Savva and The Life of Man | Page 7

a long time. What I'd like
to know is, are you wide awake? Look out, Lipa, don't let it happen to
you too.
LIPA
What?
YEGOR
It. (He yawns and crosses himself) If mother were to rise from her
grave now and see her children, she would be delighted. Fine children,
she would say. I have nursed you, and brought you up, and what's the
result? Regular good-for-nothing scamps. Tony'll soon begin to drink
again. I can see it on his face. Who's ever heard of such a thing? People
will soon be coming here for the feast-day, and I'll have to work alone
for the whole bunch. Polya, hand me that match from the floor--there.
No, not there, you blind goose. There, you stupid.
PELAGUEYA (hunting for the match)
I don't see it.
YEGOR
I'll take you by the back of your neck and give you such a shaking that
you'll see mighty quick. There it is, damn you!
LIPA (faint)
Oh, God, what a blistering heat!
YEGOR
There it is. Where are you crawling? Under the chair. There, damn you!

SAVVA (enters gayly, the pocket of his blouse full of jackstones) I won
six pair.
YEGOR
Well, the idea!
SAVVA
I finished that rascal Misha, cleared him all up. What are you
mumbling about there?
YEGOR
Nothing. Only I wish you'd address me a little more politely.
SAVVA (paying no attention to him)
Lipa, I won six pair.
LIPA
How can you play in such heat?
SAVVA
Wait, I am going to put the jackstones away. I have eighteen pair now.
Misha, the little rascal, plays well. (He goes out)
YEGOR (rising)
I don't want to see him any more. Tell him to get out of here at once.
LIPA
All right, I will.
YEGOR

Don't say "all right," but do what your father tells you. A fine lot of
brats--that's a sure thing! Yes, yes. (Goes) If mother saw them--
PELAGUEYA
He speaks of mother as if he weren't the one that drove her to an early
grave. He talked her to death, the old scold! He just talks and talks, and
nags and nags, and he doesn't know himself what he wants.
LIPA
To be with you is like being caught in the wheel of a machine. My head
is spinning round and round.
PELAGUEYA
Then why don't you go away with your Savva? What are you waiting
for?
LIPA
Look here, why are you angry with me?
PELAGUEYA
I am not angry. I am telling the truth. You don't want to marry. You are
disgusted with all your beaux. Why don't you go into a convent?
LIPA
I won't go into a convent, but I will go away from here, soon enough, I
think.
PELAGUEYA
Well, go! No one is keeping you. The road is wide open.
LIPA

Ah, Polya, you are angry and sulky with me. You don't know how I
spend my nights thinking about you. At night I lie awake and think and
think about you, and about all the people that are unhappy--all of them.
PELAGUEYA
What do you want to think about me for? You had better think about
yourself.
LIPA
And no one knows it. Well, what's the use of talking? You couldn't
understand anyhow. I am sorry for you, Polya. (Pelagueya laughs)
What's the matter?
PELAGUEYA
If you are sorry for me, why don't you carry out that pail? The way I
am, I shouldn't be lifting heavy things. Why don't you help me, if you
are so sorry for me?
LIPA (her face darkening, then brightening again) Give it to me. (She
picks up the pail and starts to carry it away)
PELAGUEYA (spitefully)
Hypocrite! Let go! Where are you going? _(She carries out the pail and
returns for the other things)_
SAVVA (entering; to his sister)
Why is your face so red?
LIPA
It's hot.
[Pelagueya laughs.

SAVVA
Say, Pelagueya, has Kondraty inquired for me?
PELAGUEYA
Kondraty! What Kondraty?
SAVVA
Kondraty, the friar; he looks something like a sparrow.
PELAGUEYA
I didn't see any Kondraty. Like a sparrow! That's a funny way of
putting it.
SAVVA
Tell Tony to come here, won't you?
PELAGUEYA
Tell him yourself.
SAVVA
Well, well!
PELAGUEYA _(calls through the door before she goes out into the
tavern)_ Anthony, Savva wants you.
LIPA
What do you want him for?
SAVVA
What a queer habit you have here of plying a person with questions all

the time. Where, who, why, what for?
LIPA (slightly offended)
You needn't answer if you don't want to.
TONY (enters, speaking slowly and with difficulty)
Who wants me?
SAVVA
I am expecting Kondraty here--you know Kondraty, don't you? Send
him in when he comes.
TONY
Who are you?
SAVVA
And send in two bottles of whiskey too, do you hear?
TONY
Maybe I