Works of Ivan Turgenev (Illustrated)

by Ivan Turgenev

  [Olga appears in the door of the reception - room, and remains standing there surprised. Her husband signals her to go away. She doesn’t understand his signals.]

  Eletski [to Kuzovkin]: Go, go! . . .

  Trembinski [goes up to Kuzovkin and takes him by the hand]: Come on.

  Kuzovkin [pushing him away]: Don’t drag me. [Following Eletski with his eyes.] You, sir, are a famous man, isn’t that true? You have married Olga Petrovna Korina. The Korinas are an old family, an ancient family, but do you know who she is, who Olga Petrovna is? She . . . she is my daughter!

  [Olga disappears.]

  Eletski [stops as though thunderstruck]: You . . . you have lost your mind!

  Kuzovkin [after a moment’s silence, puts his hand on his head]: Yes, I have lost my mind. [i?«ns away, bumping against everything, Ivanov after him.]

  Eletski [turning to Tropachev]: He’s crazy!

  Tropachev: Sure enough!

  [Both quietly go into the reception - room. Trembinski and Karpachov look at one another with great surprise.]

  Curtain

  ACT TWO

  Scene: A reception - room richly furnished in the old - fashioned style. On the right is a doorway leading into the sitting - room. On the left, a door leading into Olga Petrovna’s room. Olga is sitting on a divan, and near her Praskovia Ivanovna.

  Praskovia [after a little silence]: What shall I do, madam? What girls will it please you to have me assign to be your maids?

  Olga [with some impatience]: Any of them you like!

  Praskovia: Akulina, the lame girl, is a very good girl. Martha also, Marchukov’s daughter. Will you have them?

  Olga: Very well. What’s the name of that girl — I mean that girl who is good - looking, and wears the blue dress?

  Praskovia [hesitatingly]: Blue . . .? Oh, yes! You mean Mashka. You can have her, but she is a saucy girl, awfully saucy. She isn’t a bit obedient, and her behavior isn’t the best. However, just as you like about it.

  Olga: I like her looks, but if she doesn’t behave well . . .

  Praskovia: She behaves badly, she’s no good. It isn’t worth while . . . [After a moment’s silence.] Oh, dear madam, how beautiful you look! How much you resemble your mother! . . . My dear ... I can’t look at you enough! Looking at you . . . Permit me to kiss your hand, dear.

  Olga: All right, Praskovia, you may go.

  Praskovia: Yes, ma’am. Don’t you want anything?

  Olga: No, I don’t need anything.

  Praskovia: Yes, ma’am. So I will send in Akulina and Martha?

  Olga: All right, go. [Praskovia starts to go.] Tell somebody that I should like to see Pavel Nikolaich.

  Praskovia: Yes, ma’em. [Goes out.]

  Olga [alone]: What does it mean? What did I hear yesterday? I couldn’t sleep the whole night. The old man must have been out of his mind. [
  [Eletski enters.]

  Eletski [with a care - worn face goes up to her]: Did you wish to see me, Olga?

  Olga: Yes. I wanted to ask you. In the garden near the pond the paths are overgrown with grass. In the front of the house, it has been cleaned up, but there they forgot about it. Tell them to clean it up.

  Eletski: I have already given orders.

  Olga: Thank you. And tell somebody to buy bells in the city for my cows to put on their necks.

  Eletski: All right. That will be done. [Starts to go.] Anything else you’d like?

  Olga: Are you busy, dear?

  Eletski: The accounts have been brought in from the office.

  Olga: If that’s the case, I’m not going to detain you. We can go to the woods a little before dinner.

  Eletski: Surely. [Starts to go again.]

  Olga [permitting him to get to the door]: Paul!

  Eletski [turning around]: What?

  Olga: Tell me, please; I didn’t have time to ask you about it yesterday — what was the trouble yesterday after lunch?

  Eletski: Nothing in particular. Only I am sorry that it came out the very first day of our arrival. However, I am to blame a little for it myself. We took it into our heads to get that old man, Kuzovkin, drunk. To be exact about the matter, it was more the work of our neighbor, Monsieur Tropachev. At first, he was a little funny. He chattered, told us all sorts of nonsense — then he began to be a little boisterous. However, that isn’t anything anyway — it’s not worth while mentioning.

  Olga: It seemed to me . . .

  Eletski: Stop, stop! In the future we must be a little more careful — that’s all. [After a moment’s thought.] However, I have already taken the necessary steps in the matter.

  Olga: How’s that?

  Eletski: Well, you see, although it wasn’t anything really, yet there were strangers here who saw and heard. It wasn’t nice to have it happen in a respectable house, so I made the necessary arrangements.

  Olga: What arrangements did you make?

  Eletski: Well, you see I, I ... I explained it to the old man that it would be disagreeable for him to remain here in our house after such an occurrence, as you yourself said. He immediately agreed with me, for he sobered up. Surely he is a poor man, and he hasn’t anything to live on. Well, then, we’ll send him away to a house on one of jour other estates. We’ll give him a little money and food. He will be satisfied. I am not going to deny him anything.

  Olga: Paul, it seems to me that for such a piece of nonsense you are punishing him too severely. He has been living in this house so long that he’s used to it here. He has known me from my childhood. Truly it seems to me that he may be kept here.

  Eletski: Olga, no. There are reasons for it. Surely we can’t exact anything from the old man, especially when he was irresponsible. However, let me have my way in this matter. I repeat, I have strong reasons for it.

  Olga: As you like.

  Eletski: Moreover, I think he has packed up his things already.

  Olga: But he won’t go without saying good - bye to me!

  Eletski: I think he will come in to say good - bye to you. However, if it should be disagreeable to you, you needn’t receive him.

  Olga: On the contrary, I wish to have a talk with him.

  Eletski: Just as you like, Olga. But I shouldn’t advise you. You will get worked up, and then, of«course, he is an old man and you have known him from your childhood. . . . I confess, I do not like to change my decision.

  Olga: Oh, you needn’t be afraid of that. Only I really think that he’ll go away without saying good - bye to me. Please send somebody to find out whether he has gone or not.

  Eletski: As you please. [Rings the hell.] Vous etes jolie comme un ange aujourd’hui.

  Petr [entering]: What do you wish, sir?

  Eletski: Go, my dear fellow, and find out whether Kuzovkin has left or not. [Looking at Olga.] So you want him to come to say good - bye to you?

  Petr [going out]: Yes, sir.

  Olga: Paul, I have something to ask you.

  Eletski [kindly]: Well, speak it out — what is it?

  Olga: Listen. When Kuzovkin comes in, leave us to ourselves.

  Eletski [after a moment’s pause with a cold smile]: It seems best to me not to. You won’t be comfortable alone with him.

  Olga: No, please. I have something to talk to him about. I want to ask him something. I want to talk with him alone.

  Eletski [looking at her fixedly]: Did you . . . yesterday?

  Olga [looking at Eletski in the most innocent manner]: What?

  Eletski [quickly]: Well, as you like. As you please about it. Here, I think he is coming.

  [Kuzovkin enters, very pale.]

  Olga: How do you do, Vasili Petrovich? [Kuzovkin bows silently.] How do you do? [To Eletski.] Eh, bien, mon ami. Je vous en prie.

  Eletski [to his wife]: Oui. [To Kuzovkin.] Are you all packed up?
>
  Kuzovkin [in an undertone and with considerable difficulty]: I am all packed up.

  Eletski: Olga Petrovna wishes to speak with you . . . to say good - bye to you. If you need anything, please tell her about it. [To Olga.] Au revoir. You won’t be long with him, will you?

  Olga: I don’t know. I don’t think so.

  Eletski: Very well. [Goes out to the sitting - room.]

  Olga [sits on the divan, and points Kuzovkin to a chair]: Sit down, Vasili Petrovich. [Kuzovkin bows, but does not sit down.] Sit down, I ask you. [Kuzovkin sits down. For some little time, Olga doesn’t know how to begin the conversation.] You are going to leave us, I hear.

  Kuzovkin [without raising his eyes]: That’s right.

  Olga: Pavel Nikolaich has told me about it. Believe me, I don’t quite like that.

  Kuzovkin: Don’t let that disturb you. I am extremely much obliged to you ... I will . . .

  Olga: In your new place you will be just as comfortable, even more so. You’ll have your quiet. I’ll see to that.

  Kuzovkin: I am very much obliged to you. I feel that I do not deserve that much. A piece of bread, a little corner in a room somewhere — I don’t need anything any more. [After a moment’s silence, he gets up.] And now permit me to say good - bye. I am to blame, but pardon an old man.

  Olga: Why are you in such a hurry? Wait a little.

  Kuzovkin: As you say. [He sits down again.]

  Olga [after a short silence]: Listen, Vasili Petrovich, tell me frankly, what happened to you in the morning.

  Kuzovkin: I am guilty, Olga Petrovna. I alone am guilty.

  Olga: However, how is it that you . . .?

  Kuzovkin: Please do not ask me, Olga Petrovna. It’s not worth while. I am guilty all around, and that’s all. Pavel Nikolaich is positively right. He ought to punish me more severely. I shall pray for him the rest of my life.

  Olga: I confess that I cannot see such a great fault in it. You aren’t a young man any more. You are out of the habit of drinking. Well . . . and you were a little noisy.

  Kuzovkin: No, Olga Petrovna. Don’t try to justify me. I am extremely much obliged to you for it, but I feel that I am guilty.

  Olga: Maybe you said something insulting to my husband? Or to Mr. Tropachev?

  Kuzovkin [letting his head hang low]: I am guilty all round, that’s all.

  Olga [with some agitation]: Listen, Vasili Petrovich, do you remember well what you said?

  Kuzovkin [shudders and looks at Olga; slowly]: I don’t know.

  Olga: I was told that you said . . .

  Kuzovkin [interrupting her]: I lied, Olga Petrovna. Positively lied! The first thing that came to my mind I said. I am guilty. I wasn’t in my right mind.

  Olga: However, it would never have entered your mind without any cause for it.

  Kuzovkin: The Lord knows what the cause was. I am sure it was either that I got out of my mind, or the wine did it because I am not used to it. I drank and drank; then I said . . . The Lord knows what I said! It happens . . . But I am guilty all around, and I am fairly well punished for it. [Wants to get up.~ Permit me to say good - bye, Olga Petrovna, and don’t think badly of me.

  Olga: I see that you don’t want to talk frankly with me. You are afraid of me. I am not Pavel Nikolaich. You may be a little afraid of him because you don’t know him. Apparently he is very harsh. But why are you afraid of me? You knew me when I was a child.

  Kuzovkin: Olga Petrovna, you have a very angelic heart. Have mercy upon a poor, old man.

  Olga: On the contrary, I wish to . . .

  Kuzovkin: Don’t remind me of your youth. Mv heart is leaden as it is. Oh, what a bitter cup is mine! In my old age I am obliged to leave your house for a fault of my own!

  Olga: Listen, Vasili Petrovich. There is still a means of helping your troubles. Only be frank with me. Listen, I . . . [(S%e gets up and goes to one side a little.]

  Kuzovkin [follomng her with his eyes]: Don’t work yourself up, Olga Petrovna. Truly, it isn’t worth while. Even there, I shall pray to the Lord for you. You needn’t think of me but just once in a great while, and say: “The old Kuzovkin was a devoted friend of mine.”

  Olga [turning to Kuzovkin again]: Vasili Petrovich, are you really devoted to me? Do you really love me?

  Kuzovkin: My dear . . . command me to die for you . . .

  Olga: No, I do not wish your death. I want the truth. I want to know the truth!

  Kuzovkin: Yes, ma’am.

  Olga: I ... I heard your last exclamation.

  Kuzovkin [hardly able to pronounce a word]: W - h - a - t!

  Olga: I heard what you said about me. [Kuzovkin gets up from the chair and falls on his knees.] Is it true?

  Kuzovkin: Please be so magnanimous as to forgive me. I repeat, I was out of my mind. I . . . [His voice breaks.]

  Olga: No, you don’t want to tell me the truth.

  Kuzovkin: I was out of my mind, Olga Petrovna. Pardon me . . .

  Olga [catching hold of his hand]: No. No! For the Lord’s sake ... I beseech you in the name of the Lord! I pray you, tell me! Is it true? Is it true? [He is silent.] Why do you plague me so?

  Kuzovkin: Do you really want to know the truth?

  Olga: Yes, tell me, is it true?

  [Kuzovkin lifts up his eyes and looks straight at Olga.

  The features of his face express a fierce inner struggle.

  Suddenly he drops his head and murmurs: “It is true!” Olga quickly steps back and remains immovable. Kuzovkin covers his face with his hands. The sitting - room door opens and Eletski enters. First he does not notice Kuzovkin, who is on his knees. He goes up to his wife.]

  Eletski: Well, have you finished? [Stops in doubt.] Ah, voila, je vous ai dit. Hm! He began to ask your pardon . . .

  Olga: Paul, leave us alone.

  Eletski [not grasping the situation]: Mais, ma chere .. .

  Olga: Please, I ask you, leave us alone!

  Eletski [after a moment’s silence]: Very well, as you like. Only I hope that you will explain this puzzle to me. [Olga nods her head in acquiescence, and Eletski slowly goes out.]

  Olga [goes quickly up to the door of the sitting - room, shuts and locks the door, and returns to Kuzovkin, who is still on his knees]: Get up, get up, I ask you.

  Kuzovkin [rising slowly]: Olga Petrovna . . . [He apparently doesn’t know what to say.]

  Olga [pointing to the divan]: Sit down here. [Kuzovkin sits down. Olga remains at a little distance and stands a little sideways.] Vasili Petrovich, do you understand my position?

  Kuzovkin [weakly]: Olga Petrovna, I see it clearly. I have lost my mind. Permit me to go. Otherwise I may make matters even worse, for I don’t know what I am saying.

  Olga [breathing heavily and quickly]: No, Vasili Petrovich! All the harm is done. Now you cannot take your words back. You must tell me all — all . . . the whole truth.

  Kuzovkin: But I . . .

  Olga [quickly]: I want you to understand at last my posi

  tion, also yours. You have either slandered my mother . . . In that case, leave the house at once and don’t ever let me see you again. [STie shows him the door. Kuzovkin wants to get up and go, but remains in his seat.] Ah! You see, you are not going, you are remaining . . .

  Kuzovkin [gloomily]: Oh, Lord, my Lord!

  Olga: I want to know everything. You must tell me everything, do you hear me?

  Kuzovkin [in despair]: Wlell, yes ... yes .. . You shall know everything, as long as the misfortune has befallen me. Only, Olga Petrovna, don’t look at me that way . . . Otherwise I ... I cannot . . .

  Olga [trying to smile]: Vasili Petrovich, I . . .

  Kuzovkin [timidly]: My name is Vasili Semenych, Olga Petrovna. [Olga blushes and shrugs her shoulders. She still keeps her position distant from Kuzovkin.] Yes . . . Where do you want me to begin?

  Olga [blushing and growing confused]: Vasili Semenych, how do you want me . . . that I . . .

  Kuzovkin [ready to weep]: But I cannot speak when y
ou . . .

  Olga [stretching her hand to him]: Calm yourself. Speak! Don’t you see the condition I’m in . . . Control yourself.

  Kuzovkin: Very well, my dear Olga Petrovna. Well, where shall I begin? Oh, Lord, oh, Lord! Well, yes, then ... If you will permit me, I shall tell you a little bit at first . . . Yes, I shall tell you a little now . . . Yes, now ... I was a little over twenty. I ‘was born, it must be stated, in poverty, and finally was left without a bite of bread, and that was, it must be said, on account of the injustice . . . However, I had absolutely no bringing up. Your deceased father — [Olga shudders] — blessed be his memory! — took pity upon me. Otherwise, I would have starved to death. “Live in my house,” said he, “until I shall find you a position.” Thus I came to be here. Well, surely to find a position for one with nothing is a problem, and so I remained here. Your father at that time was still a bachelor. About two years afterwards, he began to court your mother, and soon after he married her. And so he began to live with your mother, and two boys were born. They both died soon afterward. Then I must tell you, Olga Petrovna, that your father was an impetuous man — so impetuous, may the Lord forgive him! Then he was very bald, and when he was mad he wouldn’t know himself. Also he loved to drink. However, he was a good man and was my benefactor. Well, at the beginning, your father lived with your deceased mother very happily, but it didn’t last very long. Your mother — may she enjoy the Heavenly Kingdom! — was, I must say, an angel and a most beautiful woman, but Fate . . . We had a woman neighbor at that time . . . Your Father became very much attached to her . . . Olga Petrovna, pardon me, if I . . .