Russia -- Social conditions -- 1801-1917 -- Drama; Russian drama -- Translations into English
[_Enter Mme. Kabanova and Kabanov_.
SCENE III
The Same with KABANOV and MADAME KABANOVA.
MME. KABANOVA.
Now do you remember everything I've told you? Mind you do remember it!
Keep it in your heart!
KABANOV.
Yes, mamma.
MME. KABANOVA.
Well, now everything is ready. The horses are at the door. You've only to
say good-bye and be off in God's name.
KABANOV.
Yes, mamma, it's time I was off.
MME. KABANOVA.
Well?
KABANOV.
What do you desire?
MME. KABANOVA.
Why are you standing about? Don't you know the way to do things? Lay your
commands upon your wife, exhort her how she is to live in your absence.
[_Katerina looks on the ground_.
KABANOV.
But she knows quite well without that.
MME. KABANOVA.
The way you talk! Come, come, give your commands, that I may hear what
commands you lay upon her! And then when you come back, you can ask if she
has performed everything exactly.
KABANOV (_standing opposite Katerina_).
Obey mamma, Katia.
MME. KABANOVA.
Tell her not to be saucy to her mother-in-law.
KABANOV.
Don't be saucy!
MME. KABANOVA.
To revere her mother-in-law as her own mother.
KABANOV.
Revere mamma, Katia, as your own mother.
MME. KABANOVA.
Not to sit with her hands in her lap like a fine lady.
KABANOV.
Do some work while I am away!
MME. KABANOVA.
Not to go staring out of window!
KABANOV.
But, mamma, whenever has she....
MME. KABANOVA.
Come, come!
KABANOV.
Don't look out of window!
MME. KABANOVA.
Not to stare at young fellows while you are away!
KABANOV.
But that is too much, mamma, for mercy's sake!
MME. KABANOVA (_severely_).
Enough of this nonsense! It's your duty to do what your mother tells you.
(_With a smile_) It's always as well when it's forbidden.
KABANOV (_in great confusion_).
Don't look at young men! [_Katerina looks sternly at him_.
MME. KABANOVA.
Well, now you can talk by yourselves a little, if you want to. Come,
Varvara! [_They go out_.
SCENE IV
KABANOV and KATERINA (_she stands as though turned to stone_).
KABANOV.
Katia! (_Silence_.) Katia, you're not angry with me?
KATERINA (_after a protracted silence--shakes her head_).
No!
KABANOV.
But why are you like this? Come, forgive me!
KATERINA (_still in the same position, slightly shaking her head_).
Peace be with you! (_Hiding her face in her hands_) She has hurt me!
KABANOV.
If you take everything to heart so, you'll soon fall into a decline. Why
listen to her! You know she must talk! Well then, let her talk, and you
let it go in at one ear and out at the other. Come, good-bye, Katia!
KATERINA (_falling on her husband's neck_).
Tisha, don't go away! For God's sake, don't go away! Dear one, I implore
you!
KABANOV.
I must, Katia. When mamma sends me, how can I not go?
KATERINA.
Well, take me with you, do take me!
KABANOV (_freeing himself from her embrace_).
But it's impossible!
KATERINA.
Oh, why, Tisha, impossible?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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