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

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СКАЧАТЬ in the river, and that's how it came to be here.

      SAVVA

      Nonsense. Don't waste your feelings. It's supposed to be a wonder-working ikon and hasn't one miracle to its credit. Why, it makes one feel like a fool just to say it.

      KONDRATY

      They say it has been replaced by the devil, so that it isn't the real one.

      SAVVA

      So much the better. And yet you crack your heads in front of it and fool the people about it. There is no use wasting words, my friend. It's agreed then.

      KONDRATY

      You have to go now. The gate will soon be closed. And all of a sudden—

      SAVVA

      What "all of a sudden"?

      KONDRATY

      And all of a sudden I'll be going to the ikon, and it will strike me down with lightning and thunder. Won't it?

      SAVVA (laughing)

      Don't be afraid. It won't strike you. That's what everybody thinks. They are all afraid they'll be struck by lightning and thunder. But it won't happen. Believe me, a man may blow up the ikon and no lightning will strike him. Do you need money?

      KONDRATY

      Have you got any?

      SAVVA

      I have.

      KONDRATY (suspiciously)

      Where did you get it?

      SAVVA

      What business is that of yours? Suppose I killed a rich man, or cut somebody's throat—are you going to report me to the police?

      KONDRATY (reassured)

      What are you thinking of, Savva Yegorovich? That's your concern. As to your offer, of course, money always comes in handy. It will enable me to leave the monastery. I'll tell you in confidence, I have long been nursing a scheme—it's my dream—to settle somewhere along the road and start an inn. I like company. I am a talkative chap myself. I know I'll succeed. It doesn't hurt a host to have a drink now and then. The guests like it. With a jolly host you'll spend every penny you have, and your pants besides, and you won't notice it. I know by personal experience.

      SAVVA

      Why not? You can start an inn if you want to.

      KONDRATY

      And besides, I am still in the full vigor of manhood. Instead of sinning here, I'd rather get legally married.

      SAVVA

      Don't forget to invite me to the wedding. I'll act as your godfather.

      KONDRATY

      You are too young. As to the money—when shall it be, before or after?

      SAVVA

      Judas got his before.

      KONDRATY (offended)

      There now, when you should be doing your best to persuade me, you call me Judas. It isn't pleasant. The idea of calling a living man Judas!

      SAVVA

      Judas was a fool. He hanged himself. You are going to start an inn.

      KONDRATY

      Again? If that's what you think of me—

      SAVVA (slapping his shoulders)

      Well, well, uncle, don't you see I'm joking? Judas betrayed a man, and you are not going to betray anything but lumber. Is that right, old man? Speransky and Tony appear, the latter walking very unsteadily.

      KONDRATY

      There—brought by the devil! With us carrying on this kind of conversation, and they—

      SAVVA

      It's agreed then?

      KONDRATY

      Oh, you're too much for me.

      SPERANSKY (bowing)

      Good evening once more, Mr. Savva Tropinin. Mr. Anthony and myself have just been at the other end, in the cemetery. A woman was buried there to-day, so we wanted to have a look.

      SAVVA

      To see if she hadn't crawled out of her grave? What are you dragging him along with you for? Tony, go to bed, you can't stand on your feet.

      TONY

      I won't go.

      SPERANSKY

      Tony is very excited to-day. He sees all kinds of faces.

      SAVVA

      Funny faces?

      TONY

      Yes, funny. What else can you expect? (Sadly) Your face, Savva, is very, very funny.

      SAVVA

      All right, go along with you! Take him home. What are you dragging him about with you for?

      SPERANSKY

      Good-bye. Come along, Mr. Anthony.

       [Speransky goes out. Tony follows him, looking back at Savva, and stumbling as he goes along. They disappear in the dark.

      KONDRATY

      It's time for us also to be going. Have you got that money at hand?

      SAVVA

      Yes, I have. Now listen. Sunday is the feast-day. You are to take the machine Saturday morning and plant it at night at half past eleven, four days from now. I'll show you how to do it and everything else that's necessary. Four days more. I am sick of staying in this place.

      KONDRATY

      And suppose I betray you?

      SAVVA (darkly)

      Then I'd kill you.

      KONDRATY

      Good heavens!

      SAVVA

      Now I am going to kill you if you merely try to back out. You know too much, brother.

      KONDRATY

      You are joking.

      SAVVA

      Maybe СКАЧАТЬ