Читать книгу Fathers and Sons - Иван Тургенев - Страница 6

ACT I

SCENE 1

The garden of Nicolai Kirsanov’s estate. On the right a porch. Piotr is on a ladder watching the road. To the left a swing set in an artificial bower.

Nicolai

Well, Piotr, not in sight yet?

Piotr

No, Sir, not in sight.

Nicolai

Not in sight?

Piotr

No, Sir.

Nicolai (sighs)

They should be here.

Piotr

The coach is always late.

Nicolai

Of course.

(Piotr comes down from the ladder)

Piotr

Good thing this doesn’t happen often. I’m too old to be climbing about on ladders. What if I fell?

Nicolai

You’re as agile as a cat.

Piotr

All the same. It’s no way to treat a servant.

Nicolai

Just once I ask you and you complain.

Piotr

One is free now. Not a serf any more. It is permitted to complain.

Nicolai

But must you make a profession of it?

Piotr

Freedom is freedom. What good is it if one can’t express oneself?

(A noise offstage)

It sounds as if they’re coming, Sir.

Nicolai

Arkasha, Arkasha.

(Arkady and Bazarov enter)

Arkady

Let me shake myself first, Daddy. I will cover you with dust.

Nicolai (not noticing Bazarov)

Never mind, never mind. Let me have a look at you; let me have a look at you.

Arkady

Daddy, let me introduce you to my great friend, Bazarov, about whom I have so often written to you. He has been so good as to promise to stay with us.

Nicolai

I am heartily glad and very grateful for your kind intention of visiting us. Let me know your name and your father’s—

Bazarov

Eugeny Vassilyitch.

Nicolai

I hope, dear Eugeny Vassilyitch, you won’t find it dull with us.

(To Piotr)

Please see to Mr. Bazarov’s things, Piotr. Give him the room next to Arkady’s.

Piotr

Will you please accompany me, Sir?

(Bazarov exits into the house with Piotr)

Nicolai

So here you are, a graduate at last, and come home again. At last.

Arkady

And how is Uncle?

Nicolai

Quite well. He was going to wait with me but for some reason or other changed his mind. I think he knew I should want to have you all to myself for a bit.

Arkady

And, how long have you been waiting for me?

Nicolai

Oh, about five hours.

Arkady

Dear, old Dad!

(Arkady kisses his father on the cheek)

Nicolai

I have got a capital horse for you. You will see. And your room has been fresh papered.

Arkady

Is there a room for Bazarov?

Nicolai

Of course.

Arkady

Please Dad, make much of him. I can’t tell you how I prize his friendship.

Nicolai

Have you made friends with him lately?

Arkady

Yes, quite lately.

Nicolai

Ah, that accounts for my not seeing him last winter.

(Pause)

What does he study?

Arkady

Natural science. But he knows everything. Next year he’ll take his doctor’s degree.

Nicolai

Ah,—a physician. That’s good. Russia can use doctors. Incidentally, Arkady, I’ve had a lot of bother with the peasants this year.

Arkady

Now that they’ve been emancipated. They’re difficult, eh?

Nicolai

Yes. They are being set against me.

Arkady (examining the garden)

You’ve no shade; it’s a pity.

Nicolai

But I’ve had an awning put up—

(He points)

We can have dinner even in the open air.

Arkady

What air though? I don’t believe there’s such a fragrance in the world as in the meadows here.

(Arkady is suddenly embarrassed by his own enthusiasm)

What would Bazarov say if he heard me gushing like this?

Nicolai

Of course. You were born here, so everything here is special to you.

Arkady

Oh, Dad, it makes no difference where a man was born.

Nicolai

Still—

Arkady

No. It makes absolutely no difference.

Nicolai (pause)

I don’t recollect whether I told you but your old nurse, Yegorovura, is dead.

Arkady

Really? Poor thing!

Nicolai

That’s about the only change here at Margino.

Arkady

That suits me fine.

Nicolai

Ah.

(Hesitates)

There is one change. I think it my duty to prepare you.

(Pause)

A severe moralist might regard my openness as improper; but after all it can’t be concealed—

(Nicolai is having hard going)

Of course, I have always had decided ideas about the relation of father and son— What I mean is—you have a right to disapprove, of course, however—

(He is helpless)

Arkady (easily)

Fenitchka?

Nicolai (mortified)

Don’t mention her name aloud, please.

(Pause)

Well, she is living with me now. I have installed her in the house—in two little rooms off the drawing room.

(Pause)

But that can all be changed.

Arkady

(who is somewhat amused at his father’s embarrassment)

Goodness, Daddy, what for?

Nicolai

Your friend is going to stay with us—it would be awkward. Not to mention your legitimate objections.

Arkady

Please don’t be uneasy on my account or Bazarov’s. He’s above all that.

Nicolai

Well, but, you, too—the little cabin is so horrid—that’s the worst of it.

Arkady

Goodness, Dad, it’s as if you were apologizing. You act as if you’re ashamed.

Nicolai (terribly embarrassed)

Of course, I’m ashamed.

Arkady

Nonsense, Dad, nonsense; please don’t. What a thing to apologize for! Please, stop—

Nicolai (changing the subject)

I have sold the timber.

Arkady

Why?

Nicolai

The money was needed.

Arkady

I’m sorry about the timber. But what an exquisite day it is today!

Nicolai

To welcome you, my dear boy. Anyway, now you are at home, we must have supper and rest.

(Bazarov returning with Piotr)

Bazarov

A meal would not come amiss, certainly.

Nicolai

Yes, yes, let us have supper directly.

Piotr

You wish supper to be served?

Nicolai

Yes, yes—

Piotr

The cook has been ready for Arkady. It will only be a minute.

Nicolai

Wouldn’t you like to change, Arkady?

Arkady

No thanks. But, I’d better wash up.

Bazarov

Arkady, have you got a light?

(He brandishes his pipe)

Arkady

Of course.

Bazarov

Will you have a cigar?

Arkady

Cigarette, I think, thanks.

(Enter Pavel Petrovitch, a man of about forty-five. Elegantly dressed after an English style. He is in a dark English suit, a fashionable low cravat and kid shoes. He is aristocratic, elegant, graceful. He has exquisitely manicured hands.)

Pavel

Welcome, Arkady. I had begun to think you were not coming.

(He kisses Arkady three times in the Russian manner)

Arkady

I am fine, Uncle Paul. We had a slight delay. You must meet Bazarov.

(Pavel turns politely to Bazarov and makes a little bow. His aesthetic reaction to Bazarov is instantaneously hostile, although he is too polished a gentleman to be rude.)

(Pavel greets Bazarov with a slight inclination of his supple figure. Bazarov responds with a somewhat exaggerated bow which may be due to awkwardness but possibly to satire.)

Pavel

Charmed, I’m sure.

Arkady

Tell Piotr to hurry up. We’re hungry as wolves. I’m going to wash up. I’ll be back directly.

Bazarov

I’m coming with you.

(Bazarov and Arkady exit into the house)

Pavel

Who is he?

Nicolai

A friend of Arkady’s. A very clever fellow.

Pavel

Is he going to stay with us?

Nicolai

Yes.

Pavel

That unkempt creature?

(Piotr enters from the house with a large tray of food which he places on the table under the awning)

Piotr

Dinner is served.

(Bazarov and Arkady return)

Nicolai

That was quick.

Bazarov

We smelled food.

(They all sit down at the table, a servant girl comes in)

Little Girl

Fedosya Nikolaevna is not quite well; she cannot come. Will you please pour tea yourself or should she send Dunyasha?

Nicolai

I will pour for myself, then. Arkady, how do you take your tea—with cream or with lemon?

Arkady

With cream.

(Pause)

Daddy.

Nicolai

Well?

(Nicolai senses what is coming and he is mortified)

Arkady

Is the reason Fenitchka will not come to pour tea because I’m here?

Nicolai (turning away to hide his confusion)

Perhaps—she is embarrassed.

Arkady

She has no reason to be embarrassed. You know my views. If you have chosen her to live with you—she must be worthy of it.

Nicolai (profoundly moved)

Thanks, Arkasha. Of course, it’s not some—some caprice, or a cheap affair. It’s not easy for me to talk to you about this. But, you understand it’s difficult for her—especially the first day—of your return.

Arkady (rising)

In that case I will go to her. I will fix everything.

Nicolai (completely disconcerted)

But, Arkady—you can’t. I haven’t told you yet— My God—

(But Arkady has gone)

Pavel

He doesn’t know about the child?

Nicolai

Whatever will happen?

Bazarov

Trust Arkady to do the right thing.

(Bazarov has been eating unconcernedly throughout this conversation)

Nicolai

Oh, of course. I’m sorry, Mr. Bazarov, to expose you to such—intimate family scenes.

Bazarov

Think nothing of it.

Pavel (guarded but polite)

I have been trying to remember where I heard your name before. Was your father a military surgeon, Mr. Bazarov?

Bazarov

My father and my grandfather were in the horse guards.

Pavel

Ah, I remember your grandfather, he died a hero’s death at Sebastopol.

Bazarov

He died like a fool, in a foolish war.

Pavel

That is a rather harsh way to speak of one’s grandfather.

Bazarov

As he is my grandfather, I feel I have the right to take that liberty. My grandfather was a romantic. So, for that matter, is my father.

Pavel

You seem to have little respect for received opinions.

Bazarov

That is true. I am a nihilist.

Pavel

Eh?

Bazarov

A nihilist.

Nicolai (nonchalantly munching)

A nihilist, that from the Latin—nihil—nothing. The word must mean a man who accepts nothing—

Pavel

Who respects nothing—

Bazarov

Who regards everything from a critical point of view.

Pavel

Isn’t that just the same?

Bazarov

No,—a nihilist is a man who does not bow down before any authority regardless of what reverence attaches to it.

Pavel

A sort of revolutionary par excellence, eh?

(Bazarov nods and munches)

Pavel

Indeed. Well, it’s not in our line. We are old-fashioned folk. We think that without principles, taken as you say on faith, there’s no taking a step, no breathing. Vous avez change tout cela.

Bazarov (munching)

Reverence and principles don’t feed people.

Pavel

What was it?

Bazarov

Nihilist.

Pavel

Yes. There used to be Hegelians, now there are nihilists. We shall see how you will exist in a void, in a vacuum.

(Arkady returns)

Arkady

We have made friends, Dad! Fedosya Nikolaevna is not quite well today, really. But she will come a little later. But, why didn’t you tell me I had a brother?

(Nicolai waves his hand helplessly, Arkady embraces his father)

Nicolai

You must excuse me.

(He exits to the house)

Pavel

Is your special study physics, Mr. Bazarov?

Bazarov

Physics and natural science.

Pavel (ironically)

They say the Teutons have made great progress in that line.

Bazarov

Yes, the Germans are our teachers in it. Their scientists are a clever lot.

Pavel

I dare say you haven’t as high an opinion of our Russian scientists.

Bazarov

Very likely—

Pavel

Well, you are not a chauvinist. But if you are a nihilist, surely you don’t believe in these Teutons.

Bazarov

They tell me the truth. I agree that’s all.

Pavel

Do all Germans tell the truth?

Bazarov (yawning)

Not all.

Pavel

I confess. I don’t care for Germans very much. In the past they produced some excellent men, Goethe—Schiller— But now they have all turned chemists and materialists.

Bazarov

A good chemist is twenty times as useful as any poet. An engineer is worth a hundred Goethes.

Pavel

Oh, indeed. You don’t acknowledge art, then?

Bazarov (contemptuously)

The art of making money or of advertising pills!

Pavel

Ah—ah— You are pleased to jest, no doubt? Granted. Then, you place your faith in science?

Bazarov

—I have already explained that I don’t place my faith anywhere. There are sciences like trades and crafts. But abstract science doesn’t exist at all.

Pavel

Very good. And in regard to other accepted traditions of human conduct, do you adopt the same negative attitude?

Bazarov

Is this an examination?

Arkady

Uncle Pavel, please—

Pavel

I am sorry if I have been carried away by the conversation. It’s a misfortune to live in the backwoods, as it were, far from mighty intellects. You turn into a fool directly, you try not to forget what you’ve been taught—but—poof—they’ll prove it’s all rubbish and that up to date people have no more to do with such foolishness and you are an antiquated old fogy before you’re fifty. What’s to be done? Young people are, it goes without saying—cleverer than we are.

(Pavel rises, bows and exits into the house)

Bazarov

Is he always like that?

Arkady

I must say, Eugeny, you weren’t nice to him. You’ve hurt his feelings.

Bazarov

I really didn’t start it. He should have continued his career if that’s his bent. All this vanity and dandyism are a bit out of place a hundred miles from nowhere.

Arkady

He deserves pity rather than ridicule. He’s profoundly unhappy. It’s a sin to ridicule him.

Bazarov

Who’s ridiculing him? He asked my opinion, that’s all, and I told him.

(Still eating)

Have some more meat, Arkady, it’s delicious. There’s no better remedy for idealism than the taste of a good dinner.

Arkady

You’re incorrigible.

Bazarov

Of course.

CURTAIN