Four Plays | Page 9

come.
MADAM ULANBéKOV. Oh, be still! What are you thinking up now? Why, he's only a child!
VASILíSA PEREGRíNOVNA. A child, benefactress! Well, there's nothing more to be said; God gave you a son as a joy and a consolation. And we can never feast our eyes enough on him. It's just as if the sunshine had come into our house. So good-natured, so merry, so gentle with every one! But he's already running after the girls so; he never lets one pass; and they, silly things, are tickled to death; they fairly snort with delight.
MADAM ULANBéKOV. You're lying. He never has a chance to see the girls anywhere, I think; all day long they are in their own side of the house, and, besides, they never go anywhere.
VASILíSA PEREGRíNOVNA. Ah, benefactress, there are no locks to keep a girl in, once she takes a notion to do something.
MADAM ULANBéKOV. You hear, Gavrílovna! Look after my girls. You know I won't have any loose conduct. You tell them that so they'll know I mean it. [To VASILíSA PEREGRíNOVNA] But no, there can't be anything like that. You're merely disturbing me with your silly notions. What a dirty tongue you have! What business had you to chatter? And now I can't get the stuff out of my head! Keep watch, Gavrílovna!
GAVRíLOVNA. What's the use of listening to her, mistress?
VASILíSA PEREGRíNOVNA. But really, benefactress, am I saying anything bad? Would I dare to think any harm about him, that little angel? Of course he's still a child, he wants to frisk a little; but here he hasn't any companions, so he plays with the girls.
MADAM ULANBéKOV. There's poison on your tongue. [She reflects. POTáPYCH takes the cups. GAVRíLOVNA fills them and gives them back. GRíSHA _comes in from the garden, gives_ GAVRíLOVNA _a push, and makes a sign with his head that she is to pour him another cup_. GAVRíLOVNA does so. GRíSHA _goes out_] However, I must marry off Nádya.
NáDYA. [_Almost weeping_] Mistress, you have shown me such kindness that I can't even express it. Forgive me for daring to speak to you now; but, because of your attitude towards me, I expected quite a different favor from you. In what respect have I displeased you now, mistress, that you wish to marry me to a drunkard?
MADAM ULANBéKOV. My dear, it's not for you to argue about that; you're just a girl. You ought to rely in all things upon me, your patroness. I brought you up, and I am even bound to establish you in life. And again, you ought not to forget this: that he is my godson. Rather, you ought to be thankful for the honor. And now I tell you once and for all: I do not like it when my girls argue, I simply do not like it, and that's all there is to it. That's a thing I cannot permit anybody. I've been accustomed, from my youth, to having people obey my every word; it's time you knew that! And it's very strange to me, my dear, that you should presume to oppose me. I see that I have spoiled you; and you at once get conceited. [NáDYA _weeps._
VASILíSA PEREGRíNOVNA. Benefactress, one must have feeling for his fellow creature, one must have feeling. But what kind of feelings can such as they have, save ingratitude?
MADAM ULANBéKOV. No one's talking to you! What are you mixing into everything for? [To NáDYA, _sternly_] What new tale is this? Still crying! Let's have no more tears! [NáDYA _weeps_] I'm talking to you. [_Rising slightly_] Your tears mean absolutely nothing to me! When I make up my mind to do a thing, I take a firm stand, and listen to no one on earth! [_She sits down_] And know, first of all, that your obstinacy will lead to nothing; you will simply anger me.
NáDYA. [_Weeping_] I'm an orphan, mistress! Your will must be obeyed!
MADAM ULANBéKOV. Well, I should say! Of course it must; because I brought you up; that's equal to giving you life itself.
LEONíD _enters._

SCENE III
The same and LEONíD
LEONíD. How are you, mamma?
MADAM ULANBéKOV. How are you, my dear? Where have you been?
LEONíD. I went hunting with Potápych. I killed two ducks, mamma.
MADAM ULANBéKOV. You don't spare your mother; the idea, going hunting in your state of health! You'll fall sick again, God forbid! and then you'll simply kill me! Ah, my God, how I have suffered with that child! [_She muses._
GAVRíLOVNA. Some tea, master?
LEONíD. No, thanks.
MADAM ULANBéKOV. [To VASILíSA PEREGRíNOVNA] When he was born, I was ill a very long time. Then he was always sickly, and he grew up puny. How many tears have I shed over him! Sometimes I would just look at him, and my tears would flow; no, it will never be my lot to