LEONID FYODORITCH. Yes, it's all right. Let me see your hands. That
will do, that will do very well! Well, then, my good fellow, you must
do just as you did before,--sit down, and give way to your mood. But
don't think at all.
SIMON. Why should I think? The more one thinks, the worse it is.
LEONID FYODORITCH. Just so, just so, exactly! The less conscious one
is, the greater is the power. Don't think, but give in to your mood.
If you wish to sleep, sleep; if you wish to walk, walk. Do you
understand?
SIMON. How could one help understanding? It's simple enough.
LEONID FYODORITCH. But above all, don't be frightened. Because you
might be surprised yourself. You must understand that just as we live
here, so a whole world of invisible spirits live here also.
THEODORE IVANITCH (improving on what LEONID FYODORITCH has said).
Invisible feelings, do you understand?
SIMON (laughs). How can one help understanding! It's very plain as you
put it.
LEONID FYODORITCH. You may rise up in the air, or something of the
kind, but don't be frightened.
SIMON. Why should I be frightened? That won't matter at all.
LEONID FYODORITCH. Well then, I'll go and call them all.... Is
everything ready?
THEODORE IVANITCH. I think so.
LEONID FYODORITCH. But the slates?
THEODORE IVANITCH. They are downstairs. I'll bring them.
[Exit.
LEONID FYODORITCH. All right then. So don't be afraid, but be at your
ease.
SIMON. Had I not better take off my coat? One would be more easy like.
LEONID FYODORITCH. Your coat? Oh no. Don't take that off.
[Exit.
SIMON. She tells me to do the same again, and she will again shy
things about. How isn't she afraid?
[Enter TANYA in her stockings and in a dress of the color of the
wall-paper. SIMON laughs.
TANYA. Shsh!... They'll hear! There, stick these matches on your
fingers as before. (Sticks them on.) Well, do you remember everything?
SIMON (bending his fingers in, one by one). First of all, wet the
matches and wave my hands about, that's one. Then make my teeth
chatter, like this ... that's two. But I've forgotten the third thing.
TANYA. And it's the third as is the chief thing. Don't forget as soon
as the paper falls on the table--I shall ring the little bell--then
you do like this.... Spread your arms out far and catch hold of some
one, whoever it is as sits nearest, and catch hold of him. And then
squeeze! (Laughs.) Whether it's a gentleman or a lady, it's all one,
you just squeeze 'em, and don't let 'em go,--as if it were in your
sleep, and chatter with your teeth, or else howl like this. (Howls
sotto-voce.) And when I begin to play on the guitar, then stretch
yourself as if you were waking up, you know.... Will you remember
everything?
SIMON. Yes, I'll remember, but it is too funny.
TANYA. But mind you don't laugh. Still, it won't matter much if you do
laugh; they'd think it was in your sleep. Only take care you don't
really fall asleep when they put out the lights.
SIMON. No fear, I'll pinch my ears.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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