Plays by Aleksandr Nikolaevich Ostrovsky Part 49

ARKHiP. What! At whom?

KRASNoV. Well, what's past is past. G.o.d preserve me from such torment in the future! I wouldn't wish such for my enemy.

ARKHiP. You'd better calm your heart!

KRASNoV. Ah, grandfather! I'd be glad to, but one can't restrain oneself.

All at once your eyes become clouded, your head whirls, it seems as if some one were gripping your heart with his hand and you can think only of misfortune and sin. You walk about as if half crazed, and see nothing all around you. But now when your anger has calmed down, then you're at ease, as if nothing had happened. [LUKeRYA _comes in and takes the bowl from the table_] Where's Tatyana Danilovna?

LUKeRYA. She's there, in the kitchen.

KRASNoV. Why in the kitchen? What is she doing there? The kitchen is no place for her to sit in! Call her in here.

LUKeRYA _goes out_.

AFoNYA. [_In a low voice to_ ARKHiP] Grandfather, will she bow down to brother's feet or not? If not, then I'll leave.

ARKHiP. As they please, that's not our business!

_Enter_ TATYaNA and LUKeRYA.

SCENE V

KRASNoV, TATYaNA, LUKeRYA, ARKHiP, _and_ AFoNYA

TATYaNA. Did you call me?

KRASNoV. Yes, because the kitchen is no fit place for you to sit in.

ARKHiP. I have spoken to him, Tatyana; now do as you like yourself.

TATYaNA. Lev Rodionych! If I've done you any wrong whatever, please pardon me. If you wish it, I'll bow down to your feet.

KRASNoV. No, why should you? I can feel it without your doing that. I could never allow you to do that--to bow down before me! What kind of man would I be then?

TATYaNA. I'm willing to do anything, only do not be angry with me.

KRASNoV. I need nothing but your word. You gave your word--that's enough; it's my duty to believe you.

TATYaNA. Then you're not angry with me?

KRASNoV. Not at all! I'm not a man of polished manners; in my excitement I stormed--but don't take it ill of me; I did it because I was fond of you.

LUKeRYA. Oh, stop! Who could take it ill of you?

TATYaNA. I've already forgotten it. Your words didn't hurt me so much as that you didn't even look at me to-day.

ARKHiP. Well, now they've made up! What's the use of thras.h.i.+ng over old scandals! Now kiss, as you should. Now everything will go on as it ought.

TATYaNA. We won't fuss over that, grandfather. I'll be very glad to. I wanted to long ago, but I didn't know how it would please Lev Rodionych.

KRASNoV. If it's a pleasure to you, it's a double one for me! [_They kiss each other_.

LUKeRYA. I've always marvelled, Lev Rodionych, to see how sister loves you.

KRASNoV. What's there to marvel at?

LUKeRYA. I know her, Lev Rodionych, better than you do. She's of a quiet temperament and can't tell you everything; but you just ought to know what her real feelings are.

KRASNoV. That makes it more pleasant still.

LUKeRYA. She would have liked to tell you how much she loved you; but she's so timid that she can't.

KRASNoV. [_To his wife_] Why are you timid with me? I'm only an ordinary man.

LUKeRYA. We are so naturally.

KRASNoV. [_To his wife_] Then be kind enough not to be afraid of me in the future. That would trouble my conscience. Am I a bogie?

TATYaNA. I'll not be afraid of you any more, Lev Rodionych; I'll love you.

LUKeRYA. Other women would make you all sorts of promises that they didn't mean a bit, but my sister--she's different.

KRASNoV. Now I can understand you. There were times when I didn't know just how to approach you--whether you'd be pleased or not!

TATYaNA. You always please me.

AFoNYA. Come, Grandfather Arkhip, let's go out on the street!

ARKHiP. As you wish; come on! Now, thank G.o.d, we again have peace and love.

It's good when there's agreement in the house! It's good, children, good!

[_Going out_] The demon has vanished under the earth, and G.o.d walks on the earth! [_Goes out_.

LUKeRYA. I just looked in here and now I must go somewhere else. [_Goes out_.

SCENE VI

KRASNoV and TATYaNA

KRASNoV. [_Sitting down on the bench_] Ah, Tatyana Danilovna, if G.o.d would only grant that we might live our entire lives in such harmony as now!

TATYaNA. [_Sitting down beside him_] We will.

KRASNoV. If you were always so kind, you could fairly twist me round your finger. You can do anything with me by kindness, Tatyana Danilovna.