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

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      Nothing. It's still early, that's all.

      SAVVA (suspiciously)

      What do you mean?

      LIPA (defiantly)

      What I mean.

      SAVVA

      Why did you say it's still early?

      LIPA (paling)

      Because it's only a little after eleven; but when it's twelve—

      SAVVA (jumping up and going to her quickly; fixing her with his stare, he speaks slowly, pronouncing every word separately and distinctly) So? Is that it? When it's twelve—(He turns to Speransky without removing his eyes from Lipa) Listen, you go home.

      LIPA (frightened)

      No, stay, Mr. Speransky. Please stay, I beg you.

      SAVVA

      If you don't go at once, I'll throw you out of the window. Well?

      SPERANSKY

      Excuse me, I never had the faintest idea—I was here with Mr. Anthony Tropinin. I am going instantly. Where is my hat? I put it here somewhere—

      SAVVA

      There's your hat. (Throws it to him)

      LIPA (feebly)

      Stay here awhile longer, Mr. Speransky. Sit down.

      SPERANSKY

      No, it's late. I must go to bed. Good night, Miss Olympiada. Good night, Mr. Tropinin. Your brother is asleep already, I believe. You ought to take him to bed. I'm going, I'm going. (Exit)

      SAVVA (speaking in a quiet, calm tone; his movements are heavy and slow, as if his body had suddenly stiffened) You know it?

      LIPA

      I do.

      SAVVA

      You know all?

      LIPA

      All.

      SAVVA

      Did the monk tell you?

      LIPA

      He did.

      SAVVA

      Well?

      LIPA (drawing back a little, and raising her hand for protection)-Well, nothing will happen. There'll be no blowing up. You understand, Savva, there'll be no explosion.

       [Pause. Footsteps are heard in the street, and indistinct talking. Savva turns around. Stooping more than usually, he takes a turn around the room with peculiar slowness.

      SAVVA

      Well?

      LIPA

      Then you had better believe me, brother. Believe me.

      SAVVA

      Yes?

      LIPA

      Why that was—I don't know what it was—it was a piece of madness.

       Think it over.

      SAVVA

      Is it really true?

      LIPA

      Yes, it's true. It's all over. You can't help it any more. There is nothing for you to do.

      SAVVA

      Tell me how it happened. (Sits down deliberately, his eyes fixed on Lipa)

      LIPA

      I guessed a little something long ago—that day when you spoke to me—only I didn't know exactly what it was. And I saw the little machine too. I have another key to the trunk.

      SAVVA

      Evidently you have been cut out for a spy. Go on!

      LIPA

      I am not afraid of insults.

      SAVVA

      Never mind, never mind—go on.

      LIPA

      Then I saw that you had frequent talks with that fellow—Kondraty.

       Yesterday I looked in the trunk again, and the machine wasn't there.

       So I understood.

      SAVVA

      You say you have another key?

      LIPA

      Yes. The trunk is mine, you know. Well, and to-day—

      SAVVA

      When to-day?

      LIPA

      Toward evening—I couldn't find Kondraty anywhere—I told him that I knew all. He got very much frightened and told me the rest.

      SAVVA

      A worthy pair—spy and traitor.

      LIPA

      If you are going to insult me, I won't say another word.

      SAVVA

      Never mind, never mind—go on.

      LIPA

      He was going to tell the Father Superior, but I didn't let him. I didn't want to ruin you.

      SAVVA

      No?

      LIPA

      When it was, all over, I understood what a crazy scheme it was—so crazy that I simply can't think of it as real. It must have been a nightmare. It's quite impossible. And I began to feel sorry for you—

      SAVVA

      Yes.

      LIPA

      I am sorry for you now too. (With tears) Savva, darling, you are my brother. I have rocked your cradle. My dear angel, what idea is this you have got into your mind? Why, it's terrible—it's madness. I understand how hard it must be for you to see how people live, and so you have resolved on a desperate deed. You have always been good and kind, and so I can understand СКАЧАТЬ