Four Plays | Page 6

it, if they pine away.
LEONíD. That's queer.
POTáPYCH. The husbands mostly turn out ruffians.
LEONíD. Is that so?
POTáPYCH. Everybody hopes to get one of our protégées, because the mistress right away becomes his patroness. Now in the case of these she marries to government clerks, there's a good living for the husband; because if they want to drive him out of the court, or have done so, he goes at once to our mistress with a complaint, and she's a regular bulwark for him; she'll bother the governor himself. And then the government clerk can get drunk or anything else, and not be afraid of anybody, unless he is insubordinate or steals a lot....
LEONíD. But, say, Potápych, why is it that the girls run away from me?
POTáPYCH. How can they help running? They must run, sir!
LEONíD. Why must they?
POTáPYCH. Hm! Why? Why, because, as you are still under age, the mistress wants to watch over you as she ought to; well, and she watches over them, too.
LEONíD. She watches us, ha, ha, ha!
POTáPYCH. Yes, sir. That's the truth! She was talking about that. You're a child, just like a dove, but, well--the girls are foolish. [_Silence_] What next, sir? It's your mamma's business to be strict, because she is a lady. But why should you mind her! You ought to act for yourself, as all young gentlemen do. You don't have to suffer because she's strict. Why should you let others get ahead of you? That'd disgrace you.
LEONíD. Well, well, but I don't know how to talk to the girls.
POTáPYCH. But what's the use of talking to them a long time? What about? What kind of sciences would you talk about with them? Much they understand such stuff! You're just the master, and that's all.
LEONíD. [_Glances to one side_] Who's this coming? That's NáDYA, evidently. Ah, Potápych, how pretty she is!
POTáPYCH. She is related to me, sir, my niece. Her father was set free by the late master; he was employed in a confectioner's in Moscow. When her mother died, her mistress took and brought her up, and is awful fond of her. And because her father is dead, why, now, she's an orphan. She's a good girl.
LEONíD. Looks as if they were coming this way.
POTáPYCH. Well, let 'em.
GAVRíLOVNA and NáDYA enter.

SCENE III
_The same_, GAVRíLOVNA and NáDYA
GAVRíLOVNA. How do you do, good master?
LEONíD. [_Bows_] How do you do?
GAVRíLOVNA. Well, master, I suppose you're bored in the country?
LEONíD. No, not at all.
GAVRíLOVNA. What, not bored yet! Why, you see it's like a monastery here; they look after you with a hundred eyes. Well, as for you, it goes without saying, you're a young gentleman, you ought to have some amusement; but you can't. It's no great joy to shoot ducks! [_She laughs._
LEONíD. [Going up to GAVRíLOVNA] Yes, yes, Gavrílovna.
NáDYA. [To GAVRíLOVNA] Let's go.
GAVRíLOVNA. Where do you want to go? Now, seeing that the mistress isn't at home, you ought to have a little fun with the young master. That's what young folks need. And what a clever girl she is, master! In talking, and in everything.
NáDYA. Come, what's the use!
GAVRíLOVNA. Well, there's no harm in it! I was young once. I didn't run away from the gentlemen, and you see they didn't eat me. Perhaps even he won't bite you. Quit playing the prude, and stay here! But I'm going to get the tea ready! Good-by, good master! [_She goes out._
LEONíD. Why did you not wish to remain with me?
POTáPYCH. What's this, sir! You talk to her as if she were a young lady! Call her Nádya!
LEONíD. What are you afraid of, Nádya?
NáDYA _is silent._
POTáPYCH. Talk! What are you keeping still for? And I'm going, sir; I must get dressed for tea, too. [_He goes out._

SCENE IV
LEONíD, NáDYA, and then LíZA
NáDYA. Of course I'm a girl of humble position, but, indeed, even we do not want anybody to speak evil of us. Pray consider yourself, after such talk, who would marry me?
LEONíD. Are you going to get married?
NáDYA. Yes, sir. Every girl hopes to get married some time.
LEONíD. But have you a suitor?
NáDYA. Not yet, sir.
LEONíD. [_Timidly_] If you have no suitor, then, maybe you're in love with somebody?
NáDYA. You want to know a lot! Well, no, I needn't fib about it, I'm not in love with anybody, sir.
LEONíD. [_With great joy_] Then love me!
NáDYA. It's impossible to force the heart, sir.
LEONíD. Why? Don't you like me?
NáDYA. Well, how could I help liking you? But I'm not your equal! What sort of love is that? Clean ruin! Here comes Líza running after me, I suppose. Good-by. Good luck to you! [_She goes away._
LíZA _comes in._
LíZA. Master, if you please! Your mamma has come.
LEONíD. Líza!
LíZA. [_Approaching_] What is it, please?
LEONíD. [He embraces LíZA; _she trembles with pleasure_] Why won't Nádya love me?
LíZA. [_Affectedly_] What