The Russian Masters: Works by Dostoevsky, Chekhov, Tolstoy, Pushkin, Gogol, Turgenev and More. Максим Горький

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СКАЧАТЬ merrily, Lipa. The sky will be hot. Yes. The only thing not worth destroying is science. That would be useless. Science is unchangeable, and if, you destroyed it to-day, it would rise up again the same as before.

      LIPA

      How much blood will have to be shed? Why, it's horrible!

      SAVVA

      No more than has been shed already—and there'll be rhyme and reason to it, at least. (Pause; the hens cluck in the yard; from the same direction comes Tony's sleepy voice: "Polya, father wants you. Where did you put his cap?")

      LIPA

      What a scheme! Are you not joking, Savva?

      SAVVA

      You make me sick with your "you are joking, you are joking."

      LIPA

      I am afraid of you, Savva. You are so serious about it.

      SAVVA

      Yes, there are many people who are afraid of me.

      LIPA

      If you would only smile a little.

      SAVVA (looking at her with wide-open eyes and a frank face, and breaking abruptly into a clear, ringing laugh) Oh, you funny girl, what should I be smiling for? I'd rather laugh. (Both laugh) Are you afraid of tickling?

      LIPA

      Stop it! What a boy you are still!

      SAVVA

      All right. And Kondraty, isn't here yet. I wonder why. Do you think the devil has taken him? The devil is fond of monks, you know.

      LIPA

      What strange fancies you have. Why, now you are joking—

      SAVVA (somewhat surprised)

      They are not fancies.

      LIPA

      My fancies are different. You are a dear now, because you talk to me. In the evening I'll tell you all about myself. We'll take a walk together, and I'll tell you everything.

      SAVVA

      Very well, I'll listen. Why shouldn't I?

      LIPA

      Tell me, Savva, if I may ask—are you in love with a woman?

      SAVVA

      Ah, switched around to the subject of love after all—just like a woman! I hardly know what to say. I did love a girl, in a way, but she didn't stick it out.

      LIPA

      Stick out what?

      SAVVA

      My love, or perhaps myself. All I know is that one fine day she went away and left me.

      LIPA (laughing)

      And you?

      SAVVA

      Nothing. I remained alone.

      LIPA

      Have you any friends, comrades?

      SAVVA

      No.

      LIPA

      Any enemies? I mean is there anyone whom you particularly dislike, whom you hate?

      SAVVA

      Yes—God.

      LIPA (incredulously)

      What?

      SAVVA

      God, I say—the one whom you call your Saviour.

      LIPA (shouting)

      Don't dare speak that way! You've gone out of your mind!

      SAVVA

      Ah! I touched your sensitive spot, did I?

      LIPA

      Don't you dare!

      SAVVA

      I thought you were a gentle dove, but you have a tongue like a snake's. (He imitates the movements of a snake's tongue with his finger)

      LIPA

      Good Lord! How dare you, how can you speak like that of the Saviour?

       Why, one dares not look at him. Why have you come here?

       [Kondraty appears at the door of the tavern, looks around, and enters quietly.

      KONDRATY

      In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost!

      SAVVA

      Amen! You're very late, my gracious lord!

      KONDRATY

      I did the will of him who sent me. I was picking young little cucumbers for the Father Superior. He has them made into a dainty dish which he loves dearly for an appetizer. My, what infernal heat! I was in pools of perspiration before I got through.

      SAVVA (to Lipa)

      You see, here is a monk. He likes a drink. His cussing vocabulary isn't bad. He is no fool, and as to women—

      KONDRATY

      Don't embarrass the young lady, Mr. Tropinin. In the presence of a lady—

      SAVVA

      And furthermore, he doesn't believe in God.

      KONDRATY

      He is joking.

      LIPA

      I don't like such jokes. What have you come here for?

      KONDRATY

      I am here by invitation.

      SAVVA

      I have some business with him.

      LIPA (without looking at Savva)

      What have you come here for?

      SAVVA

      For nothing that concerns you. You had better have a talk with him. He is a chap that possesses a great deal of curiosity. He's not a fool, either, but knows what's what.

      LIPA СКАЧАТЬ