ACT ONE.

ACT ONE.A cellar resembling a cave. The ceiling, which merges into stone walls, is low and grimy, and the plaster and paint are peeling off. There is a window, high up on the right wall, from which comes the light. The right corner, which constitutes Pepel’s room, is partitioned off by thin boards. Close to the corner of this room is Bubnoff’s wooden bunk. In the left corner stands a large Russian stove. In the stone wall, left, is a door leading to the kitchen where live Kvashnya, the Baron, and Nastya. Against the wall, between the stove and the door, is a large bed covered with dirty chintz. Bunks line the walls. In the foreground, by the left wall, is a block of wood with a vise and a small anvil fastened to it, and another smaller block of wood somewhat further towards the back. Kleshtch is seated on the smaller block, trying keys into old locks. At his feet are two large bundles of various keys, wired together, also a battered tin samovar, a hammer, and pincers. In the centre are a large table, two benches, and a stool, all of which are of dirty, unpainted wood. Behind the table Kvashnya is busying herself with the samovar. The Baron sits chewing a piece of black bread, and Nastya occupies the stool, leans her elbows on the table, and reads a tattered book. In the bed, behind curtains, Anna lies coughing. Bubnoff is seated on his bunk, attempting to shape a pair of old trousers with the help of an ancient hat shape which he holds between his knees. Scattered about him are pieces of buckram, oilcloth, and rags. Satine, just awakened, lies in his bunk, grunting. On top of thestove, the Actor, invisible to the audience, tosses about and coughs.It is an early spring morning.THEBARON. And then?KVASHNYA. No, my dear, said I, keep away from me with such proposals. I’ve been through it all, you see—and not for a hundred baked lobsters would I marry again!BUBNOFF[to Satine] What are you grunting about? [Satine keeps on grunting]KVASHNYA. Why should I, said I, a free woman, my own mistress, enter my name into somebody else’s passport and sell myself into slavery—no! Why—I wouldn’t marry a man even if he were an American prince!KLESHTCH. You lie!KVASHNYA. Wha-at?KLESHTCH. You lie! You’re going to marry Abramka. . . .THEBARON[snatching the book out of Nastya’s hand and reading the title] “Fatal Love” . . . [Laughs]NASTYA[stretching out her hand] Give it back—give it back! Stop fooling![The Baron looks at her and waves the book in the air]KVASHNYA[to Kleshtch] You crimson goat, you—calling me a liar! How dare you be so rude to me?THEBARON[hitting Nastya on the head with the book] Nastya, you little fool!NASTYA[reaching for the book] Give it back!KLESHTCH. Oh—what a great lady . . . but you’ll marry Abramka just the same—that’s all you’re waiting for . . .KVASHNYA. Sure! Anything else? You nearly beat your wife to death!KLESHTCH. Shut up, you old bitch! It’s none of your business!KVASHNYA. Ho-ho! can’t stand the truth, can you?THEBARON. They’re off again! Nastya, where are you?NASTYA[without lifting her head] Hey—go away!ANNA[putting her head through the curtains] The day has started. For God’s sake, don’t row!KLESHTCH. Whining again!ANNA. Every blessed day . . . let me die in peace, can’t you?BUBNOFF. Noise won’t keep you from dying.KVASHNYA[walking up to Anna] Little mother, how did you ever manage to live with this wretch?ANNA. Leave me alone—get away from me. . . .KVASHNYA. Well, well! You poor soul . . . how’s the pain in the chest—any better?THEBARON. Kvashnya! Time to go to market. . . .KVASHNYA. We’ll go presently. [To Anna] Like some hot dumplings?ANNA. No, thanks. Why should I eat?KVASHNYA. You must eat. Hot food—good for you! I’ll leave you some in a cup. Eat them when you feel like it. Come on, sir! [To Kleshtch] You evil spirit! [Goes into kitchen]ANNA[coughing] Lord, Lord . . .THEBARON[painfully pushing forward Nastya’s head] Throw it away—little fool!NASTYA[muttering] Leave me alone—I don’t bother you . . .[The Baron follows Kvashnya, whistling.]SATINE[sitting up in his bunk] Who beat me up yesterday?BUBNOFF. Does it make any difference who?SATINE. Suppose they did—but why did they?BUBNOFF. Were you playing cards?SATINE. Yes!BUBNOFF. That’s why they beat you.SATINE. Scoundrels!THEACTOR[raising his head from the top of the stove] One of these days they’ll beat you to death!SATINE. You’re a jackass!THEACTOR. Why?SATINE. Because a man can die only once!THEACTOR[after a silence] I don’t understand—KLESHTCH. Say! You crawl from that stove—and start cleaning house! Don’t play the delicate primrose!THEACTOR. None of your business!KLESHTCH. Wait till Vassilisa comes—she’ll show you whose business it is!THEACTOR. To hell with Vassilisa! To-day is the Baron’s turn to clean. . . . Baron![The Baron comes from the kitchen.]THEBARON. I’ve no time to clean . . . I’m going to market with Kvashnya.THEACTOR. That doesn’t concern me. Go to the gallows if you like. It’s your turn to sweep the floor just the same—I’m not going to do other people’s work . . .THEBARON. Go to blazes! Nastya will do it. Hey there—fatal love! Wake up! [Takes the book away from Nastya]NASTYA[getting up] What do you want? Give itback to me! You scoundrel! And that’s a nobleman for you!THEBARON[returning the book to her] Nastya! Sweep the floor for me—will you?NASTYA[goes to kitchen] Not so’s you’ll notice it!KVASHNYA[to the Baron through kitchen door] Come on—you! They don’t need you! Actor! You were asked to do it, and now you go ahead and attend to it—it won’t kill you . . .THEACTOR. It’s always I . . . I don’t understand why. . . .[The Baron comes from the kitchen, across his shoulders a wooden beam from which hang earthen pots covered with rags.]THEBARON. Heavier than ever!SATINE. It paid you to be born a Baron, eh?KVASHNYA[to Actor] See to it that you sweep up! [Crosses to outer door, letting the Baron pass ahead]THEACTOR[climbing down from the stove] It’s bad for me to inhale dust. [With pride] My organism is poisoned with alcohol. [Sits down on a bunk, meditating]SATINE. Organism—organon. . . .ANNA. Andrei Mitritch. . . .KLESHTCH. What now?ANNA. Kvashnya left me some dumplings over there—you eat them!KLESHTCH[coming over to her] And you—don’t you want any?ANNA. No. Why should I eat? You’re a workman—you need it.KLESHTCH. Frightened, are you? Don’t be! You’ll get all right!ANNA. Go and eat! It’s hard on me. . . . I suppose very soon . . .KLESHTCH[walking away] Never mind—maybe you’ll get well—you can never tell! [Goes into kitchen]THEACTOR[loud, as if he had suddenly awakened] Yesterday the doctor in the hospital said to me: “Your organism,” he said, “is entirely poisoned with alcohol . . .”SATINE[smiling] Organon . . .THEACTOR[stubbornly] Not organon—organism!SATINE. Sibylline. . . .THEACTOR[shaking his fist at him] Nonsense! I’m telling you seriously . . . if the organism is poisoned . . . that means it’s bad for me to sweep the floor—to inhale the dust . . .SATINE. Macrobistic . . . hah!BUBNOFF. What are you muttering?SATINE. Words—and here’s another one for you—transcendentalistic . . .BUBNOFF. What does it mean?SATINE. Don’t know—I forgot . . .BUBNOFF. Then why did you say it?SATINE. Just so! I’m bored, brother, with human words—all our words. Bored! I’ve heard each one of them a thousand times surely.THEACTOR. In Hamlet they say: “Words, words, words!” It’s a good play. I played the grave-digger in it once. . . .[Kleshtch comes from the kitchen.]KLESHTCH. Will you start playing with the broom?THEACTOR. None of your business. [Striking his chest] Ophelia! O—remember me in thy prayers![Back stage is heard a dull murmur, cries, and a police whistle. Kleshtch sits down to work, filing screechily.]SATINE. I love unintelligible, obsolete words. When I was a youngster—and worked as a telegraph operator—I read heaps of books. . . .BUBNOFF. Were you really a telegrapher?SATINE. I was. There are some excellent books—and lots of curious words . . . Once I was an educated man, do you know?BUBNOFF. I’ve heard it a hundred times. Well, so you were! That isn’t very important! Me—well—once I was a furrier. I had my own shop—what with dyeing the fur all day long, my arms were yellow up to the elbows, brother. I thought I’d never be able ever to get clean again—that I’d go to my grave, all yellow! But look at my hands now—they’re plain dirty—that’s what!SATINE. Well, and what then?BUBNOFF. That’s all!SATINE. What are you trying to prove?BUBNOFF. Oh, well—just matching thoughts—no matter how much dye you get on yourself, it all comes off in the end—yes, yes—SATINE. Oh—my bones ache!THEACTOR[sits, nursing his knees] Education is all rot. Talent is the thing. I knew an actor—who read his parts by heart, syllable by syllable—but he played heroes in a way that . . . why—the whole theatre would rock with ecstasy!SATINE. Bubnoff, give me five kopecks.BUBNOFF. I only have two—THEACTOR. I say—talent, that’s what you need to play heroes. And talent is nothing but faith in yourself, in your own powers—SATINE. Give me five kopecks and I’ll have faith that you’re a hero, a crocodile, or a police inspector—Kleshtch, give me five kopecks.KLESHTCH. Go to hell! All of you!SATINE. What are you cursing for? I know you haven’t a kopeck in the world!ANNA. Andrei Mitritch—I’m suffocating—I can’t breathe—KLESHTCH. What shall I do?BUBNOFF. Open the door into the hall.KLESHTCH. All right. You’re sitting on the bunk, I on the floor. You change places with me, and I’ll let you open the door. I have a cold as it is.BUBNOFF[unconcernedly] I don’t care if you open the door—it’s your wife who’s asking—KLESHTCH[morosely] I don’t care who’s asking—SATINE. My head buzzes—ah—why do people have to hit each other over the heads?BUBNOFF. They don’t only hit you over the head, but over the rest of the body as well. [Rises] I must go and buy some thread—our bosses are late to-day—seems as if they’ve croaked. [Exit][Anna coughs; Satine is lying down motionless, his hands folded behind his head.]THEACTOR[looks about him morosely, then goes to Anna] Feeling bad, eh?ANNA. I’m choking—THEACTOR. If you wish, I’ll take you into the hallway. Get up, then, come! [He helps her to rise, wraps some sort of a rag about her shoulders, and supports her toward the hall] It isn’t easy. I’m sick myself—poisoned with alcohol . . .[Kostilyoff appears in the doorway.]KOSTILYOFF. Going for a stroll? What a nice couple—the gallant cavalier and the lady fair!THEACTOR. Step aside, you—don’t you see that we’re invalids?KOSTILYOFF. Pass on, please! [Hums a religious tune, glances about him suspiciously, and bends his head to the left as if listening to what is happening in Pepel’s room. Kleshtch is jangling his keys and scraping away with his file, and looks askance at the other] Filing?KLESHTCH. What?KOSTILYOFF. I say, are you filing? [Pause] What did I want to ask? [Quick and low] Hasn’t my wife been here?KLESHTCH. I didn’t see her.KOSTILYOFF[carefully moving toward Pepel’s room] You take up a whole lot of room for your two rubles a month. The bed—and your bench—yes—you take up five rubles’ worth of space, so help me God! I’ll have to put another half ruble to your rent—KLESHTCH. You’ll put a noose around my neck and choke me . . . you’ll croak soon enough, and still all you think of is half rubles—KOSTILYOFF. Why should I choke you? What would be the use? God be with you—live and prosper! But I’ll have to raise you half a ruble—I’ll buy oil for the ikon lamp, and my offering will atone for my sins, and for yours as well. You don’t think much of your sins—not much! Oh, Andrushka, you’re a wicked man! Your wife is dying because of your wickedness—no one loves you, no one respects you—your work is squeaky, jarring on every one.KLESHTCH[shouts] What do you come here for—just to annoy me?[Satine grunts loudly.]KOSTILYOFF[with a start] God, what a noise![The Actor enters.]THEACTOR. I’ve put her down in the hall and wrapped her up.KOSTILYOFF. You’re a kindly fellow. That’s good. Some day you’ll be rewarded for it.THEACTOR. When?KOSTILYOFF. In the Beyond, little brother—there all our deeds will be reckoned up.THEACTOR. Suppose you reward me right now?KOSTILYOFF. How can I do that?THEACTOR. Wipe out half my debt.KOSTILYOFF. He-ho! You’re always jesting, darling—always poking fun . . . can kindliness of heart be repaid with gold? Kindliness—it’s above all other qualities. But your debt to me—remains a debt. And so you’ll have to pay me back. You ought to be kind to me, an old man, without seeking for reward!THEACTOR. You’re a swindler, old man! [Goes into kitchen][Kleshtch rises and goes into the hall.]KOSTILYOFF[to Satine] See that squeaker—? He ran away—he doesn’t like me!SATINE. Does anybody like you besides the Devil?KOSTILYOFF[laughing] Oh—you’re so quarrelsome! But I like you all—I understand you all, my unfortunate down-trodden, useless brethren . . . [Suddenly, rapidly] Is Vaska home?SATINE. See for yourself—KOSTILYOFF[goes to the door and knocks] Vaska![The Actor appears at the kitchen door, chewing something.]PEPEL. Who is it?KOSTILYOFF. It’s I—I, Vaska!PEPEL. What do you want?KOSTILYOFF[stepping aside] Open!SATINE[without looking at Kostilyoff] He’ll open—and she’s there—[The Actor makes a grimace.]KOSTILYOFF[in a low, anxious tone] Eh? Who’s there? What?SATINE. Speaking to me?KOSTILYOFF. What did you say?SATINE. Oh—nothing—I was just talking to myself—KOSTILYOFF. Take care, brother. Don’t carry your joking too far! [Knocks loudly at door] Vassily!PEPEL[opening door] Well? What are you disturbing me for?KOSTILYOFF[peering into room] I—you see—PEPEL. Did you bring the money?KOSTILYOFF. I’ve something to tell you—PEPEL. Did you bring the money?KOSTILYOFF. What money? Wait—PEPEL. Why—the seven rubles for the watch—well?KOSTILYOFF. What watch, Vaska? Oh, you—PEPEL. Look here. Yesterday, before witnesses, I sold you a watch for ten rubles, you gave me three—now let me have the other seven. What are you blinking for? You hang around here—you disturb people—and don’t seem to know yourself what you’re after.KOSTILYOFF. Sh-sh! Don’t be angry, Vaska. The watch—it is—SATINE. Stolen!KOSTILYOFF[sternly] I do not accept stolen goods—how can you imagine—PEPEL[taking him by the shoulder] What did you disturb me for? What do you want?KOSTILYOFF. I don’t want—anything. I’ll go—if you’re in such a state—PEPEL. Be off, and bring the money!KOSTILYOFF. What ruffians! I—I—[Exit]THEACTOR. What a farce!SATINE. That’s fine—I like it.PEPEL. What did he come here for?SATINE[laughing] Don’t you understand? He’s looking for his wife. Why don’t you beat him up once and for all, Vaska?PEPEL. Why should I let such trash interfere with my life?SATINE. Show some brains! And then you can marry Vassilisa—and become our boss—PEPEL. Heavenly bliss! And you’d smash up my household and, because I’m a soft-hearted fool, you’ll drink up everything I possess. [Sits on a bunk] Old devil—woke me up—I was having such a pleasant dream. I dreamed I was fishing—and I caught an enormous trout—such a trout as you only see in dreams! I was playing him—and I was so afraid the line would snap. I had just got out the gaff—and I thought to myself—in a moment—SATINE. It wasn’t a trout, it was Vassilisa—THEACTOR. He caught Vassilisa a long time ago.PEPEL[angrily] You can all go to the devil—and Vassilisa with you—[Kleshtch comes from the hall.]KLESHTCH. Devilishly cold!THEACTOR. Why didn’t you bring Anna back? She’ll freeze, out there—KLESHTCH. Natasha took her into the kitchen—THEACTOR. The old man will kick her out—KLESHTCH[sitting down to his work] Well—Natasha will bring her in here—SATINE. Vassily—give me five kopecks!THEACTOR[to Satine] Oh, you—always five kopecks—Vassya—give us twenty kopecks—PEPEL. I’d better give it to them now before they ask for a ruble. Here you are!SATINE. Gibraltar! There are no kindlier people in the world than thieves!KLESHTCH[morosely] They earn their money easily—they don’t work—SATINE. Many earn it easily, but not many part with it so easily. Work? Make work pleasant—and maybe I’ll work too. Yes—maybe. When work’s a pleasure, life’s, too. When it’s toil, then life is a drudge. [To the Actor] You, Sardanapalus! Come on!THEACTOR. Let’s go, Nebuchadnezzar! I’ll get as drunk as forty thousand topers![They leave.]PEPEL[yawning] Well, how’s your wife?KLESHTCH. It seems as if soon—[Pause.]PEPEL. Now I look at you—seems to me all that filing and scraping of yours is useless.KLESHTCH. Well—what else can I do?PEPEL. Nothing.KLESHTCH. How can I live?PEPEL. People manage, somehow.KLESHTCH. Them? Call them people? Muck and dregs—that’s what they are! I’m a workman—I’m ashamed even to look at them. I’ve slaved since I was a child. . . . D’you think I shan’t be able to tear myselfaway from here? I’ll crawl out of here, even if I have to leave my skin behind—but crawl out I will! Just wait . . . my wife’ll die . . . I’ve lived here six months, and it seems like six years.PEPEL. Nobody here’s any worse off than you . . . say what you like . . .KLESHTCH. No worse is right. They’ve neither honor nor conscience.PEPEL[indifferently] What good does it do—honor or conscience? Can you get them on their feet instead of on their uppers—through honor and conscience? Honor and conscience are needed only by those who have power and energy . . .BUBNOFF[coming back] Oh—I’m frozen . . .PEPEL. Bubnoff! Got a conscience?BUBNOFF. What? A conscience?PEPEL. Exactly!BUBNOFF. What do I need a conscience for? I’m not rich.PEPEL. Just what I said: honor and conscience are for the rich—right! And Kleshtch is upbraiding us because we haven’t any!BUBNOFF. Why—did he want to borrow some of it?PEPEL. No—he has plenty of his own . . .BUBNOFF. Oh—are you selling it? You won’t sell much around here. But if you had some old boxes, I’d buy them—on credit . . .PEPEL[didactically] You’re a jackass, Andrushka! On the subject of conscience you ought to hear Satine—or the Baron . . .KLESHTCH. I’ve nothing to talk to them about!PEPEL. They have more brains than you—even if they’re drunkards . . .BUBNOFF. He who can be drunk and wise at the same time is doubly blessed . . .PEPEL. Satine says every man expects his neighbor to have a conscience, but—you see—it isn’t to any one’s advantage to have one—that’s a fact.[Natasha enters, followed by Luka who carries a stick in his hand, a bundle on his back, a kettle and a teapot slung from his belt.]LUKA. How are you, honest folks?PEPEL[twisting his mustache] Aha—Natasha!BUBNOFF[to Luka] I was honest—up to spring before last.NATASHA. Here’s a new lodger . . .LUKA. Oh, it’s all the same to me. Crooks—I don’t mind them, either. For my part there’s no bad flea—they’re all black—and they all jump— . . . Well, dearie, show me where I can stow myself.NATASHA[pointing to kitchen door] Go in there, grand-dad.LUKA. Thanks, girlie! One place is like another—as long as an old fellow keeps warm, he keeps happy . . .PEPEL. What an amusing old codger you brought in, Natasha!NATASHA. A hanged sight more interesting than you! . . . Andrei, your wife’s in the kitchen with us—come and fetch her after a while . . .KLESHTCH. All right—I will . . .NATASHA. And be a little more kind to her—you know she won’t last much longer.KLESHTCH. I know . . .NATASHA. Knowing won’t do any good—it’s terrible—dying—don’t you understand?PEPEL. Well—look at me—I’m not afraid . . .NATASHA. Oh—you’re a wonder, aren’t you?BUBNOFF[whistling] Oh—this thread’s rotten . . .PEPEL. Honestly, I’m not afraid! I’m ready to die right now. Knife me to the heart—and I’ll die without making a sound . . . even gladly—from such a pure hand . . .NATASHA[going out] Spin that yarn for some one else!BUBNOFF. Oh—that thread is rotten—rotten—NATASHA[at hallway door] Don’t forget your wife, Andrei!KLESHTCH. All right.PEPEL. She’s a wonderful girl!BUBNOFF. She’s all right.PEPEL. What makes her so curt with me? Anyway—she’ll come to no good here . . .BUBNOFF. Through you—sure!PEPEL. Why through me? I feel sorry for her . . .BUBNOFF. As the wolf for the lamb!PEPEL. You lie! I feel very sorry for her . . . very . . . very sorry! She has a tough life here—I can see that . . .KLESHTCH. Just wait till Vassilisa catches you talking to her!BUBNOFF. Vassilisa? She won’t give up so easily what belongs to her—she’s a cruel woman!PEPEL[stretching himself on the bunk] You two prophets can go to hell!KLESHTCH. Just wait—you’ll see!LUKA[singing in the kitchen] “In the dark of the night the way is black . . .”KLESHTCH. Another one who yelps!PEPEL. It’s dreary! Why do I feel so dreary? Youlive—and everything seems all right. But suddenly a cold chill goes through you—and then everything gets dreary . . .BUBNOFF. Dreary? Hm-hm—PEPEL. Yes—yes—LUKA[sings] “The way is black . . .”PEPEL. Old fellow! Hey there!LUKA[looking from kitchen door] You call me?PEPEL. Yes. Don’t sing!LUKA[coming in] You don’t like it?PEPEL. When people sing well I like it—LUKA. In other words—I don’t sing well?PEPEL. Evidently!LUKA. Well, well—and I thought I sang well. That’s always the way: a man imagines there’s one thing he can do well, and suddenly he finds out that other people don’t think so . . .PEPEL[laughs] That’s right . . .BUBNOFF. First you say you feel dreary—and then you laugh!PEPEL. None of your business, raven!LUKA. Who do they say feels dreary?PEPEL. I do.[The Baron enters.]LUKA. Well, well—out there in the kitchen there’s a girl reading and crying! That’s so! Her eyes are wet with tears . . . I say to her: “What’s the matter, darling?” And she says: “It’s so sad!” “What’s so sad?” say I. “The book!” says she.—And that’s how people spend their time. Just because they’re bored . . .THEBARON. She’s a fool!PEPEL. Have you had tea, Baron?THEBARON. Yes. Go on!PEPEL. Well—want me to open a bottle?THEBARON. Of course. Go on!PEPEL. Drop on all fours, and bark like a dog!THEBARON. Fool! What’s the matter with you? Are you drunk?PEPEL. Go on—bark a little! It’ll amuse me. You’re an aristocrat. You didn’t even consider us human formerly, did you?THEBARON. Go on!PEPEL. Well—and now I am making you bark like a dog—and you will bark, won’t you?THEBARON. All right. I will. You jackass! What pleasure can you derive from it since I myself know that I have sunk almost lower than you. You should have made me drop on all fours in the days when I was still above you.BUBNOFF. That’s right . . .LUKA. I say so, too!BUBNOFF. What’s over, is over. Remain only trivialities. We know no class distinctions here. We’ve shed all pride and self-respect. Blood and bone—man—just plain man—that’s what we are!LUKA. In other words, we’re all equal . . . and you, friend, were you really a Baron?THEBARON. Who are you? A ghost?LUKA[laughing] I’ve seen counts and princes in my day—this is the first time I meet a baron—and one who’s decaying—at that!PEPEL[laughing] Baron, I blush for you!THEBARON. It’s time you knew better, Vassily . . .LUKA. Hey-hey—I look at you, brothers—the life you’re leading . . .BUBNOFF. Such a life! As soon as the sun rises, our voices rise, too—in quarrels!THEBARON. We’ve all seen better days—yes! I used to wake up in the morning and drink my coffee in bed—coffee—with cream! Yes—LUKA. And yet we’re all human beings. Pretend all you want to, put on all the airs you wish, but man you were born, and man you must die. And as I watch I see that the wiser people get, the busier they get—and though from bad to worse, they still strive to improve—stubbornly—THEBARON. Who are you, old fellow? Where do you come from?LUKA. I?THEBARON. Are you a tramp?LUKA. We’re all of us tramps—why—I’ve heard said that the very earth we walk on is nothing but a tramp in the universe.THEBARON[severely] Perhaps. But have you a passport?LUKA[after a short pause] And what are you—a police inspector?PEPEL[delighted] You scored, old fellow! Well, Barosha, you got it this time!BUBNOFF. Yes—our little aristocrat got his!THEBARON[embarrassed] What’s the matter? I was only joking, old man. Why, brother, I haven’t a passport, either.BUBNOFF. You lie!THEBARON. Oh—well—I have some sort of papers—but they have no value—LUKA. They’re papers just the same—and no papers are any good—PEPEL. Baron—come on to the saloon with me—THEBARON. I’m ready. Good-bye, old man—you old scamp—LUKA. Maybe I am one, brother—PEPEL[near doorway] Come on—come on![Leaves, Baron following him quickly.]LUKA. Was he really once a Baron?BUBNOFF. Who knows? A gentleman—? Yes. That much he’s even now. Occasionally it sticks out. He never got rid of the habit.LUKA. Nobility is like small-pox. A man may get over it—but it leaves marks . . .BUBNOFF. He’s all right all the same—occasionally he kicks—as he did about your passport . . .[Alyoshka comes in, slightly drunk, with a concertina in his hand, whistling.]ALYOSHKA. Hey there, lodgers!BUBNOFF. What are you yelling for?ALYOSHKA. Excuse me—I beg your pardon! I’m a well-bred man—BUBNOFF. On a spree again?ALYOSHKA. Right you are! A moment ago Medyakin, the precinct captain, threw me out of the police station and said: “Look here—I don’t want as much as a smell of you to stay in the streets—d’you hear?” I’m a man of principles, and the boss croaks at me—and what’s a boss anyway—pah!—it’s all bosh—the boss is a drunkard. I don’t make any demands on life. I want nothing—that’s all. Offer me one ruble, offer me twenty—it doesn’t affect me. [Nastya comes from the kitchen] Offer me a million—I won’t take it! And to think that I, a respectable man, should be ordered about by a pal of mine—and he a drunkard! I won’t have it—I won’t![Nastya stands in the doorway, shaking her head at Alyoshka.]LUKA[good-naturedly] Well, boy, you’re a bit confused—BUBNOFF. Aren’t men fools!ALYOSHKA[stretches out on the floor] Here, eat me up alive—and I don’t want anything. I’m a desperate man. Show me one better! Why am I worse than others? There! Medyakin said: “If you show yourself on the streets I smash your face!” And yet I shall go out—I’ll go—and stretch out in the middle of the street—let them choke me—I don’t want a thing!NASTYA. Poor fellow—only a boy—and he’s already putting on such airs—ALYOSHKA[kneeling before her] Lady! Mademoiselle!Parlez français—? Prix courrant?I’m on a spree—NASTYA[in a loud whisper] Vassilisa!VASSILISA[opens door quickly; to Alyoshka] You here again?ALYOSHKA. How do you do—? Come in—you’re welcome—VASSILISA. I told you, young puppy, that not a shadow of you should stick around here—and you’re back—eh?ALYOSHKA. Vassilisa Karpovna . . . shall I tune up a funeral march for you?VASSILISA[seizing him by the shoulders] Get out!ALYOSHKA[moving towards the door] Wait—you can’t put me out this way! I learned this funeral march a little while ago! It’s refreshing music . . . wait—you can’t put me out like that!VASSILISA. I’ll show whether I can or not. I’ll rouse the whole street against you—you foul-mouthed creature—you’re too young to bark about me—ALYOSHKA[running out] All right—I’ll go—VASSILISA. Look out—I’ll get you yet!ALYOSHKA[opens the door and shouts] Vassilisa Karpovna—I’m not afraid of you—[Hides][Luka laughs.]VASSILISA. Who are you?LUKA. A passer-by—a traveler . . .VASSILISA. Stopping for the night or going to stay here?LUKA. I’ll see.VASSILISA. Have you a passport?LUKA. Yes.VASSILISA. Give it to me.LUKA. I’ll bring it over to your house—VASSILISA. Call yourself a traveler? If you’d say a tramp—that would be nearer the truth—LUKA[sighing] You’re not very kindly, mother![Vassilisa goes to door that leads to Pepel’s room, Alyoshka pokes his head through the kitchen door.]ALYOSHKA. Has she left?VASSILISA[turning around] Are you still here?[Alyoshka disappears, whistling. Nastya and Luka laugh.]BUBNOFF[to Vassilisa] He isn’t here—VASSILISA. Who?BUBNOFF. Vaska.VASSILISA. Did I ask you about him?BUBNOFF. I noticed you were looking around—VASSILISA. I am looking to see if things are in order, you see? Why aren’t the floors swept yet? How often did I give orders to keep the house clean?BUBNOFF. It’s the actor’s turn to sweep—VASSILISA. Never mind whose turn it is! If thehealth inspector comes and fines me, I’ll throw out the lot of you—BUBNOFF[calmly] Then how are you going to earn your living?VASSILISA. I don’t want a speck of dirt! [Goes to kitchen; to Nastya] What are you hanging round here for? Why’s your face all swollen up? Why are you standing there like a dummy? Go on—sweep the floor! Did you see Natalia? Was she here?NASTYA. I don’t know—I haven’t seen her . . .VASSILISA. Bubnoff! Was my sister here?BUBNOFF. She brought him along.VASSILISA. That one—was he home?BUBNOFF. Vassily? Yes—Natalia was here talking to Kleshtch—VASSILISA. I’m not asking you whom she talked to. Dirt everywhere—filth—oh, you swine! Mop it all up—do you hear? [Exit rapidly]BUBNOFF. What a savage beast she is!LUKA. She’s a lady that means business!NASTYA. You grow to be an animal, leading such a life—any human being tied to such a husband as hers . . .BUBNOFF. Well—that tie isn’t worrying her any—LUKA. Does she always have these fits?BUBNOFF. Always. You see, she came to find her lover—but he isn’t home—LUKA. I guess she was hurt. Oh-ho! Everybody is trying to be boss—and is threatening everybody else with all kinds of punishment—and still there’s no order in life . . . and no cleanliness—BUBNOFF. All the world likes order—but some people’s brains aren’t fit for it. All the same—the room should be swept—Nastya—you ought to get busy!NASTYA. Oh, certainly? Anything else? Think I’m your servant? [Silence] I’m going to get drunk to-night—dead-drunk!BUBNOFF. Fine business!LUKA. Why do you want to get drunk, girlie? A while ago you were crying—and now you say you’ll get drunk—NASTYA[defiantly] I’ll drink—then I cry again—that’s all there’s to it!BUBNOFF. That’s nothing!LUKA. But for what reason—tell me! Every pimple has a cause! [Nastya remains silent, shaking her head] Oh—you men—what’s to become of you? All right—I’ll sweep the place. Where’s your broom?BUBNOFF. Behind the door—in the hall—[Luka goes into the hall.]Nastinka!NASTYA. Yes?BUBNOFF. Why did Vassilisa jump on Alyoshka?NASTYA. He told her that Vaska was tired of her and was going to get rid of her—and that he’s going to make up to Natasha—I’ll go away from here—I’ll find another lodging-house—BUBNOFF. Why? Where?NASTYA. I’m sick of this—I’m not wanted here!BUBNOFF[calmly] You’re not wanted anywhere—and, anyway, all people on earth are superfluous—[Nastya shakes her head. Rises and slowly, quietly, leaves the cellar. Miedviedieff comes in. Luka, with the broom, follows him.]MIEDVIEDIEFF. I don’t think I know you—LUKA. How about the others—d’you know them all?MIEDVIEDIEFF. I must know everybody in my precinct. But I don’t know you.LUKA. That’s because, uncle, the whole world can’t stow itself away in your precinct—some of it was bound to remain outside . . . [Goes into kitchen]MIEDVIEDIEFF[crosses to Bubnoff] It’s true—my precinct is rather small—yet it’s worse than any of the very largest. Just now, before getting off duty, I had to bring Alyoshka, the shoemaker, to the station house. Just imagine—there he was, stretched right in the middle of the street, playing his concertina and yelping: “I want nothing, nothing!” Horses going past all the time—and with all the traffic going on, he could easily have been run over—and so on! He’s a wild youngster—so I just collared him—he likes to make mischief—BUBNOFF. Coming to play checkers to-night?MIEDVIEDIEFF. Yes—I’ll come—how’s Vaska?BUBNOFF. Same as ever—MIEDVIEDIEFF. Meaning—he’s getting along—?BUBNOFF. Why shouldn’t he? He’s able to get along all right.MIEDVIEDIEFF[doubtfully] Why shouldn’t he? [Luka goes into hallway, carrying a pail] M-yes—there’s a lot of talk about Vaska. Haven’t you heard?BUBNOFF. I hear all sorts of gossip . . .MIEDVIEDIEFF. There seems to have been some sort of talk concerning Vassilisa. Haven’t you heard about it?BUBNOFF. What?MIEDVIEDIEFF. Oh—why—generally speaking. Perhaps you know—and lie. Everybody knows—[Severely] You mustn’t lie, brother!BUBNOFF. Why should I lie?MIEDVIEDIEFF. That’s right. Dogs! They say that Vaska and Vassilisa . . . but what’s that to me? I’mnot her father. I’m her uncle. Why should they ridicule me? [Kvashnya comes in] What are people coming to? They laugh at everything. Aha—you here?KVASHNYA. Well—my love-sick garrison—? Bubnoff! He came up to me again on the marketplace and started pestering me about marrying him . . .BUBNOFF. Go to it! Why not? He has money and he’s still a husky fellow.MIEDVIEDIEFF. Me—? I should say so!KVASHNYA. You ruffian! Don’t you dare touch my sore spot! I’ve gone through it once already, darling. Marriage to a woman is just like jumping through a hole in the ice in winter. You do it once, and you remember it the rest of your life . . .MIEDVIEDIEFF. Wait! There are different breeds of husbands . . .KVASHNYA. But there’s only one of me! When my beloved husband kicked the bucket, I spent the whole day all by my lonely—just bursting with joy. I sat and simply couldn’t believe it was true. . . .MIEDVIEDIEFF. If your husband beat you without cause, you should have complained to the police.KVASHNYA. I complained to God for eight years—and he didn’t help.MIEDVIEDIEFF. Nowadays the law forbids to beat your wife . . . all is very strict these days—there’s law and order everywhere. You can’t beat up people without due cause. If you beat them to maintain discipline—all right . . .LUKA[comes in with Anna] Well—we finally managed to get here after all. Oh, you! Why do you, weak as you are, walk about alone? Where’s your bunk?ANNA[pointing] Thank you, grand-dad.KVASHNYA. There—she’s married—look at her!LUKA. The little woman is in very bad shape . . . she was creeping along the hallway, clinging to the wall and moaning—why do you leave her by herself?KVASHNYA. Oh, pure carelessness on our part, little father—forgive us! Her maid, it appears, went out for a walk . . .LUKA. Go on—poke fun at me . . . but, all the same, how can you neglect a human being like that? No matter who or what, every human life has its worth . . .MIEDVIEDIEFF. There should be supervision! Suppose she died suddenly—? That would cause a lot of bother . . . we must look after her!LUKA. True, sergeant!MIEDVIEDIEFF. Well—yes—though I’m not a sergeant—ah—yet!LUKA. No! But you carry yourself most martially![Noise of shuffling feet is heard in the hallway. Muffled cries.]MIEDVIEDIEFF. What now—a row?BUBNOFF. Sounds like it?KVASHNYA. I’ll go and see . . .MIEDVIEDIEFF. I’ll go, too. It is my duty! Why separate people when they fight? They’ll stop sooner or later of their own accord. One gets tired of fighting. Why not let them fight all they want to—freely? They wouldn’t fight half as often—if they’d remember former beatings . . .BUBNOFF[climbing down from his bunk] Why don’t you speak to your superiors about it?KOSTILYOFF[throws open the door and shouts] Abram! Come quick—Vassilisa is killing Natasha—come quick![Kvashnya, Miedviedieff, and Bubnoff rush into hallway; Luka looks after them, shaking his head.]ANNA. Oh God—poor little Natasha . . .LUKA. Who’s fighting out there?ANNA. Our landladies—they’re sisters . . .LUKA[crossing to Anna] Why?ANNA. Oh—for no reason—except that they’re both fat and healthy . . .LUKA. What’s your name?ANNA. Anna . . . I look at you . . . you’re like my father—my dear father . . . you’re as gentle as he was—and as soft. . . .LUKA. Soft! Yes! They pounded me till I got soft! [Laughs tremulously]CURTAIN.[Portrait]MAXIM GORKY: RUSSIA’S GREATEST LIVING PLAYWRIGHT

A cellar resembling a cave. The ceiling, which merges into stone walls, is low and grimy, and the plaster and paint are peeling off. There is a window, high up on the right wall, from which comes the light. The right corner, which constitutes Pepel’s room, is partitioned off by thin boards. Close to the corner of this room is Bubnoff’s wooden bunk. In the left corner stands a large Russian stove. In the stone wall, left, is a door leading to the kitchen where live Kvashnya, the Baron, and Nastya. Against the wall, between the stove and the door, is a large bed covered with dirty chintz. Bunks line the walls. In the foreground, by the left wall, is a block of wood with a vise and a small anvil fastened to it, and another smaller block of wood somewhat further towards the back. Kleshtch is seated on the smaller block, trying keys into old locks. At his feet are two large bundles of various keys, wired together, also a battered tin samovar, a hammer, and pincers. In the centre are a large table, two benches, and a stool, all of which are of dirty, unpainted wood. Behind the table Kvashnya is busying herself with the samovar. The Baron sits chewing a piece of black bread, and Nastya occupies the stool, leans her elbows on the table, and reads a tattered book. In the bed, behind curtains, Anna lies coughing. Bubnoff is seated on his bunk, attempting to shape a pair of old trousers with the help of an ancient hat shape which he holds between his knees. Scattered about him are pieces of buckram, oilcloth, and rags. Satine, just awakened, lies in his bunk, grunting. On top of thestove, the Actor, invisible to the audience, tosses about and coughs.It is an early spring morning.

A cellar resembling a cave. The ceiling, which merges into stone walls, is low and grimy, and the plaster and paint are peeling off. There is a window, high up on the right wall, from which comes the light. The right corner, which constitutes Pepel’s room, is partitioned off by thin boards. Close to the corner of this room is Bubnoff’s wooden bunk. In the left corner stands a large Russian stove. In the stone wall, left, is a door leading to the kitchen where live Kvashnya, the Baron, and Nastya. Against the wall, between the stove and the door, is a large bed covered with dirty chintz. Bunks line the walls. In the foreground, by the left wall, is a block of wood with a vise and a small anvil fastened to it, and another smaller block of wood somewhat further towards the back. Kleshtch is seated on the smaller block, trying keys into old locks. At his feet are two large bundles of various keys, wired together, also a battered tin samovar, a hammer, and pincers. In the centre are a large table, two benches, and a stool, all of which are of dirty, unpainted wood. Behind the table Kvashnya is busying herself with the samovar. The Baron sits chewing a piece of black bread, and Nastya occupies the stool, leans her elbows on the table, and reads a tattered book. In the bed, behind curtains, Anna lies coughing. Bubnoff is seated on his bunk, attempting to shape a pair of old trousers with the help of an ancient hat shape which he holds between his knees. Scattered about him are pieces of buckram, oilcloth, and rags. Satine, just awakened, lies in his bunk, grunting. On top of thestove, the Actor, invisible to the audience, tosses about and coughs.

It is an early spring morning.

THEBARON. And then?

KVASHNYA. No, my dear, said I, keep away from me with such proposals. I’ve been through it all, you see—and not for a hundred baked lobsters would I marry again!

BUBNOFF[to Satine] What are you grunting about? [Satine keeps on grunting]

KVASHNYA. Why should I, said I, a free woman, my own mistress, enter my name into somebody else’s passport and sell myself into slavery—no! Why—I wouldn’t marry a man even if he were an American prince!

KLESHTCH. You lie!

KVASHNYA. Wha-at?

KLESHTCH. You lie! You’re going to marry Abramka. . . .

THEBARON[snatching the book out of Nastya’s hand and reading the title] “Fatal Love” . . . [Laughs]

NASTYA[stretching out her hand] Give it back—give it back! Stop fooling!

[The Baron looks at her and waves the book in the air]

KVASHNYA[to Kleshtch] You crimson goat, you—calling me a liar! How dare you be so rude to me?

THEBARON[hitting Nastya on the head with the book] Nastya, you little fool!

NASTYA[reaching for the book] Give it back!

KLESHTCH. Oh—what a great lady . . . but you’ll marry Abramka just the same—that’s all you’re waiting for . . .

KVASHNYA. Sure! Anything else? You nearly beat your wife to death!

KLESHTCH. Shut up, you old bitch! It’s none of your business!

KVASHNYA. Ho-ho! can’t stand the truth, can you?

THEBARON. They’re off again! Nastya, where are you?

NASTYA[without lifting her head] Hey—go away!

ANNA[putting her head through the curtains] The day has started. For God’s sake, don’t row!

KLESHTCH. Whining again!

ANNA. Every blessed day . . . let me die in peace, can’t you?

BUBNOFF. Noise won’t keep you from dying.

KVASHNYA[walking up to Anna] Little mother, how did you ever manage to live with this wretch?

ANNA. Leave me alone—get away from me. . . .

KVASHNYA. Well, well! You poor soul . . . how’s the pain in the chest—any better?

THEBARON. Kvashnya! Time to go to market. . . .

KVASHNYA. We’ll go presently. [To Anna] Like some hot dumplings?

ANNA. No, thanks. Why should I eat?

KVASHNYA. You must eat. Hot food—good for you! I’ll leave you some in a cup. Eat them when you feel like it. Come on, sir! [To Kleshtch] You evil spirit! [Goes into kitchen]

ANNA[coughing] Lord, Lord . . .

THEBARON[painfully pushing forward Nastya’s head] Throw it away—little fool!

NASTYA[muttering] Leave me alone—I don’t bother you . . .

[The Baron follows Kvashnya, whistling.]

SATINE[sitting up in his bunk] Who beat me up yesterday?

BUBNOFF. Does it make any difference who?

SATINE. Suppose they did—but why did they?

BUBNOFF. Were you playing cards?

SATINE. Yes!

BUBNOFF. That’s why they beat you.

SATINE. Scoundrels!

THEACTOR[raising his head from the top of the stove] One of these days they’ll beat you to death!

SATINE. You’re a jackass!

THEACTOR. Why?

SATINE. Because a man can die only once!

THEACTOR[after a silence] I don’t understand—

KLESHTCH. Say! You crawl from that stove—and start cleaning house! Don’t play the delicate primrose!

THEACTOR. None of your business!

KLESHTCH. Wait till Vassilisa comes—she’ll show you whose business it is!

THEACTOR. To hell with Vassilisa! To-day is the Baron’s turn to clean. . . . Baron!

[The Baron comes from the kitchen.]

THEBARON. I’ve no time to clean . . . I’m going to market with Kvashnya.

THEACTOR. That doesn’t concern me. Go to the gallows if you like. It’s your turn to sweep the floor just the same—I’m not going to do other people’s work . . .

THEBARON. Go to blazes! Nastya will do it. Hey there—fatal love! Wake up! [Takes the book away from Nastya]

NASTYA[getting up] What do you want? Give itback to me! You scoundrel! And that’s a nobleman for you!

THEBARON[returning the book to her] Nastya! Sweep the floor for me—will you?

NASTYA[goes to kitchen] Not so’s you’ll notice it!

KVASHNYA[to the Baron through kitchen door] Come on—you! They don’t need you! Actor! You were asked to do it, and now you go ahead and attend to it—it won’t kill you . . .

THEACTOR. It’s always I . . . I don’t understand why. . . .

[The Baron comes from the kitchen, across his shoulders a wooden beam from which hang earthen pots covered with rags.]

THEBARON. Heavier than ever!

SATINE. It paid you to be born a Baron, eh?

KVASHNYA[to Actor] See to it that you sweep up! [Crosses to outer door, letting the Baron pass ahead]

THEACTOR[climbing down from the stove] It’s bad for me to inhale dust. [With pride] My organism is poisoned with alcohol. [Sits down on a bunk, meditating]

SATINE. Organism—organon. . . .

ANNA. Andrei Mitritch. . . .

KLESHTCH. What now?

ANNA. Kvashnya left me some dumplings over there—you eat them!

KLESHTCH[coming over to her] And you—don’t you want any?

ANNA. No. Why should I eat? You’re a workman—you need it.

KLESHTCH. Frightened, are you? Don’t be! You’ll get all right!

ANNA. Go and eat! It’s hard on me. . . . I suppose very soon . . .

KLESHTCH[walking away] Never mind—maybe you’ll get well—you can never tell! [Goes into kitchen]

THEACTOR[loud, as if he had suddenly awakened] Yesterday the doctor in the hospital said to me: “Your organism,” he said, “is entirely poisoned with alcohol . . .”

SATINE[smiling] Organon . . .

THEACTOR[stubbornly] Not organon—organism!

SATINE. Sibylline. . . .

THEACTOR[shaking his fist at him] Nonsense! I’m telling you seriously . . . if the organism is poisoned . . . that means it’s bad for me to sweep the floor—to inhale the dust . . .

SATINE. Macrobistic . . . hah!

BUBNOFF. What are you muttering?

SATINE. Words—and here’s another one for you—transcendentalistic . . .

BUBNOFF. What does it mean?

SATINE. Don’t know—I forgot . . .

BUBNOFF. Then why did you say it?

SATINE. Just so! I’m bored, brother, with human words—all our words. Bored! I’ve heard each one of them a thousand times surely.

THEACTOR. In Hamlet they say: “Words, words, words!” It’s a good play. I played the grave-digger in it once. . . .

[Kleshtch comes from the kitchen.]

KLESHTCH. Will you start playing with the broom?

THEACTOR. None of your business. [Striking his chest] Ophelia! O—remember me in thy prayers!

[Back stage is heard a dull murmur, cries, and a police whistle. Kleshtch sits down to work, filing screechily.]

SATINE. I love unintelligible, obsolete words. When I was a youngster—and worked as a telegraph operator—I read heaps of books. . . .

BUBNOFF. Were you really a telegrapher?

SATINE. I was. There are some excellent books—and lots of curious words . . . Once I was an educated man, do you know?

BUBNOFF. I’ve heard it a hundred times. Well, so you were! That isn’t very important! Me—well—once I was a furrier. I had my own shop—what with dyeing the fur all day long, my arms were yellow up to the elbows, brother. I thought I’d never be able ever to get clean again—that I’d go to my grave, all yellow! But look at my hands now—they’re plain dirty—that’s what!

SATINE. Well, and what then?

BUBNOFF. That’s all!

SATINE. What are you trying to prove?

BUBNOFF. Oh, well—just matching thoughts—no matter how much dye you get on yourself, it all comes off in the end—yes, yes—

SATINE. Oh—my bones ache!

THEACTOR[sits, nursing his knees] Education is all rot. Talent is the thing. I knew an actor—who read his parts by heart, syllable by syllable—but he played heroes in a way that . . . why—the whole theatre would rock with ecstasy!

SATINE. Bubnoff, give me five kopecks.

BUBNOFF. I only have two—

THEACTOR. I say—talent, that’s what you need to play heroes. And talent is nothing but faith in yourself, in your own powers—

SATINE. Give me five kopecks and I’ll have faith that you’re a hero, a crocodile, or a police inspector—Kleshtch, give me five kopecks.

KLESHTCH. Go to hell! All of you!

SATINE. What are you cursing for? I know you haven’t a kopeck in the world!

ANNA. Andrei Mitritch—I’m suffocating—I can’t breathe—

KLESHTCH. What shall I do?

BUBNOFF. Open the door into the hall.

KLESHTCH. All right. You’re sitting on the bunk, I on the floor. You change places with me, and I’ll let you open the door. I have a cold as it is.

BUBNOFF[unconcernedly] I don’t care if you open the door—it’s your wife who’s asking—

KLESHTCH[morosely] I don’t care who’s asking—

SATINE. My head buzzes—ah—why do people have to hit each other over the heads?

BUBNOFF. They don’t only hit you over the head, but over the rest of the body as well. [Rises] I must go and buy some thread—our bosses are late to-day—seems as if they’ve croaked. [Exit]

[Anna coughs; Satine is lying down motionless, his hands folded behind his head.]

THEACTOR[looks about him morosely, then goes to Anna] Feeling bad, eh?

ANNA. I’m choking—

THEACTOR. If you wish, I’ll take you into the hallway. Get up, then, come! [He helps her to rise, wraps some sort of a rag about her shoulders, and supports her toward the hall] It isn’t easy. I’m sick myself—poisoned with alcohol . . .

[Kostilyoff appears in the doorway.]

KOSTILYOFF. Going for a stroll? What a nice couple—the gallant cavalier and the lady fair!

THEACTOR. Step aside, you—don’t you see that we’re invalids?

KOSTILYOFF. Pass on, please! [Hums a religious tune, glances about him suspiciously, and bends his head to the left as if listening to what is happening in Pepel’s room. Kleshtch is jangling his keys and scraping away with his file, and looks askance at the other] Filing?

KLESHTCH. What?

KOSTILYOFF. I say, are you filing? [Pause] What did I want to ask? [Quick and low] Hasn’t my wife been here?

KLESHTCH. I didn’t see her.

KOSTILYOFF[carefully moving toward Pepel’s room] You take up a whole lot of room for your two rubles a month. The bed—and your bench—yes—you take up five rubles’ worth of space, so help me God! I’ll have to put another half ruble to your rent—

KLESHTCH. You’ll put a noose around my neck and choke me . . . you’ll croak soon enough, and still all you think of is half rubles—

KOSTILYOFF. Why should I choke you? What would be the use? God be with you—live and prosper! But I’ll have to raise you half a ruble—I’ll buy oil for the ikon lamp, and my offering will atone for my sins, and for yours as well. You don’t think much of your sins—not much! Oh, Andrushka, you’re a wicked man! Your wife is dying because of your wickedness—no one loves you, no one respects you—your work is squeaky, jarring on every one.

KLESHTCH[shouts] What do you come here for—just to annoy me?

[Satine grunts loudly.]

KOSTILYOFF[with a start] God, what a noise!

[The Actor enters.]

THEACTOR. I’ve put her down in the hall and wrapped her up.

KOSTILYOFF. You’re a kindly fellow. That’s good. Some day you’ll be rewarded for it.

THEACTOR. When?

KOSTILYOFF. In the Beyond, little brother—there all our deeds will be reckoned up.

THEACTOR. Suppose you reward me right now?

KOSTILYOFF. How can I do that?

THEACTOR. Wipe out half my debt.

KOSTILYOFF. He-ho! You’re always jesting, darling—always poking fun . . . can kindliness of heart be repaid with gold? Kindliness—it’s above all other qualities. But your debt to me—remains a debt. And so you’ll have to pay me back. You ought to be kind to me, an old man, without seeking for reward!

THEACTOR. You’re a swindler, old man! [Goes into kitchen]

[Kleshtch rises and goes into the hall.]

KOSTILYOFF[to Satine] See that squeaker—? He ran away—he doesn’t like me!

SATINE. Does anybody like you besides the Devil?

KOSTILYOFF[laughing] Oh—you’re so quarrelsome! But I like you all—I understand you all, my unfortunate down-trodden, useless brethren . . . [Suddenly, rapidly] Is Vaska home?

SATINE. See for yourself—

KOSTILYOFF[goes to the door and knocks] Vaska!

[The Actor appears at the kitchen door, chewing something.]

PEPEL. Who is it?

KOSTILYOFF. It’s I—I, Vaska!

PEPEL. What do you want?

KOSTILYOFF[stepping aside] Open!

SATINE[without looking at Kostilyoff] He’ll open—and she’s there—

[The Actor makes a grimace.]

KOSTILYOFF[in a low, anxious tone] Eh? Who’s there? What?

SATINE. Speaking to me?

KOSTILYOFF. What did you say?

SATINE. Oh—nothing—I was just talking to myself—

KOSTILYOFF. Take care, brother. Don’t carry your joking too far! [Knocks loudly at door] Vassily!

PEPEL[opening door] Well? What are you disturbing me for?

KOSTILYOFF[peering into room] I—you see—

PEPEL. Did you bring the money?

KOSTILYOFF. I’ve something to tell you—

PEPEL. Did you bring the money?

KOSTILYOFF. What money? Wait—

PEPEL. Why—the seven rubles for the watch—well?

KOSTILYOFF. What watch, Vaska? Oh, you—

PEPEL. Look here. Yesterday, before witnesses, I sold you a watch for ten rubles, you gave me three—now let me have the other seven. What are you blinking for? You hang around here—you disturb people—and don’t seem to know yourself what you’re after.

KOSTILYOFF. Sh-sh! Don’t be angry, Vaska. The watch—it is—

SATINE. Stolen!

KOSTILYOFF[sternly] I do not accept stolen goods—how can you imagine—

PEPEL[taking him by the shoulder] What did you disturb me for? What do you want?

KOSTILYOFF. I don’t want—anything. I’ll go—if you’re in such a state—

PEPEL. Be off, and bring the money!

KOSTILYOFF. What ruffians! I—I—[Exit]

THEACTOR. What a farce!

SATINE. That’s fine—I like it.

PEPEL. What did he come here for?

SATINE[laughing] Don’t you understand? He’s looking for his wife. Why don’t you beat him up once and for all, Vaska?

PEPEL. Why should I let such trash interfere with my life?

SATINE. Show some brains! And then you can marry Vassilisa—and become our boss—

PEPEL. Heavenly bliss! And you’d smash up my household and, because I’m a soft-hearted fool, you’ll drink up everything I possess. [Sits on a bunk] Old devil—woke me up—I was having such a pleasant dream. I dreamed I was fishing—and I caught an enormous trout—such a trout as you only see in dreams! I was playing him—and I was so afraid the line would snap. I had just got out the gaff—and I thought to myself—in a moment—

SATINE. It wasn’t a trout, it was Vassilisa—

THEACTOR. He caught Vassilisa a long time ago.

PEPEL[angrily] You can all go to the devil—and Vassilisa with you—

[Kleshtch comes from the hall.]

KLESHTCH. Devilishly cold!

THEACTOR. Why didn’t you bring Anna back? She’ll freeze, out there—

KLESHTCH. Natasha took her into the kitchen—

THEACTOR. The old man will kick her out—

KLESHTCH[sitting down to his work] Well—Natasha will bring her in here—

SATINE. Vassily—give me five kopecks!

THEACTOR[to Satine] Oh, you—always five kopecks—Vassya—give us twenty kopecks—

PEPEL. I’d better give it to them now before they ask for a ruble. Here you are!

SATINE. Gibraltar! There are no kindlier people in the world than thieves!

KLESHTCH[morosely] They earn their money easily—they don’t work—

SATINE. Many earn it easily, but not many part with it so easily. Work? Make work pleasant—and maybe I’ll work too. Yes—maybe. When work’s a pleasure, life’s, too. When it’s toil, then life is a drudge. [To the Actor] You, Sardanapalus! Come on!

THEACTOR. Let’s go, Nebuchadnezzar! I’ll get as drunk as forty thousand topers!

[They leave.]

PEPEL[yawning] Well, how’s your wife?

KLESHTCH. It seems as if soon—[Pause.]

PEPEL. Now I look at you—seems to me all that filing and scraping of yours is useless.

KLESHTCH. Well—what else can I do?

PEPEL. Nothing.

KLESHTCH. How can I live?

PEPEL. People manage, somehow.

KLESHTCH. Them? Call them people? Muck and dregs—that’s what they are! I’m a workman—I’m ashamed even to look at them. I’ve slaved since I was a child. . . . D’you think I shan’t be able to tear myselfaway from here? I’ll crawl out of here, even if I have to leave my skin behind—but crawl out I will! Just wait . . . my wife’ll die . . . I’ve lived here six months, and it seems like six years.

PEPEL. Nobody here’s any worse off than you . . . say what you like . . .

KLESHTCH. No worse is right. They’ve neither honor nor conscience.

PEPEL[indifferently] What good does it do—honor or conscience? Can you get them on their feet instead of on their uppers—through honor and conscience? Honor and conscience are needed only by those who have power and energy . . .

BUBNOFF[coming back] Oh—I’m frozen . . .

PEPEL. Bubnoff! Got a conscience?

BUBNOFF. What? A conscience?

PEPEL. Exactly!

BUBNOFF. What do I need a conscience for? I’m not rich.

PEPEL. Just what I said: honor and conscience are for the rich—right! And Kleshtch is upbraiding us because we haven’t any!

BUBNOFF. Why—did he want to borrow some of it?

PEPEL. No—he has plenty of his own . . .

BUBNOFF. Oh—are you selling it? You won’t sell much around here. But if you had some old boxes, I’d buy them—on credit . . .

PEPEL[didactically] You’re a jackass, Andrushka! On the subject of conscience you ought to hear Satine—or the Baron . . .

KLESHTCH. I’ve nothing to talk to them about!

PEPEL. They have more brains than you—even if they’re drunkards . . .

BUBNOFF. He who can be drunk and wise at the same time is doubly blessed . . .

PEPEL. Satine says every man expects his neighbor to have a conscience, but—you see—it isn’t to any one’s advantage to have one—that’s a fact.

[Natasha enters, followed by Luka who carries a stick in his hand, a bundle on his back, a kettle and a teapot slung from his belt.]

LUKA. How are you, honest folks?

PEPEL[twisting his mustache] Aha—Natasha!

BUBNOFF[to Luka] I was honest—up to spring before last.

NATASHA. Here’s a new lodger . . .

LUKA. Oh, it’s all the same to me. Crooks—I don’t mind them, either. For my part there’s no bad flea—they’re all black—and they all jump— . . . Well, dearie, show me where I can stow myself.

NATASHA[pointing to kitchen door] Go in there, grand-dad.

LUKA. Thanks, girlie! One place is like another—as long as an old fellow keeps warm, he keeps happy . . .

PEPEL. What an amusing old codger you brought in, Natasha!

NATASHA. A hanged sight more interesting than you! . . . Andrei, your wife’s in the kitchen with us—come and fetch her after a while . . .

KLESHTCH. All right—I will . . .

NATASHA. And be a little more kind to her—you know she won’t last much longer.

KLESHTCH. I know . . .

NATASHA. Knowing won’t do any good—it’s terrible—dying—don’t you understand?

PEPEL. Well—look at me—I’m not afraid . . .

NATASHA. Oh—you’re a wonder, aren’t you?

BUBNOFF[whistling] Oh—this thread’s rotten . . .

PEPEL. Honestly, I’m not afraid! I’m ready to die right now. Knife me to the heart—and I’ll die without making a sound . . . even gladly—from such a pure hand . . .

NATASHA[going out] Spin that yarn for some one else!

BUBNOFF. Oh—that thread is rotten—rotten—

NATASHA[at hallway door] Don’t forget your wife, Andrei!

KLESHTCH. All right.

PEPEL. She’s a wonderful girl!

BUBNOFF. She’s all right.

PEPEL. What makes her so curt with me? Anyway—she’ll come to no good here . . .

BUBNOFF. Through you—sure!

PEPEL. Why through me? I feel sorry for her . . .

BUBNOFF. As the wolf for the lamb!

PEPEL. You lie! I feel very sorry for her . . . very . . . very sorry! She has a tough life here—I can see that . . .

KLESHTCH. Just wait till Vassilisa catches you talking to her!

BUBNOFF. Vassilisa? She won’t give up so easily what belongs to her—she’s a cruel woman!

PEPEL[stretching himself on the bunk] You two prophets can go to hell!

KLESHTCH. Just wait—you’ll see!

LUKA[singing in the kitchen] “In the dark of the night the way is black . . .”

KLESHTCH. Another one who yelps!

PEPEL. It’s dreary! Why do I feel so dreary? Youlive—and everything seems all right. But suddenly a cold chill goes through you—and then everything gets dreary . . .

BUBNOFF. Dreary? Hm-hm—

PEPEL. Yes—yes—

LUKA[sings] “The way is black . . .”

PEPEL. Old fellow! Hey there!

LUKA[looking from kitchen door] You call me?

PEPEL. Yes. Don’t sing!

LUKA[coming in] You don’t like it?

PEPEL. When people sing well I like it—

LUKA. In other words—I don’t sing well?

PEPEL. Evidently!

LUKA. Well, well—and I thought I sang well. That’s always the way: a man imagines there’s one thing he can do well, and suddenly he finds out that other people don’t think so . . .

PEPEL[laughs] That’s right . . .

BUBNOFF. First you say you feel dreary—and then you laugh!

PEPEL. None of your business, raven!

LUKA. Who do they say feels dreary?

PEPEL. I do.

[The Baron enters.]

LUKA. Well, well—out there in the kitchen there’s a girl reading and crying! That’s so! Her eyes are wet with tears . . . I say to her: “What’s the matter, darling?” And she says: “It’s so sad!” “What’s so sad?” say I. “The book!” says she.—And that’s how people spend their time. Just because they’re bored . . .

THEBARON. She’s a fool!

PEPEL. Have you had tea, Baron?

THEBARON. Yes. Go on!

PEPEL. Well—want me to open a bottle?

THEBARON. Of course. Go on!

PEPEL. Drop on all fours, and bark like a dog!

THEBARON. Fool! What’s the matter with you? Are you drunk?

PEPEL. Go on—bark a little! It’ll amuse me. You’re an aristocrat. You didn’t even consider us human formerly, did you?

THEBARON. Go on!

PEPEL. Well—and now I am making you bark like a dog—and you will bark, won’t you?

THEBARON. All right. I will. You jackass! What pleasure can you derive from it since I myself know that I have sunk almost lower than you. You should have made me drop on all fours in the days when I was still above you.

BUBNOFF. That’s right . . .

LUKA. I say so, too!

BUBNOFF. What’s over, is over. Remain only trivialities. We know no class distinctions here. We’ve shed all pride and self-respect. Blood and bone—man—just plain man—that’s what we are!

LUKA. In other words, we’re all equal . . . and you, friend, were you really a Baron?

THEBARON. Who are you? A ghost?

LUKA[laughing] I’ve seen counts and princes in my day—this is the first time I meet a baron—and one who’s decaying—at that!

PEPEL[laughing] Baron, I blush for you!

THEBARON. It’s time you knew better, Vassily . . .

LUKA. Hey-hey—I look at you, brothers—the life you’re leading . . .

BUBNOFF. Such a life! As soon as the sun rises, our voices rise, too—in quarrels!

THEBARON. We’ve all seen better days—yes! I used to wake up in the morning and drink my coffee in bed—coffee—with cream! Yes—

LUKA. And yet we’re all human beings. Pretend all you want to, put on all the airs you wish, but man you were born, and man you must die. And as I watch I see that the wiser people get, the busier they get—and though from bad to worse, they still strive to improve—stubbornly—

THEBARON. Who are you, old fellow? Where do you come from?

LUKA. I?

THEBARON. Are you a tramp?

LUKA. We’re all of us tramps—why—I’ve heard said that the very earth we walk on is nothing but a tramp in the universe.

THEBARON[severely] Perhaps. But have you a passport?

LUKA[after a short pause] And what are you—a police inspector?

PEPEL[delighted] You scored, old fellow! Well, Barosha, you got it this time!

BUBNOFF. Yes—our little aristocrat got his!

THEBARON[embarrassed] What’s the matter? I was only joking, old man. Why, brother, I haven’t a passport, either.

BUBNOFF. You lie!

THEBARON. Oh—well—I have some sort of papers—but they have no value—

LUKA. They’re papers just the same—and no papers are any good—

PEPEL. Baron—come on to the saloon with me—

THEBARON. I’m ready. Good-bye, old man—you old scamp—

LUKA. Maybe I am one, brother—

PEPEL[near doorway] Come on—come on!

[Leaves, Baron following him quickly.]

LUKA. Was he really once a Baron?

BUBNOFF. Who knows? A gentleman—? Yes. That much he’s even now. Occasionally it sticks out. He never got rid of the habit.

LUKA. Nobility is like small-pox. A man may get over it—but it leaves marks . . .

BUBNOFF. He’s all right all the same—occasionally he kicks—as he did about your passport . . .

[Alyoshka comes in, slightly drunk, with a concertina in his hand, whistling.]

ALYOSHKA. Hey there, lodgers!

BUBNOFF. What are you yelling for?

ALYOSHKA. Excuse me—I beg your pardon! I’m a well-bred man—

BUBNOFF. On a spree again?

ALYOSHKA. Right you are! A moment ago Medyakin, the precinct captain, threw me out of the police station and said: “Look here—I don’t want as much as a smell of you to stay in the streets—d’you hear?” I’m a man of principles, and the boss croaks at me—and what’s a boss anyway—pah!—it’s all bosh—the boss is a drunkard. I don’t make any demands on life. I want nothing—that’s all. Offer me one ruble, offer me twenty—it doesn’t affect me. [Nastya comes from the kitchen] Offer me a million—I won’t take it! And to think that I, a respectable man, should be ordered about by a pal of mine—and he a drunkard! I won’t have it—I won’t!

[Nastya stands in the doorway, shaking her head at Alyoshka.]

LUKA[good-naturedly] Well, boy, you’re a bit confused—

BUBNOFF. Aren’t men fools!

ALYOSHKA[stretches out on the floor] Here, eat me up alive—and I don’t want anything. I’m a desperate man. Show me one better! Why am I worse than others? There! Medyakin said: “If you show yourself on the streets I smash your face!” And yet I shall go out—I’ll go—and stretch out in the middle of the street—let them choke me—I don’t want a thing!

NASTYA. Poor fellow—only a boy—and he’s already putting on such airs—

ALYOSHKA[kneeling before her] Lady! Mademoiselle!Parlez français—? Prix courrant?I’m on a spree—

NASTYA[in a loud whisper] Vassilisa!

VASSILISA[opens door quickly; to Alyoshka] You here again?

ALYOSHKA. How do you do—? Come in—you’re welcome—

VASSILISA. I told you, young puppy, that not a shadow of you should stick around here—and you’re back—eh?

ALYOSHKA. Vassilisa Karpovna . . . shall I tune up a funeral march for you?

VASSILISA[seizing him by the shoulders] Get out!

ALYOSHKA[moving towards the door] Wait—you can’t put me out this way! I learned this funeral march a little while ago! It’s refreshing music . . . wait—you can’t put me out like that!

VASSILISA. I’ll show whether I can or not. I’ll rouse the whole street against you—you foul-mouthed creature—you’re too young to bark about me—

ALYOSHKA[running out] All right—I’ll go—

VASSILISA. Look out—I’ll get you yet!

ALYOSHKA[opens the door and shouts] Vassilisa Karpovna—I’m not afraid of you—[Hides]

[Luka laughs.]

VASSILISA. Who are you?

LUKA. A passer-by—a traveler . . .

VASSILISA. Stopping for the night or going to stay here?

LUKA. I’ll see.

VASSILISA. Have you a passport?

LUKA. Yes.

VASSILISA. Give it to me.

LUKA. I’ll bring it over to your house—

VASSILISA. Call yourself a traveler? If you’d say a tramp—that would be nearer the truth—

LUKA[sighing] You’re not very kindly, mother!

[Vassilisa goes to door that leads to Pepel’s room, Alyoshka pokes his head through the kitchen door.]

ALYOSHKA. Has she left?

VASSILISA[turning around] Are you still here?

[Alyoshka disappears, whistling. Nastya and Luka laugh.]

BUBNOFF[to Vassilisa] He isn’t here—

VASSILISA. Who?

BUBNOFF. Vaska.

VASSILISA. Did I ask you about him?

BUBNOFF. I noticed you were looking around—

VASSILISA. I am looking to see if things are in order, you see? Why aren’t the floors swept yet? How often did I give orders to keep the house clean?

BUBNOFF. It’s the actor’s turn to sweep—

VASSILISA. Never mind whose turn it is! If thehealth inspector comes and fines me, I’ll throw out the lot of you—

BUBNOFF[calmly] Then how are you going to earn your living?

VASSILISA. I don’t want a speck of dirt! [Goes to kitchen; to Nastya] What are you hanging round here for? Why’s your face all swollen up? Why are you standing there like a dummy? Go on—sweep the floor! Did you see Natalia? Was she here?

NASTYA. I don’t know—I haven’t seen her . . .

VASSILISA. Bubnoff! Was my sister here?

BUBNOFF. She brought him along.

VASSILISA. That one—was he home?

BUBNOFF. Vassily? Yes—Natalia was here talking to Kleshtch—

VASSILISA. I’m not asking you whom she talked to. Dirt everywhere—filth—oh, you swine! Mop it all up—do you hear? [Exit rapidly]

BUBNOFF. What a savage beast she is!

LUKA. She’s a lady that means business!

NASTYA. You grow to be an animal, leading such a life—any human being tied to such a husband as hers . . .

BUBNOFF. Well—that tie isn’t worrying her any—

LUKA. Does she always have these fits?

BUBNOFF. Always. You see, she came to find her lover—but he isn’t home—

LUKA. I guess she was hurt. Oh-ho! Everybody is trying to be boss—and is threatening everybody else with all kinds of punishment—and still there’s no order in life . . . and no cleanliness—

BUBNOFF. All the world likes order—but some people’s brains aren’t fit for it. All the same—the room should be swept—Nastya—you ought to get busy!

NASTYA. Oh, certainly? Anything else? Think I’m your servant? [Silence] I’m going to get drunk to-night—dead-drunk!

BUBNOFF. Fine business!

LUKA. Why do you want to get drunk, girlie? A while ago you were crying—and now you say you’ll get drunk—

NASTYA[defiantly] I’ll drink—then I cry again—that’s all there’s to it!

BUBNOFF. That’s nothing!

LUKA. But for what reason—tell me! Every pimple has a cause! [Nastya remains silent, shaking her head] Oh—you men—what’s to become of you? All right—I’ll sweep the place. Where’s your broom?

BUBNOFF. Behind the door—in the hall—

[Luka goes into the hall.]

Nastinka!

NASTYA. Yes?

BUBNOFF. Why did Vassilisa jump on Alyoshka?

NASTYA. He told her that Vaska was tired of her and was going to get rid of her—and that he’s going to make up to Natasha—I’ll go away from here—I’ll find another lodging-house—

BUBNOFF. Why? Where?

NASTYA. I’m sick of this—I’m not wanted here!

BUBNOFF[calmly] You’re not wanted anywhere—and, anyway, all people on earth are superfluous—

[Nastya shakes her head. Rises and slowly, quietly, leaves the cellar. Miedviedieff comes in. Luka, with the broom, follows him.]

MIEDVIEDIEFF. I don’t think I know you—

LUKA. How about the others—d’you know them all?

MIEDVIEDIEFF. I must know everybody in my precinct. But I don’t know you.

LUKA. That’s because, uncle, the whole world can’t stow itself away in your precinct—some of it was bound to remain outside . . . [Goes into kitchen]

MIEDVIEDIEFF[crosses to Bubnoff] It’s true—my precinct is rather small—yet it’s worse than any of the very largest. Just now, before getting off duty, I had to bring Alyoshka, the shoemaker, to the station house. Just imagine—there he was, stretched right in the middle of the street, playing his concertina and yelping: “I want nothing, nothing!” Horses going past all the time—and with all the traffic going on, he could easily have been run over—and so on! He’s a wild youngster—so I just collared him—he likes to make mischief—

BUBNOFF. Coming to play checkers to-night?

MIEDVIEDIEFF. Yes—I’ll come—how’s Vaska?

BUBNOFF. Same as ever—

MIEDVIEDIEFF. Meaning—he’s getting along—?

BUBNOFF. Why shouldn’t he? He’s able to get along all right.

MIEDVIEDIEFF[doubtfully] Why shouldn’t he? [Luka goes into hallway, carrying a pail] M-yes—there’s a lot of talk about Vaska. Haven’t you heard?

BUBNOFF. I hear all sorts of gossip . . .

MIEDVIEDIEFF. There seems to have been some sort of talk concerning Vassilisa. Haven’t you heard about it?

BUBNOFF. What?

MIEDVIEDIEFF. Oh—why—generally speaking. Perhaps you know—and lie. Everybody knows—[Severely] You mustn’t lie, brother!

BUBNOFF. Why should I lie?

MIEDVIEDIEFF. That’s right. Dogs! They say that Vaska and Vassilisa . . . but what’s that to me? I’mnot her father. I’m her uncle. Why should they ridicule me? [Kvashnya comes in] What are people coming to? They laugh at everything. Aha—you here?

KVASHNYA. Well—my love-sick garrison—? Bubnoff! He came up to me again on the marketplace and started pestering me about marrying him . . .

BUBNOFF. Go to it! Why not? He has money and he’s still a husky fellow.

MIEDVIEDIEFF. Me—? I should say so!

KVASHNYA. You ruffian! Don’t you dare touch my sore spot! I’ve gone through it once already, darling. Marriage to a woman is just like jumping through a hole in the ice in winter. You do it once, and you remember it the rest of your life . . .

MIEDVIEDIEFF. Wait! There are different breeds of husbands . . .

KVASHNYA. But there’s only one of me! When my beloved husband kicked the bucket, I spent the whole day all by my lonely—just bursting with joy. I sat and simply couldn’t believe it was true. . . .

MIEDVIEDIEFF. If your husband beat you without cause, you should have complained to the police.

KVASHNYA. I complained to God for eight years—and he didn’t help.

MIEDVIEDIEFF. Nowadays the law forbids to beat your wife . . . all is very strict these days—there’s law and order everywhere. You can’t beat up people without due cause. If you beat them to maintain discipline—all right . . .

LUKA[comes in with Anna] Well—we finally managed to get here after all. Oh, you! Why do you, weak as you are, walk about alone? Where’s your bunk?

ANNA[pointing] Thank you, grand-dad.

KVASHNYA. There—she’s married—look at her!

LUKA. The little woman is in very bad shape . . . she was creeping along the hallway, clinging to the wall and moaning—why do you leave her by herself?

KVASHNYA. Oh, pure carelessness on our part, little father—forgive us! Her maid, it appears, went out for a walk . . .

LUKA. Go on—poke fun at me . . . but, all the same, how can you neglect a human being like that? No matter who or what, every human life has its worth . . .

MIEDVIEDIEFF. There should be supervision! Suppose she died suddenly—? That would cause a lot of bother . . . we must look after her!

LUKA. True, sergeant!

MIEDVIEDIEFF. Well—yes—though I’m not a sergeant—ah—yet!

LUKA. No! But you carry yourself most martially!

[Noise of shuffling feet is heard in the hallway. Muffled cries.]

MIEDVIEDIEFF. What now—a row?

BUBNOFF. Sounds like it?

KVASHNYA. I’ll go and see . . .

MIEDVIEDIEFF. I’ll go, too. It is my duty! Why separate people when they fight? They’ll stop sooner or later of their own accord. One gets tired of fighting. Why not let them fight all they want to—freely? They wouldn’t fight half as often—if they’d remember former beatings . . .

BUBNOFF[climbing down from his bunk] Why don’t you speak to your superiors about it?

KOSTILYOFF[throws open the door and shouts] Abram! Come quick—Vassilisa is killing Natasha—come quick!

[Kvashnya, Miedviedieff, and Bubnoff rush into hallway; Luka looks after them, shaking his head.]

ANNA. Oh God—poor little Natasha . . .

LUKA. Who’s fighting out there?

ANNA. Our landladies—they’re sisters . . .

LUKA[crossing to Anna] Why?

ANNA. Oh—for no reason—except that they’re both fat and healthy . . .

LUKA. What’s your name?

ANNA. Anna . . . I look at you . . . you’re like my father—my dear father . . . you’re as gentle as he was—and as soft. . . .

LUKA. Soft! Yes! They pounded me till I got soft! [Laughs tremulously]

CURTAIN.

[Portrait]MAXIM GORKY: RUSSIA’S GREATEST LIVING PLAYWRIGHT

[Portrait]

MAXIM GORKY: RUSSIA’S GREATEST LIVING PLAYWRIGHT

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