Savva and the Life of Man Part 5

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