“I do, though, sometimes feel a stab…” said Alexander, touching his spine.
“All that’s very fine–except, of course, the pain in your back,” continued Pyotr Ivanych. “I admit, I didn’t think anything sensible could come of you when you arrived here. You were always full of metaphysical questions, had your head in the clouds… But all that passed–and thank Heaven! I would tell you to keep on following in my footsteps in everything, only…”
“Only what, Uncle?”
“Only. .. I’d like to give you several bits of advice… about your future wife…”
“What’s this? This is interesting.”
“Perhaps better not!” continued Pyotr Ivanych after a moment’s silence. “I’m afraid of somehow making things worse. Do as you know best; perhaps you’ll find out yourself… Let’s talk about your marriage instead. They say your bride has a dowry of two hundred thousand–is that so?”
“Yes, her father’s giving her two hundred, and a hundred were left her by her mother.”
“So that’s three hundred!” cried Pyotr Ivanych almost frightened.
“And her father said today too that he would put all five hundred of his serfs completely at our disposal now on condition we pay him eight thousand annually. We will all live together.”
Pyotr Ivanych jumped up from his chair with his characteristic liveliness. “Stop, stop!” he said. “You’ve overwhelmed me. Did I hear aright? Repeat, how many?”
“Five hundred serfs and three hundred thousand capital…” Alexander repeated.
“You’re not joking?”
“What do you mean joking, Uncle?”
“And the estate is not mortgaged?” asked Pyotr Ivanych quietly, not moving from his place.
“No.”
His uncle, crossing his arms on his chest, looked at his nephew with respect for several minutes. “Career and fortune, both at once,” he said almost to himself, admiring him. “And what a fortune! And so suddenly! Everything! Everything!… Alexander!” he added proudly, solemnly, “You are of my blood, you are an Aduyev! So be it, embrace me!”
And they embraced.
“That’s the first time, Uncle!” said Alexander.
“And the last!” answered Pyotr Ivanych. “This is not an ordinary event. So, you won’t, I guess, be needing any of the contemptible metal? Do call on me at least just once!”
“Oh! I do need some, Uncle. There are a great many expenses. If you can give me ten or fifteen thousand…”
“I had to twist your arm–it’s the first time!” proclaimed Pyotr Ivanych.
“And the last, Uncle. This is not an ordinary event,” said Alexander.
Dramatis personae
Alexander Aduyev
Anna Pavlovna, his mother
Pyotr Ivanovich Aduyev, Alexander’s uncle
Elizaveta Alexandrovna, Pyotr’s wife
Anton Ivanovich
Pospelov, Alexander’s friend
Marya Mikhailovna Lyubetskaya
Nadenka, her daughter
Count Novinsky
Yuliya Pavlovna Tafayeva
Surkov
Civil servants
Tafayeva’s guests
Aduyev’s servants
Alexander’s auntie
Places of action
The Aduyev country estate, in and around St. Petersburg, Pyotr Ivanovich’s house, Alexander’s attic room, Lyubetskaya’s summer cottage, Tafayeva’s house
ACT I
SCENE 1
The Aduyev living room. Confusion amid preparations for a departure. Servants constantly rush in and out. Agrafena and Evsei are packing a trunk.
EVSEI. Goodbye, goodbye… It’s our last day, Agrafena Ivanovna.
AGRAFENA. And thank God! Let the Devil take you away, we’ll have more room… Just get out of my way, there’s nowhere to move!
EVSEI. Someone else will take my place.
AGRAFENA. You devil!
EVSEI. God willing… it’s not Proshka…
AGRAFENA. Just let go of me, damn you! And what if I do take up with Proshka!
EVSEI. God will reward you for your goodness…
AGRAFENA ( cries out ). He’s actually glad… Be glad then! (Rushes out of the room. )
EVSEI ( after her ).
(Enter Anna Pavlovna, carrying a pile of sheets, which she puts in the trunk, and Alexander, who carefully puts manuscripts in a case. )
ANNA PAVLOVNA. Sashenka!
ALEXANDER. What is it, Mama?
ANNA PAVLOVNA. Where are you going, my dear, and why?
ALEXANDER. What do you mean? To Petersburg. Why… so as to… I feel within me…
ANNA PAVLOVNA. Listen, Sasha, it isn’t too late. Change your mind, stay!
ALEXANDER. Stay! How can I! I’ve made up my mind!
ANNA PAVLOVNA. Are you really unhappy here? And what about Marya Karpovna’s daughter, dear Sonya… Why you’re blushing! God keep her, how she loves you, my dear!
ALEXANDER. Look, Mama, really… She just…
ANNA PAVLOVNA. Yes! Yes, as if I didn’t see… Don’t go! What will you find in Petersburg! Heaven knows what you’ll see and suffer. Cold and hunger and need—you’ll endure all sorts of things… But here, come look… ( Goes to the window and beckons to him, but he is busy looking through manuscripts. )See with what beauty God has dressed our fields! We’ll harvest up to four thousand bushels in rye alone. And over there we have wheat and barley… But you’re not listening. (She goes back to the trunks, goes on packing. )Look, Sashenka, notice where I’m putting things… At the very bottom of the trunk I’m packing a dozen sheets, twenty-two pairs of socks… Do you know what I’ve thought of doing? I’m putting your wallet with money and the letter to your uncle in one of your socks… Uncle Pyotr Ivanovich will certainly be glad. After all,. it’s been seventeen years since we’ve exchanged a word, that’s the truth… Leave your papers alone, you’ll tire yourself out and break your back!
ALEXANDER ( stops sorting his papers and listens to his mother ).
ANNA PAVLOVNA. I still have a lot to tell you. (Wiping her tears. )Where was I, I wanted to say… What was it? Above all, take care of your health. If you get sick, God forbid!… say a serious illness, write me. I’ll gather all my strength and come… Don’t walk the streets at night. Stay away from people who look brutish. Save your money, save it for a rainy day, spend wisely. Money, the wretched stuff, is the cause of all kinds of good and evil. Don’t throw it away, don’t take a fancy to unnecessary luxuries, but don’t deny yourself things you can afford either. Don’t succumb to drink, it’s man’s prime enemy. And one more thing ( lowers her voice )—watch out for women. I know them! There are shameless women who’ll throw themselves around the neck of a man like you as soon as they see him…
ALEXANDER. Enough, Mama…
ANNA PAVLOVNA. Just a minute, one more word. Don’t cast your eye on married women, that’s a great sin. But if you do fall in love, and a nice girl is willing, why then… ( She lowers her voice still further. )You can let Sonya go… Indeed, what was Marya Karpovna dreaming of!
ALEXANDER. Sofiya? No, Mama, I shall never forget her.
ANNA PAVLOVNA. Come now, my dear, don’t get excited… After all, I was just… And will you remember your mother?
ALEXANDER. Look what foolish things you’re saying! Forget you! May God punish me…
ANNA PAVLOVNA. Stop, Sasha, stop! What fate are you provoking for yourself?
(As Anna Pavlovna speaks, the ring of approaching carriage bells is heard. They quiet down, apparently, when the carriage reaches the porch. Marya Karpovna and her daughter Sonya come in the door. )
ANNA PAVLOVNA. Marya Karpovna, darling! (They embrace and weep. )Sonya, hello, my dear! (She exchanges greetings with Sonya. )
SONYA. Hello…
(Anna Pavlovna and Marya Karpovna leave the room. Alexander and Sonya are alone. They throw themselves into each other’s arms. )
SONYA. Sasha, dear Sasha!
AL
EXANDER. Sweet Sonya!
SONYA. Sasha!
ALEXANDER. Sweet Sonya! (They kiss and weep. )
SONYA. You’ll forget me there…
ALEXANDER. Oh, how little you know me!
SONYA. You will, you will! You’ll be famous…
ALEXANDER. I’ll come back, believe me, and no other girl will ever…
SONYA. Here, take these quickly… This is a lock of my hair, and here’s a little ring. (She gives Alexander the keepsakes, which he kisses passionately. And again. )Sasha!
ALEXANDER. Sweet Sonya!
SONYA. Sasha!
ALEXANDER. Sweet Sonya!
(They embrace and kiss. A carriage bell is heard. Anton Ivanovich appears in the door. Anna Pavlovna and Marya Karpovna enter from the next room; with them Alexander’s aunt. )
ANTON IVANOVICH ( to Anna Pavlovna ). Good day, Madame!
ANNA PAVLOVNA. Thank you for coming. Such sorrow… ( Greetings all around. )Please come sit down at the table and have something to eat for the road.
(They all take places around the table. Anna Pavlovna weeps. )
ANTON IVANOVICH. It disgusts me to see you like this, Anna Pavlovna, and there’s no one to punish you for it. If there were, he’d beat and beat you…
ANNA PAVLOVNA. My only son, and he’s leaving… I shall die and there’ll be no one to bury me.
ANTON IVANOVICH. And what are we here for! Am I a stranger to you then? Would you keep such a young eagle shut up? Set him free; he’ll spread his wings… You’ll see what wonders he’ll accomplish! He’ll go straight to the top…
ANNA PAVLOVNA. If only you’re right… Have something to eat, ladies and gentlemen. (She fills the glasses. )
MARYA KARPOVNA. You’ll see, Anna Pavlovna, how he’ll rise in the world! Petersburg will gape to see so bright a young man!
ANTON IVANOVICH ( rising ). To your health, Alexander Fyodorovich! Have a good trip! And come back soon. And get married! What, Sofiya Vasilievna, are you blushing?
SONYA. I wasn’t… I just…
ANTON IVANOVICH. Oh, youth, youth… Well, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit…
(The sound of bells from a fast-approaching carriage. The door bursts open. It is Alexander’s friend, Pospelov. )
ALEXANDER ( jumping up from the table ). Pospelov!
POSPELOV. Aduyev! (They embrace. )
ALEXANDER. Where have you come from? How?
POSPELOV. From home. I galloped round the clock just to say goodbye to you.
ALEXANDER. A friend, a true friend! Till death do us part, right? (They embrace. )
POSPELOV. To the grave! I too dream of going to Petersburg. It’s our duty, Alexander! Our duty! Society needs the best minds, honest hearts, pure souls…
As long as we burn for freedom,
As long as hearts beat for honor…
(Pospelov and Alexander go on talking quietly together; they take each other by the hand, as if swearing an oath ):
My friend, we’ll dedicate to our country
The noble impulses of our soul!
ANNA PAVLOVNA ( in tears ). Dear Sasha!
POSPELOV. You shouldn’t shed tears, dear Anna Pavlovna, but be proud of your son! He feels confined here, it’s suffocating. We have no place here for big projects which… ( He embraces Alexander. )On your way! On your way! And write! Write!
(Exclamations. Farewells. People pick up chests, bundles, and trunks and go out. )
ANNA PAVLOVNA ( with a cry ). Goodbye, goodbye, my dear! Shall I see you again?… ( She embraces Alexander. )
(Anton Ivanovich and Marya Karpovna tear her away from Alexander and take her on the porch. )
AUNTIE ( detaining Alexander. Furtively ). Sasha, can you keep important secrets?
ALEXANDER. Yes, Auntie.
AUNTIE ( pulling a letter in a blue envelope from her bosom ). Give this to your uncle, Pyotr Ivanovich. And tell him that I always keep the yellow flower and his letter with me–here. (She points to her breast. )
ALEXANDER. What flower?
AUNTIE. You don’t have to know that. He’ll understand… ( Embarrassed. )Embrace him for me. (She kisses Alexander and makes the sign of the cross over him. )
POSPELOV ( at the door ). Alexander, what are you waiting for!
ANNA PAVLOVNA ( on the threshold ). My darling! Farewell! (She almost falls into the arms of Auntie and Pospelov. Alexander disappears. The bells of the departing carriage are heard. )He’s gone!
SCENE 2
The study of Alexander’s uncle, Pyotr Ivanovich Aduyev in Petersburg. Morning. Pyotr Ivanovich in his dressing gown. He takes from a tray a letter in a blue envelope, opens it and reads.
PYOTR IVANOVICH. “Dearest brother, Pyotr Ivanovich, gracious sir! ” What sort of sister is this! (Calls. )Vasily! (A servant enters. )Where’s this letter from?
VASILY. A young gentleman came, said his name was Alexander Fyodorovich Aduyev and you’re his uncle. He promised to call about this time.
PYOTR IVANOVICH. So that’s it! Tell this gentleman when he comes that as soon as I got up I left town for the factory and I’ll be back in three months, maybe ten. You may go… ( Reads. )“I shall remember to the grave how we walked around our lake together and you—at risk of life and health—waded up to your knees in the water and got a big yellow flower for me… And do you still have that ribbon you pulled out of my bureau despite my cries and pleading?” Did I pull out a ribbon?! “I have sentenced myself to an unmarried life…” Oh, the poor old maid… It’s clear why she still has the yellow flower on her mind. (He tears up the letter, throws it in the wastebasket and opens the second letter. )“My dearest brother-in-law, Pyotr Ivanovich! With God’s blessing my precious Sasha has left on a long journey. I am sending him straight to you and I told him not to stay anywhere else but with you…” Stupid old woman… “I remembered, dear brother-in-law, how seventeen years ago we sent you off and how we lamented then and wept…” ( Stops to think. Calls. )Vasily!
(Vasily enters. )
When my nephew comes, don’t turn him away. Better also reserve the room upstairs that used to be rented. (Goes on reading. )“Protect him from wine and cards. At night you’ll doubtless sleep in the same room. Dear Sasha is accustomed to lying on his back! For that reason he groans piteously and tosses; wake him gently and make the sign of the cross–it will stop at once. And in summer cover his mouth with a handkerchief. He lets his mouth gape wide in his sleep, so the wretched flies crawl in toward morning. In case of need, don’t leave him without money…”
VASILY ( enters ). Your nephew Alexander Fyodorovich has come…
(Alexander practically runs in. Vasily exits. Alexander tries to embrace his uncle, but he blocks the attack with a powerful handshake. )
ALEXANDER. Dear Uncle!
PYOTR IVANOVICH ( keeping his nephew at a distance ). How do you do…
ALEXANDER. Aunt Marya Pavlovna asked me to embrace you…
PYOTR IVANOVICH. Your aunt should have become wiser with age, but I see she’s still as foolish as years ago! Sit down here opposite me, I’ll go ahead with changing my clothes without ceremony; I’ve business…
ALEXANDER. Excuse me, Uncle…
PYOTR IVANOVICH. For what?
ALEXANDER. I didn’t come directly to you, but stayed on the way at the coach inn…
PYOTR IVANOVICH. And you did just right. How could you have come to me without knowing whether or not you could stay. I’ve found you an apartment here in the building.
ALEXANDER. Uncle, I thank you for this kindness! (He tries to embrace Pyotr Ivanovich. )
PYOTR IVANOVICH. Sit down, sit down, there’s nothing to thank me for. You’re my relative; I’m doing my duty, that’s all… I’m going out, I’ve got my civil service work and my factory.
ALEXANDER. I didn’t know you had a factory, Uncle.
PYOTR IVANOVICH. Glass and porcelain… By the way, it’s not mine alone, we’re three partners.
ALEXANDER. Is business good?
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br /> PYOTR IVANOVICH. Yes, decent. One partner, true, isn’t very reliable. He squanders everything, but I’m able to keep a tight rein on him… Well, goodbye. Have a look at the town now, have dinner somewhere, and you may come to see me in the evening. We’ll have a talk. But I’ve forgotten—what’s your name?
ALEXANDER. Alexander.
PYOTR IVANOVICH. Oh, Vasily! (Vasily enters. )Show him the room and help him move in. (He stops, looks at Alexander. )Yes… it will be hard for you here.
ALEXANDER. Why?
PYOTR IVANOVICH. There are stars in your eyes. (Exits. )
VASILY. This way, sir.
(Alexander remains standing, puzzled. )
SCENE 3
The room into which Alexander has by now moved. He is writing a letter at the desk. Evsei is polishing boots in the entryway.
EVSEI. What a life they have here! At Pyotr Ivanovich’s they light the stove once a month. People dine at someone else’s house… Good Lord, they’re strange people, indeed! But still they’re called Petersburgers. Where we come from, every dog laps from his own dish.
(The bell rings. Pyotr Ivanovich enters and walks through to Alexander’s room. Alexander hastily covers something with his hand. )
PYOTR IVANOVICH. Hide it, hide your secrets, I’ll look the other way. Well, is it hidden? I came to see if you’ve gotten settled. Good day.
ALEXANDER. Good day, Uncle…
PYOTR IVANOVICH. Are you content?
ALEXANDER. Very.
PYOTR IVANOVICH ( laughs, looks around the room ). I started out worse. (Sits down in the armchair. )Tell me now, why did you come here?
ALEXANDER. I came to live here…
PYOTR IVANOVICH. If you mean by that to eat, drink, and sleep, then it wasn’t worth the trouble… For you won’t succeed either in eating or sleeping here as you would in the country.
ALEXANDER. I meant something else, Uncle.
PYOTR IVANOVICH. To rent a first-floor apartment on Nevsky Prospect, have your own carriage, announce a weekly day “at home” to receive guests?
An Ordinary Story Page 39
