Fathers and Sons. Ivan Turgenev

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СКАЧАТЬ you like to change, Arkady?

      Arkady

      No thanks. But, I’d better wash up.

      Bazarov

      Arkady, have you got a light?

      (He brandishes his pipe)

      Arkady

      Of course.

      Bazarov

      Will you have a cigar?

      Arkady

      Cigarette, I think, thanks.

      (Enter Pavel Petrovitch, a man of about forty-five. Elegantly dressed after an English style. He is in a dark English suit, a fashionable low cravat and kid shoes. He is aristocratic, elegant, graceful. He has exquisitely manicured hands.)

      Pavel

      Welcome, Arkady. I had begun to think you were not coming.

      (He kisses Arkady three times in the Russian manner)

      Arkady

      I am fine, Uncle Paul. We had a slight delay. You must meet Bazarov.

      (Pavel turns politely to Bazarov and makes a little bow. His aesthetic reaction to Bazarov is instantaneously hostile, although he is too polished a gentleman to be rude.)

      (Pavel greets Bazarov with a slight inclination of his supple figure. Bazarov responds with a somewhat exaggerated bow which may be due to awkwardness but possibly to satire.)

      Pavel

      Charmed, I’m sure.

      Arkady

      Tell Piotr to hurry up. We’re hungry as wolves. I’m going to wash up. I’ll be back directly.

      Bazarov

      I’m coming with you.

      (Bazarov and Arkady exit into the house)

      Pavel

      Who is he?

      Nicolai

      A friend of Arkady’s. A very clever fellow.

      Pavel

      Is he going to stay with us?

      Nicolai

      Yes.

      Pavel

      That unkempt creature?

      (Piotr enters from the house with a large tray of food which he places on the table under the awning)

      Piotr

      Dinner is served.

      (Bazarov and Arkady return)

      Nicolai

      That was quick.

      Bazarov

      We smelled food.

      (They all sit down at the table, a servant girl comes in)

      Little Girl

      Fedosya Nikolaevna is not quite well; she cannot come. Will you please pour tea yourself or should she send Dunyasha?

      Nicolai

      I will pour for myself, then. Arkady, how do you take your tea—with cream or with lemon?

      Arkady

      With cream.

      (Pause)

      Daddy.

      Nicolai

      Well?

      (Nicolai senses what is coming and he is mortified)

      Arkady

      Is the reason Fenitchka will not come to pour tea because I’m here?

      Nicolai (turning away to hide his confusion)

      Perhaps—she is embarrassed.

      Arkady

      She has no reason to be embarrassed. You know my views. If you have chosen her to live with you—she must be worthy of it.

      Nicolai (profoundly moved)

      Thanks, Arkasha. Of course, it’s not some—some caprice, or a cheap affair. It’s not easy for me to talk to you about this. But, you understand it’s difficult for her—especially the first day—of your return.

      Arkady (rising)

      In that case I will go to her. I will fix everything.

      Nicolai (completely disconcerted)

      But, Arkady—you can’t. I haven’t told you yet— My God—

      (But Arkady has gone)

      Pavel

      He doesn’t know about the child?

      Nicolai

      Whatever will happen?

      Bazarov

      Trust Arkady to do the right thing.

      (Bazarov has been eating unconcernedly throughout this conversation)

      Nicolai

      Oh, of course. I’m sorry, Mr. Bazarov, to expose you to such—intimate family scenes.

      Bazarov

      Think nothing of it.

      Pavel (guarded but polite)

      I have been trying to remember where I heard your name before. Was your father a military surgeon, Mr. Bazarov?

      Bazarov

      My father and my grandfather were in the horse guards.

      Pavel

      Ah, I remember your grandfather, he died a hero’s death at Sebastopol.

      Bazarov

      He died like a fool, in a foolish war.

      Pavel

      That is a rather harsh way to speak of one’s grandfather.

      Bazarov

      As he is my grandfather, СКАЧАТЬ