Part 46 (1/2)

SCENE V

BABaYEV and LUKeRYA

LUKeRYA. Sister has asked me to tell you to put off your going. An acquaintance is visiting the landlady; so you'll understand that it's awkward for her to come to you. But when she goes away sister will come to you. She has something to talk over with you.

BABaYEV. You're very kind, Lukerya Danilovna! LUKeRYA. I can't believe my ears! Is it possible that I hear such compliments from you! [_Courtesies_.

ACT III

TABLEAU I

_Same room as in_ ACT II

SCENE I

TATYaNA _is lying on the bed_; LUKeRYA _comes in_

LUKeRYA. Tanya, are you asleep?

TATYaNA. No.

LUKeRYA. Then you'd better get up! What are you lying around for all day?

You've been in bed all the morning, and still not up.

TATYaNA. What's the use of getting up? What's there to do?

LUKeRYA. If you were only asleep--but to lie in bed and cry just rends your heart. Better get up and let's talk it over!

TATYaNA. [_Getting up_] Oh, what an unhappy, gloomy day this is! [_Sits down_] How unfortunate I am! What have I done to myself? Why did I marry?

I've drowned my happiness, simply drowned it!

LUKeRYA. Who could have told? As a suitor he was as quiet as water and as meek as the gra.s.s; now I don't know what has happened to him. Why, yesterday I thought he was joking when he told us to be back in a half-hour.

TATYaNA. I did, too. If you only had seen how he pounced on me, and how terrible he's become. He looked daggers all the morning, left without saying good-by, and now he hasn't even come back for dinner.

LUKeRYA. What did he say to you when you were left alone yesterday?

TATYaNA. He scolded and abused, got all wrought up, and wept himself; what didn't he do! ”For all my love for you,” he said, ”I ask you only one thing in return: soothe me, give me back my peace of mind, because I am jealous.”

LUKeRYA. What an affliction!

TATYaNA. He said he wasn't jealous of any one but this gentleman.

LUKeRYA. The idea of his being jealous of every one! That would be a great idea!

TATYaNA. ”When that man leaves,” he said, ”then you may do anything you like, and go anywhere, but because you didn't heed my command, don't dare cross the threshold until he has left the city for good.”