ALEXANDER. I thought, Nadezhda Alexandrovna, that this winter you would have an occupation beside singing…
NADENKA. What?
ALEXANDER. What, indeed!
NADENKA. Oh… yes…
(Enter Marya Mikhailovna and the Count. )
MARYA MIKHAILOVNA. May I introduce you, Count? This is Alexander Fyodorovich Aduyev.
COUNT NOVINSKY ( bowing to Alexander ). Are you related to Pyotr Ivanovich Aduyev?
ALEXANDER ( coldly ). My uncle.
COUNT NOVINSKY. I often see him socially.
ALEXANDER. You might. What’s strange about that?
COUNT NOVINSKY. Your uncle is an intelligent and pleasant man!
ALEXANDER ( remains silent ).
NADENKA ( in a low voice to Alexander ). Aren’t you ashamed! The Count is so friendly to you, while you…
ALEXANDER ( in the same quiet voice ). I don’t need his friendly gestures; don’t repeat that word…
MARYA MIKHAILOVNA. Dinner is served, ladies and gentlemen!
(They all seat themselves around a garden table. They eat. )
ALEXANDER ( quietly to Nadenka ). He’s at a house for the first time, yet shamelessly eats enough for three!
NADENKA. So what! He’s hungry!
ALEXANDER ( abruptly gets up from the table ). Unfortunately, I cannot stay any longer; I have work. Goodbye, Marya Mikhailovna! (Turns to Nadenka ). Till tomorrow.
NADENKA. We won’t be at home tomorrow.
ALEXANDER. Well, the day after tomorrow.
NADENKA. Good…
(Alexander bows to all; exits. )
COUNT NOVINSKY. What a pleasant young man… awfully young… and pleasant.
(They all go on eating. )
SCENE 8
The same garden. Nadenka and the Count in riding dress. Marya Mikhailovna is agitated. Alexander is visible hiding behind a bush.
MARYA MIKHAILOVNA. Sit tighter, Nadenka! Look after her, Count, for Heaven’s sake!
NADENKA ( gaily ). Don’t worry, Mama, we’re just going once around the grove. I already know how to ride… Count! Shall we ride around once more?
ALEXANDER ( quietly ). Again!
COUNT NOVINSKY. Very well.
(Nadenka and the Count confer about something in whispers. They go toward the horses. )
ALEXANDER ( jumps out from behind the bushes and cries out ). Nadezhda Alexandrovna!
(Everyone stands still as if transfixed. Pause. )
MARYA MIKHAILOVNA ( coming to her senses ). Oh, it’s you, Alexander Fyodorovich!
COUNT NOVINSKY ( bows to Alexander, who doesn’t respond ).
NADENKA. You’re right, Count. Alexander is like a child. (She looks angrily at Alexander and goes to the horses. The Count walks behind her. )
MARYA MIKHAILOVNA ( follows ). Slow down, slow down, for Heaven’s sake, slow down! (Walks up to the bench, sits down. ) Well, let the young people have their fun, but you and I will chat for a while, Alexander Fyodorovich… Why haven’t we seen hide nor hair of you for two weeks? Have you stopped loving us?
ALEXANDER. I fear, Marya Mikhailovna, that you no longer love me.
MARYA MIKHAILOVNA. It’s a sin for you to fear that, Alexander Fyodorovich! I love you as if you were family. Now I don’t know about Nadenka. Why, she’s still a child. What sense has she? Every day I repeat to her, “What does it mean that we don’t see Alexander Fyodorovich, why doesn’t he come? I keep expecting him.” Nadenka even sometimes says, “What is it, Mama, whom are you waiting for? I’m hungry and the Count too, I think.’”
ALEXANDER. So the Count… visits often?
MARYA MIKHAILOVNA. Yes, almost every day. “But what about Alexander Fyodorovich,” I say, “is he coming?” “He’s not coming,” she’ll say, “it’s no use waiting.”
ALEXANDER. She…spoke like that?
MARYA MIKHAILOVNA. Yes! And now this horseback riding! Really, we weren’t brought up at all this way. And now, it’s terrible to say, ladies have even started to smoke…
ALEXANDER. Did this begin a long time ago?
MARYA MIKHAILOVNA. Why, I don’t know. They say it became the fashion about five years ago. It’s all from the French, you know…
ALEXANDER. Not that; I mean, has Nadezhda Alexandrovna been riding for long?
MARYA MIKHAILOVNA. About a week and a half. The Count is so kind! Look at all those flowers! All from his garden… And they ride every day now… You’re not ill are you, Alexander Fyodorovich?
ALEXANDER. Something hurts in my chest…
MARYA MIKHAILOVNA. What is it, does it ache, gnaw, or stab?
ALEXANDER. All three!
MARYA MIKHAILOVNA. You must not neglect it… Do you know what? Take liniment and rub your chest hard at night until it’s red. And instead of tea, drink herb tea, I’ll give you the recipe.
(The sound of approaching horses is heard. Nadenka and Count Novinsky enter. Nadenka is breathing hard. )
MARYA MIKHAILOVNA ( running to Nadenka ). Just look how you’ve tired yourself out, you can hardly breathe. This riding will do you no good!
COUNT NOVINSKY ( to Alexander ). Do you want to ride with us, Alexander Fyodorovich? I have an excellent horse for you.
ALEXANDER. No, thank you.
COUNT NOVINSKY. Do you know how? How much fun it is!
ALEXANDER. I can’t spend my time with trifles. I have work.
COUNT NOVINSKY. Important business?
ALEXANDER. Yes… I’m doing abstracts of German economists.
COUNT NOVINSKY. That’s interesting. I thought you had a factory or mill or a shipyard.
NADENKA. Shall we go riding again tomorrow, Count?
COUNT NOVINSKY. With pleasure.
MARYA MIKHAILOVNA. That’s enough, Nadenka, you’re bothering the Count.
COUNT NOVINSKY. I enjoy these outings, Marya Mikhailovna.
MARYA MIKHAILOVNA. Wouldn’t you like tea with jam, Count?. I made the jam myself.
COUNT NOVINSKY. With pleasure.
(Marya Mikhailovna and the Count exit. Alexander and Nadenka remain alone. )
ALEXANDER. Nadezhda Alexandrovna!
NADENKA ( coldly ). Will you come to see us tomorrow?
ALEXANDER. I don’t know, why?
NADENKA. I’m only asking, will you?
ALEXANDER. You’d like me to?
NADENKA. Will you come to see us tomorrow?
ALEXANDER. No.
NADENKA. And the day after?
ALEXANDER. No, I’m not coming for a whole week, maybe two… not for a long time!
MARYA MIKHAILOVNA ( returns for a moment to fetch the scarf she left on the bench ). Don’t forget to rub your chest with liniment, Alexander Fyodorovich! (Exits. )
ALEXANDER. Nadezhda Alexandrovna!
NADENKA ( looking into the distance ). Tell me please, what’s that smoke over there? A fire or one of those factory furnaces?
ALEXANDER ( shaking his head ). And you are like the others, like all of them!
NADENKA. What do you mean? I don’t understand you.
ALEXANDER. Nadezhda Alexandrovna, I haven’t the strength to bear this torture any longer.
NADENKA. What torture? Really, I don’t know…
ALEXANDER. Don’t pretend; tell me, is this you? Are you the same person you were?
NADENKA ( decisively ). I’m still the same!
ALEXANDER. You haven’t changed toward me?
NADENKA. No. I’m just as friendly to you, I think; I receive you just as cheerfully…
ALEXANDER ( struck by the lie ). Is this you? Heavens! A month and a half ago right here…
NADENKA. What smoke is that on the other shore, I would like to know.
ALEXANDER. Please don’t! Please don’t!
NADENKA. Why, what have I done to you? You stopped coming to see us–as you wish… To keep you against your will…
ALEXANDER. As if you didn’t know why I stopped coming! And the Count?
NADENKA. What Count?
ALE
XANDER. What Count! Will you also say that you don’t care about him?
NADENKA. You’re mad!
ALEXANDER. Yes, you’re right! My reason is failing with each passing day… How can you treat someone this way who loves you more than anything in the world, who forgot everything for you, and you…
NADENKA. What have I done?
ALEXANDER ( enraged by her cold calm ). What do you mean? You have forgotten! I remind you that here on this very spot you swore a hundred times to belong to me. “God hears our vows,” you said. You ought to blush before Heaven and these trees, before every blade of grass… You’ve committed perjury!
NADENKA ( recoiling from Alexander in horror ). Ooh! How angry you are! Why are you angry? I did not refuse you. You had not yet spoken to Mama… How do you know?
ALEXANDER. Speak to her after what you’ve done?
NADENKA. What have I done? I don’t know…
ALEXANDER. What? I’ll tell you. What do these meetings with the Count mean, these horseback rides?
NADENKA. I can’t run away from him! And the horseback riding means… that I love to ride… It’s so pleasant: you gallop… Oh, that horse Lucy is such a darling! Did you see her? She already knows me…
ALEXANDER. But the change in your treatment of me? Why is the Count at your house every day from morning till evening?
NADENKA. Oh, heavens! How do I know? How ridiculous you are! It’s Mama’s wish.
ALEXANDER. That’s not so! Your mama wants what you want. For whom are these flowers? All for Mama?
NADENKA. Yes, Mama loves flowers…
ALEXANDER ( paying no attention to what she says ). But what do you talk to him about in a low voice? See, you’re turning pale. You feel your own guilt. To destroy a person’s happiness, forget, ruin everything… Hypocrisy, lies, betrayal! How could you stoop to that? A rich count, a society lion, condescended to cast a kindly glance on you–and you melted, fell on your knees before this tinsel sun. Where’s your sense of shame!!! Don’t let me find the Count here! Do you hear? Give him up, cease all relations with him, let him forget the way to your house!!! I will not have it!!! (In a rage Alexander seizes Nadenka by the hand. )
NADENKA ( in a shrill voice ). Mama! Mama! Come here!
(Marya Mikhailovna enters, running. After her Count Novinsky. )
MARYA MIKHAILOVNA. What has happened to you? What is the matter? Why did you cry out?
NADENKA. Alexander Fyodorovich… isn’t well!
MARYA MIKHAILOVNA. What a fright you gave me, you crazy girl! What’s the matter if he’s sick? I know his chest hurts. What’s so terrible about it? It’s not consumption! Let him rub it with liniment–it will all go away…
(Count Novinsky takes his leave, bowing. Marya Mikhailovna also exits. )
ALEXANDER. Farewell, Nadezhda Alexandrovna…
NADENKA. Farewell.
ALEXANDER. When will you let me come to see you?
NADENKA. When it suits you.
(They stand in silence. )
ALEXANDER. Nadezhda Alexandrovna…
NADENKA. I can’t listen to you, you were…
ALEXANDER. I was to blame. I shall speak differently now, I give you my word. You won’t hear a single reproach. An explanation is unavoidable… You did, after all, give me permission to ask your mama for your hand. After what has happened, I must repeat the question. Answer just one question for me briefly and sincerely, and our explanation will be over at once… Don’t you love me any more?
NADENKA. What an idea! You know how Mama and I have always valued your friendship… have always been glad to see you…
ALEXANDER. Listen, leave Mama out of this. Be the old Nadenka for a minute… and answer directly…
NADENKA ( remains silent ).
ALEXANDER. Answer, Nadezhda Alexandrovna. A single word will free me from torment and you from this unpleasant explanation.
NADENKA. What are you asking me about? I’m quite lost… my head is truly in a fog…
ALEXANDER. I’m asking, has someone taken my place in your heart? One word, yes or no, decides everything. Does it take long to say?
NADENKA ( remains silent ).
ALEXANDER. Yes or no?
NADENKA ( remains silent ).
ALEXANDER. Yes or no?
NADENKA ( very quietly ). Yes… ( Pause. )
MARYA MIKHAILOVNA ( entering ). Alexander Fyodorovich! In which ear do you hear a ringing?
NADENKA. Mama is asking you a question…
ALEXANDER. Ah?
MARYA MIKHAILOVNA. In which do you hear a ringing? Come, quickly!
ALEXANDER ( gloomily ). In both!
MARYA MIKHAILOVNA. What ears you have! In the left! But I was guessing whether the Count would come tomorrow!
NADENKA. Leave us, Mama! And don’t listen. (Marya Mikhailovna exits. ) Forgive me! I don’t understand it myself… It all happened unexpectedly, against my will… I don’t know how… I could not deceive you…
ALEXANDER. I shall keep my word, Nadezhda Alexandrovna! I shall not speak a word of reproach. I thank you for your sincerity… You have helped a lot… today… It was hard for me to hear that “yes,” but it was harder for you to say it… Farewell, you won’t see me any more–a reward for your sincerity… But the Count, the Count! What will it lead to? The Count will not marry you. What are his intentions?
NADENKA. I don’t know…
ALEXANDER. Heavens! How blind you are!
NADENKA. He can’t have bad intentions…
ALEXANDER. Be careful, Nadezhda Alexandrovna!
NADENKA. Farewell, Alexander Fyodorovich! (Exits. )
ALEXANDER ( remains alone; suddenly begins to sob. )
Curtain
ACT II
SCENE 9
Pyotr Ivanovich’s study. Late evening. Pyotr Ivanovich, seated at his desk in his dressing gown, is writing. Elizaveta Alexandrovna, entering goes over to her husband, puts her arms around his neck, kisses him.
ELIZAVETA ALEXANDROVNA. Aren’t you tired?
PYOTR IVANOVICH ( kissing her hand ). No, Liza.
ELIZAVETA ALEXANDROVNA. I didn’t think that I’d have such an intelligent husband.
PYOTR IVANOVICH. Are you being ironical?
ELIZAVETA ALEXANDROVNA. What do you mean! You’re wonderful!
PYOTR IVANOVICH. You don’t need money?
ELIZAVETA ALEXANDROVNA. No, I’m happy with you even without it.
PYOTR IVANOVICH. Without it, Liza, nobody can ever be happy.
ELIZAVETA ALEXANDROVNA. Why has Alexander stopped coming to see us?
PYOTR IVANOVICH. Apparently he doesn’t feel the need. When he does, he’ll come.
ELIZAVETA ALEXANDROVNA. I’ve taken a liking to him.
PYOTR IVANOVICH. You have a lot in common. Only you’re more intelligent.
ELIZAVETA ALEXANDROVNA. Alas, I’m stupid too.
PYOTR IVANOVICH. Don’t slander yourself. I wouldn’t have married a stupid woman. Just as you wouldn’t have married a stupid man.
ELIZAVETA ALEXANDROVNA. I love you, Pyotr Ivanovich.
PYOTR IVANOVICH. My mind, you mean.
ELIZAVETA ALEXANDROVNA. I don’t know… Goodnight.
PYOTR IVANOVICH. Goodnight…
(Elizaveta Alexandrovna exits. Pyotr Ivanovich finishes writing his document, puts out one candle, and taking up the other, heads for the bedroom. Alexander enters. He has grown thinner and more mature, and speaks in a drier and more certain tone. )
PYOTR IVANOVICH. Nephew! Of late it’s been no use expecting you in the daytime, but now all of a sudden, bang!–in the middle of the night! How are you? (They exchange greetings. )Are you well?
ALEXANDER. Yes, I move, eat, and drink, therefore I’m well.
PYOTR IVANOVICH. You haven’t gambled away everything or lost money?
ALEXANDER. You just can’t imagine any grief not connected with money!
PYOTR IVANOVICH. What kind of grief is it, if it’s not worth a red cent?
ALEXANDER. Wh
en you hear what has happened, you’ll be horrified…
PYOTR IVANOVICH. Tell me, I haven’t been horrified for a long time. (Looks at his nephew. )By the way, though, it isn’t hard to guess. No doubt someone’s deceived you.
ALEXANDER ( jumps up, wants to say something, but sits down again ). Could anyone have foretold it!
PYOTR IVANOVICH. You had not to foretell it, but foresee it!
ALEXANDER. And you can reason about it so calmly…
PYOTR IVANOVICH. Why, what’s it to me?
ALEXANDER. Yes, I forgot. You wouldn’t care even if the whole town burned to the ground or fell apart.
PYOTR IVANOVICH. Please! And my factory?
ALEXANDER. I won’t get any comfort from you, nor do I ask it. I’m asking your help as a relative.
PYOTR IVANOVICH. Gladly. Are you sure you don’t need money?
ALEXANDER. If my unhappiness were only lack of money, I’d bless my fate!
PYOTR IVANOVICH ( serious ). Don’t say that… Are you staying here long, Alexander?
ALEXANDER. Yes, I need all your attention. Why?
PYOTR IVANOVICH. I was about to go to bed without supper, but now…
ALEXANDER. You’re able to eat supper?
PYOTR IVANOVICH. Yes, and very much so. But you really won’t join me?
ALEXANDER. No, and you won’t choke down a bite either when you learn that this is a matter of life and death.
PYOTR IVANOVICH. Of life and death? Yes, then that is indeed very important… but, by the way–let’s try perhaps to swallow something. (Rings the bell. Vasily enters. )Ask what there is for supper. (Vasily exits. )On an empty stomach, you know, it’s awkward…
ALEXANDER. Do you know Count Novinsky?
PYOTR IVANOVICH. We’re acquaintances… Why?
ALEXANDER. I congratulate you on such a friend. He’s a scoundrel!
PYOTR IVANOVICH. I’ve known him for five years and always considered him a decent fellow.
ALEXANDER. Since when have you been defending people, Uncle?
PYOTR IVANOVICH. And since when have you begun to berate them and stopped calling them angels?
(Vasily brings in supper, puts it on the table and exits. )
ALEXANDER. Until I learned differently, but now… I’m completely to blame that I didn’t listen to you when you advised me to beware of everyone…
An Ordinary Story Page 42
