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

Mme Ogudalov. And all that’s completely unnecessary.

Karandyshov. No, those great dandies harassed me with their bragging. But they didn’t accumulate their wealth on their own, so why should they brag about it? They throw away fifteen rubles on one order of tea!

Mme Ogudalov. Now you’re taking it out on poor Vasya.

Karandyshov. Not just Vasya, they’re all good at that. Just see what’s going on in town, the joy on people’s faces. The cab drivers are all in a gay mood, they drive around the streets shouting to each other, “The gentleman’s come, the gentleman’s come.” The waiters in the inns are beaming too, they run out to the street and shout from inn to inn, “The gentleman’s come, the gentleman’s come.” The gypsies have gone crazy, they’re suddenly all making a big fuss and waving their hands. At the hotel it’s like a congress, a big crowd of people. A little while ago four gypsies, all decked out, drove up in a carriage to congratulate him on his arrival. What a scene! But what I’ve heard is that that gentleman has run through all his money and sold his last boat. So who’s come then? A man who’s spent all his money having a good time, a degenerate, and the whole town’s glad to see him. Fine morals!

Mme Ogudalov. But who is it that’s come?

Karandyshov. Your Sergey Sergeyich Paratov.

Larisa stands up in fright.

Mme Ogudalov. So that’s who it is!

Larisa. Let’s go to the country, let’s go right now!

Karandyshov. Now is just the time we shouldn’t go.

Mme Ogudalov. What’s the matter, Larisa, why hide from him! He’s not a highway robber!

Larisa. Why don’t you listen to me! You’re destroying me, pushing me into an abyss.

Mme Ogudalov. You’re insane.

Karandyshov. What are you afraid of?

Larisa. I’m not afraid for myself.

Karandyshov. For whom then?

Larisa. For you.

Karandyshov. Oh, don’t be afraid for me! I won’t let myself be put upon. Just let him try picking a quarrel with me, then he’ll see.

Mme Ogudalov. No, don’t talk like that! God help us! This isn’t Vasya. You be careful with him if you value your happiness.

Karandyshov (by the window). There, if you care to look, he’s come to visit you. Four pacers abreast and a gypsy on the box with the coachman. He’s really showing off. Of course, it doesn’t do anybody any harm to let him have his fun, but in reality it’s disgusting and stupid.

Larisa (to Karandyshov). Let’s go, let’s go to my room. Mama, you receive him here. Please, talk him out of any visits!

Larisa and Karandyshovgo out. Paratov enters.

Paratov (during this entire scene with Mme Ogudalov he adopts a half-joking, half-serious tone). Aunty, your dear hand!

Mme Ogudalov (holding out her hand). Oh, Sergey Sergeyich! Oh, my dear boy!

Paratov. You desire to embrace me? Permitted! (They embrace and kiss.)

Mme Ogudalov. What wind brought you here? Passing through, perhaps?

Paratov. I came here on purpose, and my first visit is to you, Aunty.

Mme Ogudalov. Thank you. How are you, how are things going with you?

Paratov. It would be a sin to complain, Aunty. I’m enjoying life though my business affairs aren’t too good.

Mme Ogudalov (after looking at Paratov awhile). Sergey Sergeyich, tell me, dear boy, why did you disappear so suddenly that time?

Paratov. I received an unpleasant telegram, Aunty.

Mme Ogudalov. What kind of telegram?

Paratov. While I was away my managers reduced my household to a shell. Because of their operations my ships were about to be auctioned off along with all my property and belongings. So I flew off to save my possessions.

Mme Ogudalov. So you saved everything and arranged everything.

Paratov. Not really. I arranged things but not completely; there was quite a loss. But I haven’t lost heart, Aunty, and I haven’t lost my fun-loving disposition.

Mme Ogudalov. I can see you haven’t lost it.

Paratov. We lose in one thing and gain in something else, Aunty; that’s how it is with men like us.

Mme Ogudalov. What do you want to gain in? Have you started some new business operations?

Paratov. It’s not for lightheaded gentlemen like us to go starting new business operations! That’s how people get into debtors’ prison, Aunty, I want to sell my precious freedom.

Mme Ogudalov. I understand. You want to marry for money. How high do you value your precious freedom?

Paratov. At half a million.

Mme Ogudalov. That’s a lot of money.

Paratov. I can’t do it any cheaper, Aunty. If you don’t figure it out right, you’re in trouble, you know that yourself.

Mme Ogudalov. That’s my kind of man!

Paratov. Right.

Mme Ogudalov. What a falcon! It’s a joy to look at you.

Paratov. It’s very flattering to hear that from you. Please allow me to kiss your dear hand. (He kisses her hand.)

Mme Ogudalov. But what about the buyers? That is, you have some buyers, don’t you?

Paratov. If one looks for them, they’ll be found.

Mme Ogudalov. Pardon me for an indiscreet question!

Paratov. If it’s very indiscreet, then don’t ask me. I’m bashful.

Mme Ogudalov. Enough of your jokes! Is there a fiancée or not? If there is, then who is she?

Paratov. Even if you kill me, I won’t say.

Mme Ogudalov. All right, as you wish.

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