The Storm

VARVARA.

Why?

KATERINA. I have been like that from my birth up, full of fire! I was only six years old, when do you know what I did? They offended me somehow at home,—it was in the evening and quite dark—I ran away to the Volga, and got into a boat, and pushed it off from the bank. They found me next morning, ten miles down the river.

VARVARA.

Really! And were there any men in love with you, as a girl?

KATERINA.

Of course there were!

VARVARA.

Well? And didn't you care for anyone?

KATERINA.

No, I only laughed at them.

VARVARA.

And you know, Katia, you don't love Tihon.

KATERINA.

Oh, yes, I do! I'm dreadfully sorry for him.

VARVARA. Oh, no, you don't. If you're sorry for him you don't love him. And indeed you've no great reason to, I must own. And it's no good your being so close with me! I noticed a long while ago, that you were fond of some one.

KATERINA (with dismay).

How did you notice it?

VARVARA. How absurd you are! I'm not a baby! Well, I'll tell you the first sign I knew by; directly you see him, your whole face is transformed. (Katerina drops her eyes.) And that's not all….

KATERINA (still looking down).

Well, whom then?

VARVARA.

Why, you know, what's the use of telling his name?

KATERINA.

No, tell it! Tell his name!

VARVARA.

Boris Grigoritch.

KATERINA.

Yes, yes, Varia! Only mind, Varia, for pity's sake….

VARVARA.

What nonsense! You'd better mind, and not betray yourself in any way.

KATERINA.

I can't deceive, I don't know how to conceal anything.

VARVARA. But there's no doing without deceit; think where you're living! Our whole house rests on it! I wasn't fond of lying either, but I learnt the trick, when I had to. I was out walking yesterday, and so I saw him and had a few minutes talk with him.

KATERINA (after a short silence, looking down).

Well?

VARVARA.

He sent greetings to you. He was sorry, he said, that he never meets you.

KATERINA (her head still more bent down).

As if we could meet! And what would be the use….

VARVARA.

He is so sad and unhappy….

KATERINA. Don't speak to me of him, for goodness' sake, don't speak of him! I don't want to know him even. I will love my husband: Tisha, my dear one, no one shall ever take your place! I did not want to think of him, you tempt me.

VARVARA.

All right, don't think of him; no one compels you to.

KATERINA. You have no mercy on me! You say: don't think of him, and you mention him yourself! Do you suppose I want to think of him; but what can I do, when I can't get him out of my mind? Whatever I try to think, he seems always standing before my eyes. And I try to be different, and I can't. Do you know, last night, the evil one tempted me again. I was almost walking straight out of the house.