A Month in the Country

RAKITIN. I am very glad to hear that. . . . Of course, I can't deny that my making off has its comic side. It's as though I imagine I'm dangerous; but you see, Alexey Nikolaitch, a woman's honour is such an important thing. . . . And at the same time--of course, I don't say this of Natalya Petrovna--but I have known women pure and innocent at heart, perfect children for all their cleverness, who just through that very purity and innocence, are more apt than others to give way to sudden passion. . . . And so, who knows? One can't be too discreet in such cases, especially as ... By the way, Alexey Nikolaitch, you may perhaps still imagine that love is the greatest bliss on earth?

BELIAYEV [coldly]. I have had no experience, but imagine that to be loved by a woman one loves is a great happiness.

RAKITIN. God grant you long preserve such pleasant convictions! It's my belief, Alexey Nikolaitch, that love of every kind, happy as much as unhappy, is a real calamity if you give yourself up to it completely.. .. Wait a bit! You may learn yet how those soft little hands can torture you, with what sweet solicitude they can tear your heart to rags. . . . Wait a bit! You will learn what burning hatred lies hidden under the most ardent love! You will think of me when you yearn for peace, for the dullest, most commonplace peace as a sick man yearns for health, when you will envy any man who is free and light-hearted. . . . You wait! You will know what it means to be tied to a petticoat, to be enslaved and poisoned--and how shameful and agonizing that slavery is! ... You will learn at last how little you get for all your sufferings. . . . But why am I saying all this to you, you won't believe me now. The fact is that I am very glad of your approval. . . yes, yes ... in such cases one ought to be careful.

BELIAYEV [who has kept his eyes fixed on RAKITIN]. Thanks for the lesson, Mihail Alexandritch, though I didn't need it.

RAKITIN [takes his hand]. Please forgive me, I had no intention ... it's not for me to give lessons to anyone whatever ... I was just talking. .. .

BELIAYEV [with slight irony]. Not apropos of anything?

RAKITIN [a little embarrassed]. Just so, not apropos of anything in particular. ... I only meant.... You haven't hitherto had occasion, Alexey Nikolaitch, to study women. Women are peculiar creatures.

BELIAYEV. But of whom are you speaking?

RAKITIN. Oh ... no one in particular.

BELIAYEV. Of women in general?

RAKITIN [with a constrained smile]. Yes, perhaps. I really don't know what business I have to adopt this lecturing tone, but do let me at parting give you this one piece of advice. [Breaking off with a gesture of dismissal] But there! I'm not the man to give anyone advice! Please forgive my running on like this....

BELIAYEV. Oh, not at all. . . .

RAKITIN. So you don't want anything in the town?

BELIAYEV. Nothing, thank you. But I'm sorry you're going away.

RAKITIN. Thanks very much. ... So am I, I can assure you. . . . [NATALYA PETROVNA and VERA come in from the study. VERA is very sad and pale] I am very glad to have made your acquaintance. . . . [Presses his hand again]

NATALYA PETROVNA [looks at them and then goes up to them]. Good morning.

RAKITIN [turning quickly]. Good morning, Natalya Petrovna .... Good morning Vera Alexandrovna. . . . [BELIAYEV bows to NATALYA PETROVNA and VERA without speaking. He is confused]

NATALYA PETROVNA [to RAKITIN]. What are you doing this morning?

RAKITIN. Oh, nothing. . . .

NATALYA PETROVNA. Vera and I have been walking in the garden. . . . It's a lovely day. . The scent of the lime trees is so delicious. We've been walking under the lime trees. . . . It's delightful to listen to the humming of the bees in the shade overhead. . . . [Timidly to BELIAYEV.] We expected to meet you there. [BELIAYEV is silent]

RAKITIN [to NATALYA PETROVNA]. Ah! You too can admire the beauties of nature to-day. ... [A pause] Alexey Nikolaitch couldn't go into the garden. ... He has got his new coat on.

BELIAYEV [reddening]. Of course, it's the only one I have, and I dare say it might get torn in the garden. ... I suppose that's what you mean?

RAKITIN [blushing]. Oh no ... I didn't mean that. . . . [VERA goes in silence to sofa on Right, sits down and takes up her work. NATALYA PETROVNA gives BELIAYEV a constrained smile. A brief, rather oppressive silence. RAKITIN goes on with malicious carelessness] Ah, I'd forgotten to tell you, Natalya Petrovna, I'm going away to-day. . . .

NATALYA PETROVNA [with some agitation]. Going? Where?

RAKITIN. To the town. . . . On business.

NATALYA PETROVNA. Not for long, I hope.

RAKITIN. That's as my business goes.

NATALYA PETROVNA. Mind you come back as soon as you can. [To BELIAYEV without looking at him] Alexey Nikolaitch, was it your sketches Kolya was showing me? Did you draw them?

BELIAYEV. Yes . . . they're nothing much.

NATALYA PETROVNA. Not at all, they are very charming. You have talent.

RAKITIN. I see you are discovering new talents in Mr. Beliayev every day.

NATALYA PETROVNA [coldly]. Perhaps ... so much the better for him. [To BELIAYEV.] I expect you have some other sketches, you must show them to me. [BELIAYEV bows]

RAKITIN [who stands all this time as though on thorns]. But I remember it's time to pack. . . . Good-bye. [Goes to door of outer room.]

NATALYA PETROVNA. But you'll come to say good-bye to us. ...

RAKITIN. Of course.

BELIAYEV [after some hesitation]. Mihail Alexandritch, wait a minute, I'm coming with you. I must have a few words with you. . . .

RAKITIN. Ah! [They go out together. NATALYA PETROVNA is left in the middle of the stage; after a little while, she sits down on Left.]

NATALYA PETROVNA [after an interval of silence]. Vera!

VERA [not lifting her head]. What is it?

NATALYA PETROVNA. Vera for goodness sake, don't treat me like this ... for goodness sake, Vera . . . Verotchka. [VERA says nothing. NATALYA PETROVNA gets up, walks across the stage and slowly sinks on her knees before VERA. VERA tries to make her get up, turns away and hides her face. NATALYA PETROVNA speaks on her knees.] Vera, forgive me; don't cry, Vera. I've behaved badly to you, I'm to blame. Can't you forgive me?

VERA [through her tears]. Get up, get up. ...

NATALYA PETROVNA. I won't get up, Vera, till you forgive me. It's hard for you . . . but think, is it any easier for me . . . think, Vera. . . . You know everything. . . . The only difference between us is that you have done no wrong, while I ...

VERA [bitterly]. That's all the difference! No, Natalya Petrovna, there's another difference between us.... You're so soft, so kind, so warm this morning. . . .

NATALYA PETROVNA [interrupting her]. Because I feel how wrong I've been. . . .

VERA. Really? Is it only that?

NATALYA PETROVNA [gets up and sits beside her]. What other reason can there be?