Delphi Complete Works of Anton Chekhov (Illustrated) (373 page)

PLATONOV (kisses her hand).

SOFYA EGOROVNA. Just wait, you clumsy man! I’ll look for you. Don’t get into a funk! Good-bye until later! I’ll get ready in good time! (Kisses him.)

PLATONOV. Good-bye... Did you say eleven or ten?

SOFYA EGOROVNA. Ten... Come even earlier! Good-bye! Dress a bit decently for the journey... (Laughs.) I have money in my purse too... We’ll sup on the way... Good-bye! I must be off and get ready. ... Be cheerful now! I’ll look for you at ten! (Runs away.)

hard, boorish, rude fellow! If this letter, too, goes unanswered, then I shall appear at your place in person, the devil take you! I’ve waited a whole day for you. That’s stupid of you, Platonov! One might think that you are ashamed of that night. Let’s forget it, if it appears so banal to you! Sergey and Sofya are conducting themselves very poorly . . . it’s the end of their honeymoon too. And all because a certain eloquent little blockhead hasn’t been around. Good-bye!” {Pause.) What handwriting! So precise, yet so bold... Commas, periods, the t’s crossed and the i’s dotted . . . everything’s in its place. ... A woman writing so accurately is a rare phenomenon... (Enter Marko.) I suppose I’ll have to write her a letter, or else she’ll show up here... {Seeing Marko.) An apparition. . . .

SCENE III.

PLATONOV and MARKO.

PLATONOV. What can I do for you? Whom do you want? (Rises.)

MARKO. For your Honour... (Takes a -paper from his wallet.) A summons for you, Sir...

PLATONOV. Ah . . . Very good... What sort of summons? From whom?

MARKO. From Ivan Andreitch, justice of the peace. . . .

PLATONOV. H’M . . . Justice of the peace? What’s up? Give it here! (Takes the surnmons.) I don’t understand. ... Is he inviting me to a baptism? He’s as fertile as a grasshopper, the old sinner! (Reads.) “In the quality of the defendant in the case of the active affront against the daughter of the State Councilor, Marya Efimovna Grekova.” (Laughs.) Ah, the deuce take it! When will this case take place? The day after tomorrow? Very well, I’ll come... Tell the elder that I’ll come. ... A clever girl, by God, a clever girl! A smart wench! She should have done it long ago!

MARKO. A receipt, please!

PLATONOV. A receipt? Allow me to ... Do you know, brother, you look startlingly like a shot duck! MARKO. Can’t say that . . .

PLATONOV (sitting down by the table). What do you resemble then?

MARKO. I’m made in God’s own image... [I’m a Christian, Sir, and I’ve served God and the Tsar a full twenty-five years... I’ve taken the oath on the Holy Gospels. . . .]

PLATONOV. So . . . You’ve served under Tsar Nicholas?

MARKO. Just so. After the Sebastopol campaign I got my discharge papers... Besides my service, I spent four years in a hospital bed. ... A non-commissioned officer, Sir. ... In the artillery...

PLATONOV. So . . . Were the guns good? MARKO. The common sort. ... Of round diameter. . . .

PLATONOV. May I use a pencil? MARKO. Yes . . . Received such and such a summons... Then your name, paternity, and so on.

PLATONOV (rising). Here it is. Well, what about your justice of the peace? Is he still playing at cards? MARKO. Quite so.

PLATONOV. From five o’clock in the evening till five o’clock the next evening? MARKO. Quite so.

PLATONOV. He hasn’t gambled away his chain yet? MARKO. Not at all, Sir. . . .

PLATONOV. Tell him . . . No matter, don’t tell him anything. Of course he doesn’t pay his gambling losses... He goes on playing, the stupid fellow, gets into debt, and has a whole pack of children... Who are the witnesses? Who else is getting the summons?

MARKO (looking through his papers and reading). “To Doctor Nikolai Ivanovitch Triletzky . . .”

PLATONOV. Triletzky? (Laughs.) It’ll be a comedy! And who else?

MARKO (reading). “To Mr. Kiryl Porfiritch Glagol- yev; to Mr. Alfonse Ivanovitch Shrifter; his Honour, the retired cornet of the Guard, Maxim Egorovitch Aleutov; the son of the actual State Councilor, high-school student, Ivan Talyej the bachelor of the Saint Petersburg Neversity . . .”

PLATONOV. Is it actually written “Neversity” there? MARKO. Not at all.

PLATONOV. Why, then, do you read it like that? MARKO. Just from ignorance... (Reads.) “Uni . . . uni . . . neversity, Sergey Pavlovitch Voinit- zev; wife of the bachelor of the Saint Petersburg Uni . . . neversity, Sofya Egorovna, Mrs. Voinit- zev; the student of Kharkov Neversity, Isaac Abramitch Vengerovitch.” That’s all! . . .

PLATONOV. H’m . . . This is after tomorrow, and I must leave tomorrow. Too bad. It promises to be quite a case... H’m . . . It’s really too bad! I should have liked to satisfy her... (Walks up and down.’) Too bad. . . .

MARKO. Aren’t you going to treat me to the price of a drink, your Honour...

PLATONOV. Eh-h?

MARKO. A trifle for a drink... I’ve walked six miles. . . .

PLATONOV. For a drink? . . . It’s not necessary... But what am I saying? Very well, my dear fellow! I shan’t give you anything for a drink, but I’ll do better than that... It’ll be more convenient for me, and more sober for you... (Takes a tea-canister out of the cupboard.) Come here... It’s good, strong tea... What shall I put it in? MARKO (opening his pocket). Pour it in here...

PLATONOV. What, straight into the pocket? Won’t it give the tea a bad smell?

MARKO. Pour it in! Pour it in! Don’t you worry on that account!

PLATONOV (pouring the tea into the pocket). Enough?

MARKO. I thank you most humbly.

PLATONOV. What an old fellow you are. ... I like you old soldier boys! . . . You are the right sort! But even among you there are sometimes such terrible fellows. . . .

MARKO. To be sure, there are... God alone is without sin... Wishing you luck, Sir!

PLATONOV. Wait... Just a moment... (He sits down and writes on the summons.) “I kissed you then, because . . . because I felt irritated and didn’t know what I wanted. Now I would have kissed you as something sacred. I admit I acted like a beast. I’ve been a beast with everyone. Unfortunately, we shall not meet in the courtroom. Tomorrow I shall leave this place forever. I wish you happiness, and hope you will, at least, try and be just to me! I don’t ask you to forgive me!” (To Marko.) Do you know where Grekova lives?

MARKO. I know... Eight miles from here or so, if you ford the river.

PLATONOV. Oh, yes . . . She lives in Zhilkov... Take her this letter and you’ll get three silver pieces. Give it to the young lady herself, and don’t wait for an answer. ... If she gives you one, don’t take it... I want the letter delivered today. ... At once... Take it to her now, and you can deliver your other summonses afterward. (Paces up and down.)

MARKO. I understand.

PLATONOV. What else? Oh, yes! Tell everyone that I asked Grekova for forgiveness, and that she refused.

MARKO. I understand. The best of luck to you, Sir!

PLATONOV. Good-bye, my friend! Keep well! MARKO (exit).

SCENE IV.

PLATONOV (alone).

PLATONOV. That means, Grekova and I are now quits... She’ll soil my name throughout the province. ... So it should be... For the first time in my life a woman is punishing me... [After all, it was they that spoiled me. . . .] (Lies down on the divan.) You act meanly to them, and they hang on your neck... Sofya, for example. ... I used to be free as the wind, and I must lie here and reflect... Love . . . Amo, amas, amat . . . I’ve tied myself up... I’ve ruined her, and I’ve done no good for myself... (Sighs.) The poor Voinit- zevs! [You’ve paid dearly for your eloquent friend, Platonov!] And Sasha? Poor little girl! How will she manage to exist without me? She’ll pine away, die... When she saw the truth, she left with the infant, without saying a word... After that night • . . I ought to say good-bye to her...

ANNA PETROVNA (through the window). May I come in? Ay! Is anyone here?

PLATONOV. Anna Petrovna! (Springs to his feet.) She! What am I to say to her? Why should she come here? (Straightens himself out.)

ANNA PETROVNA (through the window). May I come in? I’m coming in, do you hear?

PLATONOV. So she’s come! How can I keep her from coming in? (Combs his hair.) How can I dismiss her? I’d better have another drink before she comes in... (Quickly opens the cupboard.) What the devil ... I can’t understand it! (Drinks down his glass quickly.) I hope she doesn’t know anything, but suppose she does? I fear I’ll blush. . . .

SCENE V .

PLATONOV and ANNA PETROVNA.

ANNA PETROVNA (enters).

PLATONOV (slowly closes the cupboard).

ANNA PETROVNA. I salute you!

PLATONOV. It won’t shut... (Pause.)

ANNA PETROVNA. DO you hear? I greet you!

PLATONOV. Oh, it’s you, Anna Petrovna! Pardon me, I didn’t see you... This cupboard won’t shut.

. . . Strange... (Lets the key fall, and picks it up.)

ANNA PETROVNA. Come here! Leave the cupboard in peace!

PLATONOV (approaching her). How do you do?

ANNA PETROVNA. Why don’t you look at me?

PLATONOV. I’m ashamed. (Kisses her hand.)

ANNA PETROVNA. What are you ashamed of?

PLATONOV. Everything. . . .

ANNA PETROVNA. H’m . . . Have you seduced someone?

PLATONOV. Yes, something of the sort...

ANNA PETROVNA. SO that’s it, Platonov! But whom?

PLATONOV. I won’t tell you.

ANNA PETROVNA. Let’s sit down. . . .(They sit down on the divan.) We’ll find out, young man, we’ll find out... But why should you be ashamed before me? Why, I’ve known your sinful soul ages ago...

PLATONOV. Don’t ask me, Anna Petrovna! I’m in no mood today to undergo a personal cross-examination. Say what you like, only don’t ask questions of me!

ANNA PETROVNA. Good. Have you received my letter?

PLATONOV. Yes.

ANNA PETROVNA. Why didn’t you show up?

PLATONOV. I couldn’t.

ANNA PETROVNA. Why couldn’t you?

PLATONOV. I couldn’t.

ANNA PETROVNA. Are you sulky?

PLATONOV. No. Why should I sulk? Don’t question me . . . for God’s sake!

ANNA PETROVNA. Allow me to answer, Mikhail Vas- silyitch! Sit quietly there! Why haven’t you appeared at our house these past three weeks?

PLATONOV. I’ve been ill.

ANNA PETROVNA. You’re lying!

PLATONOV. Yes, I am. Don’t question me, Anna Petrovna!

ANNA PETROVNA. You reek of wine! Platonov, what does it all mean? What’s the matter with you? What do you look like? Your eyes are red, your face ugly... You are filthy, there’s filth in the room... Just have a look round you! What disorder! What’s the matter with you? Do you drink?

PLATONOV. Terribly!

ANNA PETROVNA. H’m . . . It’s last year’s story all over again... Last year you had been carrying on, and until the Autumn you were walking about like a wet hen... So it is now. ... A Don Juan and a pitiful coward in the same person. Don’t you dare drink any more!

PLATONOV. I won’t.

ANNA PETROVNA. On your word of honour? Anyhow, that’s unnecessary! (Rises.) Where do you keep the wine?

PLATONOV (pointing to the cupboard).

ANNA PETROVNA. Aren’t you ashamed, Misha, to show so little spirit? Where’s your character? (Opens the cupboard.) And just look at the cupboard . . . what a mess! Won’t Alexandra Ivanovna give it to you when she returns! Do you want her to return?

PLATONOV. I want only one thing: don’t give me any questions, and don’t look so straight into my face!

ANNA PETROVNA. Which bottle has the wine?

PLATONOV. All.

ANNA PETROVNA. All five? Oh, you drunkard! Why, you have a whole drinking establishment here! It’s time Alexandra Ivanovna returned! You must make some sort of an explanation to her. ... I am not the most terrible of rivals... I’m willing to share.
 
. . I’m not one to separate you... (Drinks from a bottle.) The wine is good... Let’s have a drink together! Would you like to? Let’s drink together now, and we won’t drink again!

PLATONOV (goes to the cupboard).

ANNA PETROVNA. Hold your glass! (Pours the wine.) You’re a bad man. But the wine is good! You have taste... (Gives him the bottle.) Hold it! Bring it here! (They go to the window.) Say good-bye to your lovely wine! (hooks out of the window.) It’s a shame to waste it... Shall we have another drink, eh? Shall we?

PLATONOV. AS you like.

ANNA PETROVNA (pouring the wine). Drink! . . . Quickly!

PLATONOV (drinks). To your happiness! May God grant you happiness!

ANNA PETROVNA (pours herself out a glass and drinks). Have you missed me? Let’s sit down. Put the bottle down for the moment... (They sit down.) Have you missed me?

PLATONOV. Every minute.

ANNA PETROVNA. Why, then, didn’t you show up?

PLATONOV. Don’t ask me! I’ll tell you nothing, not because I’m not candid with you, but because I’m sorry for your ears! I’m going to ruin, complete ruin, my dear! I am suffering from a gnawing conscience, ennui, spleen ... in a word, agony! You’ve come, and I already feel better.

ANNA PETROVNA. You’ve grown thin, you’re looking badly. ... I can’t stand these romantic heroes!

What are you making of yourself, Platonov? Are you playing the role of a hero from a romance? Spleen, ennui, a conflict of the passions, love with prefaces... Fie! Live like a human being! Live, stupid man, as human beings live! Are you an archangel of some sort that you can’t live, breathe or sit like ordinary mortals?

PLATONOV. That’s lightly said... What’s one to do?

ANNA PETROVNA. How can a human being, a man, live and not know what he should do? It’s strange! What’s he to do? I’ll answer this question for you the best I know how, though such a question isn’t worth an answer!

PLATONOV. YOU can’t answer anything...

ANNA PETROVNA. In the first place, live in a human way; that is, don’t drink and lie about, but wash yourself oftener and come to see me. In the second place, be content with what you have... (Rises.) Come along to my house!

PLATONOV. How can I? (Rises.) Come to you? No, no . . .

ANNA PETROVNA. Come, I say! You’ll see some people, you’ll talk, listen, wrangle a bit. . . .

PLATONOV. No, no . . . Don’t ask me.

ANNA PETROVNA. Why not?

PLATONOV. I can’t. That’s all there’s to it!

ANNA PETROVNA. Of course, you can! Put your hat on! Come along!

PLATONOV. I can’t, Anna Petrovna! Not for anything! I won’t take a step from here!

ANNA PETROVNA. YOU can! (Putting his hat on his head.) Don’t act the fool, Platonov! You’re surely joking! (Takes his arm.) Well? One, two! . . . Come, Platonov! Forward! {Pause.) Come, Misha! Come!

PLATONOV. I can’t.

ANNA PETROVNA. You’re as stubborn as a bull! Come, march! One, two . . . Misha, sweetheart, darling. . . .

PLATONOV (tearing away). I won’t come, Anna Petrovna!

ANNA PETROVNA. Let’s take a walk round the school!

PLATONOV. Can’t you let me alone! I told you I wouldn’t come. I prefer to sit in my own house, and so please allow me to follow my inclinations! (Pause.) I won’t come!

ANNA PETROVNA. H’m . . . I’ll tell you what, Platonov . . . I’ll lend you a little money. Why don’t you go and take a little holiday of a month or two? . . .

PLATONOV. Where?

ANNA PETROVNA. In Moscow, in Petersburg... Yes? Please do it, Mikhail! It’ll do you good, you need an airing! Take a journey, look at new faces, visit the theatres, freshen yourself up a bit... I’ll let you have money, letters. ... If you like, I’ll go along with you! Would you like it? We’ll have a good time... We’ll return here renewed, brighter than we are. . . .

PLATONOV. A fine idea, but, unfortunately, unrealizable... Tomorrow I shall leave this place, Anna Petrovna, but not with you!

ANNA PETROVNA. AS you please... Where are you going?

PLATONOV. I shall leave this place forever.

ANNA PETROVNA. Nonsense! (Drinks from the bottle.) Silly!

PLATONOV. Not at all nonsense, my dear! I shall leave this place, and I shall leave it forever!

ANNA PETROVNA. Why, you strange man?

PLATONOV. Don’t ask! Upon my word, Pm leaving forever. Say good-bye to me! But don’t question me! You’ll learn nothing from me now...

ANNA PETROVNA. Nonsense!

PLATONOV. It’s the last time we’re seeing each other... I shall disappear forever... (Takes her by the sleeve and afterwards by her shoulders.) Forget the fool, the donkey, the wretch, the insolent fellow Platonov... The earth shall swallow him up... We’ll meet, perhaps, after many, many years, when we shall be able to laugh about it all . . . or, like old folk, cry about it . . . but now, to the devil with him! (Kisses her hand.)

ANNA PETROVNA. Come, drink! (Pours him out some mine.) A drunken man’s no sinner in chattering nonsense!

PLATONOV. I shan’t be drunk. ... I shall remember you, my good fairy! I shall never forget you! Laugh, you intelligent, radiant woman! Tomorrow I shall run from here. ... I shall run from myself, whither I don’t know. ... I shall run towards a new life! I know what this new life is!

ANNA PETROVNA. All this is splendid, but what precisely has happened to you?

PLATONOV. What? I . . . You’ll find out later! My friend, when you are shocked by my action, don’t curse me! Please remember Pm already punished enough as it is. To part with you forever is a heavy punishment... Why do you smile? Believe me! Upon my word, I speak the truth. ... I feel so bitter at heart, and I feel so wretched and mean, that I should be glad if I could strangle myself!

ANNA PETROVNA (through tears). I can’t think that you are capable of anything so appalling... You will write me, at least?

PLATONOV. I shan’t dare even to write you. And you will not want to receive any letters from me! It’s absolutely forever... Good-bye!

ANNA PETROVNA. H’m . . . You’ll perish without me, Platonov! (Rubs her forehead.) I’m a trifle tipsy... Let’s leave together!