Redemption and Two Other Plays by Leo Tolstoy et al

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ANISYA (going out with the samovar). Her box is full as it is, and
still he's bought more!

NIKITA (pretending to be sober). You must not be cross with me,
father. You think I'm drunk? I am all there, that's flat! As they say,
"Drink, but keep your wits about you." I can talk with you at once,
father. I can attend to any business. You told me about the money;
your horse is worn-out,--I remember! That can all be managed. That's
all in our hands. If it was an enormous sum that's wanted, then we
might wait; but as it is I can do everything. That's the case.

AKIM (goes on fidgeting with the leg-bands). Eh, lad, "It's ill
sledging when the thaw has set in."

NIKITA. What do you mean by that? "And it's ill talking with one who
is drunk?" But don't you worry, let's have some tea. And I can do
anything; that's flat! I can put everything to rights.

AKIM (shakes his head). Eh, eh, eh!

NIKITA. The money, here it is. (Puts his hand in his pocket, pulls out
pocket-book, handles the notes in it and takes out a ten-rouble
note.) Take this to get a horse; I can't forget my parent. I shan't
forsake him, that's flat. Because he's my parent! Here you are, take
it! Really now, I don't grudge it. (Comes up and pushes the note
towards AKIM, who won't take it. NIKITA catches hold of his father's
hand.) Take it, I tell you. I don't grudge it.

AKIM. I can't what d'you call it, I mean, can't take it! And can't
what d'ye call it, talk to you, because you're not yourself, I mean.

NIKITA. I'll not let you go! Take it!

[Puts the money into AKIM'S hand.

ANISYA (enters, and stops). You'd better take it, he'll give you no
peace!

AKIM (takes it, and shakes his head). Oh! that liquor. Not like a man,
I mean!

NIKITA. That's better! If you repay it you'll repay it, if not I'll
make no bother. That's what I am! (Sees AKOULINA.) Akoulina, show your
presents.

AKOULINA. What?

NIKITA. Show your presents.

AKOULINA. The presents, what's the use of showing 'em? I've put 'em
away.

NIKITA. Get them, I tell you. Nan will like to see 'em. Undo the
shawl. Give it here.

AKIM. Oh, oh! It's sickening!

[Climbs on the oven.

AKOULINA (gets out the parcels and puts them on the table). Well,
there you are,--what's the good of looking at 'em?

NAN. Oh how lovely! It's as good as Stepanida's.

AKOULINA. Stepanida's? What's Stepanida's compared to this?
(Brightening up and undoing the parcels.) Just look here,--see the
quality! It's a French one.

NAN. The print is fine! Mary has a dress like it, only lighter on a
blue ground. This is pretty.

NIKITA. Ah, that's it!

[ANISYA passes angrily into the closet, returns with a tablecloth
and the chimney of the Samovar, and goes up to the table.

ANISYA. Drat you, littering the table!

NIKITA. You look here!

ANISYA. What am I to look at? Have I never seen anything? Put it away!

[Sweeps the shawl on to the floor with her arm.

AKOULINA. What are you pitching things down for? You pitch your own
things about!

[Picks up the shawl.

NIKITA. Anisya! Look here!

ANISYA. Why am I to look?

NIKITA. You think I have forgotten you? Look here! (Shows her a parcel
and sits down on it.) It's a present for you. Only you must earn it!
Wife, where am I sitting?

ANISYA. Enough of your humbug. I'm not afraid of you. Whose money are
you spreeing on and buying your fat wench presents with? Mine!

AKOULINA. Yours indeed? No fear! You wished to steal it, but it did
not come off! Get out of the way!

[Pushes her while trying to pass.

ANISYA. What are you shoving for? I'll teach you to shove!

AKOULINA. Shove me? You try!

[Presses against ANISYA.

NIKITA. Now then, now then, you women. Have done now!

[Steps between them.

AKOULINA. Comes shoving herself in! You ought to keep quiet and
remember your doings! You think no one knows!

ANISYA. Knows what? Out with it, out with it! What do they know?

AKOULINA. I know something about you!

ANISYA. You're a slut who goes with another's husband!

AKOULINA. And you did yours to death!

ANISYA (throwing herself on AKOULINA). You're raving!

NIKITA (holding her back). Anisya, you seem to have forgotten!

ANISYA. Want to frighten me! I'm not afraid of you!

NIKITA (turns ANISYA round and pushes her out). Be off!

ANISYA. Where am I to go? I'll not go out of my own house!

NIKITA. Be off, I tell you, and don't dare to come in here!

ANISYA. I won't go! (NIKITA pushes her, ANISYA cries and screams and
clings to the door.) What! am I to be turned out of my own house by
the scruff of the neck? What are you doing, you scoundrel? Do you
think there's no law for you? You wait a bit!

NIKITA. Now then!

ANISYA. I'll go to the Elder! To the policeman!

NIKITA. Off, I tell you!

[Pushes her out.

ANISYA (behind the door). I'll hang myself!

NIKITA. No fear!

NAN. Oh, oh, oh! Mother, dear, darling!

[Cries.

NIKITA. Me frightened of her! A likely thing! What are you crying for?
She'll come back, no fear. Go and see to the samovar.

[Exit NAN.

AKOULINA (collects and folds her presents). The mean wretch, how she's
messed it up. But wait a bit, I'll cut up her jacket for her! Sure I
will!

NIKITA. I've turned her out; what more do you want?

AKOULINA. She's dirtied my new shawl. If that bitch hadn't gone away,
I'd have torn her eyes out!

NIKITA. That's enough. Why should you be angry? Now if I loved her....

AKOULINA. Loved her? She's worth loving, with her fat mug! If you'd
have given her up, then nothing would have happened. You should have
sent her to the devil. And the house was mine all the same, and the
money was mine! Says she is the mistress, but what sort of mistress is
she to her husband? She's a murderess, that's what she is! She'll
serve you the same way!

NIKITA. Oh dear, how's one to stop a woman's jaw? You don't yourself
know what you're jabbering about!

AKOULINA. Yes, I do. I'll not live with her! I'll turn her out of the
house! She can't live here with me. The mistress indeed! She's not the
mistress,--that jailbird!

NIKITA. That's enough! What have you to do with her? Don't mind her.
You look at me! I am the master! I do as I like. I've ceased to love
her, and now I love you. I love who I like! The power is mine, she's
under me. That's where I keep her. (Points to his feet.) A pity we've
no concertina.

[Sings.

"We have loaves on the stoves, We have porridge on the shelf. So we'll
live and be gay, Making merry every day, And when death comes, Then
we'll die! We have loaves on the stoves, We have porridge on the
shelf...."

[Enter MITRITCH. He takes off his outdoor things and climbs on
the oven.

MITRITCH. Seems the women have been fighting again! Tearing each
other's hair. Oh Lord, gracious Nicholas!

AKIM. (sitting on the edge of the oven, takes his leg-bands and shoes
and begins putting them on). Get in, get into the corner.

MITRITCH. Seems they can't settle matters between them. Oh Lord!

NIKITA. Get out the liquor, we'll have some with our tea.

NAN (to AKOULINA). Sister, the samovar is just boiling over.

NIKITA. And where's your mother?

NAN. She's standing and crying out there in the passage.

NIKITA. Oh, that's it! Call her, and tell her to bring the samovar.
And you, Akoulina, get the tea things.

AKOULINA. The tea things? All right.

[Brings the things.

NIKITA (unpacks spirits, rusks, and salt herrings). That's for myself.
This is yarn for the wife. The paraffin is out there in the passage,
and here's the money. Wait a bit (takes a counting-frame); I'll add it
up. (Adds.) Wheat-flour, 80 kopeykas, oil ... Father, 10 roubles ...
Father, come let's have some tea!

[Silence. AKIM sits on the oven and winds the bands round his
legs. Enter ANISYA with samovar.

ANISYA. Where shall I put it?

NIKITA. Here on the table. Well! have you been to the Elder? Ah,
that's it! Have your say and then eat your words. Now then, that's
enough. Don't be cross; sit down and drink this. (Fills a wine-glass
for her.) And here's your present.

[Gives her the parcel he had been sitting on. ANISYA takes it
silently and shakes her head.

AKIM (gets down and puts on his sheepskin, then comes up to the table
and puts down the money). Here, take your money back! Put it away.

NIKITA (does not see the money). Why have you put on your things?

AKIM. I'm going, going, I mean; forgive me, for the Lord's sake.

[Takes up his cap and belt.

NIKITA. My gracious! Where are you going to at this time of night?

AKIM. I can't, I mean what d'ye call 'em, in your house, what d'ye
call 'em, can't stay I mean, stay, can't stay, forgive me.

NIKITA. But are you going without having any tea?

AKIM (fastens his belt). Going because, I mean, it's not right in your
house, I mean, what d'you call it, not right, Nikita, in the house,
what d'ye call it, not right! I mean, you are living a bad life,
Nikita, bad,--I'll go.

NIKITA. Eh, now! Have done talking! Sit down and drink your tea!

ANISYA. Why, father, you'll shame us before the neighbors. What has
offended you?

AKIM. Nothing what d'ye call it, nothing has offended me, nothing at
all! I mean only, I see, what d'you call it, I mean, I see my son, to
ruin, I mean, to ruin, I mean my son's on the road to ruin, I mean.

NIKITA. What ruin? Just prove it!

AKIM. Ruin, ruin; you're in the midst of it! What did I tell you that
time?

NIKITA. You said all sorts of things! Akim. I told you, what d'ye call
it, I told you about the orphan lass. That you had wronged an orphan--
Marina, I mean, wronged her!

NIKITA. Eh! he's at it again. Let bygones be bygones.... All that's
past!

AKIM (excited). Past! No, lad, it's not past. Sin, I mean, fastens on
to sin--drags sin after it, and you've stuck fast, Nikita, fast in
sin! Stuck fast in sin! I see you're fast in sin. Stuck fast, sunk in
sin, I mean!

NIKITA. Sit down and drink your tea, and have done with it!

AKIM. I can't, I mean can't what d'ye call it, can't drink tea.
Because of your filth, I mean; I feel what d'ye call it, I feel sick,
very sick! I can't what d'ye call it, I can't drink tea with you.

NIKITA. Eh! There he goes rambling! Come to the table.

AKIM. You're in your riches same as in a net--you're in a net, I mean.
Ah, Nikita, it's the soul that God needs!

NIKITA. Now really, what right have you to reprove me in my own house?
Why do you keep on at me? Am I a child that you can pull by the hair?
Nowadays those things have been dropped!

AKIM. That's true. I have heard that nowadays, what d'ye call it, that
nowadays children pull their fathers' beards, I mean! But that's ruin,
that's ruin, I mean!

NIKITA (angrily). We are living without help from you, and it's you
who came to us with your wants!

AKIM. The money? There's your money! I'll go begging, begging I mean,
before I'll take it, I mean.

NIKITA. That's enough! Why be angry and upset the whole company!

[Holds him by the arm.

AKIM (shrieks). Let go! I'll not stay. I'd rather sleep under some
fence than in the midst of your filth! Faugh! God forgive me!

[Exit.

NIKITA. Here's a go!

AKIM (reopens the door). Come to your senses, Nikita! It's the soul
that God wants!

[Exit.

AKOULINA (takes cups). Well, shall I pour out the tea?

[Takes a cup. All are silent.

MITRITCH (roars). Oh Lord be merciful to me a sinner!

[All start.

NIKITA (lies down on the bench). Oh, it's dull, it's dull! (To
AKOULINA.) Where's the concertina?

AKOULINA. The concertina? He's bethought himself of it. Why, you took
it to be mended. I've poured out your tea. Drink it!

NIKITA. I don't want it! Put out the light.... Oh, how dull I feel,
how dull!

[Sobs.

CURTAIN

ACT IV

Autumn. Evening. The moon is shining. The stage represents the
interior of courtyard. The scenery at the back shows, in the middle,
the back porch of the hut. To the right the winter half of the hut and
the gate; to the left the summer half and the cellar. To the right of
the stage is a shed. The sound of tipsy voices and shouts are heard
from the hut.[5] SECOND NEIGHBOR WOMAN comes out of the hut and
beckons to FIRST NEIGHBOR WOMAN.

SECOND NEIGHBOR. How's it Akoulina has not shown herself?

FIRST NEIGHBOR. Why hasn't she shown herself? She'd have been glad to;
but she's too ill, you know. The suitor's relatives have come, and
want to see the girl; and she, my dear, she's lying in the cold hut
and can't come out, poor thing!

SECOND NEIGHBOR. But how's that?

FIRST NEIGHBOR. They say she's been bewitched by an evil eye! She's
got pains in the stomach!

SECOND NEIGHBOR. You don't say so?

FIRST NEIGHBOR. What else could it be?

[Whispers.

SECOND NEIGHBOR. Dear me! There's a go! But his relatives will surely
find it out?

FIRST NEIGHBOR. They find it out! They're all drunk! Besides, they are
chiefly after her dowry. Just think what they give with the girl! Two
furs, my dear, six dresses, a French shawl, and I don't know how many
pieces of linen, and money as well,--two hundred roubles, it's said!

SECOND NEIGHBOR. That's all very well, but even money can't give much
pleasure in the face of such a disgrace.

FIRST NEIGHBOR. Hush!... There's his father, I think.

[They cease talking and go into the hut.

[The SUITOR'S FATHER comes out of the hut hiccoughing.

THE FATHER. Oh, I'm all in a sweat. It's awfully hot! Will just cool
myself a bit. (Stands puffing.) The Lord only knows what--something
is not right. I can't feel happy.--Well, it's the old woman's affair.

[Enter MATRYONA from hut.

MATRYONA. And I was just thinking, where's the father? Where's the
father? And here you are, dear friend.... Well, dear friend, the Lord
be thanked! Everything is as honorable as can be! When one's arranging
a match one should not boast. And I have never learnt to boast. But as
you've come about the right business, so with the Lord's help, you'll
be grateful to me all your life! She's a wonderful girl! There's no
other like her in all the district!

THE FATHER. That's true enough, but how about the money?

MATRYONA. Don't you trouble about the money! All she had from her
father goes with her. And it's more than one gets easily, as things
are nowadays. Three times fifty roubles!

THE FATHER. We don't complain, but it's for our own child. Naturally
we want to get the best we can.

MATRYONA. I'll tell you straight, friend: if it hadn't been for me,
you'd never have found anything like her! They've had an offer from
the Karmilins, but I stood out against it. And as for the money, I'll
tell you truly: when her father, God be merciful to his soul, was
dying, he gave orders that the widow should take Nikita into the
homestead--of course I know all about it from my son,--and the money
was to go to Akoulina. Why, another one might have thought of his own
interests, but Nikita gives everything clean! It's no trifle. Fancy
what a sum it is!

THE FATHER. People are saying that more money was left her? The lad's
sharp too!

MATRYONA. Oh, dear soul alive! A slice in another's hand always looks
big; all she had will be handed over. I tell you, throw doubts to the
wind and make all sure! What a girl she is! as fresh as a daisy!

THE FATHER. That's so. But my old woman and I were only wondering
about the girl; why has she not come out? We've been thinking, suppose
she's sickly?

MATRYONA. Ah, ah.... Who? She? Sickly? Why, there's none to compare
with her in the district. The girl's as sound as a bell; you can't
pinch her. But you saw her the other day! And as for work, she's
wonderful! She's a bit deaf, that's true, but there are spots on the
sun, you know. And her not coming out, you see, it's from an evil eye!
A spell's been cast on her! And I know the bitch who's done the
business! They know of the betrothal and they bewitched her. But I
know a counter-spell. The girl will get up to-morrow. Don't you worry
about the girl!

THE FATHER. Well, of course, the thing's settled.

MATRYONA. Yes, of course! Don't you turn back. And don't forget me,
I've had a lot of trouble. Don't forget....

[A woman's voice from the hut.

Voice. If we are to go, let's go. Come along, Ivan!

THE FATHER. I'm coming.

[Exeunt. Guests crowd together in the passage and prepare to go
away.

NAN (runs out of the hut and calls to ANISYA). Mother!

ANISYA (from inside.) What d'you want?

NAN. Mother, come here, or they'll hear.

[ANISYA enters and they go together to the shed.

ANISYA. Well? What is it? Where's Akoulina?

NAN She's gone into the barn. It's awful what's she's doing there! I'm
blest! "I can't bear it," she says. "I'll scream," she says, "I'll
scream out loud." Blest if she didn't.

ANISYA. She'll have to wait. We'll see our visitors off first.

NAN. Oh, mother! She's so bad! And she's angry too. "What's the good
of their drinking my health?" she says. "I shan't marry," she says. "I
shall die," she says. Mother, supposing she does die! It's awful. I'm
so frightened!

ANISYA. No fear, she'll not die. But don't you go near her. Come
along.

[Exit ANISYA and NAN.

MITRITCH (comes in at the gate and begins collecting the scattered
hay). Oh, Lord! Merciful Nicholas! What a lot of liquor they've been
and swilled, and the smell they've made! It smells even out here! But
no, I don't want any, drat it! See how they've scattered the hay
about. They don't eat it, but only trample it under foot. A truss gone
before you know it. Oh, that smell, it seems to be just under my nose!
Drat it! (Yawns.) It's time to go to sleep! But I don't care to go
into the hut. It seems to float just round my nose! It has a strong
scent, the damned stuff! (The guests are heard driving off.) They're
off at last. Oh Lord! Merciful Nicholas! There they go, binding
themselves and gulling one another. And it's all gammon!

[Enter NIKITA.

NIKITA. Mitritch, you get off to sleep and I'll put this straight.

MITRITCH. All right, you throw it to the sheep. Well, have you seen
'em all off?

NIKITA. Yes, they're off! But things are not right! I don't know what
to do!

MITRITCH. It's a fine mess. But there's the Foundlings'[6] for that
sort of thing. Whoever likes may drop one there; they'll take 'em all.
Give 'em as many as you like, they ask no questions, and even pay--if
the mother goes in as a wet-nurse. It's easy enough nowadays.

NIKITA. But mind, Mitritch, don't go blabbing.

MITRITCH. It's no concern of mine. Cover the tracks as you think best.
Dear me, how you smell of liquor! I'll go in. Oh, Lord!

[Exit, yawning.

[NIKITA is long silent. Sits down on a sledge.

NIKITA. Here's a go!

[Enter ANISYA.

ANISYA. Where are you?

NIKITA. Here.

ANISYA. What are you doing there? There's no time to be lost! We must
take it out directly!

NIKITA. What are we to do?

ANISYA. I'll tell you what you are to do. And you'll have to do it!

NIKITA. You'd better take it to the Foundlings'--if anything.

ANISYA. Then you'd better take it there yourself if you like! You've a
hankering for smut, but you're weak when it comes to settling up, I
see!

NIKITA. What's to be done?

ANISYA. Go down into the cellar, I tell you, and dig a hole!

NIKITA. Couldn't you manage, somehow, some other way?

ANISYA (imitating him). "Some other way?" Seems we can't "some other
way!" You should have thought about it a year ago. Do what you're told
to! Nikita. Oh, dear, what a go!

[Enter NAN.

NAN. Mother! Grandmother's calling! I think sister's got a baby! I'm
blest if it didn't scream!

ANISYA. What are you babbling about? Plague take you! It's kittens
whining there. Go into the hut and sleep, or I'll give it you!

NAN. Mammy dear, truly, I swear....

ANISYA (raising her arm as if to strike). I'll give it you! You be off
and don't let me catch sight of you! (Nan runs into hut. To Nikita.)
Do as you're told, or else mind!

[Exit.

NIKITA (alone. After a long silence). Here's a go! Oh, these women!
What a fix! Says you should have thought of it a year ago. When's one
to think beforehand? When's one to think? Why, last year this Anisya
dangled after me. What was I to do? Am I a monk? The master died; and
I covered my sin as was proper, so I was not to blame there. Aren't
there lots of such cases? And then those powders. Did I put her up to
that? Why, had I known what the bitch was up to, I'd have killed her!
I'm sure I should have killed her! She's made me her partner in these
horrors--that jade! And she became loathsome to me from that day! She
became loathsome, loathsome to me as soon as mother told me about it.
I can't bear the sight of her! Well, then, how could I live with her?
And then it begun.... That wench began hanging round. Well, what was I
to do! If I had not done it, some one else would. And this is what
comes of it! Still I'm not to blame in this either. Oh, what a go!
(Sits thinking.) They are bold, these women! What a plan to think of!
But I won't have a hand in it!

[Enter MATRYONA with a lantern and spade, panting.

MATRYONA. Why are you sitting there like a hen on a perch? What did
your wife tell you to do? You just get things ready!

NIKITA. What do you mean to do?

MATRYONA. We know what to do. You do your share!

NIKITA. You'll be getting me into a mess!

MATRYONA. What? You're not thinking of backing out, are you? Now it's
come to this, and you back out!

NIKITA. Think what a thing it would be! It's a living soul.

MATRYONA. A living soul indeed! Why, it's more dead than alive. And
what's one to do with it? Go and take it to the Foundlings'--it will
die just the same, and the rumor will get about, and people will talk,
and the girl be left on our hands.

NIKITA. And supposing it's found out?

MATRYONA. Not manage to do it in one's own house? We'll manage it so
that no one will have an inkling. Only do as I tell you. We women
can't do it without a man. There, take the spade, and get it done
there,--I'll hold the light.

NIKITA. What am I to get done?

MATRYONA (in a low voice). Dig a hole; then we'll bring it out and get
it out of the way in a trice! There, she's calling again. Now then,
get in, and I'll go.

NIKITA. Is it dead then?

MATRYONA. Of course it is. Only you must be quick, or else people will
notice! They'll see or they'll hear! The rascals must needs know
everything. And the policeman went by this evening. Well then, you see
(gives him the spade), you get down into the cellar and dig a hole
right in the corner; the earth is soft there, and you'll smooth it
over. Mother earth will not blab to any one; she'll keep it close. Go
then; go, dear.

NIKITA. You'll get me into a mess, bother you! I'll go away! You do it
alone as best you can!

ANISYA (through the doorway). Well? Has he dug it?

MATRYONA. Why have you come away? What have you done with it?

ANISYA. I've covered it with rags. No one can hear it. Well, has he
dug it?

MATRYONA. He doesn't want to!

ANISYA (springs out enraged). Doesn't want to! How will he like
feeding vermin in prison! I'll go straight away and tell everything to
the police! It's all the same if one must perish. I'll go straight and
tell!

NIKITA (taken aback). What will you tell?

ANISYA. What? Everything! Who took the money? You! (NIKITA is silent.)
And who gave the poison? I did! But you knew! You knew! You knew! We
were in agreement!

MATRYONA. That's enough now. Nikita dear, why are you obstinate?
What's to be done now? One must take some trouble. Go, honey.

ANISYA. See the fine gentleman! He doesn't like it! You've put upon me
long enough! You've trampled me under foot! Now it's my turn! Go, I
tell you, or else I'll do what I said.... There, take the spade;
there, now go!

NIKITA. Drat you! Can't you leave a fellow alone! (Takes the spade,
but shrinks.) If I don't choose to, I'll not go!

ANISYA. Not go? (Begins to shout.) Neighbors! Heh! heh!

MATRYONA (closes her mouth). What are you about? You're mad! He'll
go.... Go, sonny, go, my own.

ANISYA. I'll cry murder!

NIKITA. Now stop! Oh, what people! You'd better be quick.... As well
be hung for a sheep as a lamb!

[Goes towards the cellar.

MATRYONA. Yes, that's just it, honey. If you know how to amuse
yourself, you must know how to hide the consequences.

ANISYA (still excited). He's trampled on me ... he and his slut! But
it's enough! I'm not going to be the only one! Let him also be a
murderer! Then he'll know how it feels!

MATRYONA. There, there! How she flares up! Don't you be cross, lass,
but do things quietly little by little, as it's best. You go to the
girl, and he'll do the work.

[Follows NIKITA to the cellar with a lantern. He descends into
the cellar.

ANISYA. And I'll make him strangle his dirty brat! (Still excited.)
I've worried myself to death all alone, with Peter's bones weighing on
my mind! Let him feel it too! I'll not spare myself; I've said I'll
not spare myself!

NIKITA (from the cellar). Show a light!

MATRYONA (holds up the lantern to him. To ANISYA). He's digging. Go
and bring it.

ANISYA. You stay with him, or he'll go away, the wretch! And I'll go
and bring it.

MATRYONA. Mind, don't forget to baptize it, or I will if you like.
Have you a cross?

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