Plays by Aleksandr Nikolaevich Ostrovsky Part 47

LUKeRYA. You'll have to change your tactics. Be very submissive; peasants like that. Make believe that you're in love with him; give him all sorts of humbug and he'll p.r.i.c.k up his ears at it. Flatter him with all sorts of flatteries--that'll be a new thing for him.

TATYaNA. I'll have to say what I don't feel.

LUKeRYA. Where's the harm in that? How does he know what's in your heart?

He doesn't need to understand that your action is make-believe, and not sincere. You'll see, after such actions, he'll believe in you so much that even though you made love before his very eyes, he wouldn't notice it.

TATYaNA. One can't make such a sudden change in oneself.

LUKeRYA. It certainly must be sudden. What's there to wait for?

TATYaNA. He's angry with me now; how can I approach him? I can't beg his pardon!

LUKeRYA. Why pardon? [_She thinks_] Do it this way: you tell grandfather Arkhip that you'd like to make up with your husband, so that you'd have no misunderstandings, that you love your husband, and that you feel his displeasure very much.

TATYaNA. Well, I'll try.

LUKeRYA. It's all the same to me! I'm talking for your own good.

TATYaNA. Go and bring grandfather; he's sitting in the garden. [LUKeRYA _goes out_] That's what it is for a woman to have wits! Even if she takes a fancy to a man she won't let anybody guess it. She'll so fool her husband that he'll just dote on her. But without wit one is lost.

LUKeRYA _comes in leading_ ARKHiP.

SCENE II

TATYaNA, LUKeRYA, ARKHiP

ARKHiP. Do you need me? What do you want me for? Tatyana, are you here?

TATYaNA. Yes, grandfather.

ARKHiP. Lukerya is leading me, and she says: "Grandfather Arkhip, we need you!" What business can you have of me in my old age?

LUKeRYA. You see, grandfather, sister is displeased with her husband.

ARKHiP. Well, what of that? Who is the judge between husband and wife? Let them live as they wish.

TATYaNA. What happiness is there in living so? It is better to live in harmony.

ARKHiP. Then what's the matter? Live in harmony! Who's preventing you?

LUKeRYA. You see, he has a very crude manner, and we're not used to it.

ARKHiP. Wait, don't put in your word. She has a tongue of her own. You tell me, Tatyana.

TATYaNA. My husband is now angry with me and doesn't even look at me; he thinks I don't love him, and in that he's mistaken.

LUKeRYA. [_Motioning to_ TATYaNA _to talk_] She's afraid of his temper.

TATYaNA. I love him as my duty requires. If he thinks badly of me, I don't deserve it. Does he think I could betray him for any one else? I would never do such a thing in my life.

LUKeRYA. And such a splendid man! Doesn't she realize it?

TATYaNA. If I had wronged him in any way, then he might scold, and be done with it. But if he'll only be kind to me, then I'll show him all respect.

I'll indulge him as he never dared hope.

LUKeRYA. How many times she's told me: "I love my husband very much, very, very much."

ARKHiP. What do you keep backing each other up for? Have you been plotting together?

LUKeRYA. Why should I be silent? Is it pleasant for me to see that my sister, whom I adore, lives in such discord with her husband? [_Signals to_ TATYaNA.

TATYaNA. Grandfather Arkhip, I want to ask you to have a talk with my husband-----

ARKHiP. Wait! Wait! Give me time--don't take me off my feet! You say that your husband is angry with you? Then you're to blame?

TATYaNA. Much I am to blame!

ARKHiP. Much or little, you're certainly to blame. You don't want to humble yourself; you're ashamed to--so you ask me. Is that so?

TATYaNA. Yes, grandfather Arkhip.

ARKHiP. Are you speaking sincerely, or just words?

TATYaNA. Sincerely, grandfather.

ARKHiP. But what's that to me! It's not my business. If you lie, then you'll answer to G.o.d! But I will speak to him. Why not? If you stop quarrelling, then it will be pleasant for all of us.

LUKeRYA. You talk to him to-day.

ARKHiP. I'll talk to him when he comes home. _Enter_ AFoNYA.

SCENE III

TATYaNA, LUKeRYA, ARKHiP, and AFoNYA

ARKHiP. Who came in?

AFoNYA. I, Grandfather Arkhip.

ARKHiP. To-day we have a holiday, Afonya. Tatyana wishes to make peace with her husband, and to submit to him.

AFoNYA. Submit? Submit? Don't believe her, Grandfather Arkhip, she's fooling you.