Delphi Complete Works of Anton Chekhov (Illustrated) (372 page)

SCENE XIV.

PLATONOV, KATYA and YAKOV.

KATYA (to Yakov). Wait here... I’ll come back at once. ... I only want to get a book... Now, don’t go away! (Goes toward Platonov.)

PLATONOV (seeing Katya). You? What do you want?

KATYA (frightened). Oh . . . It’s you? I’m looking for you.

PLATONOV. It’s you, Katya? Everyone, beginning with the mistress and ending with the [snub-nosed] chamber-maid, everyone is a night-bird! What do you want?

KATYA (quietly). My mistress has sent you a letter.

PLATONOV. What?

KATYA. My mistress has sent you a letter.

PLATONOV. Why are you lying? What mistress?

KATYA (in a lower voice’). Sofya Egorovna...

PLATONOV. What? Are you out of your wits? Try a cold shower! Get out!

KATYA (handing him a letter). Here it is!

PLATONOV (snatching the letter). Letter . . . letter .. . What letter? Couldn’t you wait until tomorrow? (Opens the letter.) How am I to read it?

KATYA. She’s asked you to do it as soon as possible. . . .

PLATONOV (lighting a match). The devil himself has brought you here! (Reads.) “I am taking the first step. Come, we’ll take it together. I am rising from the dead. Come and take me. I am yours.” The devil knows . . . Some sort of telegram! “I shall wait until four o’clock in the summer-house near the four columns. My drunken husband has left with young Glagolyev on a hunting expedition. All yours, S.” As if there wasn’t enough without this! That’s all that was necessary! (To Katya.) Why are you staring?

KATYA. Why shouldn’t I look, if I have eyes!

PLATONOV. Gouge your eyes out! Is this letter for me?

KATYA. For you. . . .

PLATONOV. YOU lie! Get out!

KATYA. Very well. (Goes away with Yakov.)

SCENE XV.

PLATONOV (alone).

PLATONOV (after a -pause). So here are the consequences... I’ve played my role too well! I’ve hurt a woman, a living creature, quite without any reason or need... My accursed tongue! What it’s brought me to... What’s to be done now? Well, wise head, do a little reflecting! Curse yourself, tear your hair... (Lapses into thought.) Shall I leave? That’s what I ought to do . . . leave this place at once and not show my face until Judgment Day! Yes, go from here and learn the hard hand of need, of labour! Better a hard life than this one with all its past! (Pause.) I’m going... But . . . Surely Sofya doesn’t really love me? Yes? (Laughs.) Why? How dark and strange everything is in this world! (Pause.) Strange . . . Surely this lovely, statuesque woman with wonderful hair isn’t capable of loving a poor, queer fellow like me? How can she love me? It’s incredible! (Lights a match and scans the letter.) Yes . . . Me? Sofya? (Laughs.) She loves me? (Presses his hands to his breast.) Oh, happiness! What happiness! It will be a new life for me, with new faces and new scenery! I’m going!

March to the summer-house near the four columns! Wait for me, my Sofya! You were and will be mine! (He walks, then pauses.) No, I’m not going! (Walks back.) What, break up a family? (He shouts.) Sasha, I’m coming! Open the door! (Presses his hands to his head.) No, I’m not going, I’m not going... I’m not going! (Pause.) I am going! (Goes.) Go, break up things, stamp on them, defile them... (Stumbles on Voinitzev and Glagolyev II.)

SCENE XVI.

PLATONOV, VOINITZEV AND GLAGOLYEV II.

VOINITZEV and GLAGOLYEV II (come running on the scene with rifles across their shoulders). VOINITZEV. There he is! There he is! (Embraces Platonov.) Well? Are you going to join us in a hunt?

PLATONOV. No . . . Wait!

VOINITZEV. What’s the matter with you, friend? (Laughs.) Ah, you’re drunk! Drunk! Is it the first time you’re drunk? My God, how happy I am! My friend! (Embraces Platonov.) Are you coming? She sent me... Asked me to bring some wild fowl home. . . .

GLAGOLYEV II. Don’t let’s put matters off! The light’s already breaking. . . .

VOINITZEV. Have you heard what we’ve thought of? It’s a real stroke of genius! We’re thinking of putting Hamlet on! Upon my word! What a show it will be! (Laughs.) How pale you are... Are you drunk?

PLATONOV. Yes-s . . . I’m drunk.

VOINITZEV. Stop... It’s my idea! Tomorrow we begin preparing the scenery! I shall be Hamlet, Sofya — Ophelia. You will be Claudius, Triletzky — Horatio... How happy I am! How satisfied! Shakespeare, Sofya, you and maman! I don’t need anything more! Perhaps only Glinka’s music! Nothing more! I shall be Hamlet. . . .

This was your husband. Look you now, what follows. . . .

(Laughs.) Am I not Hamlet?

PLATONOV (breaks from his embrace and- runs).

Scoundrel! (Runs away.)

[ECHO. Scoundrel . . . drel . . . drel . . .]

VOINITZEV. Tiu-liu-liu! Drunk!
Splendid!

(Laughs.) Look at our friend!

GLAGOLYEV II. Plenty of spirits in him... Let’s start!

VOINITZEV. Yes, let’s. You too would have been my friend, if . . . The fair Ophelia! Nymph, in thy orisons be all my sins remembered! (They go.) (The sound of an approaching train is heard.)

SCENE XVII.

OSSIP and later SASHA.

OSSIP (comes running in with the chain). Where is he? (Glances round.) Where is he? Is he gone? Isn’t he here? (Whistles.) Mikhail Vassilyitch! Mikhail Vassilyitch! Ai! (Pause.) Not here! (Runs to the window and knocks.) Mikhail Vassilyitch! Mikhail Vassilyitch! (Breaks a window fane.)

SASHA (from the window). Who’s there?

OSSIP. Call Mikhail Vassilyitch! Only be quick!

SASHA. What’s happened? He’s not in the house!

OSSIP (shouting). He’s not here? That means, he’s gone to the general’s widow! The widow was here and asked him to come to her! Everything’s lost, Alexandra Ivanovna! He went to the widow, the accursed man!

SASHA. You lie!

OSSIP. May God punish me if he hasn’t gone to the widow! I saw and heard everything! They embraced and kissed each other here...

SASHA. You lie!

OSSIP. May neither my father nor my mother see the Kingdom of Heaven if I lie! He went to the general’s widow, I tell you! He left his wife! Go after him, Alexandra Ivanovna! No, no! Everything’s lost! And you’re an unhappy woman now! (He takes his gun from his shoulders.) She gave me orders for the last time, and I shall carry them out for the last time! (Shoots into the air.) If I only meet him! (Thrones the gun on the ground.) I’ll cut his throat, Alexandra Ivanovna! (Jumps over the mound and sits down on the wood stump.) Don’t you worry, Alexandra Ivanovna . . . don’t you worry! I’ll cut his throat... Have no doubt about it. . . .

(Railway signal lights ap-pear.)

SASHA (comes out in her night-jacket, and her hair all loose). So he’s gone... He’s duped me... (Weeps.) I’m lost... Kill me, oh Lord, after this... (Whistle of train is heard.) I’ll throw myself under the train. I don’t want to live... (Lies down on the rails.) So he’s duped me... Kill me, Mother of God! (Pause.) Forgive me, oh Lord... Forgive me... (She shouts.) Kolya! (Raises herself to her knees.) My son! Save me! Save me! There comes the train! Save me!

OSSIP (jumps to save Sasha).

SASHA (falling on the rails). Ah-h . . .

OSSIP (picking her up and carrying her into the school-house). I’ll cut his throat... Don’t you worry!

(The train passes by.)

CURTAIN

ACT III.

Scene:

A room in the school-house. To right and left, doors. China cupboard, chest of drawers, old -piano, chairs, divan, guitar, etc. Complete disorder.

SCENE I .

SOFYA EGOROVNA AND

PLATONOV.

PLATONOV (sleeping on the divan, by the window, his face covered with a straw hat).

SOFYA EGOROVNA (waking Platonov). Platonov! Mikhail Vassilyitch! (Shakes him.) Wake up! Misha! (Removes the hat from his face.) How can you put such a filthy hat on your face? Fie, what a slovenly, dirty man! He’s lost his shirt studs, and he sleeps with exposed breast, unwashed, and in a dirty shirt... Misha! I’m talking to you! Get up!

PLATONOV. Ah?

SOFYA EGOROVNA. Wake up!

PLATONOV. Later... Very well. . . .

SOFYA EGOROVNA. You’ve slept enough! Get up!

PLATONOV. Who is it? (Raising his head.) Is it you, Sofya?

SOFYA EGOROVNA (showing him the watch). Look!

PLATONOV. Very well... (hies down again.)

SOFYA EGOROVNA. Platonov!

PLATONOV. What do you want? (Raises himself.) Well?

SOFYA EGOROVNA. Look at the time!

PLATONOV. What of it? Here you are again, Sofya, with your whims!

SOFYA EGOROVNA. Yes, I’m here again with my whims, Mikhail Vassilyitch! Please look at the watch! What’s the time?

PLATONOV. Half past seven!

SOFYA EGOROVNA. Half past seven... Have you forgotten your promise?

PLATONOV. What promise? Speak clearly, Sofya! I’m neither disposed to joke today, nor solve nonsensical riddles!

SOFYA EGOROVNA. What promise? And so you’ve forgotten! What’s the matter with you? Your eyes are red, you look seedy... Are you ill? {Pause.) Your promise was to show up at the cottage at six o’clock! Have you forgotten? The hour is long past. . . .

PLATONOV. What then?

SOFYA EGOROVNA (sitting down beside him). Aren’t you ashamed? Why didn’t you come? You gave your word of honour. . . .

PLATONOV. I should have kept it too if I hadn’t fallen asleep... You saw that I was asleep. Why do you keep at it?

SOFYA EGOROVNA (shaking her head). You’re wholly without a conscience! Why do you look so spitefully at me? You surely haven’t shown much conscience in your relations with me... Think it over. . . .

Have you shown up even once when you promised? How many times have you broken your word?

PLATONOV. I am very glad to hear it!

SOFYA EGOROVNA. That’s not clever of you, Platonov. It’s shameful! Why are you ceasing to be noble and intelligent when I’m with you? Why are you acting in plebeian fashion, unworthy of a man to whom I’m obligated for a renewal of my spiritual life? Nowadays you conduct yourself before me like some monstrosity... Neither a single tender look, nor a tender word, and not one word of love! I come to you, and you reek of wine, you’re attired abominably, you’re unkempt, you answer rudely and irrelevantly.

PLATONOV (jumpingup and pacing back and forth). She’s come!

SOFYA EGOROVNA. Are you drunk?

PLATONOV. What business is it of yours?

SOFYA EGOROVNA. HOW nice this is! (Weeps.)

PLATONOV. Oh, women!

SOFYA EGOROVNA. Don’t talk to me about women! A thousand times a day you talk to me about them! I’m tired of it! (She rises.) What are you doing with me? I am ill because of you! Day and night I have a pain in my breast, by your grace! You don’t see it? You don’t want to know it! You loathe me! If you really loved me, you’d not dare to treat me like this! I’m not some common wench. ... I won’t allow anyone to . . . (Sits down.) For God’s sake! (Weeps.)

PLATONOV. Enough!

SOFYA EGOROVNA. Why are you killing me? Not three weeks have passed by since that night, and look at me! Pm as thin as a rail! Where’s the happiness you promised me? How is it all going to end? Just think it over, if you’re an honest, noble, intelligent man! Think it over, Platonov, before it’s too late! Begin now. ... Sit down on this chair, chuck everything out of your head, and just reflect on one thing} what you’re going to do with me.

PLATONOV. I can’t think. (Pause.) You just think it over. (Approaches her.) Yes, think it over! Pve deprived you of family, welfare, future... Why? With what object? Pve robbed you, as if I were your worst enemy! What can I give you? How can I pay you for your sacrifices? This illegal knot is your un- happiness, your ruin! (He sits down.)

SOFYA EGOROVNA. Pve entered into a union with you, and you dare to call it an illegal knot!

PLATONOV. Eh-h . . . It’s no time for quibbling! You have your outlook on this union, I have mine... I’ve ruined you, that’s all there’s to it! And not you alone... Just wait and hear the song your husband will sing when he finds out!

SOFYA EGOROVNA. You’re afraid of what he’ll do to you?

PLATONOV. I’m not afraid of that... But I’m afraid that it’ll kill him. . . .

SOFYA EGOROVNA. Why, then, you faint-hearted man, did you come to me, if you knew that it would kill him?

PLATONOV. Please don’t make it so pathetic! And why did you ... In any case . . . (Makes a helpless gesture with his hand.) To talk with you is only to make you cry. . . .

SOFYA EGOROVNA. Yes, yes ... I never cried before I came to you! But tremble! He already knows!

PLATONOV. What!

SOFYA EGOROVNA. He already knows.

PLATONOV (rising to his feet). He?

SOFYA EGOROVNA. Yes, he. ... I told him about it today. . . .

PLATONOV. You’re joking...

SOFYA EGOROVNA. You are pale! I ought to hate you instead of loving you! I went out of mind. ... I don’t know for what... Why do I love you? And he already knows! (Catching his sleeve.) Tremble, then tremble! He knows everything! I swear to you on my honour, he knows everything! Tremble!

PLATONOV. Impossible! That’s impossible. (Pause.)

SOFYA EGOROVNA. He knows everything. ... It had to be done sooner or later!

PLATONOV. Then why don’t you tremble? What did you tell him?

SOFYA EGOROVNA. I told him that I had already . . . that I couldn’t . . .

PLATONOV. What did he do?

SOFYA EGOROVNA. He looked like you... He was frightened! Your face at this moment looks unbearable!

PLATONOV. What did he say?

SOFYA EGOROVNA. He thought at first I was joking. But when he was convinced to the contrary, he grew pale, then tottered, began to cry, to crawl on his knees before me... His face was as repulsive as yours is now!

PLATONOV. What have you done, you insolent woman? (Presses his hands to his head.) You’ve killed him! How can you, how dare you speak so coldbloodedly? You’ve killed him! Did you . . . name me. . . .

SOFYA EGOROVNA. Yes. ... I couldn’t have done it otherwise.

PLATONOV. What did he say?

SOFYA EGOROVNA (springing to her feet). Isn’t it time you showed some sense of shame, Platonov? You don’t know what you’re saying! You seem to think I shouldn’t have told!

PLATONOV. It wasn’t necessary! (Flings himself on the divan, face down.)

SOFYA EGOROVNA. Honest man, what are you saying?

PLATONOV. It would have been more honest not to say anything. This will kill him! We’ve killed him!

So he cried, and crawled on his knees... Ah! (He springs to his feet.) Unhappy man! If it were not for you, he’d never have known of our union . . . not if we waited until he died!

SOFYA EGOROVNA. I was obliged to have an explanation with him. I’m an honest woman.

PLATONOV. Do you know what you’ve done? You’ve parted with your husband forever!

SOFYA EGOROVNA. Yes, forever... Could it have been otherwise? Platonov, you’re a scoundrel to talk like that!

PLATONOV. Forever... What will become of you when we part company? And we shall part soon! You’ll be the first to see the mistake you’ve made, you’ll be the first to open your eyes... You yourself will want to leave me! ... In any case . . . do as you like, Sofya! You are more honest and intelligent than I . . . take this badly cooked stew into your hands! ... I leave it to you to say and to do! Resurrect me from the dead, if you can! Raise me to my feet! Only be quick, for God’s sake, or I’ll go out of my mind!

SOFYA EGOROVNA. We leave here tomorrow.

PLATONOV. Yes, yes . . . The sooner the better!

SOFYA EGOROVNA. It’s necessary to take you away from here... I’ve written about you to mother. We’ll go to her. . . .

PLATONOV. Where you like! I leave it to you!

SOFYA EGOROVNA. Misha! We shall start our new life... Please understand that! . . . Listen to me, Mikhail! Leave it all to me! My mind is fresher than yours. Believe me, my dear! I will raise you to your feet! I’ll take you where there’s more light, where there’s none of this filth, this dust, this laziness. ... I shall make a human being of you... I shall give you happiness! Yes, understand me... (Pause.) I shall make a worker of you! We shall be human beings, Mikhail! We shall eat our own bread, we shall earn it by the sweat of our brows... (Puts her head, on his breast.) I mean to work, Misha. . . .

PLATONOV. Where will you work? There are stronger women than you, and even they act like lazy animals! You don’t know how to work. Tell me what you will do? Our situation, Sofya, demands that we discuss the matter sanely and not try to console ourselves with illusions. . . .

SOFYA EGOROVNA. You’ll see! I know the strong women you have in mind, but I’m stronger than they... Believe me, Mikhail! I shall light up your path! You’ve resurrected me from the dead, and all my life shall be an expression of my gratitude... Shall we leave tomorrow? Yes? I’m leaving now. ... I must prepare for the journey... You too get ready... Come to the cottage at ten, and bring your things... You’ll come?

PLATONOV. I’ll come.

SOFYA EGOROVNA. Give me your word of honour that you’ll come!

PLATONOV. Ah-a-a-a . . .
I’ve already given it!

SOFYA EGOROVNA. Your word of honour!

PLATONOV. Here’s my word! . . . I’ll come!

SOFYA EGOROVNA {laughing). I believe! I believe! Come even earlier... I’ll be ready before ten... We’ll travel by night! We’ll live yet, Mikhail! You don’t understand your own happiness, you stupid man! I mean, our life, our happiness! Tomorrow you’ll be another man! We’ll breathe new air; new blood shall course through our veins... (Laughs.) Say good-bye to the decrepit man! Here’s my hand! Press it hard! (Gives him her hand.)