Works of Ivan Turgenev (Illustrated)

by Ivan Turgenev

  SHPIGELSKY. Well, aren’t you a harmless man?

  BOLSHINTSOV. Ye - e - es . . . but still I fancy. . . . Will it be the right thing, Ignaty Ilyitch? Wouldn’t it be better to say, for instance? . . .

  SHPIGELSKY. For instance?

  BOLSHINTSOV. For instance ... for instance. ... [A pause.] But maybe ‘harmless’ will do.

  SHPIGELSKY. Now, Afanasy Ivanovitch, you listen to me; the more simply you express yourself, the plainer your words, the better it will go, trust me. And above all, don’t be too pressing, Afanasy Ivanovitch. Vera Alexandrovna is very young; you may scare her. . . . Give her time to think over your offer. Avoid fine words and I guarantee your success. [Looking round] Why, here they are all coming too - - - - - - [BOLSHINTSOV wants to make off] Where are you going? To pick mushrooms again? [BOLSHINTSOV smiles, turns red and remains] The great thing is not to be scared!

  BOLSHINTSOV [hurriedly], Vera Alexandrovna knows nothing about it yet, does she?

  SHPIGELSKY. I should think not!

  BOLSHINTSOV. Well, I rely on you. . . . [Blows his nose. Enter from Left NATALYA PETROVNA, VERA, BELIAYEV with the kite, and KOLYA, followed by RAKITIN and LlZAVETA BOGDANOVNA. NATALYA PETROVNA is in a very good humour]

  NATALYA PETROVNA [to BOLSHINTSOV and SHPIGELSKY]. How do you do; how are you, Shpigelsky; I didn’t expect you to - day, but I am very glad to see you. How are you, Afanasy Ivanitch. [He bows with some embarrassment]

  SHPIGELSKY [to NATALYA PETROVNA, indicating BOLSHINTSOV]. This gentleman here insisted on bringing me. . . .

  NATALYA PETROVNA [laughing] I’m very much obliged to him. . . . But do you need forcing to come to see us?

  SHPIGELSKY. Oh, good heavens! but ... I was only here . . . this morning . . . dear me. . . .

  NATALYA PETROVNA. Ah! our diplomat’s caught!

  SHPIGELSKY. I’m delighted, Natalya Petrovna, to see that you are in a very good humour.

  NATALYA PETROVNA. You think it necessary to remark it - - is it so rare then with me?

  SHPIGELSKY. Oh, good gracious - - no . . . but . . .

  NATALYA PETROVNA. Monsieur le Diplomate, you’re getting more and more in a tangle.

  KOLYA [who has been all this time impatiently fidgeting about VERA and BELIAYEV]. But, Maman, when are we going to fly the kite?

  NATALYA PETROVNA. When you like. . . . Alexey Nikolaitch, and you Vera, let us go to the meadow. [Turning to the others.] You won’t care about it, I expect. Lizaveta Bogdanovna, and you, Rakitin, I leave our good friend Afanasy Ivanovitch with you.

  RAKITIN. But what makes you think we shan’t care about it, Natalya Petrovna?

  NATALYA PETROVNA. You are sensible people ... it must seem childish to you. . . . But as you like. We don’t want to prevent your following us. [To BELIAYEV and VERA.] Come along. [NATALYA PETROVNA, VERA, BELIAYEV and KOLYA go off to Right.’]

  SHPIGELSKY [glancing with some surprise at RAKITIN, says to BOLSHINTSOV]. Our good friend Afanasy Ivanovitch, give your arm to Lizaveta Bogdanovna.

  BOLSHINTSOV [nervously]. With the greatest pleasure.

  [Gives LIZAVETA BOGDANOVNA his arm.]

  SHPIGELSKY. And we’ll go along together, if you’ll allow me, Mihail Alexandritch. [Takes his arm.] My word! How they’re racing along the avenue. Let’s go and see them fly the kite, though we are sensible people.

  Afanasy Ivanovitch, will you lead the way?

  BOLSHINTSOV [as they walk, to LIZAVETA BOGDANOVNA]. The weather is certainly very agreeable to - day, one may say.

  LIZAVETA BOGDANOVNA [mincing]. Yes, indeed, very agreeable!

  SHPIGELSKY [to RAKITIN]. I’ve something I want to talk to you about, Mihail Alexandritch. . . . [RAKITIN suddenly laughs.] What is it?

  RAKITIN. Oh . . . nothing. ... I was amused at our following in the rear like this.

  SHPIGELSKY. The front rank easily turns into the rearguard, you know. ... It all depends which way you are going.

  [All go out to Right.]

  ACT III

  The scene is the same as in Act I. RAKITIN and SHPIGELSKY come in from the outer room.

  SHPIGELSKY. Well, how about it, Mihail Alexandritch? For goodness sake do help me.

  RAKITIN. In what way can I help you, Ignaty Ilyitch?

  SHPIGELSKY. In what way? Why, put yourself in my place, Mihail Alexandritch. This is no concern of mine, really. Indeed, I’ve been acting chiefly from a wish to serve others. . . . My kind heart will be my ruin!

  RAKITIN [laughing]. Well, ruin’s a good way off still.

  SHPIGELSKY [laughing too]. About that there’s no knowing, but my position is certainly awkward. I brought Bolshintsov here at Natalya Petrovna’s wish, and have given him her answer with her permission, and now on one side I get sulky looks as though I’d done something foolish, and on the other, Bolshintsov gives me no peace. They avoid him and won’t say a word to me.. . .

  RAKITIN. What possessed you to take up this business, Ignaty Ilyitch? Why, Bolshintsov, between ourselves . . . he’s simply a fool.

  SHPIGELSKY. Well, I declare! Between ourselves! That’s a piece of news! And since when have sensible men been the only ones to marry? We must leave the fools free to get married, if nothing else. You say I’ve taken up this business. . . . Not at all, I’ll tell you how it came about: a friend asks me to put in a word for him. Well, was I to refuse? I’m a good - natured man, I don’t know how to refuse. I carry out my friend’s commission: the answer I get is: ‘Very much obliged; pray, don’t trouble yourself further.’ I understand and don’t trouble myself further. Then they take it up themselves and encourage me, so to speak. I obey; and now they’re indignant with me. And in what way am I to blame?

  RAKITIN. Why, who says you are to blame? . . . The only thing that puzzles me is what induces you to take so much trouble.

  SHPIGELSKY. What induces ... what induces.... The man gives me no peace.

  RAKITIN. Come, nonsense. . . .

  SHPIGELSKY. Besides, he’s an old friend.

  RAKITIN [with an incredulous smile]. Is he? Oh, well, that’s another matter.

  SHPIGELSKY [smiling too]. I’ll be open with you, though. . . . There’s no deceiving you. ... Oh well - - he has promised me ... one of my horses has gone lame, so you see he has promised me . . .

  RAKITIN. A horse to replace it?

  SHPIGELSKY. Well, since I must own up, three new ones.

  RAKITIN. You should have said that before!

  SHPIGELSKY [eagerly]. But please don’t you imagine . . . I would never have consented to be a go - between in this affair, it would have been utterly unlike me [RAKITIN smiles], if I had not known Bolshintsov to be a thoroughly honest man. ... Besides, all I want even now is a definite answer - - yes or no.

  RAKITIN. Surely, things haven’t reached that stage yet?

  SHPIGELSKY. But what are you imagining? . . . It’s not a question of marriage, but of permission to come, to visit. . . .

  RAKITIN. But whoever forbids it?

  SHPIGELSKY. Forbids . . . what a thing to say! Of course, if it were anybody else ... but Bolshintsov’s a shy man, a blessed innocent, straight out of the Golden Age, scarcely weaned from the feeding bottle. ... He has so little self - confidence, he needs some encouragement. While his intentions are most honourable.

  RAKITIN. Yes, and his horses good.

  SHPIGELSKY. And his horses are good. [Takes a pinch of snuff and offers the box to RAKITIN.] Won’t you have some?

  RAKITIN. No, thanks.

  SHPIGELSKY. So that’s how it is, Mihail Alexandritch. As you see, I don’t want to deceive you. Indeed, why should I? The thing’s perfectly clear and straightforward. A man of excellent principles, with property, quite harmless. ... If he suits - - good. If he doesn’t - - well, they should say so.

  RAKITIN. That’s all very well, no doubt, but how do I come in? I really don’t see what I can do about it.

  SHPIGELSKY. Oh, Mihail Alexandritch! As though we don’t know that Natalya Petrovna has a very great respect for you and ev
en sometimes follows your advice. . . . Now do, Mihail Alexandritch [Puts his arm round him], be a friend, put in a word. . . .

  RAKITIN. And you think this is a good husband for little Vera?

  SHPIGELSKY [assuming a serious air], I’m convinced of it. You don’t believe it. ... Well, you’ll see. As you know, the great thing in marriage is solid character. And Bolshintsov is solidity itself. [Looking round.] And here I do believe is Natalya Petrovna herself coming in. ... My dear good friend, my benefactor! The two chestnuts as trace - horses, and the bay in the shafts! You will do your best?

  RAKITIN [smiling]. Oh, very well, very well. . . .

  SHPIGELSKY. Mind now, I rely on you. . . . [Escapes into the outer room.]

  RAKITIN [looking after him]. What a sly rogue that doctor is! Vera . . . and Bolshintsov! But there you are! There are marriages worse than that. I’ll do as he asks me, and then - - it’s not my business! [Turns round. NATALYA PETROVNA, coming out of the study and seeing him, stops.]

  NATALYA PETROVNA [irresolutely]. It’s . . . you.... I thought you were in the garden.

  RAKITIN. You seem sorry I’m not. . . .

  NATALYA PETROVNA [interrupting]. Oh! nonsense. [Advancing to front of stage.] Are you alone here?

  RAKITIN. Shpigelsky has just gone.

  NATALYA PETROVNA [with a slight frown]. Oh, that local Talleyrand. . . . What has he been saying to you? Is he still hanging about?

  RAKITIN. The local Talleyrand, as you call him, is evidently in disfavour to - day . . . but yesterday, I fancy . . .

  NATALYA PETROVNA. He’s funny; he’s amusing, certainly, but... he meddles in what’s not his business. . . . It’s disagreeable. . . . Besides, for all his obsequiousness, he is very impudent and persistent. . . . He’s a great cynic.

  RAKITIN [going up to her]. You didn’t speak of him like that yesterday. . . .

  NATALYA PETROVNA. Perhaps not. [Eagerly.] So what was he talking about?

  RAKITIN. He talked to me . . . about Bolshintsov.

  NATALYA PETROVNA. Oh? About that stupid creature?

  RAKITIN. Of him, too, you spoke very differently yesterday.

  NATALYA PETROVNA [with a constrained smile]. Yesterday is not to - day.

  RAKITIN. True, for others . . . but it seems not for me.

  NATALYA PETROVNA [dropping her eyes]. How’s that?

  RAKITIN. For me to - day is the same as yesterday.

  NATALYA PETROVNA [holding out her hand to him]. I understand your reproach, but you are mistaken. Yesterday I wouldn’t admit that I was behaving badly to you. . . . [RAKITIN attempts to stop her.] Don’t contradict me. . . . I know and you know what I mean . . . but to - day I admit it. I have been thinking things over to - day. . . . But believe me, Michel, whatever silly thoughts take hold of me, whatever I say, whatever I do, there is no one I depend upon as I do on you. [Dropping her voice.] There is no one ... I love as I do you.... [A brief silence.] You don’t believe me? RAKITIN. I believe you . . . but you seem depressed to - day, what’s the matter?

  NATALYA PETROVNA [goes on speaking without hearing him]. But I am convinced of one thing, Rakitin; one can never answer for oneself, one can never be sure of oneself. We often don’t understand our past, how can we expect to answer for the future! There’s no putting the future in fetters!

  RAKITIN. That’s true.

  NATALYA PETROVNA [after a long silence]. Do you know, I want to tell you the truth. Perhaps I shall wound you a little, but I know you will be more hurt by my keeping things from you. I confess, Michel, this young student . . . this Beliayev, has made rather an impression on me. , . . RAKITIN [in a low voice]. I know that. NATALYA PETROVNA. Oh? You have noticed it? For some time?

  RAKITIN. Only yesterday. NATALYA PETROVNA. Ah!

  RAKITIN. The day before yesterday, you remember, I spoke of the change in you. ... I did not know then what to put it down to. But yesterday after our talk .. . and in the meadow , . . if you could have seen yourself! I didn’t know you; you were like another woman. You laughed, you skipped and played about like a little girl; your eyes were shining, your cheeks were flushed, and with what confiding interest, with what joyful attention you gazed at him, how you smiled. [Glancing at her.] Why, even now your face glows at the memory of it! [Turns away.]

  NATALYA PETROVNA. No, Rakitin, for God’s sake, don’t turn away from me. . . . Listen, why exaggerate? This man has infected me with his youth - - that’s all. I have never been young myself, Michel, from childhood up to now. You know what my life has been.... The novelty of it has gone to my head like wine, but I know it will pass as quickly as it has come. . . . It’s not worth talking about... . [A pause.,] Only don’t turn away from me, don’t take your hand away. . . . Help me. . . .

  RAKITIN [in a low voice]. Help you - - a cruel saying! [Aloud.] You don’t know what is happening to you, Natalya Petrovna. You are sure it’s not worth talking about, and you ask for help. . . . Evidently you feel you are in need of it!

  NATALYA PETROVNA. That is ... yes. ... I appeal to you as a friend.

  RAKITIN [bitterly]. Quite so. ... I hope to justify your confidence . . . but let me have a moment to try and face it.

  NATALYA PETROVNA. Face it? Why, are you dreading ... anything unpleasant? Is anything changed?

  RAKITIN [bitterly]. Oh no! everything’s the same.

  NATALYA PETROVNA. What are you imagining, Michel? Surely you can’t suppose. . . .

  RAKITIN. I suppose nothing.

  NATALYA PETROVNA. Surely you can’t have such a contempt for me as ...

  RAKITIN. For God’s sake, stop. We’d better talk about Bolshintsov. The doctor’s expecting an answer from you about Vera, you know.

  NATALYA PETROVNA [sadly]. You’re angry with me.

  RAKITIN. Me? Oh no! But I’m sorry for you.

  NATALYA PETROVNA. Really, it’s positively annoying, Michel, aren’t you ashamed? . . . [RAKITIN is silent. She shrugs her shoulders, and goes on in a tone of vexation.’] You say the doctor is expecting an answer? But who asked him to interfere? . . .

  RAKITIN. He assured me that you yourself. . .

  NATALYA PETROVNA [interrupting]. Perhaps, perhaps. . . . Though I believe I said nothing definite. ... Besides, I may have changed my mind. And, good gracious, what does it matter? Shpigelsky has a hand in all sorts of affairs; he can’t expect to have everything his own way.

  RAKITIN. He only wants to know what answer . . .

  NATALYA PETROVNA. What answer. . . . [A pause.] Michel, don’t! Give me your hand. . . . Why this indifferent expression, this cold politeness? . , . What have I done? Think a little, is it my fault? I came to you hoping for good advice, I didn’t hesitate for one instant, I never thought of concealing things from you, and you . . . I see I was wrong to be open with you. ... It would never have entered your head. You suspected nothing, you deceived me. And now, goodness knows what you’re imagining.

  RAKITIN Imagining? Not at all.

  NATALYA PETROVNA. Give me your hand. . . . [He does not move; she goes on, somewhat offended.] You turn away from me? So much the worse for you, then. But I don’t blame you.... [Bitterly.] You are jealous!

  RAKITIN. I have no right to be jealous, Natalya Petrovna. ... How could I be?

  NATALYA PETROVNA [after a pause]. As you please. About Bolshintsov, I haven’t yet spoken to Verotchka.

  RAKITIN. I can send her to you at once.

  NATALYA PETROVNA. Why at once? . . . But as you please.

  RAKITIN [moving towards the study - door]. So you want me to fetch her?

  NATALYA PETROVNA. Michel, for the last time. . . . You said just now that you were sorry for me. ... Is this how you show it? Can you really . . .

  RAKITIN [coldly]. Am I to send her?

  NATALYA PETROVNA [with annoyance]. Yes. [RAKITIN goes into the study. NATALYA PETROVNA stands for some time motionless, sits down, takes a book from the talle, opens it, lets it fall on her lap.] He too! It’s awful. He ... he too! And I relied upon him. And Arkady? Good heavens! I
have never even thought of him! [Drawing herself up.] I see it’s high time to put a stop to all this. . . . [VERA comes in from the study.] Yes . . . high time.

  VERA [timidly]. You sent for me, Natalya Petrovna?

  NATALYA PETROVNA [looking round quickly]. Ah! Verotchka! Yes, I wanted you.

  VERA [going up to her]. Are you unwell?

  NATALYA PETROVNA. Me? Oh no, why?