Plays

Chapter 46

Chapter 46357 wordsPublic domain

GORDÉY KÁRPYCH, KÓRSHUNOV, LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA, ANNA IVÁNOVNA, MÁSHA, LÍZA _and girls_.

KÓRSHUNOV. [_Seats himself near_ LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA] I'm not like you, Lyubóv Gordéyevna; you didn't even want to kiss me, he, he, he! And I've brought you a little present.

LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA. You needn't have taken the trouble.

KÓRSHUNOV. Here I've brought you some diamonds, he, he! [_Gives them to her_.

LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA. Oh, they're earrings! I thank you humbly.

ANNA IVÁNOVNA. Show them to us.

MÁSHA. But they are charming!

LÍZA. And in such good taste!

KÓRSHUNOV. Give me your hand. [_Takes it and kisses it_] You see, I like you very much, he, he, he! I like you very much; well, but you don't like me, I suppose?

LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA. Why shouldn't I like you?

KÓRSHUNOV. Why? You like some one else, that's why. But you will come to love me! I'm a good man--a jolly man, he, he, he!

LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA. I don't know what you are talking about.

KÓRSHUNOV. I say, you will come to love me. Why not? I'm not old yet. [_Looks at her_] Am I an old man? He, he, he! Well, well, there's no harm in that. To make up for it you shall wear cloth of gold. I haven't any money! I'm a poor man. I've only got about five hundred thousand, he, he, he! In silver! [_Takes her hand_.

LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA. [_Rising_] I don't need your money.

GORDÉY KÁRPYCH. Lyubóv, where are you going?

LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA. To mother!

GORDÉY KÁRPYCH. Wait! She'll come here.

LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA _sits down._

KÓRSHUNOV. You don't want to sit by the old man? Give me your hand, young lady; I will kiss it.

LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA. [_Gives her hand_] Oh, good heavens!

KÓRSHUNOV. What a hand! He, he, he! Like velvet! [_Strokes her hand, and then puts on a diamond ring._

LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA. [_Freeing her hand_] Oh, let me go! I don't want it; I don't want it!

KÓRSHUNOV. That's all right; it's no loss to me--it won't ruin me.

LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA. But I don't want it. Give it to whomever you like. [_Takes it off and returns it._

KÓRSHUNOV. I gave it to you, and I won't take it back! He, he, he!

_Enter_ PELAGÉYA EGÓROVNA, _and after her,_ ARÍNA _and_ EGÓRUSHKA _with wine and glasses._