The Storm

VARVARA. For nothing at all, teaching him to mind what he's about. He'll be a fortnight away out of her sight! Only fancy! She has an uneasy inkling all the time that he'll enjoy himself when he's his own master. And so she's busy now laying all sorts of injunctions upon him, each more imperative than the last, and then she'll take him up to the holy picture and make him swear solemnly that he'll do everything exactly and precisely according to her bidding.

KATERINA.

And so even when he's free he'll be as good as bound.

VARVARA. Bound! Oh, will he! As soon as he gets away, he'll start drinking, you may be sure. He says nothing now, but all the while he's only thinking how to get away as soon as possible.

[Enter Mme. Kabanova and Kabanov.

SCENE III

The Same with KABANOV and MADAME KABANOVA.

MME. KABANOVA.

Now do you remember everything I've told you? Mind you do remember it!

Keep it in your heart!

KABANOV.

Yes, mamma.

MME. KABANOVA. Well, now everything is ready. The horses are at the door. You've only to say good-bye and be off in God's name.

KABANOV.

Yes, mamma, it's time I was off.

MME. KABANOVA.

Well?

KABANOV.

What do you desire?

MME. KABANOVA. Why are you standing about? Don't you know the way to do things? Lay your commands upon your wife, exhort her how she is to live in your absence.

[Katerina looks on the ground.

KABANOV.

But she knows quite well without that.

MME. KABANOVA. The way you talk! Come, come, give your commands, that I may hear what commands you lay upon her! And then when you come back, you can ask if she has performed everything exactly.

KABANOV (standing opposite Katerina).

Obey mamma, Katia.

MME. KABANOVA.

Tell her not to be saucy to her mother-in-law.

KABANOV.

Don't be saucy!

MME. KABANOVA.

To revere her mother-in-law as her own mother.

KABANOV.

Revere mamma, Katia, as your own mother.

MME. KABANOVA.

Not to sit with her hands in her lap like a fine lady.

KABANOV.

Do some work while I am away!

MME. KABANOVA.

Not to go staring out of window!

KABANOV.

But, mamma, whenever has she….

MME. KABANOVA.

Come, come!

KABANOV.

Don't look out of window!

MME. KABANOVA.

Not to stare at young fellows while you are away!