedul, the forester, told me that in Gori - elo . . . [From the garden, enter Olga with Kuzovkin and Ivanov. Karpachov breaks off his conversation and bows.]

  Olga: Oh, Paul, how beautiful our garden is! . . . [She stops short upon seeing Tropachev.]

  Eletski [to Olga]: Permit me to introduce to you . . .

  Tropachev [interrupting Eletski]: Pardon me, pardon me, we are old acquaintances. . . . Olga Petrovna doesn’t recognize me, and it isn’t surprising. I knew her . . . [Ee shows with his hand about a yard from the floor.”] Comme ga. [He shows off and continues with a smile.] Tropachev, Flegont; don’t you remember your neighbor, Tropachev, Flegont? Don’t you remember he used to bring you playthings from the city. You were then such an amiable child, and now . . . [He puts great stress on the last word, bows, takes a step back, and then straightens up, very pleased with his work.]

  Olga: Oh, Monsieur Tropachev, surely, surely, I recognize you now. [Gtt’es him her hands.] You wouldn’t believe me if I should tell you how happy I am since Pm here.

  Tropachev [sweetly]: As though only since you are here!

  Olga [smilingly]: I recollected my childhood so quickly. . . . Paul, you must go into the garden with me. I will show you the acacia tree which I myself planted. It is now much taller than I am.

  Eletski [to Olga, pointing at Karpachov]: Monsieur Karpachov, also a neighbor of ours.

  [Karpachov bows and retires to the corner, in which there are already standing Kuzovkin and Ivanov.]

  Olga: I am very glad . . .

  Tropachev [to Olga]: Ne faites pas attention. [Aloud while rubbing his hands.] And so you are finally in your own village, a hostess. How time flies, huh!

  Olga: I hope you’ll remain for dinner.

  Eletski: I invited . . . Pardon . . . What is your name and patronymic?

  Tropachev: Flegont Aleksandrych.

  Eletski: I have already invited Flegont Aleksandrych. Only I fear that the dinner . . .

  Tropaciiev: Oh, nonsense!

  Olga [leading Eletski away to the side a bit]: He has come at a most inopportune moment.

  Eletski: Yes. . . . However, he seems to be quite a nice man.

  Tropachev [he steps aside also and involuntarily takes to chewing the head of his cane, then goes up to Kozovkin and speaks to him in an undertone]: Oh, here you are! How are you?

  Kuzovkin: Thank the Lord! I am extremely much obliged to you for inquiring.

  Tropachev [pointing with his elbow to Karpachov]: You know him, don’t you?

  Kuzovkin: Surely, we are acquainted.

  Tropachev: So, so, so. [To Ivanov.] And you are here.

  Ivanov: Yes, and I am here.

  Olga [to Tropachev]: Monsieur . . . Monsieur . . . Tropachev . . .

  Tropachev [turning around quickly]: Madame?

  Olga: You and I, I think, are old friends. We needn’t stand on ceremony, isn’t that right?

  Tropachev: Why, surely.

  Olga: Permit me to go into my room for a little while. We have just come. I must look over some things.

  Tropachev: Please do, Olga Petrovna. And you, Pavel Nikolaich, be at home. He, he, he! I’m going to have a little chat with these gentlemen here in the meantime.

  Olga: Though we are old acquaintances, yet I don’t feel quite right in this travelling dress.

  Tropachev [smilingly]: i shouldn’t excuse your absence if I didn’t know how important it is for a lady to have on the proper dress. How . . . [Gets mixed up, bows, and shows off a little bit.]

  Olga: Oh, you are unmerciful. . . . I’m going to leave you here, gentlemen. Good - bye for a little while. [Goes into the reception - room.]

  Tropachev: Pavel Nikolaich, permit me to congratulate you once more. . . . You, I may say, are a lucky man.

  Eletski [smiles and presses his hand]: You are right. . . . Faddei . . . Flegont Aleksandrych.

  Tropachev: But maybe I am detaining you.

  Eletski: On the contrary, Flegont Aleksandrych. Do you want to come with me — I’m sure you wouldn’t find it disagreeable

  Tropachev [going up close to Pavel Nikolaich and pressing his hand]: Order me around, Pavel Nikolaich, as you find it convenient to you.

  Eletski: Do you want to come with me before lunch and look the granary over? It’s only a couple of steps from here, in the rear of the garden.

  Tropachev: Enchante, if you please.

  Eletski: Well, then, take your hat. [Aloud.] Footman, who is there? [Petr enters.] Order lunch prepared.

  Petr: Yes, sir. [Goes out.]

  Tropachev: Karpachev may go with us, if you’ll permit.

  Eletski: I am very glad to have him.

  [Both go out. Karpachov follows them.]

  Kuzovkin [quickly turning to Ivanov]: Well, Ivan, now tell me, what do you think of Olga?

  Ivanov: What shall I say? She is handsome.

  Kuzovkin: And isn’t she kind, Ivan?

  Ivanov: Yes, she certainly is different from him.

  Kuzovkin: What makes you think so? Just reason with yourself, Ivan. He is a very important person. He is in the habit, you know, of holding himself as he does. He would like to . . . but he mustn’t hold himself otherwise. It’s really demanded of him over there where he comes from. Did you notice her eyes, Ivan?

  Ivanov: No, I didn’t notice them, Vasili Semenych.

  Kuzovkin: I am really surprised at you, so help me God. It isn’t good on your part, Ivan. It isn’t good.

  Ivanov: Maybe. I’m not saying anything. . . . The Superintendent is coming.

  Kuzovkin [in a low voice]: Well, what of it, let him come. We are not doing anything out of the way. [Tbembinski and Pete enter. Pete carries a tray with lunch on it.]

  Tbembinski [while moving the table into the middle of the room]: Put it right here, but look out, don’t break it. [Pete places the tray on the table and begins to spread the table - cloth. Teembinski takes it away from him.] Give it to me. I’m going to do this. You go and fetch some wine. [Pete goes out. Teembinski sets the table and looks at Kuzovkin. ] One might think that some people are born in the purple. We have to work hard for our piece of bread, and they get everything for nothing. Where, let me ask you, is there justice in this world? It’s peculiar.

  Kuzovkin [carefully touches Tbembinski’s shoulder. Teembinski looks at him in surprise]: You got your coat d
irty against the wall.

  Tbembinski: What of it. Leave it alone! [PEte enters with bottles of champagne in a cooler, which he places upon a small table near the door. Takes the checker set away.]

  This is no time to play checkers. It’s no game, anyway. Noblemen never play it. [Pete takes it away.]

  Ivanov [quietly to Kuzovkin]: Good - bye, sir.

  Kuzovkin [quietly]: Where are you going?

  Ivanov [quietly]: Home.

  Kuzovkin [quietly]: Nonsense, remain here.

  Egok [looking in from the anteroom]: Nartsys Konstan - tinovich, Nartsys Konstantinovieh . . .

  Teembinski [turning around]: Well, what do you want?

  Egob: Where did the master go?

  Teembinski: To the granary. Why aren’t you with him?

  Egob: At the granary. Oh, Lord! [He wants to run away, but he straightens out and remains standing close to the door with his hands folded behind him.]

  [Eletski, Tropachev and Kabpachov enter.]

  Eletski [to Teopachev]: And so, vous etes content?

  Teopachev: Tres bien, tres bien. Tout tres bien. . . . Ah, Egor, how are you? [Egob bows. Tropachey pats him on the shoulder.] He is an excellent man, Pavel Nikolaich. You may depend upon him. [Egob bows again and goes out.] And here is lunch. [Goes up to the table.] It looks more like a full dinner! Comme c’est bien servi! [Takes the silver cover from one of the dishes.] Snipe? And prepared just as in St. George’s. What a skunk that St. George is! But he feeds well. It cost me a hundred rubles the last time I ate there!

  Eletski: Let’s sit down, will you? Footman, give us some chairs. [Pete brings in chairs, Teembinski busies himself at the table. Eletski and Tbopachev sit down.]

  Teopachev [to Kaepachov]: Sit down, Karpach. . . . [To Eletski.] C’est comme cela, que je l’appelle. Vous permettez?

  Eletski: Yes, help yourself. [To Kuzovkin and Ivanov who are still standing in the corner.] Why don’t you gentlemen sit down. Please be seated.

  Kuzovkin [bowing]: I am extremely much obliged. I can stand up.

  Eletski: Sit doton, I ask you to!

  [Kuzovkin and Ivanov timidly sit down at the table. Tropachev is sitting on the left of Eletski, Karpachov at some distance on the right. Near him are Kuzovkin and Ivanov. Trembinski, with a napkin over his arm, stands in back of Eletski, and Petr near him.]

  Eletski [taking off the cover from one of the dishes]: Well, gentlemen, let’s eat what the Lord gives us.

  Tropachev [with a morsel in his mouth]: Parfait, par - fait! You have a most excellent chef, Pavel Nikolaich.

  Eletski: You are extremely kind. And so you think that the harvest will be good this year?

  Tropaciiev [eating]: Ye6, I think so. [Drinking wine.] To your health, Karpach. . . . Why don’t you drink to Pavel Nikolaich’s health?

  Karpachov [getting up]: Long life to our worthy master . . . [Drinks with one gulp] and much wealth. [St
  Eletski: Thank you.

  Tropachev [pushing his elbow to Eletski, to Karpachov]: You ought to be made the leader of the noblemen. What do you think about it?

  Karpachov: What shall I think? I can’t be any good to them.

  Tropachev: Truly, Pavel Nikolaich, if not for duties —

  what delicious cheese — if not for your duty, we would make you our leader.

  Eletski: You are joking.

  Tropachev: Oh, no, I am not joking. [To Kuzovkin.] Why don’t you drink to Pavel Nikolaich’s health? [To Ivanov.] And you?

  Kuzovkin [somewhat confused]: I am very glad to . . .

  Tropachev: Karpach, fill his glass full, like this — don’t stand on ceremony.

  Kuzovkin [rising]: To the health of our esteemed master . . . and mistress. [Bows, drinks, and sits down again.]

  [Ivanov bows and sits down in silence.]

  Tropachev: Bravo, bravissimo. [To Eletski.] Just wait a minute. . . . Nous allons rire. He’s quite entertaining, but he must be given drink first. [To Kuzovkin while playing with a knife.] Well, how are you getting on, Imiarek Ivanych? I haven’t seen you in some time. You’re getting along nicely, I hope.

  Kuzovkin: Yes, I’m getting along slowly.

  Tropachev: So? That’s good. And will you get Vie - trovo back again or not?

  Kuzovkin [with his eyes down]: You are disposed to joke.

  Tropachev: What makes you think so? I am interested in you, I am not joking at all!

  Kuzovkin [with a sigh]: There has been no decision yet.

  Tropachev: Is that possible?

  Kuzovkin: Yes, sir. There hasn’t been any yet.

  Tropachev: Be a little patient. What can you do? [To Eletski, winking his eye.] You, Pavel Nikolaich, don’t know that in the person of Kuzovkin, you have in your presence a land - owner, a real land - owner! He is the owner of, or the legal heir to the village of Vietrovo; also to the village of Ugarovo. How many serfs have you?

  Kuzovkin: In Vietrovo, according to the eighth census, there should be forty - two, but I don’t get them all.

  Tropachev [quietly to Eletski]: He’s gone daffy on Vietrovo. [Aloud,.] And in your district how many desiatin of land have you?

  Kuzovkin [slowly getting a little courage]: After the second setting - aside of a seventh part and other legal demands, there will be about eighty - four or over.

  Tropachev: And how many serfs will you get on your part?

  Kuzovkin: That isn’t known, for many have run away.

  Eletski: And why don’t you take possession of your estate?

  Kuzovkin: On account of the law - suits.

  Eletski: Law - suits? With whom?

  Kuzovkin: There are other heirs, and then there are government incumbrances and private debts to settle.

  Eletski: And is it long since the case has been in the courts?

  Kuzovkin [getting a little livelier]: It has been a long time. I should have had it before he died, blessed be his memory, only I had no money, and I had very little time too. I should have gone to the city to ask people to take care of it, but I had no time. And the legal papers cost something, and I’m only a poor man.

  Tropachev: Karpach! Fill up his glass.

  Kuzovkin: I am extremely much obliged.

  Tropachev: Oh, nonsense! [Drinks himself.] To your health. [Kuzovkin gets up, bows, and drinks.] Well, why don’t you drink? That isn’t fair. You are apt to spoil the whole fun!

  Kuzovkin: What can I do? It is already over a year since I gave up getting even information. [Teopachev shakes his head.] It is true, I have a man there. ... I am relying upon him. However, the Lord knows what he is doing!

  Teopachev [looking at Eletski]: Who is the man, may I know?

  Kuzovkin: By right, I ought not to tell, but ... his name is Lychkov, Ivan Arkhipych.

  Teopachev: I don’t know who he is.

  Kuzovkin: He is a country attorney — that is, he used to be an attorney — not around here though. Now he does a little business.

  Teopachev [continuing to look at Eletski, to whom Kuzovkin is beginning to look funny]: And this gentleman, Lychkov, promised to help you?

  Kuzovkin [after a short silence]: He promised. I was the god - father of his second boy, and that’s why he promised me. He said that he’d fix that for me all right. Ivan Arkhipych is a well - known specialist in that line.

  Teopachev: Is that so?

  Kuzovkin: He is known all over the state.

  Tropachev: But you say that he doesn’t practice law any more — he is engaged in business.

  Kuzovkin: That’s true. But that’s the way things happen. And he is a real good man. I haven’t seen him in a long time.

  Tbopachev: How long?

  Kuzovkin: It will be a little over a year.

  Tropachev: How neglectful you are. That isn’t good.

  Kuzovkin: You speak the truth, but what can I do?

  Eletski: Tell us what the trouble is.

  Kuzovkin [coughing a little and growing a little angry]: The case is this, Pavel Nikolaich. Pardon my effrontery, b
ut . . . well, you asked me to tell you. The case is this: The village Vietrovo ... I must confess that never in my life have I spoken in the presence of a dignitary . . . you’ll pardon me if I say something . . .

  Eletski: Speak, speak freely!