Plays by Aleksandr Nikolaevich Ostrovsky Part 51

TATYaNA. You think it'll be all right?

LUKeRYA. If you're afraid of the wolf don't go into the woods. It isn't far, you can run over in a minute. But don't stay too long!

TATYaNA. No, no, of course I shan't. [_Puts the kerchief on_.

LUKeRYA. You'd better be watching out! G.o.d forbid that Lev Rodionych should return first. What should I do then! Shall I say that you went for some thread to a neighbor? It'll be lucky if he believes it. What did you say to him when you were alone?

TATYaNA. What did I say--I don't know; and what I'm doing now--I can't understand.

LUKeRYA. Well, run along! run along!

TATYaNA _goes out_.

SCENE IX

LUKeRYA _and later_ AFoNYA

LUKeRYA. [_At the window_] Just look at her! She's flying like an arrow.

Who'd scheme for her if I didn't? She's a pretty girl, only she hasn't any sense, and that's bad. She has to be taught everything; she has to be looked after as though she were a small child. If I hadn't advised her to make up with her husband, what would have happened? Quarrel and abuse.

She probably wouldn't have wanted to give in; then there'd have been a continual squabble in the house and scandal among the neighbors. But now she can do as she likes; everything will be smoothed over. _Enter_ AFoNYA.

AFoNYA. Where is Tatyana? Where is she, where is she?

LUKeRYA. What do you want her for?

AFoNYA. I need her. Tell me, where? Tell me, where?

LUKeRYA. Probably in the garden.

AFoNYA. Why are you fooling me? For once in your life tell the truth! Has she gone? Speak, has she gone?

LUKeRYA. Maybe she has gone.

AFoNYA. Did she just slip out of the gate?

LUKeRYA. Probably it was she. Wasn't it for thread she went? She's been wanting to run over to the neighbor's for some time.

AFoNYA. For thread?

LUKeRYA. Well, yes, for thread.

AFoNYA. You lie, lie!

LUKeRYA. Leave me alone! Why are you worrying me? Why did you leave grandfather?

AFoNYA. That's none of your business. I know where she went. You're devils.

You've deceived brother. I saw it long ago in your eyes; in your eyes flames flickered, devilish flames!

LUKeRYA. My, but you're a malicious imp!

AFoNYA. You just wait, just wait! You'll get sick of deceiving us; I'll show you up.

LUKeRYA. Don't threaten! We're not afraid of you.

AFoNYA. [_With tears_] Heavens! My G.o.d! What's all this? What a man it is they're deceiving before his very eyes! [_Runs out_.

ACT IV

TABLEAU I

_A street before_ PROKoFYEVNA'_s house. Twilight_

SCENE I

ULYaNA _and_ PROKoFYEVNA _come out of the gate_

PROKoFYEVNA. What is it, Ulyana! What is it! How is it possible! Don't think of such a thing! You just imagined it. Believe me, you just imagined it.

ULYaNA. Say what you like about imagining! Thank Heaven, I'm not blind yet.

Not to recognize her! Why, I'd pick her out of a thousand by her dress. We have only one style for our clothes; on holidays we don't wear the clothes she does on week-days. You and I were just coming out of the door, and she was just going in to see him.

PROKoFYEVNA. I tell you it's a mistake. It's true, she isn't without faults. There's a woman here who comes to him, and looks like her, but it isn't she. What's that to me! Wouldn't I tell you? But if it isn't true, then why talk nonsense?

ULYaNA. You're just helping them out.

PROKoFYEVNA. Don't tell wrong stories, Ulyana; don't tell wrong stories!

ULYaNA. But where's the wrong, Prokofyevna! She's equal to it; because I know her. It's too bad brother has given her so much freedom. I wouldn't have thought of saying such a thing of another, but it isn't a sin to say it of her. If not to-day then to-morrow she'll begin to raise trouble that will never come to an end. She'll hoodwink brother. If you only knew how she's insulted me.

PROKoFYEVNA. Is that so?

ULYaNA. May I die in my tracks if she didn't! She's changed brother so that now he fairly growls at me. "I won't have anything to do with you," says he. That's the sort she is! Just you wait, my dear! I'm not like some.

PROKoFYEVNA. That's enough for you! What's the good of your mixing in!

She's the mistress in her house, and you are in yours.

ULYaNA. To the deuce with her! I've nothing to do with her. But it hurts me, Prokofyevna, that she upsets brother, and estranges him from his whole family.

PROKoFYEVNA. Well, that's your business; you'll settle accounts somehow.

Are you going home now?