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Without a Dowry and Other Plays

Page 27

by Alexander Ostrovsky


  MME OGUDALOV. I don’t know a thing.

  KARANDYSHOV. No, you’re all one gang, all in cahoots. But you should know, Kharita Ignatyevna, that even the mildest of men can be provoked to fury. Not all criminals are villains, and a peaceful man can make up his mind to a crime when he has no other way out. If all I have left in the world is either to hang myself from shame and despair or to take revenge, then I’ll take revenge. For me now there’s no fear, no law, no pity; I’m just overwhelmed by ferocious spite and a craving for revenge. I’ll get revenge on every one of them, every last one, until they kill me. (He grabs the pistol from the table and runs out.)

  MME OGUDALOV. What was that he took?

  IVAN. A pistol.

  MME OGUDALOV. Run, run after him, shout, make them stop him.

  ACT FOUR

  Setting of the first act. A bright summer night. Robinson (with a billiard cue in his hand) and Ivan are coming out of the coffee house.

  IVAN. That billiard cue, please!

  ROBINSON. I won’t give it up. I want you to play with me! Why won’t you play?

  IVAN. How can I play with you when you don’t pay your money!

  ROBINSON. I’ll pay you later. My money’s with Vasily Danilych, he took it with him. Don’t you believe me?

  IVAN. How come you didn’t go with them on the picnic?

  ROBINSON. I fell asleep, and he didn’t dare disturb me by waking me up, so he went off alone. Let’s play!

  IVAN. I can’t, sir, the game’s not equal. I place money, but you don’t. If you win, you take, but if you lose you don’t pay up. Place your money, sir.

  ROBINSON. What is this, don’t I have any credit? That’s really something! This is the first time I’ve seen such a town. Everywhere I’ve been, all over Russia, I’ve had all kinds of credit.

  IVAN. I can easily believe that, sir. Whatever you want we’ll give you. Knowing Sergey Sergeyich and Vasily Danilych, what gentlemen they are, we’re obliged to give you credit, sir. But a game requires money, sir.

  ROBINSON. Then you should have told me. Take your cue and give me a bottle of… What should it be?

  IVAN. That port’s not bad, sir.

  ROBINSON. You know I don’t drink anything cheap.

  IVAN. We’ll give you the expensive brand, sir.

  ROBINSON. And tell them to cook up something for me… you know that… what it is…

  IVAN. We could cook some double snipe for you, would you like that?

  ROBINSON. Of course, precisely, double snipe.

  IVAN. Yes, sir. (He goes off.)

  ROBINSON. They wanted to play a joke on me; very good, I’ll play one on them. Out of grief I’ll run up a bill of some twenty rubles, let them pay that off. If they think I need their company, they’re mistaken. All I need is their credit, with that I won’t miss them even when I’m alone, I can play a solo role and be very happy. To complete my satisfaction I could borrow some money…

  Ivan enters with a bottle.

  IVAN (puts down the bottle). The double snipe has been ordered, sir.

  ROBINSON. I’m leasing a theater here.

  IVAN. That’s a good thing, sir.

  ROBINSON. I don’t know who to give the concession to. Do you think your boss might take it?

  IVAN. How could he fail to take it, sir!

  ROBINSON. Only the way I do things, I have to keep everything in good order! And to guarantee that, I require a sizable deposit at the start.

  IVAN. No, he’s had some experience with that, he won’t put down any deposit. Two men have already tricked him that way.

  ROBINSON. Two already? I see, if it’s already two…

  IVAN. Then he won’t trust a third.

  ROBINSON. What people! I can’t get over it. Everywhere somebody’s gotten there first. Where you might have gotten something, it’s all taken already, there’s no virgin territory. Well, never mind, I don’t need it. Don’t say a word to him, so he won’t get the idea I wanted to cheat him. I have my pride.

  IVAN. Yes, sir; that’s it, of course…You know, you should have seen how mad Mr. Karandyshov got when all his guests suddenly left! He got awfully mad, he even wanted to kill somebody, he left the house with a pistol.

  ROBINSON. A pistol? That’s not good.

  IVAN. He was drunk. I suppose it’ll pass off after a while. He went up and down the boulevard a couple of times… there he comes now.

  ROBINSON (becoming frightened). You say he had a pistol? He wanted to kill somebody… was it me?

  IVAN. I can’t tell you. (He goes off.)

  Karandyshov enters. Robinson tries to hide behind the bottle.

  KARANDYSHOV (approaches Robinson.). Where are your comrades, Mr. Robinson?

  ROBINSON. What comrades? I don’t have any comrades.

  KARANDYSHOV. But what about those gentlemen who had dinner with you at my place?

  ROBINSON. What kind of comrades are they! They’re just passing acquaintances.

  KARANDYSHOV. Then you don’t know where they are now?

  ROBINSON. I couldn’t say, I try to steer clear of that bunch. I’m a peaceful man, you know… a family man.

  KARANDYSHOV. You’re a family man?

  ROBINSON. Very much of a family man… For me a quiet family life is the highest good. God deliver us from any discontent or quarrel. What I like is to carry on a conversation, but it must be clever and polite, about art, for example… And with a man of nobility, a man like you, it’s even possible to take a little drink. Wouldn’t you like one?

  KARANDYSHOV. I don’t want one.

  ROBINSON. As you wish. The main thing is that there shouldn’t be any unpleasantness.

  KARANDYSHOV. But you really should know where they are.

  ROBINSON. They’re off carousing somewhere, what else can they do!

  KARANDYSHOV. People say they went across the Volga, is that true?

  ROBINSON. That’s very possible.

  KARANDYSHOV. Didn’t they invite you along?

  ROBINSON. No, I’m a family man.

  KARANDYSHOV. When will they be coming back?

  ROBINSON. I don’t think they know themselves. They’ll be back by morning.

  KARANDYSHOV. By morning?

  ROBINSON. Maybe even earlier.

  KARANDYSHOV. In any case I’ll have to wait. There’s something I’ve got to have out with some of them.

  ROBINSON. If you’re going to wait, you could do it at the pier. Why would they come here! From the pier they’ll go straight home. What more could they want? They’d have had all they wanted to eat and drink.

  KARANDYSHOV. What pier? We have lots of piers.

  ROBINSON. Any one you want, only not here. You won’t find them by waiting here.

  KARANDYSHOV. Well, all right, I’ll go to the pier. Good-bye. (He gives Robinson his hand.) Wouldn’t you like to go with me?

  ROBINSON. No, please, I’m a family man.

  Karandyshov leaves.

  Ivan, Ivan!

  Ivan enters.

  Set the table for me inside, and bring the wine there.

  IVAN. It’s stuffy inside, sir. Why do that!

  ROBINSON. The night air is bad for me, the doctor forbade it. And if that gentleman asks abut me, tell him I’m not here. (He goes off into the coffee house.)

  Gavrilo comes out from the coffee house.

  GAVRILO. Did you take a look at the Volga? You didn’t see our people?

  IVAN. They must have arrived.

  GAVRILO. Why do you say that?

  IVAN. Because down the hill there’s some noise, the gypsies have started to make a racket. (He takes the bottle from the table and goes off into the coffee house.)

  llya and a mixed chorus of gypsies enter.

  GAVRILO. Did you have a good trip?

  ILYA. Very good! I can’t tell you how good!

  GAVRILO. Did the gentlemen enjoy themselves?

  ILYA. They had themselves a spree, they really did, to the limit! They’re coming here, and they’ll carry on all night,
you’ll see.

  GAVRILO (rubbing his hands). Then go ahead, sit down, people! I’ll tell them to serve the women tea, and you go to the buffet, and get a bite to eat.

  ILYA. Tell them to add some rum to the old women’s tea; they love that.

  llya, Gavrilo, and the gypsies go off into the coffee house. Knurov and Vozhevatov enter.

  KNUROV. It looks as though the drama’s about to start.

  VOZHEVATOV. That’s the way it seems.

  KNUROV. I saw that Larisa Dmitriyevna had shed some tears.

  VOZHEVATOV. Tears come cheap with women.

  KNUROV. Say what you will, her position’s not one to envy.

  VOZHEVATOV. It will work itself out one way or another.

  KNUROV. Hardly.

  VOZHEVATOV. Karandyshov will get angry a bit, he’ll make a fool of himself, as much as he needs, and then he’ll be the same as before.

  KNUROV. But she won’t be the same. After all, to abandon her fiancé almost on the eve of the wedding there has to be some basis. Just think, Sergey Sergeyich came for one day, and for him she abandons her fiancé, the man she’s supposed to live with all her life. That means she was putting her hopes on Sergey Sergeyich. What else could he be for her!

  VOZHEVATOV. So you think there was some deception, that his words led her on once again?

  KNUROV. I’m sure of it. And there must have been some promises, definite and serious. Otherwise how could she trust a man who’d already deceived her once?

  VOZHEVATOV. I wouldn’t be surprised. Sergey Sergeyich won’t stop at anything, he’s a reckless man.

  KNUROV. But no matter how reckless he is, he’s not going to give up a fiancée worth a million for Larisa Dmitriyevna.

  VOZHEVATOV. Of course not! What could he gain from that!

  KNUROV. So think what it must be like for the poor girl.

  VOZHEVATOV. But what can you do! It’s not our fault, we’re only bystanders.

  Robinson appears on the steps of the coffee house.

  VOZHEVATOV. Ah, my lord! What did you dream about?

  ROBINSON. About rich fools, the same as I see in real life.

  VOZHEVATOV. I see. And tell me, my poor sage, how have you been spending your time here?

  ROBINSON. Very well. I’ve been leading a life of pleasure and running up a bill besides, on your account. What could be better than that!

  VOZHEVATOV. One has to envy you. And do you intend to delight in such a pleasant life for long?

  ROBINSON. You’re really quite a character, I can see that. Think now, what would I gain from refusing such delights!

  VOZHEVATOV. There’s something there I don’t remember. I didn’t give you carte blanche, did I?

  ROBINSON. You promised to take me with you to Paris. Isn’t that the same thing?

  VOZHEVATOV. No, it’s not the same. What I promised I’ll carry out. For me a word is law, what I’ve said is sacred. Ask me, have I ever deceived anybody?

  ROBINSON. But while you’re getting ready to go to Paris, what am I supposed to live on, air?

  VOZHEVATOV. There was no agreement about that. We can go to Paris right now.

  ROBINSON. It’s too late now; let’s go tomorrow, Vasya.

  VOZHEVATOV. Tomorrow then, let it be tomorrow. Listen, tell you what, you better go on alone, I’ll give you the fare there and back.

  ROBINSON. How can I go alone? I won’t find my way.

  VOZHEVATOV. They’ll drive you there.

  ROBINSON. Listen, Vasya, I’m not at all fluent in French… I want to learn, but I never have enough time.

  VOZHEVATOV. But what do you need French for?

  ROBINSON. What do you mean, shouldn’t one speak French in Paris?

  VOZHEVATOV. But that’s not at all necessary, nobody there speaks French.

  ROBINSON. The capital of France, and they won’t be speaking French there! What kind of fool do you take me for?

  VOZHEVATOV. What capital! What’s the matter with you, are you in your right mind? What Paris are you thinking of? The inn on our public square is called “Paris.” That’s where I wanted to go with you.

  ROBINSON. Bravo, bravo!

  VOZHEVATOV. And you thought I meant the real Paris? You should have used your head a little. And you consider yourself a smart man! So why should I take you there, for what purpose? Should I make a cage and put you on exhibit?

  ROBINSON. You’ve been to a good school, Vasya, a good one. You’ll turn out to be a real merchant.

  VOZHEVATOV. Good enough, I’ve heard people think well of me.

  KNUROV. Vasily Danilych, drop him. I want to talk with you.

  VOZHEVATOV (approaching). What would you like?

  KNUROV. I’ve been thinking about Larisa Dmitriyevna. It seems to me she’s now in such a predicament that we who are her close friends are not only permitted but even obliged to take part in her fate.

  Robinson listens.

  VOZHEVATOV. What you’re trying to say is that now that a good opportunity presents itself you’d like to take her with you to Paris, is that it?

  KNUROV. Yes, I suppose that’s what it adds up to, if she’s agreeable.

  VOZHEVATOV. So what’s holding things up? Who’s in your way?

  KNUROV. You’re in my way, and I’m in yours. Maybe you’re not afraid of a rival? I’m not very much afraid either, but all the same it’s awkward and troublesome. It would be a lot better if the field were clear.

  VOZHEVATOV. You can’t buy me off, Moky Parmenych.

  KNUROV. Why buy anyone off? We can settle it some other way.

  VOZHEVATOV. Look, here’s the best way. (He takes a coin out of his pocket and puts it under his hand.) Heads or tails?

  KNUROV (in reflection). If I say heads, I’ll lose. (Decisively.) I take tails.

  VOZHEVATOV (lifting his hand). You win. That means I go to Paris alone. I haven’t lost anything, there’ll be less expenses.

  KNUROV. Just one thing, Vasily Danilych, you’ve given your word, so keep it. You’re a merchant, you must understand what your word means.

  VOZHEVATOV. You’re insulting me. I know myself what a merchant’s word is. I’m dealing with you, you know, not Robinson.

  KNUROV. There comes Sergey Sergeyich with Larisa Dmitriyevna. Let’s go into the coffee house so we won’t disturb them.

  Knurov and Vozhevatov go off into the coffee house. Paratov and Larisa enter.

  LARISA. Oh, how tired I am. I’ve lost all my strength, I could hardly get up the hill. (She sits down at the rear of the stage on a bench near the railing.)

  PARATOV. Ah, Robinson! Tell me, are you going to Paris soon?

  ROBINSON. Who with? I’ll go with you, la Serge, wherever you want, but I’m not going with any merchant. No, I’m finished with merchants.

  PARATOV. Why is that?

  ROBINSON. They’re ill-bred.

  PARATOV. Really? How long ago did you figure that out?

  ROBINSON. I’ve always known it. I’ve always been for the nobles.

  PARATOV. That does you honor, Robinson. But your pride is out-of-date. Adapt yourself to circumstances, my poor friend. The era of enlightened patrons, the era of a Maecenas has passed. Now we see the triumph of the bourgeoisie, now art is worth its weight in gold, and the golden age in the full sense has set in. But don’t be too condemning. Now and again they’ll give you your fill, if only with shoe polish, and for their own pleasure they’ll roll you down a hill in a barrel, onto some Medici.10 But don’t leave me, I’ll need you!

  ROBINSON. For you I’d go through fire and water. (He goes off into the coffee house.)

  PARATOV (to Larisa). Let me thank you for the pleasure, no, that’s not saying enough, for the happiness you’ve given us.

  LARISA. No, no, Sergey Sergeyich, don’t use empty words with me. Just tell me, what am I, your wife or not?

  PARATOV. First of all, Larisa Dmitriyevna, you need to go home. We’ll still have time to discuss it in detail tomorrow.

  LARISA. I’m not going home.


  PARATOV. But you can’t stay here. To take a trip with you on the Volga before nightfall, that’s permissible. But having a good time all night at a tavern, in the center of town, and with people who have a reputation for bad conduct! You’ll be giving people food for gossip.

  LARISA. What do I care about gossip! With you I can be anywhere. It was you who took me away, so it’s you who should take me home.

  PARATOV. You can go with my horses, isn’t that just the same?

  LARISA. No, it isn’t the same. You took me away from my fiancé, Mama saw us leave, she won’t be upset, no matter how late we return… She’s calm, she’s sure of you, she’ll simply be waiting for us, waiting… to give us her blessing. I must either go home with you or not at all.

  PARATOV. What does that mean, that “not at all”? Where are you going to go?

  LARISA. For unhappy people there’s a lot of space in God’s world. There’s the park, there’s the Volga. Here you can hang yourself on any branch, and on the Volga you can pick any spot you want. It’s easy to drown yourself anywhere if you have the desire and enough strength.

  PARATOV. How exalted! You can live, and you must. Who will deny you love or respect! And there’s your fiancé, he’ll be overjoyed if you show him favor again.

  LARISA. How can you say that! If I don’t love my husband, then at least I should respect him, and how can I respect a man who calmly puts up with mockery and all kinds of humiliation! That affair is finished, for me he doesn’t exist. I have only one fiancé, and that’s you.

  PARATOV. Forgive me, don’t take offense, but you hardly have the right to be so demanding of me.

  LARISA. What did you say! Have you really forgotten? Then I’ll go over it all from the beginning. I suffered for a year, for a year I couldn’t forget you, life became empty for me. I finally decided to marry Karandyshov, almost the first man I came on. I thought family responsibilities would fill up my life and reconcile me to it. Then you showed up and said, “Give all that up, I’m yours.” Doesn’t that give me the right? I thought your word was sincere, that I had earned it through suffering.

  PARATOV. All that’s very fine, and we’ll talk it all over tomorrow.

  LARISA. No, tonight, right now.

  PARATOV. You insist?

  LARISA. I insist.

  Knurov and Vozhevatov can be seen in the doorway of the coffee house.

 

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