Читать книгу The Essential Russian Plays & Short Stories - Максим Горький - Страница 13

Count: Countess, this is Mr. Flatternot. Mr. Flatternot, my wife.

Flatternot (kissing Countess’s hand): I recommend myself to your highnesses’ favour as a neighbour and nobleman of these parts.

Count: I beg you to be seated. Our respected marshal, no doubt, has already told you of our desire, just as we heard from him of your proposal to take charge of a young nobleman?

Flatternot: He has informed me of everything; but beforehand I ought to hear from you yourselves what education you intend to give your son: what you wish to teach him, and to prepare him for which service?

Count: I wished to hear of this from you.

Flatternot: I should think to educate his mind as is fitting for a nobleman.

Countess: Of the rank of count!

Flatternot: I do not understand; what difference do you find between the rank of nobleman and count?

Countess: I find, sir, this difference, that a count should be more careful than a nobleman that no one is lacking in respect of him.

Count: A count should be more delicate than a nobleman on the point of his honour. . . . (A page is missing here in the original manuscript.)

Countess: But I thought that nature and rank were the same thing.

Wisely: You hear, madame, that a natural count may be also a natural fool.

Countess: And so Mr. Flatternot is not pleased that our son should know he is a count, and does not wish to give him the title of “Highness.”

Flatternot: I would not take upon myself the sin — do not be angry with me — to turn a little boy’s head, like your son’s, with fancies about his countship, highness, and similar folly; but I shall strive hard to set into his head and heart that he, being of noble birth, should possess, also, a noble mind.

Countess: And that is not a bad thing. But what are you thinking about, Count?

Count: I am thinking of what I hear, and can think about nothing; I know it’s dinner-time, and I beg you, marshal, and you, sir, to dine with me.

Flatternot: At your service.

Servant: Dinner is served.

Count: Come.