Works of Ivan Turgenev (Illustrated) (429 page)

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Authors: IVAN TURGENEV

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Kuzovkin. Oh, Olga Petrovna, Olya ... is it me? Isn’t it a dream?

Olga. There, there. . . .

Kuzovkin [hastily, all at once]. Olya, get up; they are coming. [Olga who has been almost sitting on his knee jumps up quickly.] Only give me your hand, your hand for the last time. [He hurriedly kisses her hand. She moves away to one side. Kuzovkin makes an effort to get up, but cannot. Yeletsky and Tropatchov come in from door on Right followed by Karpatchov. Olga goes to meet them, passing Kuzovkin and stands with her back to him.]

Tropatchov [bowing and striking an attitude]. Enfin — we have the happiness of beholding you, Olga Petrovna. How are you?

Olga. Very well, thank you.

Tropatchov. You look a little . . .

Yeletsky [cutting in]. We are neither of us quite up to the mark to - day. . . .

Tropatchov. In sympathy even in that, ha! ha! Your garden is wonderfully fine.

[Kuzovkin with effort stands up.~\

Olga. I am very glad you like it.

Tropatchov [as though offendedJ. Why, I tell you it’s perfectly exquisite — mais c’est tres beau, tres beau — the avenues, the flowers . . . the whole thing, in fact. Yes, yes! Nature and poetry — they are my two weak points! But what do I see? Albums? Just as though it were a Petersburg drawing - room.

Yeletsky [looking significantly at his wife]. Have you succeeded? [Olga nods, Tropatchov politely turns away.] He’s taken it? H’m! Good! [Drawing her a little aside.] I tell you again I don’t believe this tale — but I approve. Domestic peace is worth more than ten thousand.

Olga [going back to Tropatchov, who is beginning to turn over an album on the table]. What are you looking at, Flegont Alexandritch?

Tropatchov. Oh — your album — here

It’s all very charming. Tell me, do you know the Kovrinskys?

Olga. No, I haven’t met them.

Tropatchov. What — didn’t you know them in old days? You should make their acquaintance. Theirs is almost the best house in our district, or rather it was the best till yesterday, ha! ha!

Yeletsky [meanwhile goes up to Kuzovkin]. You take the money?

Kuzovkin. Yes, sir.

Yeletsky. So then — it was a lie?

Kuzovkin. It was a lie.

Yeletsky. Ah. [Turning to Tropatchov, who is talking gallantly to Olga and gracefully swaying his body to and fro.] Do you know, Flegont Alexandritch, only yesterday we were making fun of Vassily Semyonitch . . . and would you believe it, he’s won his case. The news has just this minute come. While we were in the garden just now.

Tropatchov. You don’t say so!

Yeletsky. Yes, yes, Olga has just told me. Ask him yourself.

Tropatchov. Is it really so, Vassily Semyonitch?

Kuzovkin [who throughout the rest of the scene is smiling like a child and speaks in a voice ringing with suppressed tears]. Yes, yes, sir. It is mine.

Tropatchov. I congratulate you, Vassily Semyonitch, I congratulate you. [Aside to Yeletsky.] I understand . . . you are sending him off in the most considerate way after yesterday. . . . [Yeletsky tries to assure him that it is not so.] Ah ... well... with what fine feeling, what generosity, what delicacy. . . . Very, very nice of you. I don’t mind betting [With a sugary glance at Olga] it was your wife’s idea . . . though you, of course . . . [Yeletsky smiles. Tropatchov goes on aloud.] That’s capital, capital. So now Vassily Semyonitch, you have to go over there . . . and begin looking after your estate.

Kuzovkin. Of course.

Yeletsky. Vassily Semyonitch has just told me he is getting ready to go there this very day.

Tropatchov. I should think so. I quite understand his impatience. Hang it all! leading a man - such a dance, keeping on and on — when at last he has got his estate. . . . Anyone would want to have a look at his property, eh, Vassily Semyonitch?

Kuzovkin. To be sure.

Tropatchov. I suppose you will have to go to the town?

Kuzovkin. No doubt; everything will have to be seen to.

Tropatchov. So you must lose no time. [Winks at Yeletsky.] A fine fellow, that retired attorney, Lytchkov! It’s all his doing, I dare say? [To Kuzovkin.] You’re pleased, are you?

Kuzovkin. To be sure, to be sure I am.

Tropatchov. You’ll let me come and see you in your new residence, won’t you?

Kuzovkin. That’s too great an honour, Flegont Alexandritch.

Tropatchov [turning to Yeletsky]. Pavel Nikolaitch, what do you say? We ought to celebrate the occasion.

Yeletsky [rather uncertainly]. Yes . . . perhaps . . . yes. [Goes to door of dining - room.’] Send me Trembinsky.

Trembinsky [popping in at once from just outside]. What is your pleasure?

Yeletsky. Ah! you here ... a bottle of champagne.

Trembinsky [vanishing again]. Yes, sir.

Yeletsky. Oh . . . wait! [Trembinsky reappears.] I believe I saw Mr. Ivanov in the dining - room, ask him to come in.

Trembinsky. Yes, sir. [Goes out.]

Tropatchov [Going up to Olga, who has all this time been standing at the table with the albums, alternately dropping her eyes, and softly lifting them to Kuzovkin]. Madame Kovrinsky will be extremely glad to make your acquaintance . . . enchantee, enchantee. I do hope you will like her. . . . I’m quite one of the family there. . . . Such a clever woman — and so, you know. . . . [IVaves his hand in the air.]

Olga [with a smile], Ah!

Tropatchov. You will see. [Trembinsky comes in with glasses and bottles on a tray.] Ah! Well, Vassily Semyonitch, allow me to congratulate you most warmly. . . .

[Ivanov comes in, stops at the door and bows.]

Olga [cordially to Ivanov]. How do you do. . . . I’m very glad to see you. . . . You have heard . . . your friend has come into his estate.

[Ivanov hows a second time and makes his way to Kuzovkin. Trembinsky takes round glasses to everyone.]

Ivanov [speaking quickly aside to Kuzovkin]. What nonsense are they talking?

Kuzovkin [also in an undertone].
Hush, Vanya, hush; I’m happy. . . .

Tropatchov [glass in hand]. To the health of the new landowner!

All [except Ivanov, who does not even sip his glass]. To his health! To his health!

Karpatchov [in a bass voice, alone]. Long life to him!

[Tropatchov looks at him severely; he is abashed. Kuzovkin thanks them, bows smiling; Yeletsky maintains a dignified air; Olga is ill at ease, she is ready to cry; Ivanov is amazed and looks about him suspiciously.]

Kuzovkin [in a quivering voice]. Allow me now ... on this great day for me ... to express my gratitude for all your kindness. . . .

Yeletsky [interrupting, severely]. But what is it you are thanking us for, Vassily Semyonitch?

Kuzovkin. Well, you are my benefactors anyway. . . . And as for my — what shall I say — behaviour yesterday, generously forgive an old man. . . . God knows why I took offence yesterday and said such things.

Yeletsky [again interrupting]. There, very good, very good.

Kuzovkin. And what was there to take offence at? What did it matter? . . . The gentlemen were joking. . . . [Glances at Olga.] No, I don’t mean that, though. Goodbye, my benefactors, may you be well, happy, fortunate. . . .

Tropatchov. But why are you saying good - bye like this, Vassily Semyonitch — you’re not going to Astrachan, you know. . . .

Kuzovkin [moved, goes on], God give you every blessing. . . . And I ... I have nothing left to pray for ... I am so happy, so. . . . [Breaks off and struggles to keep from tears.]

Yeletsky [aside, to himself ]. What a scene.... When will he go?

Olga [To Kuzovkin]. Good - bye, Vassily Semyonitch. . . . When you are in your own home, don’t forget us. . . . I shall be glad to see you [Dropping her voice] to talk to you alone. . . .

Kuzovkin [kissing her hand]. Olga Petrovna. ... The Lord will reward you.

Yeletsky. Come, that’s all right, good - bye. . . .

Kuzovkin. Good - bye. . . . [Bows and goes with Ivanov towards the door of the dining - room. They all accompany him. On the threshold Tropatchov again exclaims: ‘Long live the new landowner!’ Olga goes out quickly into the study.]

Tropatchov [turns to Yeletsky and pats him on the shoulder]. I say, you know — you are a most generous man.

Yeletsky. Oh, come! You are too kind. . . .

Curtain

CARELESS