Читать книгу Fathers and Sons - Иван Тургенев - Страница 7

ACT I

SCENE 2

Nicolai Kirsanov’s garden. One or two days later.

Fenitchka is in the garden with a maid, Dunyasha, and her baby. Fenitchka is in the swing, giving the baby a ride. Pavel sees her from the house, hesitates and goes directly to her. Fenitchka jumps out of the swing, in great confusion. She gives the baby to Dunyasha.

Pavel

Stay put. Stay put. Pardon me, if I disturb you—I only wanted to ask you—they are sending into town today, I think—please, let them buy me some green tea.

Fenitchka

Certainly, how much do you want?

Pavel

Oh, half a pound will be enough, I imagine—

(Pause)

I went to your rooms. You have new curtains.

Fenitchka (still embarrassed)

Oh, yes, the curtains. Nicolai Petrovitch was so kind as to make a present of them. They have been up a long time though.

Pavel

It’s a long time since I have been to see you. It’s very nice now.

Fenitchka

Thanks to Nicolai Petrovitch’s kindness.

Pavel

You are more comfortable now, than in the little lodge you used to have?

Fenitchka

Certainly—

Pavel

Who has the lodge now?

Fenitchka

The laundry maids.

Pavel

Ah!

(Pause)

May I see the little one? I love children.

Fenitchka

Dunyasha, please bring Mitya. Ah, he doesn’t have a frock on.

Pavel

It doesn’t matter. What a chubby fellow.

Fenitchka (to the baby)

That’s Uncle.

Pavel

How many months old is he?

Fenitchka

Six months; he will be seven months next week.

Pavel

He’s like my brother.

Fenitchka

Who else should he be like?

Pavel

Yes, there’s an unmistakable resemblance.

Fenitchka

That’s Uncle—

(Nicolai enters from the garden)

Nicolai

Ah, Pavel, so you’re here!

Pavel

You’ve got a splendid little cherub. I came to speak about some tea.

(He bows and returns to the house)

Nicolai

Did he come of himself?

Fenitchka

Yes.

Nicolai

Has Arkady been to see you again?

Fenitchka

No—Hadn’t I better move back to the lodge, Nicolai Petrovitch?

Nicolai

Why so?

Fenitchka

I wonder whether it wouldn’t be best just for the first?

Nicolai

N-no—we ought to have done it before.

(Turning the baby)

How are you chubby?

(Kisses the baby and then Fenitchka)

Fenitchka

Nicolai Petrovitch, what are you doing?

Nicolai

You’re so bashful—

Fenitchka

I can’t help it!

Nicolai

It’s charming.

(Pause)

So, my brother came to see you?

Fenitchka

Yes.

Nicolai

Well, that’s a good thing. I’ve got to get back to the house. You stay here.

(He exits to the house)

(Bazarov and Arkady enter from the garden)

Bazarov

You ought to have planted silver poplars. Ah, there’s someone here.

(Arkady nods to Fenitchka)

Bazarov

Who’s that? What a pretty girl!

Arkady

Which one?

Bazarov

Only one of them is pretty.

Arkady

That’s Fenitchka, my father’s—ah, close friend.

Bazarov

Ah,—your father’s got good taste, one can see. I like him, your father. We must make friends, though.

Arkady

Bazarov, mind what you are about.

Bazarov

Don’t worry yourself, I know how to behave—I’m not a booby.

(He goes up to Fenitchka, who exhibits great embarrassment, and takes off his cap)

Allow me to introduce myself. I’m a harmless person, and a friend of Arkady Kirsanov.

(Fenitchka rises, too embarrassed to speak)

Bazarov

What a splendid baby! Don’t be uneasy— Why is he so red? Is he cutting his teeth?

Fenitchka (strangled)

Yes, four already.

Bazarov

Show me. Don’t be afraid, I’m a doctor.

(He examines the baby)

Hmm, hmm. Everything’s fine. He’ll have a good set of choppers. And you are quite well yourself?

Fenitchka

Yes, thank God.

Bazarov

Thank God, indeed—

(To Dunyasha)

And you?

(Dunyasha giggles)

Well, that’s all right. Here’s your gallant fellow.

(Returning the baby to Fenitchka)

Fenitchka

How good he was with you!

Bazarov

Children are always good with me.

(He executes quite a gallant bow. Pavel would be surprised if he saw this.)

Well, if anything goes wrong—tell me.

(He returns to Arkady, who has been fidgeting)

Bazarov

What’s her name?

Arkady

Fenitchka—Fedosya.

Bazarov

And her father’s name?

Arkady

Nikolaevna.

Bazarov

She’s all right.

Arkady

She’s all right? But my father?

Bazarov

He’s all right, too.

Arkady

Well, I don’t think so.

Bazarov

You object to the baby?

Arkady

Heavens, no. I think he ought to marry her, that’s all.

Bazarov

Well, well, well. You still attach significance to marriage; I didn’t expect that of you.

(They walk off)

CURTAIN