Works of Ivan Turgenev (Illustrated) (455 page)

Olga [after a long silence]: That means, then, that I’m your daughter.” But what proofs have you?

Kuzovkin [with some animation]: Proofs? What kind of proofs can I have? I haven’t any proofs. How would I dare? . . . and if it weren’t for yesterday’s misfortune, I am quite sure that I never should have told it, even on my dying bed. I should have torn my tongue out first. And why didn’t I die yesterday? Not a single soul knew or heard of it until yesterday. Being alone, I never even dared think of it. After the death of your father, I wanted to run away as far as my legs could carry me, but I confess that I hadn’t the courage. Poverty scared me. I remained, and I am guilty. But in the presence of your deceased mother I never talked about it, I didn’t even let a breath of it out, Olga Petrovna. Proof! The first months after that I didn’t even see your mother. She shut herself up in her room, and with the exception of Praskovia, she didn’t admit anyone. Then, when I saw her, I swear before the Lord, that I was afraid to look her in the face. Proofs? Olga Petrovna, I am not a criminal, and I’m not a fool — I know my place. If you hadn’t ordered me to tell . . . Don’t get worked up, Olga Petrovna. Why do you bother yourself about it? What proof can I have? Don’t believe me, an old fool. I told a lie and that’s all, for surely, sometimes, I don’t know what I am talking about. My mind is failing. Don’t believe anything, Olga Petrovna — that’s all. What proofs could I have?

Olga: No, Vasili Semenych. I’m going to be very truthful in the matter. You couldn’t think up such ... To spread calumny of the dead — no, that’s too awful . . . [She turns away from him.] No, I believe you.

Kuzovkin [in a weak voice]: You believe me . . .

Olga: Yes . . . [She looks at him and shudders.] But it is terrible, terrible! [Quickly goes to one side.]

Kuzovkin [with hands stretched in her direction]: Olga Petrovna, calm yourself ... I understand you . . . You, with your education . . . But I, I repeat, if it weren’t for you, I should tell you that . . . But I know myself very well. Do you really think that I don’t feel all this . . .? I love you as my own . . . For, after all, you are . . . [Quickly gets up.] Don’t be afraid. I’ll never let that word pass my lips . . . Forget our whole conversation. I’ll leave to - day, now. I cannot remain here any longer. I cannot. Well, I’ll pray for you there. [Tears appear in his eyes.] And everywhere, wherever I am, I shall pray for you and your husband. I am myself to blame. I can say that I alone am the cause of denying myself my last happiness. [He weeps.]

Olga [with inexpressible nervousness]: What does this all mean? However it was, he’s my father . . . [Turning around and seeing him weeping.] He is weeping . . . Don’t cry, stop! . . . [She goes up to him.]

Kuzovkin [stretching his hands out to her]: Forgive me, Olga Petrovna. . . .

[Olga stretches her hands toward him undecidedly. She wants to force herself to throw herself upon his neck, but immediately, with a shudder, turns away and runs off to the office. Kuzovkin remains in the same place.]

Kuzovkin [pressing his hands to his heart]: My Lord, my Lord! What is the matter with me?

[Eletski’s voice from behind the door]: Have you locked yourself in, Olga?

Kuzovkin [coming to himself]: Who is that? . . . He . . . Yes ... I wonder what he wants to say? . . .

Eletski’s Voice: Tropachev has come to see us.
Je vous l’annonce, Olga! Answer me! . . .
Vasili Semenych, are you there?

Kuzovkin: Yes, sir.

Eletski’s Voice: And where is Olga Petrovna?

Kuzovkin: She went out.

Eletski’s Voice: Oh! Open the door for me!

[Kuzovkin opens the door and Eletski enters.]

Eletski [looking around, to himself]: This looks so strange. [To Kuzovkin, coldly and sternly.] Are you going away?

Kuzovkin: Yes, sir.

Eletski: Well, how did your conversation end?

Kuzovkin: The conversation? . . . The conversation? ... To tell the truth, we didn’t talk at all. Only I asked Olga Petrovna’s forgiveness.

Eletski: Well, and what did she do?

Kuzovkin: She said that she was no longer angry at me, and I am now getting ready to go away.

Eletski: Olga Petrovna consequently did not change my decision?

Kuzovkin: No, sir.

Eletski: Hm! ...
I am very sorry . . . But you understand, Vasili Semenych that . . . that . . .

Kuzovkin: Yes, sir, Pavel Nikolaich.
I fully agree with you. You have acted most charitably towards me. I am extremely obliged to you.

Eletski: I am pleased to note that you feel, at least, that’ you are to blame, and so good - bye. ... If you are in need of anything, please don’t stand on ceremony. Although I have given orders to the manager regarding you, nevertheless you can always turn directly to me . . .

Kuzovkin: I am extremely obliged to you. [Bows.]

Eletski: Good - bye, Vasili Semenych. However, wait a moment. Eh ... eh ... eh . . . Mr. Tropachev has come to see us, and he is coming right in. I wish that you would repeat in his presence that which you told me this morning . . .

Kuzovkin: Yes, sir.

Eletski: Very well. [To the entering Tropachev.] Mais venez done, venez done!

[Tbopachev enters, showing his usual affectation.]

Tropachev: Of course I’ll come in. But your billiard table is a most excellent one! Just imagine, Mr. Ivanov refused to play with me! He said, “My head aches.” Mr. Ivanov has a headache! Et madame? I hope she is well.

Eletski: She is well, thank the Lord, and she’ll be in presently.

Tropachev [with amiable familiarity]: Your arrival is a most fortunate affair for us countrymen. Ha, ha, ha! Une bonne fortune. [He looks around and notices Kuzovkin.] Oh, Lord, and you’re here?

[Kuzovkin bows silently.]

Eletski [to Tropachev, pointing with his chin to Kuzovkin]: Yes, he has been very much upset to - day after yesterday’s piece of foolishness. He has been begging our pardon since morning.

Tropachev: Oh, it’s very apparent that he and drink are not company. What do you say?

Kuzovkin [not lifting his eyes]: I am guilty. It was positively senseless — that’s all I can say.

Tropachev: Ah, ha! That’s it, owner of Vietrovo. [To Eletski.] Well, a thought like that will come into a fellow’s head . . . After this finally, it is nothing surprising to know that one insane fellow will — well, I don’t know what to say — but let us say will consider himself a Chinese emperor, and that another, as I have heard said, will imagine that he has the sun and the moon and everything you want, right in his stomach. Ha, ha, ha! That’s the way — that’s the way, Mr. Kuzovkin.

Eletski [wishing to change the conversation]: Yes. . . . What did I want to ask you about, Flegont Aleksandrych? When shall we go hunting?

Tropachev: Whenever you like. . . . You see, I do not stand on ceremony with you. I was here yesterday, and I’m here again to - day. So be the same way with me. Wait a moment, I’m going to ask Karpachov. He knows that better. He will tell us where to go. [Goes up to the door of the reception - room.] Karpachov! Come in, my dear fellow. [To Eletski.] He’s a good shot, though I always win from him in billiards. [Karpachov enters.] Karpachov, Pavel Nikolaich wants to go hunting to - morrow. Where shall we go, huh?

Karpachov: Let us go to Koloberdovo, to Vokhriak. There must be a lot of partridges there now.

Eletski: And is it far from here?

Karpachov: By the high road, thirty versts, but crosscountry, it will be a little less.

Eletski: Very well. [Praskovia enters from the office.] What do you want?

Praskovia [bowing to Eletski]: Madame would like to 6ee you.

Eletski: What for?

Praskovia: I cannot tell.

Eletski: Tell her that I’ll see her presently. [To Tropachev.] Will you permit me?

[Praskovia goes out.]

Tropachev [shaking his head]: Oh, Pavel Nikolaich, aren’t you ashamed to ask such a question? Go, for the Lord’s sake!

Eletski: I shall not keep you waiting long. [Goes out.]

[Kuzovkin, who had been standing all the time near the door of the reception - room, wants to take advantage of this moment and go out.]

Tropachev [to Kuzovkin]: Where do you want to go, my dear fellow? Remain here — we’ll have a little chat.

Kuzovkin: I must go.

Tropachev: Oh, nonsense, you mustn’t. Perhaps you feel a little ashamed. . . . But that’s nonsense, too. Who doesn’t occasionally . . . [Takes him by his arm and brings him to the front of the stage.] That is, wait a minute. What I wanted to say was, Who doesn’t occasionally take a drink too much? I must confess, though, that you quite surprised us last night. But how effectively you said that! That was a great thought. Just think of it!

Kuzovkin: It was due to my foolishness — that’s all.

Tropachev: That may be so, but it was surprising. But why a daughter? Wonderful! You will admit that you wouldn’t refuse to be the father of such a daughter. [He pokes him in the ribs.] Tell me — would you refuse? [To Karpachov.] He doesn’t want to speak about nonsense. What do you think? [Karpachov laughs.]

Kuzovkin [wants to take his hand away from Tropachev]: Permit me . . .

Tropachev: Why did you get angry at us yesterday, hm? Tell me.

Kuzovkin [turning his head away and speaking semi - audibly]: I am to blame.

Tropachev: That’s it. Well, the Lord will forgive you. So she is your daughter, huh? [Kuzovkin is silent.] Listen, my dear fellow, why don’t you call upon me sometimes? I will treat you right.

Kuzovkin: I am extremely obliged to you.

Tropachev: Things are nice down my way. Ask this man here. [Pointing to Karpachov.] You could tell me once more about the Vietrovo affair.

Kuzovkin [almost inaudibly]: Yes, sir.

Tropachev: It seems to me that you didn’t greet Karpachov this morning. [To Karpachov.] Karpach, did you greet Vasili Semenych?

Karpachov: No, sir.

Tropachev: Ah, my dear fellow, that’s bad.

Karpachov: Permit me to do it right now. [With arms outstretched he goes to Kuzovkin. Kuzovkin retreats. The office door opens quickly and Eletski enters. He is pale and agitated.]

Eletski [grieved]: Flegont Aleksandrych, it seems to me that I asked you to leave Kuzovkin in peace.