A Month in the Country

RAKITIN. You are as soft and sweet yourself now as an evening after a storm.

NATALYA PETROVNA [dreamily repeating the last words]. After a storm?... But has there been a storm?

RAKITIN [shaking his head]. It was gathering.

NATALYA PETROVNA. Really? [Gazing at him, after a short silence.] Do you know, Michel, I can't imagine a kinder man than you? [RAKITIN tries to stop her.] No, don't prevent my speaking out. You are sympathetic, affectionate, constant. You never change. I owe you so much.

RAKITIN. Natalya Petrovna, why are you telling me this just now?

NATALYA PETROVNA. I don't know; I feel light-hearted, I'm at rest; don't stop me from chattering, . . .

RAKITIN [pressing her hand]. You are kind as an angel. . . .

NATALYA PETROVNA [laughing]. You wouldn't have said so this morning. But listen, Michel, you know me, you must make allowances for me. Our relations are so pure, so genuine,. . . and at the same time, not quite natural. .. . You and I have the right to look everybody in the face, not only Arkady. . . . Yes, but . . . [Sinking into thought.] That's what makes me sometimes depressed and ill at ease. I feel spiteful like a child, I'm ready to vent my spite on others, especially on you. . . . You don't resent that privilege?

RAKITIN [earnestly]. Quite the contrary.

NATALYA PETROVNA. Yes, at times it gives one pleasure to torture the man whom one loves . . . whom one loves. . . . Like Tatyana, I too can say, why not be frank?

RAKITIN. Natalya Petrovna, you . . . NATALYA PETROVNA [interrupting him]. Yes, I love you; but do you know, Rakitin? Do you know what sometimes seems strange to me? I love you . . . and the feeling is so clear, so peaceful. ... It does not agitate me. ... I am warmed by it. ... [Earnestly.] You have never made me cry .. . and it seems as though I ought to have. . . . [Breaking off.] What does that show?

RAKITIN [rather mournfully]. That's a question that needs no answer.

NATALYA PETROVNA [dreamily]. And we have known each other a long while.

RAKITIN. Four years. Yes, we are old friends.

NATALYA PETROVNA. Friends. . . . No, you are more to me than a friend.

RAKITIN. Natalya Petrovna, don't touch on that. . . . I'm afraid for my happiness, I'm afraid it may vanish at your touch.

NATALYA PETROVNA. No ... no ... no. The whole point is that you are too good. . . . You give way to me too much. . . . You have spoilt me. . . . You are too good, do you hear?

RAKITIN [with a smile]. I hear, madam.

NATALYA PETROVNA [looking at him]. I don't know what you feel but I desire no other happiness. Many women might envy me. [Holds out both hands to him.] Mightn't they?

RAKITIN. I'm in your hands.... Do with me what you will. . . . [The voice of ISLAYEV from the outer room: 'So you've sent for him, have you?']

NATALYA PETROVNA [getting up quickly]. Arkady! I can't see him just now. . . . Good-bye! [Goes out by door on right.]

RAKITIN [looking after her]. What does it mean? The beginning of the end, or the end? [d brief pause.] Or the beginning?

[Enter ISLAYEV looking worried.]

ISLAYEV [taking off his hat]. Good afternoon, Michel. RAKITIN. We've seen each other already to-day. ISLAYEV. Oh! I beg your pardon. . . . I've had so much to see to. ... [Walks up and down the room.] It's a queer thing! The Russian peasant is very intelligent, very quick of understanding, I've a respect for the Russian peasant ... and yet sometimes, you may talk to him, and explain away. . . . It's clear enough you'd think, but it's all no use at all. The Russian peasant hasn't that. . . that . . .

RAKITIN. You're still busy with the dam, are you?

ISLAYEV. That ... so to speak . . . love for work . . . that's just it, he has no love for it. He won't let you tell him what you think properly. 'Yes, Sir.' . . . Yes, indeed, when he hasn't taken in a word. Look at a German now, it's quite a different thing! The Russian has no patience. For all that, I have a respect for him.... Where's Natasha? Do you know?

RAKITIN. She was here just now.

ISLAYEV. What time is it? Surely, dinner-time. I've been on my feet all day--such a lot to do. ... And I haven't been to the building yet. . . . The time goes so fast. It's dreadful! One's simply behindhand with everything------ [RAKITIN smiles.] You're laughing at me, I see. . . . But I can't help it, old man. People are different. I'm a practical man, born to look after my land--and nothing else. There was a time when I dreamed of other things; but I burnt my fingers--I can tell you--came to grief, you know. Why isn't Beliayev here?

RAKITIN. Who's Beliayev?

ISLAYEV. Our new teacher. He's a shy bird, but he'll get used to us. He has a head on his shoulders. I asked him to see how the building was going on to-day.... [Enter BELIAYEV.] Oh, here he is! Well, how are they getting on? Doing nothing, I expect?

BELIAYEV. No, Sir, they are working.

ISLAYEV. Have they finished the framing of the second barn?

BELIAYEV. They have begun the third.

ISLAYEV. And did you speak to them about the beams?

BELIAYEV. Yes.

ISLAYEV. Well, what did they say?

BELIAYEV. They say that's how they always do it.

ISLAYEV. Hm. ... Is Yermil the carpenter there?

BELIAYEV. Yes.

ISLAYEV. Ah! well, thanks! [Enter NATALYA.] Ah! Natasha! Good afternoon.

RAKITIN. Why twenty greetings to each of us to-day?

ISLAYEV. I tell you, I'm tired out with all I've had to see to. Oh! by the way. I haven't shown you my new winnowing machine, have I? Do come along, it's worth seeing. It's marvellous, a whirlwind, a regular whirlwind. We've time before dinner. . . . What do you say?

RAKITIN. Oh, by all means.

ISLAYEV. Won't you come with us, Natasha?

NATALYA PETROVNA. As though I know anything about your machines! You go by yourselves--and mind you're not late.

ISLAYEV [going out with RAKITIN]. We'll be back immediately.

[BELIAYEV is about to follow them.]

NATALYA PETROVNA [to BELIAYEV]. Where are you going, Alexey Nikolaitch?

BELIAYEV. I ... I. ...

NATALYA PETROVNA. Of course go, if you want a walk. . . .

BELIAYEV. Why no, I've been out of doors all the morning.

NATALYA PETROVNA. Well, then, sit down. ... Sit here. [Motions him to a chair.] We have not had a proper talk, Alexey Nikolaitch. We have not made friends yet. [BELIAYEV bows and sits down.] I want to get to know you.

BELIAYEV. I'm . . . it's very kind of you.

NATALYA PETROVNA [with a smile]. You are afraid of me, I see ... but wait a little, you won't be afraid of me, when you know me. Tell me . .. tell me now how old are you?

BELIAYEV. Twenty-one.

NATALYA PETROVNA. Are your parents living?

BELIAYEV. My mother is dead, my father is living.

NATALYA PETROVNA. Has your mother been dead long?