SCENE V
The same and LEONÍD
LEONÍD. What's this? What has happened?
VASILÍSA PEREGRÍNOVNA. You made all the trouble yourself, and then ask what has happened.
LEONÍD. What trouble did I make? What are you continually thinking up?
VASILÍSA PEREGRÍNOVNA. Now, don't pretend! The whole truth has come out. You've been having a little fun. What of it? At your age, why shouldn't you have?
LÍZA. She's reported the whole thing to the mistress. The mistress got so angry that it was awful! And now, sir, she is going to marry Nádya to that government clerk.
LEONÍD. Are you sure?
NÁDYA. The thing's settled, dearest master! I have to answer for last evening's sport.
LEONÍD. Is mamma very angry?
GAVRÍLOVNA. No one dares go near her.
LEONÍD. But how can that be? Isn't it possible to talk her over somehow or other?
GAVRÍLOVNA. Just go and try. No, she won't come out of her room now for five days; and she won't let any one at all see her there.
VASILÍSA PEREGRÍNOVNA. Do you want to talk your mamma over?
LEONÍD. Yes.
VASILÍSA PEREGRÍNOVNA. Do you want me to tell you how?
LEONÍD. Please be so kind, Vasilísa Peregrínovna.
VASILÍSA PEREGRÍNOVNA. Well, permit me. Our benefactress is very much hurt at Grísha, because he didn't spend the night at home: he came in drunk, and didn't even ask forgiveness nor kiss her hand. It was this vexation that made her sick. And then this Nadezhda happened to come her way when she was angry. Now our benefactress won't even come out of her room, and won't allow any one to go to her, so long as that stubborn Grísha doesn't beg forgiveness.
GAVRÍLOVNA. How contrarily everything happened! Grísha will keep up his character, too. Although he is a blockhead, he has some sense. Now he'll flop down on the hay and he'll lie there on his belly for four days.
POTÁPYCH. Somebody ought to take Uncle Gerasim's club and dress him down from top to toe.
VASILÍSA PEREGRÍNOVNA. Now, our dear master, wouldn't you like to go present your compliments to him, in order that he might hurry up and ask your mamma's forgiveness?
LEONÍD. [Upon reflection] That would be too great an honor for him. But see here, Gavrílovna, is mamma actually very angry?
GAVRÍLOVNA. So angry, sir, that it's terrible!
LEONÍD. Well, what's to be done now!
NÁDYA. Why are you bothering? You see, there's nothing you can do: better leave me! Now you'll soon go away to Petersburg; you will be happy: why should you think about such trifles, or disturb yourself?
LEONÍD. Why, you see, I'm sorry for you!
NÁDYA. Don't be sorry, if you please! I ran to my own destruction of my own free will, like a mad girl, without once stopping to think.
LEONÍD. What are you planning to do now?
NÁDYA. That's my business.
LEONÍD. But, you see, it's going to be very hard for you.
NÁDYA. What business is it of yours? It will be all the happier for you.
LEONÍD. But why do you talk like this?
NÁDYA. Because you're still a boy!… Leave me!
LEONÍD. But, you see, he's such a drunken, vile fellow.
NÁDYA. Oh, my God! It would be better for you to go off somewhere: out of my sight.
LEONÍD. Yes, really, it would be better for me to spend a week with our neighbors.
NÁDYA. For God's sake, do!
LEONÍD. But Nádya, if it should be awfully hard for you to live with your husband, what then?
NÁDYA. [Weeping] Oh, leave me alone! Be good enough to leave me alone! [Sobbing] I beg only one thing of you: leave me, for God's sake! [She sobs.
GAVRÍLOVNA and LÍZA. [Motioning with their hands] Go away! Go away!
LEONÍD. Why do you drive me out? I guess I'm sorry enough for her! I keep thinking somehow or other, that it may still be possible to help her in some way.
NÁDYA. [With desperation] I don't want any helpers or defenders! I don't want them! If my patience fails, that pond of ours isn't far off!
LEONÍD. [Timidly] Well, I'll go away if you wish…. Only what is she saying? You folks, look after her, please! Good-by! [He goes to the door.
NÁDYA. [After him in a loud voice] Good-by!
LEONÍD goes out.
LÍZA. And so the old proverb is true: What's fun for the cat is tears for the mouse.