Chapter 47

_The same with_ PELAGÉYA EGÓROVNA, ARÍNA, _and_ EGÓRUSHKA

GORDÉY KÁRPYCH. Come now and have a drink.

KÓRSHUNOV. All right, Gordéy Kárpych, give me something to drink. And you girls, sing a song in my honor--I love to have respect shown me.

PELAGÉYA EGÓROVNA. Girls, sing a song for him.

GORDÉY KÁRPYCH. [_Uncorks the bottle, pours out champagne, and offers it to him_] To our dear friend Afrikán Savvich! Make a bow, wife!

PELAGÉYA EGÓROVNA. If you please, Afrikán Savvich, I humbly beg you.

KÓRSHUNOV _takes the glass._

GORDÉY KÁRPYCH. [_Takes the glass_] Wife, drink!

PELAGÉYA EGÓROVNA. Oh, somehow I don't like this kind of wine! Well, yes! I'll take just a glass.

GIRLS. [_Sing_] "Ah, who is he, our bachelor, And who is still unwed? Afrikán's our bachelor And Savvich still unwed. He jumped on the horse, The horse skips to and fro; He rides through the meadows, And green the meadows grow, And flowers blow."

KÓRSHUNOV. [_Seats himself near_ LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA] That's nice. I like that. Now, then, come here some one. [_A girl comes up, he pats her on the cheek_] Oh, you little bright eyes! You girls, I suppose, need a lot to set off your fair faces and rosy blushes; he, he, he! But I haven't any money! It will be on me, he, he, he! Hold out your apron! [_He tosses her some small change; the girl bows and goes out_] Now, then, Gordéy Kárpych, tell your wife why we came.

GORDÉY KÁRPYCH. I told you, wife, long ago, that living in this town bored me, because you can't take a step here without seeing that the people are absolutely ignorant and uneducated. And so I want to move from this place to Moscow. But there will be a man there who is no stranger to us--our dear son-in-law, Afrikán Savvich.

PELAGÉYA EGÓROVNA. Oh! Oh! What are you saying!

KÓRSHUNOV. Yes, we've shaken hands on it, Pelagéya Egórovna. What are you afraid of? I'm not going to eat her!

PELAGÉYA EGÓROVNA. Oh, Lord! [_Seizes her daughter_] She's my daughter! I won't give her up!

GORDÉY KÁRPYCH. Wife!

PELAGÉYA EGÓROVNA. My dear Gordéy Kárpych! Don't trifle with a mother's heart! Stop! You've fairly staggered me!

GORDÉY KÁRPYCH. Wife, you know me! And you, Afrikán Savvich, don't be uneasy: with me saying is doing!

KÓRSHUNOV. You have promised--then keep your word. [_Rises, goes to the girls, and speaks to them in a low voice._

LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA. [_Goes to her father_] Father, I will never take a step against your will. But have pity on me, poor girl that I am! Don't ruin my young life!

GORDÉY KÁRPYCH. You're a fool, and don't understand your own happiness! You'll live in Moscow like a lady; you'll ride in a coach. In the first place, you'll live in the city--and not in a wilderness like this! In the second place, these are my orders!

LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA. I dare not disobey your command. Father! [_Bows down to his feet_] Don't make me unhappy for my whole life! Relent, father! Make me do whatever you like, only don't compel me to marry a man I don't love!

GORDÉY KÁRPYCH. I never take back my word. [_Rises._

LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA. As you wish, father! [_Bows and goes to her mother._

KÓRSHUNOV. There, that business is over! Now, then, girls--a marriage song!

GIRLS. [_Sing_] "The flowers in the garden will wither all about me, The blue flower in the meadow will be faded and forlorn; And so will my darling of the red cheeks without me; So rise up early, mother, in the morn. You must water all the flowers In the dawn and evening hours With water very often and with bitter tears in showers."

LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA. Not that, not that! Sing another!

GORDÉY KÁRPYCH. Let's go into the reception-room, Afrikán Savvich. Wife, all of you, come there!

LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA. Where can I hide myself!

GORDÉY KÁRPYCH. Arína, bring along the wine!

ARÍNA. Oh, wait, I can't attend to you now! My darling child! Girls, my dearies! Here's the song we'll sing. [_She sings._

"Thou art my own, my mother, Who grievest day by day, And at night to God dost pray. Thou who art so downcast, Look but once on her here, Thy daughter who was so dear-- For the last time--the last."

LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA. For the last time.

_At the end of this song_ GORDÉY KÁRPYCH _and_ KÓRSHUNOV _go out;_ LYUBÓV GORDÉYEVNA _remains in the embrace of her mother, surrounded by her friends._