Without a dowry / Бесприданница. Книга для чтения на английском языке

Act two

A room in the home of Mme Ogudalov. Two doors: an entrance door in the background, the other to the left of the actors. On the right is a window. The furniture is presentable. A piano with a guitar lying on it. Mme Ogudalov is alone. She is walking toward the door at the left with a small box in her hands.

Mme Ogudalov. Larisa, Larisa! (Larisa's voice off stage: "I'm getting dressed, Mama.”) Just see what a gift Vasya’s brought you! (Larisa off stage: "I'll look later.”) What things! They must be worth five hundred rubles. He told me, “Put them in her room tomorrow morning and don’t say who they’re from.” But he knows, the scamp, that I won’t be able to control myself, that I’ll tell. I asked him to stay awhile, but he wouldn’t stay. He’s going around with some foreigner, he’s showing him the town. But Vasya’s such a joker you can’t tell whether he’s thought up something or whether it’s the real thing. “What I’ve got to do,” he says, “is show this foreigner all the tavern institutions worthy of note.” He wanted to drag that foreigner along to visit us. (Looking out the window.) There comes Moky Parmenych! Don’t come out, it’s better for me to talk with him alone. (Knurov enters.)

Knurov (in the doorway). You’re alone?

Mme Ogudalov. Alone, Moky Parmenych.

Knurov (enters). Very good.

Mme Ogudalov. To what can I ascribe this good fortune! I’m grateful, Moky Parmenych, so very grateful that you’ve honored us with your visit. I’m so glad I’ve even lost my bearings. Really… I don’t know where to have you sit.

Knurov. It doesn’t matter. I’ll sit some place. (He sits down.)

Mme Ogudalov. You must excuse Larisa, she’s changing. But I suppose I could hurry her up.

Knurov. No, why bother!

Mme Ogudalov. What made you think of visiting us?

Knurov. I walk about a lot before dinner, so I just dropped in.

Mme Ogudalov. You can rest assured, Moky Parmenych, that we consider your visit a special stroke of good fortune. I just can’t compare it with anything.

Knurov. So you’re marrying off Larisa Dmitriyevna?

Mme Ogudalov. Yes, she’s getting married, Moky Parmenych.

Knurov. There was a groom who’d take her without money?

Mme Ogudalov. Without money, Moky Parmenych. Where do you think we could get any money?

Knurov. Well then, does he have great means, that groom of yours?

Mme Ogudalov. What means! He has very little!

Knurov. I see… And how do you feel, do you think you’re doing the right thing to marry off Larisa Dmitriyevna to a poor man?

Mme Ogudalov. I don’t know, Moky Parmenych. I didn’t have anything to do with it, it was her choice.

Knurov. Well, and this young man, what about him? Do you think he’s doing the right thing?

Mme Ogudalov. Why not? I find it praiseworthy on his part.

Knurov. There’s nothing praiseworthy about it; on the contrary it’s blameworthy. To be sure, from his point of view he’s not being stupid. What is he, who knows him, who’s paid any attention to him! But now the whole town’ll start talking about him, he’s climbing into the best society, he allows himself to invite me to dinner, for example. But here’s the stupid part. He didn’t think or didn’t want to think about how and on what means he’s going to live with such a wife. That’s something you and I ought to talk about.

Mme Ogudalov. Be so kind, Moky Parmenych!

Knurov. What opinion do you have of your daughter? What’s she like?

Mme Ogudalov. I really don’t know what to say. About all I can do is listen to you.

Knurov. You know as well as I there’s none of that commonness in Larisa Dmitriyevna, none of that everyday stuff. Well, you know what I mean, none of the petty triviality you need for a family living in poverty.

Mme Ogudalov. There’s none of that, none.

Knurov. You could call her an ethereal creature.

Mme Ogudalov. An ethereal creature, Moky Parmenych.

Knurov. She was created for splendor.

Mme Ogudalov. For splendor, Moky Parmenych.

Knurov. And can your Karandyshov give her that splendor?

Mme Ogudalov. No, how could he!

Knurov. She won’t be able to endure life when it’s poor and common. And what will be left for her then? She’ll fade away, and then, the way these things go, she’ll end up with consumption.

Mme Ogudalov. Oh, how can you say things like that! God forbid!

Knurov. It would be a good thing if she’d decide very quickly to leave her husband and come back to you.

Mme Ogudalov. But that would be just more misery, Moky Parmenych, what would my daughter and I have to live on!

Knurov. Well, that’s a misery that could be remedied. The heartfelt concern of a strong and rich man…

Mme Ogudalov. How nice if such a concern should turn up.

Knurov. You should try to gain it. In cases like this it is quite necessary to have a good friend, one who’s solid and steady.

Mme Ogudalov. It is quite necessary.

Knurov. Now you might tell me that she’s not even married yet, that the time is still far off when she could leave her husband. Yes, it could well be far off, but then again it could be very close. So it’s better to let you know now, so you won’t make some kind of mistake, that I won’t begrudge a thing for Larisa Dmitriyevna. Why are you smiling?

Mme Ogudalov. It makes me very happy, Moky Parmenych, that you’re so well disposed to us.

Knurov. Do you think, perhaps, that my suggestions are not disinterested?

Mme Ogudalov. Oh, Moky Parmenych!

Knurov. Take offense if you want, throw me out.

Mme Ogudalov (embarrassed). Oh, Moky Parmenych!

Knurov. Go find those people who’ll promise you tens of thousands for nothing in return, then you can scold me. Only don’t bother to look, you won’t find them. But I got carried away, that wasn’t what I came to talk about. What’s that box you have there?

Mme Ogudalov. I wanted to give it to my daughter for a present, Moky Parmenych.

Knurov (looking over the things in the box). I see…

Mme Ogudalov. But it’s all expensive, more than I can afford.

Knurov (gives back the box). Well, those are just trifles, there are more important things to think about. You have to provide a good wardrobe for Larisa Dmitriyevna, what I mean is, not just good but very good. A wedding dress and everything else that’s required.

Mme Ogudalov. Yes, yes, Moky Parmenych.

Knurov. It would be a great shame for her to be dressed just any old way. So you go ahead and order everything in the best store, and don’t count the cost or worry over the kopecks. Just send the bills to me, I’ll pay.

Mme Ogudalov. Really, I can’t find the words to thank you.

Knurov. To tell the truth, that was why I came. (He gets up.)

Mme Ogudalov. All the same, I’d still like to give my daughter a surprise tomorrow. A mother’s heart, you know.

Knurov (takes the box). Well now, what do we have here? How much does it cost?

Mme Ogudalov. You set a price on it, Moky Parmenych!

Knurov. Why price it, why bother! Let’s say it costs three hundred rubles. (He takes money from his wallet and gives it to Mme Ogudalov.) Good-bye. I’m going to walk a bit more, I expect to have a good dinner tonight. We’ll see each other at dinner. (He goes to the door.)

Mme Ogudalov. I’m very grateful, very grateful to you for everything, Moky Parmenych, everything!

Knurov goes off. Larisa enters with a basket in her hand.

Larisa (places the basket on the table and examines the things in the box). Are these what Vasya gave me? Not bad. How nice of him!

Mme Ogudalov. “Not bad.” They’re very expensive. Aren’t you glad to get them?

Larisa. I don’t feel especially glad about it.

Mme Ogudalov. You thank Vasya, just whisper in his ear, “Thank you.” And Knurov too.

Larisa. Why Knurov?

Mme Ogudalov. It’s something necessary, I know why.

Larisa. Oh, Mama, you always have your secrets and tricks.

Mme Ogudalov. Tricks! You can’t live in this world without tricks.

Larisa (takes the guitar, sits next to the window, and starts to sing).

Mother mine, so dear to me, sun so warm and mild, Mother mine, caress your own tiny baby child.[4]Yuly Kapitonych wants to enter the election for Justice of Peace.

Mme Ogudalov. That’s very nice. For what district?

Larisa. For Zabolotye.

Mme Ogudalov. Aie, isn’t that off in the sticks somewhere? Where did he get the idea of going so far?

Larisa. There aren’t so many candidates there; he’d probably get elected.

Mme Ogudalov. Well, all right, even there people can live.

Larisa. I don’t mind going even to the sticks, just so long as I can get away from here first.

Mme Ogudalov. It could be a good thing living in the sticks for a while. Your Karandyshov will look good there, he might be the first man in the district, and little by little you’ll get used to him.

Larisa. But he’s a good man here too. I don’t see anything bad in him.

Mme Ogudalov. Oh come now! As if there aren’t others just as good as him!

Larisa. Of course, some are even better. I know that myself, very well.

Mme Ogudalov. They’re better all right, only they’re not for the likes of us.

Larisa. Right now even this one’s good enough for me. But why talk about it, it’s all decided.

Mme Ogudalov. I’m just glad you like him, thank God for that! I’m not going to judge him before you, but we don’t have to pretend to each other, you’re not blind.

Larisa. I’ve become blind, I’ve lost all my feelings, and I’m glad of it. For a long time now everything around me’s been like a dream. No, I simply must leave here, I must tear myself away. I’ll keep after Yuly Kapitonych. Soon summer will be over, and I want to walk through the woods, to pick berries and mushrooms…

Mme Ogudalov. So that’s why you’ve gotten yourself a basket! Now I understand. Get yourself a straw hat with a wide brim, and then you’ll be a shepherd girl.

Larisa. I’ll get a hat too. (She sings.)

Mme Ogudalov. But when September comes it won’t be so quiet; the wind will blow at your window.

Larisa. So what?

Mme Ogudalov. The wolves will howl in different keys.

Larisa. Still, it will be better than here. At least my soul will have some rest.

Mme Ogudalov. Do you think I’m trying to talk you out of it? Go there, please do, and let your soul have its rest. But you must realize, Zabolotye is no Italy. I have to tell you that so you won’t be disillusioned. You’d blame me for not warning you.

Larisa. Thanks. But even if it will be wild there, and far away, and cold, for me, after the kind of life I’ve had here, every quiet nook will seem like heaven. Why Yuly Kapitonych is putting it off is something I can’t understand.

Mme Ogudalov. But why should he want to rush off to the country! He wants to do some showing off. And no wonder. He was nothing, and now he’s become somebody.

Larisa (sings). O tempt me not if there’s no need… How irritating, I just can’t get the right key. (She looks out the window.) Ilya, Ilya! Come in for a minute! I’ll take some songs with me to the country to play and sing when I’m bored.

Ilya enters.

Ilya. Happy birthday! May God grant you health and happiness! (He puts his peak cap on the chair by the door.)

Larisa. Ilya, give me the right key for “O tempt me not if there’s no need.” I’m always off-key. (She gives him the guitar.)

Ilya. Right away, miss. (He takes the guitar and tunes up.) That’s a pretty song. It’s good for three voices, you need a tenor for the second part… It’s awful pretty. But you know, an awful thing happened with us, an awful thing!

Mme Ogudalov. What awful thing?

Ilya. Our Anton, he sings tenor.

Mme Ogudalov. I know, I know.

Ilya. He’s our only tenor, all the rest sing bass. What basses they are, what basses! But Anton’s our only tenor.

Mme Ogudalov. So what about it?

Ilya. He’s not fit for the chorus, no good at all.

Mme Ogudalov. He’s not well?

Ilya. His health is all right, nothing wrong there.

Mme Ogudalov. Then what’s the matter with him?

Ilya. He’s bent over on one side, at an angle. He walks like that, bent over at a right angle, and he’ll be like that for another week, it’s awful! Every man is worth a lot in a chorus, but what can you do without a tenor! He went to the doctor, and the doctor says, “After a week or two it’ll go away, you’ll be straight again.” But we need him now.

Larisa. But I want you to sing!

Ilya. Right away, miss. The guitar’s out of tune. It’s awful, just awful! In a chorus you’ve got to stand up straight, and there he is bent over.

Mme Ogudalov. How did he get that way?

Ilya. From stupidity.

Mme Ogudalov. What kind of stupidity?

Ilya. That kind of stupidity our people have. I said, “Watch out, Anton, be careful now!” But he didn’t understand.

Mme Ogudalov. And we don’t understand either.

Ilya. Well, I hate to tell you, but he went on a spree, and what a spree, what a spree! I said, “Anton, watch out, careful now!” But he didn’t understand. Oh it’s awful, awful! Right now a man’s worth a hundred rubles, that’s the business at hand, the kind of gentleman we’re expecting, and there’s Anton bent over crooked. He was a real straight-up gypsy, but now he’s twisted! (He starts to sing in a bass voice.) “O tempt me not…”

Voice through the window: “Ilya, Ilya, come here! Come quick!"

Why? What do you want?

Voice from the street: “Come, the gentleman is here!"

You’re joking!

Voice from the street: “He's really come!"

I don’t have any more time, miss, the gentleman’s come. (He puts down the guitar and takes his peak cap.)

Mme Ogudalov. What gentleman?

Ilya. The one we’ve been waiting for a whole year, that one! (Hegoes off.)

Mme Ogudalov. Who do you suppose could have come? He must be rich and probably a bachelor, Larisa, since the gypsies are so glad to see him. You can see he spends time with the gypsies. Oh Larisa, have we missed out on a suitor? Why did we have to hurry so?

Larisa. Oh Mama, haven’t I suffered enough? No, I’ve been humiliated enough.

Mme Ogudalov. You used that horrible word “humiliated”! Did you mean to frighten me, perhaps? We’re poor folk, and that means being humiliated all our life. So it’s better to be humiliated when you’re young if you can later live like a human being.

Larisa. No, I can’t, it’s more than I can bear.

Mme Ogudalov. But you can’t get anything easily, and you’d stay nobody all your life.

Larisa. To pretend again, lie again!

Mme Ogudalov. So pretend then, and lie too! Happiness won’t come running after you if you run away from it. (Karandyshov enters.) Yuly Kapitonych, our Larisa’s all set to go to the country, here she’s gotten herself a basket for mushrooms.

Larisa. Yes, please, for my sake, let’s go right away!

Karandyshov. I don’t understand you. Why are you in such a hurry to get there?

Larisa. I want so much to get away from here.

Karandyshov (in an outburst). Who is it you want to get away from? Who’s persecuting you? Or could you be ashamed of me?

Larisa (coldly). No, I’m not ashamed of you, I don’t know how it’s going to be in the future, but so far you haven’t given me any cause for that.

Karandyshov. Then why run away, why hide from people? Give me some time to get settled, to pull myself together, to come to my senses. I’m glad, I’m happy. So give me a chance to feel the pleasure of my position.

Mme Ogudalov. To show off.

Karandyshov. Yes, to show off, I won’t hide it. My self-respect has suffered many, many wounds, and my pride has been offended more than once. Now I rightly want to be proud and strut some.

Larisa. Then when are you thinking of going to the country?

Karandyshov. After the wedding, whenever you want, even the very next day. Only we absolutely must get married here, so nobody can say we’re hiding out because I’m not a good match for you but just the straw a drowning man grabs for.

Larisa. But you know, Yuly Kapitonych, that last part’s almost the way it is, it’s true.

Karandyshov (angrily). Then keep that truth to yourself! (In tears.) Have a little pity on me! At least let the others think you love, that you made a free choice.

Larisa. But why do that?

Karandyshov. What do you mean, “why”? Don’t you make any allowance for self-respect in a man?

Larisa. Self-respect! All you think about is yourself! Everybody loves himself! When is anybody ever going to love me? You’re going to lead me to ruin.

Mme Ogudalov. That’s enough, Larisa, what’s gotten into you?

Larisa. Mama, I’m afraid, I’m afraid of something. Now listen. If the wedding’s going to be here, then please, as few people as possible, as quiet and simple as possible.

Mme Ogudalov. No, don’t you get any crazy ideas! A wedding’s a wedding, and I’m an Ogudalov and won’t allow any skimping. You’ll shine as nobody here has ever shone.

Karandyshov. And I won’t begrudge a thing.

Larisa. All right, I’ll be quiet. I can see that for you I’m a doll. You’ll play with me, break me and throw me away.

Karandyshov. That dinner tonight is going to cost me plenty.

Mme Ogudalov. And I consider that dinner of yours absolutely unnecessary, an unjustified expense.

Karandyshov. But even if it should cost me twice as much, or three times as much, I wouldn’t begrudge the money.

Mme Ogudalov. It’s something nobody needs.

Karandyshov. I need it.

Larisa. But what for, Yuly Kapitonych?

Karandyshov. Larisa Dmitriyevna, for three years I’ve been suffering humiliation, for three years I’ve had to put up with mockery from your friends right to my face. I’ve got to have my turn to laugh at them.

Mme Ogudalov. What will you think up next! Do you want to get up some quarrel, is that it? In that case Larisa and I won’t go.

Larisa. Oh, please, don’t offend anybody!

Karandyshov. Don’t offend! Though they can offend me? But don’t worry, there won’t be any quarrel, it’ll all be very peaceful. I’ll propose a toast to you and thank you publicly for the happiness you are giving me by your choice, for the fact that you haven’t treated me the way the others have, that you have valued me and trusted in the sincerity of my feelings. That’s all, that’s my whole revenge!