Mitka’s Voice: I can’t. So help me, God, I can’t.
Moshkin’s Voice: Mitka! Your master is home. I know he is home. Let me go in.
Mitka’s Voice: No, sir.
Moshkin’s Voice: Nonsense, Mitka! Let me go in. Your master hasn’t left town. I asked in the store and I asked the janitor. [Raising his voice.] Petrusha! Petrusha! Tell him to let me in! I know you are home.
Vilitski [not daring to look at Fonk and Sozomenos, who is again restraining his laughter; goes up to the door of the vestibule]: Come in, come in, Mikhail Ivanych! Please come in. Are you out of your head, Mitka, or what? [Moshkin and Mitka enter. Moshkin is very nervous. On seeing Fonk and Sozomenos, he begins to bow all around. Vilitski presses his hand.] How do you do, Mikhail Ivanych! How do you do? Pardon me, please, for the misunderstanding
[Mitka wants to talk.] Go, you!
Mitka: You yourself told me
Vilitski: Go, I tell you. [Mitka goes out.]
Moshkin: Oh, that’s nothing. On the contrary, you must pardon me, for perhaps I have disturbed . . . [Bows to Fonk and Sozomenos, who do not return the greeting.] [Sozomenos gets up from his chair.]
Moshkin [going up to Fonk]: My esteemed Rodion Karlych! I didn’t know you at first. The sun, — you know, — [He motions with his hand in the air.] How’s your health?
Fonk: Thank God! And how is yours?
Moshkin: Oh, we’re getting along, thank you. [Bows to Fonk again and smiles.] The weather is very fine to - day.
[A short, strained silence.]
Fonk [to Vilitski]: Good - bye, Petr Ilich. [Taking his hat.] We’ll undoubtedly see each other again to - day.
Moshkin [to Fonk]: I hope I haven’t disturbed. ... If I am in your way, please don’t disturb yourselves. I can come in some other time. I only came in to have a look at Petr Ilich.
Fonk: Oh, no, you haven’t disturbed us. We were getting ready to go, as it was. Alkiviad Martynych! Come on.
Vilitski [a little disturbed]: So you are going away?
Fonk: Yes. We’ll see each other . . . Where are you going to dine?
Vilitski: I don’t know. Why?
Fonk: If you’re not detained anywhere, come to see me about five o’clock. Good - bye. [To Moshkin.] Good - bye.
[Moshkin bows.]
Vilitski: Good - bye, Rodion Karlych. Alkiviad Martynych! Where do you live?
Sozomenos: On Gorokhovaia, in Zhmukhim’s house.
Vilitski: I shall have the pleasure of . . . [Escorts them to the vestibule.]
[They go out. Vilitski returns. Moshkin stands immovable and looks at him. Vilitski goes up to him hesitatingly.]
Vilitski: I am very glad to see you, Mikhail Ivanych.
Moshkin: And I . . . and I am very glad to see you, too, Petrusha! Surely . . . I — I . . .
Vilitski: I intended to go to see you to - day, Mikhail Ivanych. I have to leave here pretty soon. Why don’t you sit down?
Moshkin [still in the same position]: Thank you ... I shall have to . . . Well, how was your journey? Are you well?
Vilitski [hurriedly]: All right, thank you. What time is it?
Moshkin: It must be going on two o’clock.
Vilitski: Two o’clock?
Moshkin [turning around to Vilitski quickly]: Petrusha! Petrusha! What’s the matter with you?
Vilitski: With me, Mikhail Ivanych? Nothing.
Moshkin [going up to him]: Why are you offended with us, Petrusha?
Vilitski [not looking at him]: I?
Moshkin: I know everything, Petrusha. I know you haven’t been out of town. You haven’t been in to see us for the last five days. You have been hiding yourself. Petrusha! What’s the matter with you? Tell me. Has any one of us insulted you?
Vilitski: Oh, no. On the contrary . . .
Moshkin: Then why such a sudden change?
Vilitski: I’ll explain it to you later, Mikhail Ivanych.
Moshkin: We are plain people, Petrusha, but we love you with all our hearts. Pardon us, if we have done anything disagreeable to you. We haven’t known what to think, Petrusha. We are discouraged and tired out. Imagine yourself, what was our situation! Acquaintances asked: “Where is Petr Ilich?” I wanted to say that he had gone out of town for a few days, but my tongue wouldn’t obey me. What could I do? Just imagine! Eight before the wedding! Poor Masha! I haven’t thoughj; at all about myself, but Masha, just think! She is your bride. She, the poor girl, has no one in this world but you and me. And if there were any cause, but — We felt as if you had pierced our hearts.
Vilitski: Truly, Mikhail Ivanych . . .
Moshkin: I know, Petrusha. She was here, a little while ago. [Vilitski shudders slightly.] She put her hat on, unexpectedly, this morning, and I asked her: “Where are you going?” and she said, almost dazed: “Let me go. I’ve got to buy something.” [Dejectedly.] Well, she didn’t have to buy anything, Petrusha. You know that she didn’t. ... I let her go and I followed her. I saw that she ran up the street and made straight for here. I stopped at the corner, where the liquor store is, and I watched. I saw that, after a quarter of an hour, my dear little orphan came out of here, her face all tears. She took a cab, hung her head, and began to cry again. [He stops and wipes his eyes.] We must have pity, Petrusha.
Vilitski [agitatedly]: I am guilty, Mikhail Ivanych. I am guilty before her and before you. Pardon me.
Moshkin [with a sigh]: Oh, Petrusha, Petrusha! I didn’t expect this of you!
Vilitski: Pardon me, Mikhail Ivanych. I am going to tell you all about it. You’ll see, everything will come out all right. That’s true. I shall be at your house to - day, and shall explain it all. Pardon me.
Moshkin: Ah, that’s fine, Petrusha. And, thank God! I know that you wouldn’t hurt us, intentionally. Let me embrace you, my dear. I haven’t seen you for five long days. [Embraces him.]
Vilitski [quickly]: You mustn’t think that I said anything disagreeable to Maria Vasilevna. On the contrary, I tried every which way to calm her, but she was so wrought up
Moshkin: I believe you, Petrusha. Only imagine yourself in her place, Petrusha. You don’t dislike us!
Vilitski: How can you think that? . . .
Moshkin: You don’t dislike her, either. She loves you so much, Petrusha. She’ll die, if you jilt her.
Vilitski: Why do you talk that way, Mikhail Ivanych?
Moshkin: Imagine! She is your bride; the wedding day is set, with your consent . . .
Vilitski: Am I changing the day? I love Maria Vasilevna.
Moshkin: Well, thank God, thank God! That means then that it wasn’t anything. It was just some little vision. In the future, Petrusha, better say it out; better reproach us. But those five days . . .
Vilitski: Don’t remind me of them, please. I am shamed, as it is. It will never happen again, believe me.
Moshkin: Well, it is all over, Petrusha, it is all over. Whoever recalls the past, will . . .
Vilitski: All I said to Maria Vasilevna, and I am repeating it to you now, was that we must have a little understanding ... so as to avoid the repetition of similar occurrences.
Moshkin: What misunderstandings? What does it mean, — misunderstandings? I can’t understand it.
Vilitski: I must have a talk with Maria Vasilevna.
Moshkin: Who will have anything against that? That’s your privilege. She’s to be your wife, and you are her preceptor. Who else is to give her instructions but you? Who else but you is to lay down the rules for her? Married life isn’t a bed of roses. You must be truthful to one another. You have already done a whole lot for her, — that is, for her education, for she is an orphan and I am not an educated man. That’s all true, Petrusha.
Vilitski: You don’t quite understand me, Mikhail Ivanych. However, it will all explain itself, and you’ll pee. Pretty soon, everything will be all right. [Looking at him.] My poor Mikhail Ivanych! You have changed quite a little. I am guilty, I am unpardonably guilty before you.
Moshkin: For three long years you have been my joy
and comfort. Only once did you vex me a little. But what of it? It isn’t worth while talking about it. And as for the explanation, I rely upon you. You’re a pretty bright fellow; you’ll make it all for the best. Only, please be indulgent. You know, it is easy to frighten Masha. Don’t pay any attention to the fact that she is a little timid and an orphan. She isn’t kom el font (comme il faut) but all the happiness of life doesn’t lie in that, Petrusha, believe me. There is more happiness in love and a kind heart. Your friends, surely, are educated people, and they converse, so to say, in an abstract manner, but we — we can love you with all our hearts. No one, Petrusha, can deny that.
Vilitski [pressing his hand]: My kind, kind Mikhail Ivanych! I don’t deserve such an attitude towards me. [Moshkin smiles and motions with his hand.] Truly, I don’t see how I deserve this. [Short silence.]
Moshkin: Look me straight in the face. So, you are my same Petrusha.
Vilitski: How kind you are, how kind you are! [Another short silence.] I am awfully sorry, but I have to go to the office.
Moshkin: To the office? Well, I won’t detain you. When will you come to see us, Petrusha?
Vilitski: This evening, Mikhail Ivanych, positively.
Moshkin: Very well. How about . . . Petrusha . . . now? . . .
Vilitski: Now, Mikhail Ivanych, I can’t. Mitka!
Moshkin: Well, you know best. But Masha and I would be glad ...
Mitka [entering]: Yes, sir?
Vilitski: My uniform.
Mitka: Yes, sir. [Goes out.]
Moshkin: Just think, Petrusha! After these tears and worries — ah, Petrusha?
Vilitski: I can’t, Mikhail Ivanych. I shall be in this evening, positively.
Moshkin [with a sigh]: Very well.
Vilitski: I haven’t been to the office all this time. They may have noticed it.
Moshkin: Well, just for a minute, before you go there.
Vilitski: I don’t think I have the strength to face the shame. You, please, prepare Maria Vasilevna. Just tell her that she should forgive me.
Moshkin: Oh, nonsense! No preparations are necessary. When we go in, I’ll simply say: “Here he is, our runaway!” And she will embrace you. That’s all the preparation that is necessary. [Mitka comes in with the uniform.] Put on your uniform and come up.
Vilitski: But only for a minute. [Puts on his uniform.] Moshkin: Well, we’ll see. [To Mitka.] You shameless fellow! Look at him. [Mitka smiles.] However, I admire you. A servant must do his master’s will. Well, Petrusha, I thank you very much. You have resurrected us all. Come on.
Vilitski: Come on. [Going to Mitka.] Should Mr. Fonk stop in, tell him that I will be in to see him later to - day.
Moshkin: Well, we’ll see about that. Put your hat on. Come on.
[Both go out. Mitka remains, looking after them. Having seen them out, he goes up to the front of the stage.]
Mitka: “Shameless fellow!” Who in the world can understand him? He gives me orders not to let him in and — Ah, what do I care about it? I’ll lie down and have a nap. [Lies down on the couch.] I wish he’d buy a new couch! The springs of this one are all gone. But he has no time to think of such things. He’s got to run after the girls. Well, I don’t care. Let him have them. That’s all . . . that’s all. [Ee lifts his feet up in the air.] Kapiton certainly can make a dandy pair of shoes!
CURTAIN.
ACT THREE
Scene: The same as in Act One. Moshkin is dressed in a house - coat. He looks very sad and care - worn. He stands at the left door, listening. In a few minutes, Priazhkina appears from that door.
Moshkin [almost whispering]: Well, well?
Priazhkina [in the same tone]: She has fallen asleep.
Moshkin: And she has no fever?
Priazhkina: Not now.
Moshkin: Thank God! [Silence.’] Ekaterina Savishna! You had better not leave her. Something unexpected, you know, might happen.
Priazhkina: No, I won’t leave her; certainly I won’t leave her. Have some tea made.
Moshkin: I will, I will, my dear. [Priazhkina goes out. Moshkin comes to the front of the stage slowly; sits down; looks fixedly at the floor for a while; passes his hand over his face and shouts.] Stratilat!
Stratilat [entering from the vestibule]: Yes, sir.
Moshkin: Make some tea for Ekaterina Savishna.
Stratilat: Yes, sir. [Starts to go.]
Moshkin [hesitatingly]: Nobody has come?
Stratilat: No, sir.
Moshkin: And — nothing has been brought here?
Stratilat: Nothing.
Moshkin [sighing]: Well, you can go. [Stratilat goes out. Moshkin looks around, wants to get up, but sits down again.] My God! My God! What does it mean? All of a sudden, everything has gone to pieces again. Now, the case is clear. . . . [Droops his head.] What means can we take? What can we do? . . . [Short silence.] There is no way out. It’s all . . . [Motions with his hand in despair.] Unless it should come by itself. As.] Oh, Lord! Oh, Lord! [Shpundik enters from the vestibule. Mosiikin looks around.] Oh, is that you, Filipp? I am much obliged to you for not forgetting us.
Shpundik [pressing his hand]: Oh, I am not one of your city fellows. [After a moment’s silence.] Well, has he been here?
Moshkin [after having looked at him]: No, he hasn’t.
Shpundik: Hm! He hasn’t. What’s the cause?
Moshkin: The Lord knows. He’s always excusing himself, — that he has no time
Shpundik [sitting down]: Has no time! And how is Maria Vasilevna?
Moshkin: She isn’t very well. She didn’t sleep a wink all night. Now she is resting.
Stipundik [shaking his head]: Just think of it! [St^Tis.] Yes, yes, yes.
Moshkin: What are you doing?
Shpundik: Oh, I’m trying. I must confess, Mikhail Ivanych, as I look upon your city people — No, I don’t like them. The further away from them, the better. You city people, — oi, oi, oi!
Mosiikin [not looking at him]: Why are you so . . . There are good people here, too.
Shpundik: I don’t deny it. It’s possible. Only, one must look very sharply. [After a moment’s silence.] So Petr Ilich hasn’t been here?
Moshkin [turning around to him suddenly]: Filipp! Why should I hide it from you? You see me; I am a dead man.
Shpundik: Lord bless you!
Moshkin: I am a dead man; I am a dead man. And how unexpectedly it has come! You remember, Filipp, when you came here, two weeks ago, you remember how I met you? You remember what plans I had, what hopes? And now everything is crushed. It has all gone to the devil; it has all gone to Hell. Everything has gone, and I am sitting here like a fool, trying to think up something. But I can’t.
Siipundik: Maybe you are exaggerating the thing, Misha.
Moshkin: I am not exaggerating it. You have been here almost every day, and you can see for yourself. After the dinner — you remember? — something was wrong. He didn’t come. He was a little foolish, or something happened, but — I went there, and explained myself and brought him here. Masha cried a little, forgave him and it was all fixed up. So I thought that everything was all right. To tell the truth, he didn’t stay long that time. He felt ashamed, or whatever the cause was. He assured her, in the right way though, in the way a lover ought to, that everything would be as before. He called on us the next day, brought her a little present, turned around, and — he was gone. He said that business called him. The following day he didn’t come at all; then he came again, spent an hour, but didn’t say a word. I talked to him about the wedding, how it should be, and when, and that it was time, and all he said was: “Yes, yes.” And since that day he hasn’t been near us. We can never find him home, and he doesn’t answer our letters. Well, Filipp, what does it all mean? You know as well as I do.
It is as clear as can be. He refuses, he refuses. Now, imagine in what condition I am! The responsibility, so to say, rests upon me. I am the one who started the whole thing. She is an orphan and has no one to take her part. But how co
uld I ever have thought that Petrusha . . . [Stops.]
Shpundik [thoughtfully]: Do you know what I am going to tell you, Mikhail Ivanych?
Moshkin: What?
Shpundik: I think he has got a little foolish, — silly, as they say. St. Petersburg is not the last city in the world for it.
Moshkin [after a moment’s silence]: No, it isn’t that. He isn’t that kind of a fellow. He wouldn’t act like that.
Works of Ivan Turgenev (Illustrated) Page 372