The Storm

DIKOY (wrathfully).

Well, and what then?

KULIGIN.

Steel rods.

DIKOY (getting more and more furious). I hear they're steel rods, you viper, but what of it? Granted they're steel rods! Well, what of it?

KULIGIN.

Nothing.

DIKOY.

And what is the cause of a storm to your notions, hey? Come, speak up!

KULIGIN.

Electricity.

DIKOY (stamping). 'Lectricity he says! Ah, a brigand you are and no mistake! a storm is sent as a chastisement to make us feel our sins, and you want with rods and tackle of one sort and another, God forgive you, to ward it off! What, are you a Tartar or what? Are you a Tartar? Speak up! A Tartar, hey?

KULIGIN.

Saviol Prokofitch, your honour, Derzhavin said:

 In body, I languish in the dust,

 In mind, I command the tempest.

DIKOY. For such words you ought to be led off to the police captain, he'd give it to you! Just listen, worthy citizens, what the fellow is saying!

KULIGIN. There's no help for it, I must submit! But when I have made my fortune, then you'll see how I'll talk!

[With a wave of his hand goes out.

DIKOY. What! are you going to steal a fortune? Stop him! The false scoundrel! How ever is one to treat such people! I don't know. (Turning to the crowd) And you, damned rascals, you're enough to make anyone swear! Here I'd no wish to lose my temper, and he must needs go and put me out, as if it were on purpose. Curse the fellow! (angrily) Has the rain given over, eh?

FIRST.

I fancy it has.

DIKOY.

You fancy! go and see, you fool. Tell me, you fancy, indeed!

FIRST (going outside the arches).

It has left off!

[Dikoy goes out and all follow him. The scene is empty for a little while. Varvara runs quickly in under the arcade and, hiding herself, peeps out.

SCENE III

VARVARA and later BORIS.

VARVARA.

I believe it's he! (Boris advances from the background of the scene.)

Sss-sss! (Boris looks round.) Come here. (She beckons, Boris goes up to

her.) What are we to do with Katerina? For mercy's sake tell me!

BORIS.

Why, what is it?

VARVARA. It's terrible, that's all. Her husband has come back, do you know that? We didn't expect him, but he's here.

BORIS.

No, I didn't know it.

VARVARA.

She's simply beside herself.

BORIS. It seems as if I had only lived for these ten short days that he has been away. And now not to see her!

VARVARA. Oh, I've no patience with you! I've something to tell you! She's shaking all over, as if she were in a fever. She's so pale, she wanders about the house, as though she were looking for something. Her eyes are wild, she's like a mad thing! She began crying long ago in the morning, she simply sobs. Merciful Heavens, what am I to do with her?

BORIS.

But perhaps this will pass off.

VARVARA. I doubt it. She daren't raise her eyes to her husband. Mamma's begun to notice it, and she follows her about and keeps a suspicious eye upon her. She looks daggers at her; and that makes her worse than ever. It makes one wretched to see her. And I'm afraid too.