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diff --git a/78902-0.txt b/78902-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..79c1d6d --- /dev/null +++ b/78902-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4646 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 78902 *** + + + + +THE WALTZ OF THE DOGS + +_A PLAY IN FOUR ACTS_ + + +BY LEONID ANDREYEV + + ANATHEMA + THE LIFE OF MAN + THE SORROWS OF BELGIUM + + + + + THE + WALTZ OF THE DOGS + + _A Play in Four Acts_ + + BY + LEONID ANDREYEV + + AUTHORIZED TRANSLATION FROM THE + ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT BY + HERMAN BERNSTEIN + + New York + THE MACMILLAN COMPANY + 1922 + + _All rights reserved_ + + PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA + + COPYRIGHT, 1922, + BY HERMAN BERNSTEIN. + + Set up and printed. Published September, 1922. + + Press of + J. J. Little & Ives Company + New York, U. S. A. + + + + +CHARACTERS + + + HENRY TILE + CARL TILE, _His Brother_ + ELIZABETH + ALEXANDROV, _nicknamed “Feklusha”_ + “HAPPY JENNIE” + ANDREY TIZENHAUSEN + IVAN YERMOLAYEV + IVAN, _man servant_ + TWO HOUSE PAINTERS + + + + +THE WALTZ OF THE DOGS + + + + +ACT I + + + SCENE: _Two house painters are singing a song behind the wall. + They sing it softly, without words, monotonously. CARL TILE, a + student, is sitting at his brother HENRY TILE’S writing table. + The apartment is new, not yet completely finished or furnished; + nor is the room in which CARL TILE is sitting completely + finished. It is intended as a drawing room, and the new + furniture is arranged in strict order: armchairs, plain chairs, + a small round table near a couch, an oval mirror; but there + are no rugs, no draperies, and no paintings. In the middle of + the room a table is set for dinner. Everything in the room is + angular, cold, lifeless—life had not yet begun there. The new + little piano is very glossy; music is arranged on the music + stand. CARL TILE is busying himself with a skeleton key._ + +CARL + +The house painters are singing. + + _He whistles softly to the tune of the quiet song without + words. Then he strikes the table with his palm softly + and says_: + +Yes. + + _He strikes the table twice again after measured pauses, + repeating_: + +Yes—Yes. + + _Pause._ + +I have just opened my brother Henry’s table with a skeleton key. I was +looking for money. But I found only twenty-five rubles—only twenty-five +rubles. That’s too little. + + _Again he strikes the table after measured pauses._ + +Yes—Yes—Yes. I wonder whether my brother Henry—Henry Tile—knows that I +am a cardsharp, a gambler, a thief, that I am looking for a woman to +support me! No, he does not know. My brother Henry is not wise. No. No. +Now he’ll think the house painters stole the twenty-five rubles, he may +not even notice that they are missing. “Brother Carl!” he says, “Brother +Carl.” Yes.—But could I?—If Henry had much money, oh, a lot of money, of +course—and if it could be done unnoticed, oh, of course, unnoticed—could +I kill Henry, my brother Henry Tile? + + _He rises and walks up and down the room twice. He is tall, + straight, in a long student’s coat, hanging clumsily and + loosely upon him. His hair is brushed back smoothly, and is + glossy. The dark blue collar of his coat is unusually high. + Carl’s face is dry, somewhat stern, with regular features, and + very decorous. He sits down at the table again and taps it + three times, saying_: + +Yes—Yes—Yes. The house painters are singing. A sad tune. A quiet tune. +I am a scamp, yet I am fond of sad songs, while my brother Henry has no +taste at all. And his new apartment is dreadful. There is something here +that inspires crime. The house painters are singing. + + _He whistles softly to the accompaniment of the tune. He hears + the sound of the door opening in the corridor, voices; and + rising slowly, he walks up and down the room with measured + steps as before. Enter HENRY TILE, and his associates, + DMITRY YERMOLAYEV, a stumpy man of Russian type, and ANDREY + TIZENHAUSEN. Behind them walks ALEXANDROV, smiling confusedly + and happily. He is nicknamed “Feklusha”—he had been a + schoolmate of HENRY TILE in the first classes of the gymnasium._ + +HENRY + +Hello, Carl. How are you? + +CARL + +Hello, Henry. Thank you. And how are _you_? + +HENRY + +Thank you, I’m well. Gentlemen, are you all acquainted with my brother +Carl? Carl, these are my associates at the bank—they are all gentlemen +for whom I have a great deal of respect. + +TIZENHAUSEN + +How do you do, Mr. Tile? + +YERMOLAYEV + +Very pleased to make your acquaintance. You resemble your older brother +very much, very much. + +HENRY + +O, yes, we resemble each other a great deal. He is a fine fellow, a +serious worker. + + _To Carl_: + +And this gentleman is known as Feklusha—are you acquainted? They call him +Feklusha. + + _Laughs._ + +We used to go to school together—to the Peter school. He was expelled +from the second class, and he has had hard luck all his life. Feklusha, +you were expelled from the second class, weren’t you? + + _Laughs._ + +FEKLUSHA + +From the third, Mr. Tile. For lack of ability. My conduct was excellent. + +HENRY + +He says, for lack of ability! + + _Laughs._ + +I met him on the Nevsky yesterday. It was raining hard—Twenty years have +passed since we parted, still I recognized him. And he was walking very +fast. You were running, Feklusha, weren’t you? + +FEKLUSHA + +It was raining, and I had no umbrella. I was running! + +HENRY + +I invited him to dinner to-day. But, gentlemen, I hope you will forgive +me if the dinner is not as good as I should like you to have in my new +home. This is my first dinner at home, and I cannot guarantee that my +new cook is an expert. + +YERMOLAYEV + +Mr. Tile, why should you excuse yourself? I only hope we are not +inconveniencing you. + +HENRY + +Oh, no, I am glad. + +TIZENHAUSEN + +What excuses! On the contrary, I am highly flattered that you invited +me to the first dinner at your own home. When you are married, and you +will have everything in order, you will forget your old friend Andrey +Tizenhausen. + +HENRY + +Everything will be in order, but I will never forget old friends. Sit +still and smoke your cigar. + +YERMOLAYEV + + _To Carl_: + +Didn’t I see you last week at Donon’s restaurant? You were sitting there +with a lady and an officer—I believe he was an officer of the guards? + +CARL + + _Lying._ + +No. I never go to Donon’s. + +HENRY + +Carl can’t afford such expensive restaurants. + +YERMOLAYEV + +Then I must be mistaken. Excuse me. But he looked exactly like you. + +HENRY + +You were mistaken, Dmitry. + + _To Carl_: + +Well, how are you getting on with your work? I like to hear about your +achievements. + +CARL + + _Lying._ + +I delivered the second installment yesterday. + +HENRY + +Oh, that’s good. You are a serious worker. But, gentlemen, isn’t this +song annoying you? I hear it again. My house painters are singing there. + +TIZENHAUSEN + +It’s without words. I didn’t think they called that a song. + +YERMOLAYEV + + _Listening._ + +But it’s good! There is something of the stage-coach driver in it. + + _To Henry_: + +My father was a stage-coach driver. + +HENRY + +It sounds very good to me, too. Although my father was of Swedish +descent, I feel that I am a Russian, and I understand _this_. This is +Russian sadness. + +TIZENHAUSEN + +Although my name is Tizenhausen, I don’t even know how to speak German. I +am a Russian. Nevertheless—you will pardon me, Henry, I don’t understand +the meaning of this Russian sadness. + +HENRY + +Oh, one must feel it. + +TIZENHAUSEN + +Do you feel it? + +HENRY + +Not now. Oh, now I am so happy that I cannot feel any sadness—Russian, +Swedish, or German! + + _All laugh._ + +TIZENHAUSEN + +Manly words, Henry! But won’t you show us your new apartment before it +gets dark? I am dying of curiosity, I want to see how you are building +your nest. Look out, Henry, I am an old and experienced man! + +HENRY + +Oh, you can’t frighten me, you old grumbler! + + _Laughs._ + +I am only a happy fiancé, but you will see what a definite plan I have. +Oh, you’ll see! + +YERMOLAYEV + +I’d be delighted to see. + +HENRY + +Please follow me. Carl, be so kind as to stay here with Feklusha while +I show them my home. Feklusha, please smoke, the cigarettes are on the +table. + + _They go out. FEKLUSHA, confused, takes a cigarette. CARL + lights a match and holds it out to him, while he examines him + coldly._ + +FEKLUSHA + + _Bending over to the match_, + +Thank you very much, I’ll do it myself. + +CARL + +Please. Why do they call you by such an absurd name—“Feklusha”? It’s a +woman’s name. + +FEKLUSHA + +How shall I tell you, Mr. Tile? I suppose it’s on account of my +character. I am always somewhat timid, inclined to tears, and in the same +manner, too hasty—quick in my thoughts. + +CARL + +Why “in the same manner”? + +FEKLUSHA + +They say so. + +CARL + +No, they don’t. But you are not very quick to-day. Where are you employed? + +FEKLUSHA + +How shall I tell you, Mr. Tile? I’m employed by the police. + +CARL + +What! + +FEKLUSHA + +No, no, I am working in the office of the chief of police, in the +passport department. Mr. Henry Tile knows about it. + +CARL + +Are you getting much? + +FEKLUSHA + +Forty rubles—well, together with gratuities and extras, and so on, it +comes to about ninety rubles. A very trivial sum. + +CARL + +A large family? + +FEKLUSHA + +Enormous! + +CARL + +Why don’t you get into the detective service? It’s more profitable, you +could earn more. + +FEKLUSHA + +You’re joking. How can I? + +CARL + +No. I am serious. You are hardly suited to be a _provocateur_, but as an +ordinary detective you might do. It isn’t as hard as it seems. How much +does a good detective get? + +FEKLUSHA + +A trifle—they don’t get much. + +CARL + +I mean a good detective? + +FEKLUSHA + +Oh, a really good detective gets enormous sums. But since you are talking +to me in such a friendly spirit, I must confess to you, I have tried it, +I have made all kinds of efforts—but— + +CARL + +But what? + +FEKLUSHA + +Nothing. I have no abilities of any kind, I am not fit for anything worth +while. That’s my misfortune. That’s why I’m doomed—I have no abilities. + +CARL + +None? + +FEKLUSHA + +Not the slightest! You know, there are so many opportunities around me +that if God had only given me some talent, I could have provided for my +family perfectly. But without talents, I run about, and no matter how +hard I try, I can’t earn another kopek. How can I? + +CARL + +Feklusha, could you make or get—I don’t know what you call it there—could +you get me a false foreign passport? + +FEKLUSHA + +No. I couldn’t! How could I? + +CARL + +But if you tried—for a substantial sum? + +FEKLUSHA + +What do you need it for? + +CARL + +One must always have a foreign passport for an emergency. No, I am only +jesting, of course. Were you really running when my brother Henry met you? + +FEKLUSHA + +You are laughing at me, Mr. Tile? Pardon me, but I don’t quite understand +your conversation. + +CARL + +No, Feklusha, I am not laughing. Do I look like a man who is fond of +laughing? Henry asked me to entertain you, and I am entertaining you. +Does Henry intend to assist you? + +FEKLUSHA + +I would be extremely happy! He told me that he was giving financial aid +to his brother—he meant you, Mr. Tile? + +CARL + +Yes. But I prefer to speak about you, Feklusha. Tell me, when you were a +detective, did you often have dealings with murderers? + +FEKLUSHA + +With murderers? + + _Henry and his friends return, talking. Henry is laughing._ + +HENRY + +You are surprised, you old grumbler? Let me brush off your coat, you have +soiled your sleeve, Dmitry. + +CARL + +I’ll bring the brush. + +YERMOLAYEV + +It isn’t worth bothering, really, it isn’t. + +HENRY + +He’ll bring the brush. Carl, fetch it. Well, gentlemen, how do you like +it? + + _Laughs happily._ + +YERMOLAYEV + +It’s a wonderful little apartment, Henry. + +TIZENHAUSEN + +Yes, I am astounded, Henry. + +HENRY + +In the dining room I will have oak-colored wall paper, eventually I will +change it to oak veneer. The windows of the nursery, as I said before, +will always have the sun. It will always be light there. That’s hygienic, +and essential in Petrograd. Unfortunately, I had too little sunshine +during my own childhood, so I want my children to have plenty. Sunlight +is essential. + +TIZENHAUSEN + +But, Henry, you talk as if you already had children, and a heap of them! +That is the self-assurance of a bachelor! + +HENRY + +I _will_ have them. + + _Enter CARL with a brush._ + +HENRY + +Please, Dmitry, Carl will brush your sleeve. I _will_ have them. I have +already bought a children’s cot—in a week from now it will be in its +proper place waiting for its master. + + _Laughs._ + +YERMOLAYEV + +And when is the wedding to take place? + +HENRY + +In a week from now the apartment will be ready. In seventeen days, +counting from to-day, the wedding will take place. To-day, by the next +mail, in about twenty minutes from now, just before dinner, I will get +a letter from Elizabeth, in which she will inform me exactly on what +day she arrives. Elizabeth went to Moscow to see her parents. Now this +room, Andrey! Here, rugs. There, portières. In these vases, always fresh +flowers. + +TIZENHAUSEN + +That’s a luxury, Henry. + +HENRY + +Fresh flowers are not a luxury. And here, over the piano, I will have +two gravures—meanwhile I haven’t enough money for paintings—the head of +Beethoven and Giorgoni’s “Concert.” Are you looking, Feklusha? + +FEKLUSHA + +I am staring! + +HENRY + + _Laughing._ + +Staring! And here, Andrey, in this corner, will be an armchair in which +I will sit quietly while Elizabeth plays Beethoven and Grieg. You see, +I have already secured the music from which she will play for the first +time, while I will be sitting in my armchair. + + _Shakes the dust off the music and replaces it carefully and + tenderly._ + +How dusty! + +TIZENHAUSEN + +That’s from the workmen, Henry. + +HENRY + +There will be no dust in my home. Have you a piano, Feklusha? + +FEKLUSHA + +Where would I get it, Henry? + +HENRY + + _Laughs._ + +He says, where would he get it? Let me tell you, Andrey, this nook where +I am going to sit and listen is my particular joy. + +YERMOLAYEV + +Have you a lease for this apartment? + +HENRY + +Yes. I have a lease for three years, with the privilege of renewing. I +don’t want to change apartments every three years. Yes, Andrey. My mind +is dry and practical, I have no talent for music, but I am extremely fond +of it, just as my brother Carl is. + +CARL + +But you play, Henry. + +HENRY + +What! Don’t joke, Carl. + +CARL + +Have you forgotten? You played well in our nursery days. + +TIZENHAUSEN + +So that’s the sort of man you are, Henry! At the bank we are under the +impression that you are only a splendid financier, with a most remarkable +head for figures, while now it appears that you are also a musician. +Henry—a Mozart! + +HENRY + + _Laughs._ + +Not quite so important. Yes, I recall. There’s a little piece I used to +play with two fingers, that my mother taught me to play when I was a +child. It is called by a strange name—“The Waltz of the Dogs.” + +CARL + +Play it, Henry. + +HENRY + + _Threatening with his finger_: + +Now, now, Carl! + +TIZENHAUSEN + +No, you must! + + _To Yermolayev_: + +Don’t you think he ought to play it for us, or we’ll be offended and +leave. + +YERMOLAYEV + +So that’s the kind of talents you have, Henry! I never suspected it, +never! And at the bank we don’t know anything about it. Play! + +HENRY + + _Laughs._ + +Now, now. But I must admit that Elizabeth is very fond of my “Waltz of +the Dogs,” very! + + _All laugh._ + +CARL + +Well, then, Henry? + +HENRY + +Carl, you are a jester. + + _Mockingly_: + +But since the audience demands it—— + + _Sits down by the piano, says with mock solemnity_: + +I beg the audience to listen attentively. I will now play “The Waltz of +the Dogs.” + + _He plays “The Waltz of the Dogs.” During the playing he sits + straight, serious, his face is immobile, almost petrified, but + after finishing his play, he bursts into laughter. While HENRY + is playing, CARL watches him coldly and closely, then he is the + first to applaud. General applause, but as there are only few + listeners, the sound is light._ + +HENRY + + _Bowing mockingly_: + +Ladies and gentlemen, your humble servant! I cannot play an encore, but +whoever wishes to hear this music again, is invited to come in seventeen +days to the wedding ceremony of Henry Tile and the maiden Elizabeth +Molchanova. Then I shall play it again. + + _He laughs and closes the piano cover._ + +FEKLUSHA + +At what time will the wedding take place? + +HENRY + +At half past seven. And don’t be late! But you will learn all this from +the invitations which are already being printed. + +TIZENHAUSEN + +Are you happy, Henry? + +HENRY + +Yes, my friend! Let me clasp your hand, but silently, silently, Andrey. +This way. And now, gentlemen, don’t you feel that after my music your +appetite has grown stronger? Aren’t you hungry? Carl, please tell my +new cook that in ten minutes we shall be ready to have her pass an +examination. + +CARL + +I am going. + + _Exit, soon returns._ + +HENRY + +Are you hungry, Feklusha? + +FEKLUSHA + +Yes. It wouldn’t do any harm to eat. + +HENRY + + _Laughs._ + +He says, it wouldn’t do any harm! And the cognac? Will that do any harm? + +FEKLUSHA + +That surely wouldn’t do any harm. + + _All laugh._ + +TIZENHAUSEN + +I suppose you think that your schoolmate doesn’t drink anything but +sacred water? Then you are making a great mistake—he drinks cognac. + +HENRY + + _Laughs._ + +He drinks cognac! + +FEKLUSHA + + _Laughs._ + +A pleasant occupation! There’s no use in hiding the fact: in spite of my +general lack of ability, _this_ talent—— + + _Sighs._ + +I _have_. + +YERMOLAYEV + +It’s most remarkable, Henry. I have watched you for eight years, we have +been in restaurants together, but I have never seen you drink too much! + +HENRY + + _Laughing._ + +Really? + +YERMOLAYEV + +Never! + +TIZENHAUSEN + +And you never will, Dmitry! He has a strong head, such as this world has +never seen before! + +HENRY + +Do you think so? Perhaps you are right. And what is more—Gentlemen, the +bell! That’s the postman, bringing a letter from Elizabeth. Carl, please. + + _Exit CARL. HENRY is agitated, but restrained._ + +HENRY + + _To Feklusha_: + +So you are fond of cognac? + +CARL + + _Entering._ + +A letter from Moscow, registered. Sign here, Henry. + +HENRY + + _Signing._ + +I always asked her to send it registered. Here are twenty kopeks for the +postman. So. Now they are writing us from Moscow. + + _Tearing the envelope open._ + +You will pardon me, gentlemen? + +TIZENHAUSEN + +How can we prevent a lover from reading his letters? Go ahead, Henry, we +are not here. + + _HENRY reads slowly and long. He turns pale at the first lines, + and keeps growing ever paler. No one but CARL is watching him._ + +YERMOLAYEV + + _Softly_: + +A wonderful little apartment! It’s very hard to find one like it nowadays. + +FEKLUSHA + +You can’t even touch any apartments now—it’s simply terrible. + +TIZENHAUSEN + +Have you a family? + +FEKLUSHA + +An enormous one! + +CARL + + _Loudly_: + +Aren’t you feeling well, Henry? + + _All look with alarm at HENRY. He gets up, walks two steps, and + without saying a word strikes the table with a powerful blow + of his fist. Bottles and glasses fall. All jump to their feet._ + +CARL + +Henry! + +TIZENHAUSEN + +Henry! + + _HENRY strikes the table once more just as forcefully with his + fist, without saying a word. He stands silently, surveying them + all with red eyes, as if looking for some one to attack._ + +YERMOLAYEV + +Bring him some water! + +HENRY + +I need no water! + +TIZENHAUSEN + +Henry! My dear Henry! Has anything terrible happened? + +HENRY + +No, nothing terrible. + +CARL + +Henry, calm yourself. + +HENRY + +I am calm. + +TIZENHAUSEN + +No. Something terrible has happened. My dear Henry! We are here! We are +all your friends, Henry! + +HENRY + +I must ask you to excuse me, but there will be no dinner to-day. Carl, +tell the new cook that she may go home now. + + _Exit CARL, returns soon._ + +TIZENHAUSEN + +Who cares about the dinner! You shouldn’t worry about such trifles, Henry! + +YERMOLAYEV + +Who cares about the dinner? + +HENRY + +There will be no dinner here to-day. + + _He suddenly strikes the table again._ + +TIZENHAUSEN + + _Almost crying._ + +Oh, my God! What a misfortune, Henry! + +HENRY + +Yes? Here is a very strange letter, Andrey. Either there’s something +wrong in this letter, or I can’t read it. Read it, Andrey, and tell me. +Perhaps I have grown blind. + +TIZENHAUSEN + + _Reads._ + +No, you haven’t grown blind, my poor Henry. + + _Reads._ + +No, it’s impossible! + +HENRY + +And does it say there, “I still love you”? + +TIZENHAUSEN + +Yes, yes, Henry. + +HENRY + +So. Then I am not blind. And does it say there “But because of the +insistence of my parents I am going to be married.” + +TIZENHAUSEN + +Henry! She is already married. She is already married! + +HENRY + +She is already married to a wealthy man. What is his name, Andrey? + +TIZENHAUSEN + +His name is not mentioned. + +HENRY + +Not mentioned. So. And how did she sign it? + +TIZENHAUSEN + + _Reading_: + +“Your unworthy Elizabeth.” + +HENRY + +Unworthy Elizabeth. Yes. Unworthy Elizabeth. + + _Suddenly strikes the table forcefully._ + +Unworthy Elizabeth! + +TIZENHAUSEN + +But my dear friend, my unfortunate friend. + +CARL + +Keep up your courage, Henry! + +HENRY + +I will not do it any more. + +YERMOLAYEV + +Henry, it isn’t worth worrying about. Such things happen in life. You +will find a better bride for yourself. + +HENRY + +I will not do it any more. But, Andrey, don’t you find that it is written +with precise exactness: “Unworthy Elizabeth.” Who? “Unworthy Elizabeth.” +Who? Henry Tile. And who else? “Unworthy Elizabeth.” Don’t you feel like +laughing, Feklusha? + +FEKLUSHA + + _Frightened._ + +No, Henry. + +HENRY + +You must not laugh. I will not allow any laughter. But, Andrey, don’t you +think that the whole letter is written in very precise language? + +TIZENHAUSEN + +Excuse me, Henry, but in my opinion—the opinion of an honest man—this is +a contemptible letter. Yes. + +HENRY + +And in my opinion it is simply a very precise letter. Henry Tile loves +accuracy—all his life he never made a mistake in a single kopek, he +never made a mistake in addition, he never made a mistake in a single +cipher, and now they have written a precise letter to Henry Tile. And it +is signed: “Unworthy Elizabeth.” Gentlemen, I should like to remain here +alone. + +TIZENHAUSEN + +But how can you stay here alone, my dear friend? + +HENRY + +Never mind. I’ll stay here alone. + +CARL + +If you like, I’ll stay with you. + +HENRY + +No, Carl. I don’t need you. Good night. To-morrow we will meet at the +bank. Carl I want to say a few words to you. + + _Quietly_: + +Here is some money, please take these people to a restaurant and treat +them to a good dinner. + +CARL + +May I clasp your hand, Henry? + +HENRY + +It’s hardly necessary, but, please. Press it firmly. + +CARL + +I am pressing it firmly. + +HENRY + + _Smiling_: + +No, press harder still. + +CARL + +I am. What do you want? + + _They strangely measure their strength. The others look on + uneasily._ + +HENRY + +Are you pressing with all your strength? Press harder. + +CARL + +I can’t press harder. + +HENRY + +And I? + + _Presses Carl’s hand._ + +TIZENHAUSEN + +Don’t, Henry. Leave him! + +CARL + +Henry, stop! + +HENRY + + _Smiling_: + +And I? + +CARL + + _Turning pale and shrinking_, + +It hurts. Stop! You’ll break my hand! + + _Henry releases his brother’s hand and laughs._ + +HENRY + +You are very strong, Carl. + +CARL + +I don’t like such jokes! + +HENRY + + _Morosely_: + +Excuse me, Carl. That was really wrong. Excuse me. Good night, gentlemen. +The door shuts itself, so I will not come out with you. Carl, I ask you +once more to forgive me. + + _All go out irresolutely, one by one, with different + expressions upon their faces, shaking HENRY’S hand. HENRY + remains alone; walks up and down the room. He is tall, wears a + dark coat, with round flaps, gray trousers, neatly creased—his + usual costume. All new and strong, and his shoes are also + strong and new. His face is regular, dark-complexioned, stern. + His hair is short. He wears a small mustache. The house + painters resume their song. HENRY stops and listens._ + +HENRY + +What’s that again? Who is there? What’s that? + + _Listens; suddenly strikes the back of the armchair violently._ + +Stop! + + _The song is continued. It is sung softly, sadly, monotonously. + HENRY walks over to the door and shouts._ + +Eh, you! Stop! Quit your work! Go home! + + _He walks up and down the room again, pauses, walks again, + looking at the door impatiently._ + +They call this “Russian sadness.” What nonsense, “Russian sadness!” Is +there also such a thing as Swedish sadness? Then I feel it too! Who? +Henry Tile. Who? Unworthy Elizabeth? And who else? And again Henry Tile, +Henry Tile—O my God! + + _Sighs, whistling, as one who has a toothache. The two house + painters, frightened, slip by quietly in the dark like two + shadows._ + +Wait! It isn’t necessary to work any longer—it’s dark already—you can’t +see anything. And tell your master that I don’t need your work any more, +anyway. Where are you going? This way, there’s no one there. The door +shuts itself. + + _The house painters go out, HENRY roams about the room, going + to unexpected nooks, taps on the wall, as though looking for + some forgotten door. He gradually blends with the gathering + darkness._ + +There is no one there, and there is no one here. Alone. Oh, Elizabeth, +Elizabeth! Alone! Now I can break everything, smash and throw to the +ground! + + _Throws something on the floor._ + +I can destroy—and no one can stop me. I can destroy everything. Here is +the piano. + + _He strikes the piano forcefully, and it resounds._ + +How it sounds! And if I strike it again? + + _He strikes it again and it sounds again._ + +How it sounds! When I banged the table, they were frightened and they +cried: “Henry, Henry, Henry!” I suppose I must have struck it powerfully, +for my hand hurts. They cried, “Henry!” then, but now nobody will cry. +I can strike, break, destroy. Nobody will stop me—I am alone. And I can +take the revolver from the table, put it against my head and fire. What +then? Then I will lie on the floor until morning. Then some one will +break the door—who? + + _Pause._ + +No! But she is already married. My God! My God! My God! She is already +married—already! My God! I hadn’t thought of this. What shall I do, what +am I going to do all night long—_all night_. She is already married—How +am I going to pass the night? It is so early, darkness has just set in. +What am I going to do all night long! Elizabeth! Liza! + + _Pause._ + +No. + + _Pause._ + + _Suddenly his figure stirs in the darkness and he walks + quickly._ + +But that is impossible! I have forgotten! I have taken the apartment for +three years. That’s impossible, that’s stupid—I cannot. Three years! I +am ashamed. I have made a nursery, but I am not so ashamed of that. And +my apartment? My God! And I have placed music upon the piano. Music. I +bought it. Yes. What was I thinking about? She would have played, and I +would have been sitting quietly, listening. I would have kissed her hand. +Perhaps it would have been just as dark as it is now. I would have taken +her gentle hand and put it to my lips. How is it done? This way. + + _Silence. In the darkness his soft voice is heard, full of + longing_: + +What a long night! What a dark night! Liza! + + _Curtain_ + + + + +ACT II + + + SCENE: _The same scene as in the first act, only the dinner + table is missing. Nothing is changed there, although a year has + gone by. It is evening and electric lights are burning. CARL + TILE is sitting at the writing table, cross-examining IVAN, the + man servant._ + +CARL + +And what time does my brother usually come home? + +IVAN + +He has his dinner at the restaurant and comes home about eight o’clock. +He goes out again at nine or ten. I don’t know when he comes back. + +CARL + +And when do you go home? + +IVAN + +At ten. Sometimes he sends me away earlier. + +CARL + +Did you serve in the army? + +IVAN + +Yes, sir. In the cavalry. + +CARL + +Ah! Fine! You look all right, Ivan, and you answer questions sensibly. +Fine! + +IVAN + +Glad to serve you. + +CARL + +Fine! Well, does he go out every evening? + +IVAN + +No, twice a week. All the other evenings he stays home. Perhaps he goes +out after ten, only I don’t know about it. + +CARL + +Correct. Who visits him? + +IVAN + +No one. + +CARL + +Really? + +IVAN + +Only Mr. Alexandrov comes up very often. + +CARL + +Which Alexandrov? From the bank? + +IVAN + + _Smiling_: + +No. They call him “Feklusha.” + +CARL + +Ah! What do they do? + +IVAN + +I don’t know. + +CARL + +You answer wonderfully. But what do you serve them? + +IVAN + +Cognac. + +CARL + +Much? + +IVAN + +Plenty. We have a large stock of it. + +CARL + +Indeed! I know this Mr. Alexandrov. Be careful, Ivan, that he doesn’t +steal a fur coat some day. + +IVAN + + _Smiling_: + +I’m watching him. + +CARL + +You are a splendid fellow. Now, Ivan, tell me: I suppose you have a key +of your own for the outside door? + +IVAN + +Yes, sir. I have two keys for the back door. One is an extra key in case +I lose the other one. + +CARL + +Correct. Can’t you give me one of the keys? I sometimes pass here after +ten o’clock. I want to get a book, and there is no one to open the door. + +IVAN + +I doubt it. + +CARL + +Nonsense. I am not Mr. Alexandrov, who may steal a fur coat. Here you +have five rubles. + +IVAN + +Thank you very much. But I still have my doubts about it. + +CARL + +Nonsense! Here are five rubles more. + +IVAN + +Here is the key. But in case anything happens? + +CARL + +Of course, I take everything upon myself. You are a splendid fellow! I +like sensible people. Here are two rubles more. Wait. Who’s ringing the +bell? + +IVAN + +I suppose it is Mr. Alexandrov—it can’t be any one else. Excuse me. + + _Exit, returns shortly, followed by FEKLUSHA. Announces, + smiling_: + +Mr. Alexandrov. + +FEKLUSHA + + _Flatteringly_: + +Good evening, Mr. Tile. + + _CARL walks up and down the room, without responding, as though + not noticing Alexandrov at all._ + +I suppose Henry will be here soon. It is almost eight o’clock. + + _CARL walks silently, then stops in front of FEKLUSHA and looks + at him fixedly._ + +CARL + +I am dreadfully sick of you, Mr. Feklusha! For more than six months I +haven’t come here once without seeing that simpleton’s face of yours. Why +do you snoop around here? You work for the police, while I am an honest +man, a student—you are repulsive to me. + +FEKLUSHA + +What will you do about it, Mr. Tile? + +CARL + +I’ve offended him. “Mr. Tile!” Yes, I am Mr. Tile, and if you steal a fur +coat some day, Mr. Feklusha— + +FEKLUSHA + +Upon my word, I’ll complain to Henry. Why do you persecute me, why do you +make my life miserable? I work for the police, but I am an honest man—I +have a family. + +CARL + +He talks of honesty! + +IVAN + +I’m going to complain! + +CARL + +And I will tell him that you are lying. Whom will he believe, Mr. +Feklusha? I’m bored. I didn’t have enough sleep last night. Tell me some +interesting lie. + +IVAN + +I am not a liar. Lie yourself. + +CARL + +Rude—rude into the bargain! It seems you have no abilities of any kind. +That’s terrible—to be a nonentity, a fool, to be unable to do anything, +even to lie. And in addition to that, to have an enormous family, dirty +children—to love them, and wipe their noses tenderly! Fool! And in +addition to all that to be sensitive, to have a certain self-respect. +Self-respect! And I suppose his wife beats him too—I can tell by his +beard. Your wife beats you, Mr. Feklusha, doesn’t she? + +FEKLUSHA + +I don’t feel like answering you. + +CARL + +I suppose your wife is a very untidy woman. And you are not particularly +clean yourself, Mr. Alexandrov. You are repulsive to me. Why aren’t you +just an insect? Then you could be easily removed—with insect powder. We +wouldn’t have to stand upon ceremony with you. How absurd! + + _He walks silently, then stops again in front of FEKLUSHA, very + close to him._ + +Are you angry? Don’t be angry. Believe me, I was only jesting. Don’t you +want to look at me at all? Well, let me see your little eyes. I slept +very poorly last night, I spent the night with a woman, and I am nervous; +do you understand, Feklusha, I am nervous! Under such circumstances a man +will talk all sorts of nonsense. + +FEKLUSHA + +I’m not angry, but why should you offend a man like that? I haven’t done +you any harm. It’s a sin, Mr. Tile. + +CARL + +It isn’t right, I have already admitted it. Tell me, my dear fellow, what +have you been doing here with my brother Henry? + +FEKLUSHA + +Nothing. Upon my word of honor! + +CARL + +Since you give me your word of honor, I bow to you and am silent. But +what does he do? Every man does something—what does my brother Henry do? + +FEKLUSHA + +I don’t know. Upon my word of honor! + +CARL + +Henry stays home, he has given up his sprees, and spends his evenings +with a strange character like you. Don’t you think Henry has gone out of +his mind—not altogether, but a little? + +FEKLUSHA + +Oh, no—I don’t think so at all. You and I may go out of our minds, but +not he! + +CARL + +It is very interesting to talk with you. You have such fascinating little +eyes, Mr. Feklusha, and if you are not a downright scoundrel, then I know +nothing about scoundrels. + +FEKLUSHA + +Again? + +CARL + +Let us combine, Mr. Feklusha. Do you want to make twenty thousand rubles? +You can’t imagine it? Well, then, here is the proposition: Persuade my +brother Henry to insure his life for a hundred thousand rubles. + +FEKLUSHA + +I don’t understand you. I can’t tell when you are jesting and when you +are not. + +CARL + +It’s as plain as day. Altogether one hundred thousand rubles. Twenty +thousand for you, and eighty thousand for me, as his brother, and for +the idea. + +FEKLUSHA + +But, for that, he would have to die! + + _Carl laughs._ + +CARL + +You are comical. + +FEKLUSHA + +But what is he going to die from? What an idea! Henry is a strong man. + +CARL + + _Laughs loudly._ + +You are very comical, Mr. Feklusha! You ought to be in a circus. You are +a clown! + +FEKLUSHA + + _Rising._ + +I am going to complain to Henry! What do you mean? Why do you annoy me +like Satan? Satan! + +CARL + + _Indifferently_: + +You are a perfect fool! And there is such an odor about you—I suppose you +don’t know what a bath is. Fie! Go and take a bath. I’ll give you some +money for a bath. + +FEKLUSHA + +I’ll tell him everything, you’ll see! + +CARL + + _Still more indifferently_: + +Hold your tongue! I am disgusted with you. I want to walk and think. Keep +quiet—and don’t disturb me. If you breathe a word about it I will tell my +brother Henry this evening that you were urging me to insure his life and +kill him. Silence! + + _He walks up and down the room slowly. FEKLUSHA is silent. A + knock on the door in the corridor. After a few seconds HENRY + enters._ + +HENRY + +Good evening, Carl. How are you? Good evening, Feklusha. Sit down. + +CARL + +Thank you, and how are you, Henry? + +HENRY + +Quite well. Have you been here long? + +CARL + +A little while. + +HENRY + +Did you come for money, Carl? I believe your month is not up yet. + +CARL + +Thank you. I still have enough. Besides, I have found a good pupil. + +HENRY + +Don’t stand upon ceremony with me, Carl. I intend to increase your +allowance twenty rubles a month. Feklusha, at yesterday’s conference they +decided to increase my salary by twelve hundred a year. + +FEKLUSHA + +Really? I congratulate you, I congratulate you from the bottom of my +heart. + +HENRY + +The management appreciates my services. + +CARL + +I don’t even congratulate you, Henry—it is so natural. Yesterday I met +Tizenhausen, and he told me that you have become ideal. He assured me +that he had never seen such a correct, tireless, and perfect worker as +you are. Everybody fears you at the bank. + +HENRY + +Oh, yes, they are all afraid of me. When I pass by, they don’t dare lift +their heads from their work. Yesterday I dismissed two clerks for not +being punctual. Yes, people have reason to be afraid of me. + +CARL + +Of course, you don’t include me among them? I am jesting, Henry. But here +is something I wanted to ask you seriously—I was talking about it with +your friend here. + +HENRY + +With my client, Carl. The Romans used to say so. + +CARL + +I beg your pardon, with your client. I find that his condition is +terrible. He has an enormous family, lack of means, lack of abilities. + +HENRY + +Well? + +CARL + +I don’t need any more money. Be generous, Henry, give him the increase of +twenty rubles a month. I ask you seriously. + + _Pause. HENRY looks at his brother attentively. CARL is serious + and modest._ + +HENRY + +Good, Good! Feklusha, did you hear what he said? Thanks to my brother, +Carl, now you will get twenty rubles a month from me. + +FEKLUSHA + + _Confused._ + +I really don’t know—My God! Thank you, Mr. Tile. I can’t express my—but +in the name of my whole family—! + + _On the point of tears. The brothers look at him._ + +CARL + + _To his brother, softly_: + +He is agitated. + + _Loudly_: + +Well, good night, Henry, good night. Are you staying home this evening? + +HENRY + +No, I have an appointment. Good night, Carl. The door shuts itself. + + _Exit CARL. HENRY waits until the door closes. Mockingly shows + with his face and hand how the door closed, and laughs loudly. + FEKLUSHA looks at him with a certain sense of fear._ + +FEKLUSHA + +Henry, you were drinking this evening at dinner? + +HENRY + +I always drink at dinner. If Carl were not my brother, I would have said +that Carl was a—fool. (_Laughs._) They gave me an increase of twelve +hundred! They say I am ideal. Feklusha, they are afraid of me at the bank! + +FEKLUSHA + + _Laughs flatteringly._ + +Very clever, Henry! I am amazed how you do it. Was it true that you +dismissed two clerks? + +HENRY + +Yes. + +FEKLUSHA + +After all, I am sorry for them. Have they families? + +HENRY + +Whatever the situation, I cannot permit inaccuracies. They deserved to be +dismissed. + +FEKLUSHA + +And what about the twenty rubles for me? Is that true, or were you only +jesting? + +HENRY + +You are a rabbit—simply a cowardly rabbit. No, I was not jesting. +You will get twenty rubles a month—but not long, not long, Feklusha! +(_Laughs._) These foolish people at the bank are afraid of me. I want to +steal a million from them, and they are afraid of me! I want to steal a +million from them, and they say, “Henry Tile is an irreproachable worker, +he is ideal.” Isn’t it comical, Alexandrov? + +FEKLUSHA + + _Sternly_: + +I don’t believe it, Henry. These are only words to test me, nothing else. +Excuse me. + +HENRY + +You believe I am so honest? + +FEKLUSHA + +I don’t believe anything. I admit that with all your talent you +could easily appropriate from the bank not only one million, but two +millions—as many as you want. But—! + +HENRY + +Steal, Feklusha! Speak as a friend—steal! + +FEKLUSHA + +Still worse—steal! But what’s the sense of it? What’s the sense, Henry? +I ask you with tears in my eyes, explain it to me, don’t torture my +head, don’t torment me! Here they have given you an increase of twelve +hundred and they will soon give you another increase—Henry, you are my +benefactor, but I am absolutely convinced that you are just making sport +of me. + +HENRY + +You are foolish, Feklusha. + +FEKLUSHA + +I have heard that many times. You can’t surprise me with that, +nevertheless I don’t believe in your plan. My God! And why do you talk +to me about it? What sort of comrade am I to you? You have the mind of +a cabinet minister, and what am I? No. I am absolutely sure you are +jesting, you are just acting, as in a play. You are not going to run away +anywhere! + +HENRY + +You are a fool, Feklusha! You are all fools, and none of you knows +Henry Tile with his great soul. I have a great soul! My soul dwells in +a palace, and not in this stupid apartment, where the nursery windows +face the sun! But let them be deceived—I am gladdened by the sight of the +deluded fools. + +FEKLUSHA + +I don’t want to know about it, I don’t want to! Do you hear, Mr. Tile, or +no? I don’t want to hear any more about it. For the past six months, ever +since you told me about it, I haven’t slept a single night—upon my word! + +HENRY + +Why should you sleep? + +FEKLUSHA + +What do you mean? I once lived without care. + +HENRY + +Why should you sleep? I do not sleep nights either. Oh, I have slept long +enough, and now I have awakened. Don’t you see the sun that is shining +for me at night? That is my sun, I have awakened. Henry Tile, who is fond +of punctuality, who placed this stupid music upon the piano, who leased +the apartment for three years, for ten years, for a hundred years—Henry +Tile has awakened! Would you like me to play for you “The Waltz of the +Dogs”? Listen. I’ll play for you “The Waltz of the Dogs.” + + _He plays it in the same serious, wooden, affected manner as + before. Then he laughs._ + +HENRY + +Did you hear it? + +FEKLUSHA + +I did. You were drinking at dinner this evening. + +HENRY + +I always drink at dinner, I told you that before. But I see that you too +need a drink to brighten up your dull brain. + + _Rings._ + +We’ll have a _little cognac_ now. + +FEKLUSHA + + _Laughing, pathetically_: + +Now I believe you again. How you say it, a little cognac. + +HENRY + +Not so loud. + + _Enter Ivan._ + +Ivan, give us some cognac—or—that would be fine—let us have some Swedish +punch. Quick! + + _Exit Ivan._ + +Do you like Swedish punch? + +FEKLUSHA + +I adore Swedish punch, but what’s the use? I don’t see the use of it. + +HENRY + +The use of it is that you drink cognac and punch, while Henry Tile is +deceiving the fools with his arithmetic. And the use of it is also—and I +want you to take note of it—that in about two weeks from now I am going +away with a million rubles. I will not tell you the exact day. + +FEKLUSHA + +Why should I know the exact day? But how will you go, if you haven’t even +a foreign passport? + +HENRY + +I have it. But listen: Yesterday I was again examining the railway map +and I discovered that my original plan of escape by way of Stockholm will +not do. I’d be caught in Stockholm or in Malme. I am a severe critic. I +see everything in advance. I have another plan now. + +FEKLUSHA + +What is it? + +HENRY + +I am not going to tell you. + +FEKLUSHA + +I wouldn’t remember it, anyway. How many plans you have already told me! +I forget them as soon as you tell them to me. What a head I have! Are we +going to examine the map this evening? I like it—it’s so interesting, it +takes my breath away. + +HENRY + +No. Not so loud. Ivan is coming. + + _Enter Ivan, with punch, which he puts on the table._ + +Ivan, you may go home now, I’ll not need you this evening. Good night, +Ivan. + +IVAN + +Good night. + + _Exit._ + +HENRY + +Drink, Feklusha, brighten up your dull brain. It’s excellent punch! + +FEKLUSHA + +If I could only brighten it up! To-day my little boy took sick—the +measles, I don’t know—I went away from home—there is nothing for me to do +there. A fine father, indeed! + +HENRY + +This evening we will go to that dirty little tavern of yours. I want to +drink much this evening, to talk and see many people. But not fools! +Feklusha, do you know that Elizabeth came to me twice and knocked at this +door? + +FEKLUSHA + +No. Really? She was here herself? + +HENRY + +Yes. The first time she was sent away by Ivan, and the second time I +myself opened this door for her, I raised my hand this way and said +to her, “Go!” She said, “Forgive me.” I said to her, “Go, foolish +Elizabeth!” and I closed the door. + +FEKLUSHA + + _Drinks and laughs._ + +I pity the women, they are foolish. But you loved her? + +HENRY + +No! And we are going this evening to that little tavern of yours—I like +the people in that tavern! + +FEKLUSHA + +Very well, then, let us go. I am ready for anything. + +HENRY + +And I like you, too. With you I can talk as if I were alone. And yet I am +_not_ alone, because you have ears. But I _am_ alone because these are +the ears of a donkey! But you are sly—you are a very sly little animal. + +FEKLUSHA + +How am I sly? What are you saying? I was dreaming of becoming a +detective—why, anybody would escape from under my very nose, and I +wouldn’t even notice it! Eh? + + _Drinks._ + +HENRY + +No. You are a very, very sly little rabbit. I can see it. You have +thought up something for yourself, you don’t want to be a fool. Oh, you +are a great scoundrel! But that doesn’t matter, for I have already been +forewarned by my angel! + + _Laughs._ + +That doesn’t matter! + +FEKLUSHA + +Stop this. Is it possible that you know all the trains and all the +steamers? + +HENRY + +All. + +FEKLUSHA + +Just think of it! All? And I can’t even find the right street car, I +always get into the wrong one. And is it possible that you need only two +sheets of paper in order to get that million? It’s hardly credible! + +HENRY + +Only two. + +FEKLUSHA + +What a talent! And what kind of papers do you need? + +HENRY + +You don’t have to know that, you foolish Feklusha. That’s superfluous. +But in about two weeks a certain very correct gentleman will be traveling +on a certain steamer and he will have a million in his pocket. And +traveling on a certain steamer that gentleman will raise his hand this +way—he will stretch it towards the distant shores and say, Good-by, +distant and foolish shores! Good-by, apartment with a nursery facing the +sun! And good-by and be cursed, and dead, and buried, Henry Tile, who +loved order! Feklusha, would you like me to clasp your hand so that your +bones will break? + +FEKLUSHA + +No. I don’t like such jokes, Henry. + +HENRY + +Mr. Tile, and not Henry! If I see you again in any way disrespectful to +me, Feklusha, my old comrade, the only friend of Henry Tile, I will not +only break your hand, but I will break every bone in your body. Do you +hear? + +FEKLUSHA + +It was unintentional. How could I allow myself to be disrespectful to +you? My God, don’t I understand the difference? + +HENRY + +Well said! Empty your glass and let us go at once to your little tavern. +There you will keep quiet and drink until your eyes turn green, and I +will drink, laugh, bang the table, and talk about the foolish, dead Henry +Tile. Come! + +FEKLUSHA + + _Rising._ + +I was going to ask you something, since you are so kind. Of course, I am +a married man, but why shouldn’t we go to a certain house on the way from +the tavern? The women there are excellent, they are even intelligent. +Really! It would be nice for you, too. + +HENRY + +Foolish and vulgar. You are a dreadfully petty scamp, you are a rabbit. +Come! + +FEKLUSHA + + _Emptying his glass._ + +Right away. Well, then, we won’t. I am not a scamp at all. I am simply an +unfortunate man. If my child is ill—I am coming. + +HENRY + +Turn out the light. + + _They turn out the light and go out. For some time the stage + is empty. Then the door from the other rooms opens slowly, a + careful whisper is heard, and two shadows, dimly lighted by the + lantern in the street, move in the room. The restrained laugh + of a woman is heard._ + +CARL + + _Loudly and firmly_: + +There’s no one here. They went away. You may come in. Don’t be afraid. + +WOMAN’S VOICE + +Oh, I hurt my knee. + + _Laughs._ + +We are here like thieves. + +CARL + +I can’t find the switch. I think it is here. Wait, Liza, don’t go before +I turn on the light. + +ELIZABETH + +No, don’t turn on the light, wait. I am sitting in an armchair. But I +don’t realize where I am. It is terribly interesting. We are like thieves +in a strange apartment. They also sit in armchairs and look around this +way. Let us make believe we are thieves, Carl. + + _Jestingly, in a threatening whisper_: + +Let us kill and rob your brother Henry Tile. + +CARL + +I haven’t the slightest desire to play. But it was stupid of me not to +take along the flashlight. Where are you? I can’t see you. + +ELIZABETH + +Here. + +CARL + +I can’t see anything, Liza. I am falling asleep. Another night like this +and another day like to-day, and I’ll fall asleep while walking. Strange! +Aren’t you tired? + +ELIZABETH + + _Laughing softly_: + +No. + +CARL + +And I— + + _Yawns._ + +Do you ever let your husband sleep? + +ELIZABETH + +My husband—yes. But how interesting it is that we can’t see anything. +I don’t know where you are sitting. What room is this? I am afraid +to look at it in the light. I was in this apartment only twice. It +wasn’t finished yet, but Henry showed me how it would be finished. +Tell me—no, don’t turn on the light, but tell me—here, over the piano, +are two pictures. Wait, I recall, yes, the head of Beethoven and some +“concert”—yes? + +CARL + +No. There are no pictures here. + +ELIZABETH + +And the rugs? + +CARL + +There are no rugs here. + +ELIZABETH + +And the armchair in the corner? + +CARL + +I don’t know. I am telling you Henry left the apartment unfinished. I am +tired of this, Liza. Why did you drag me here? What do you want here? + +ELIZABETH + +I want it. + +CARL + +If this isn’t your usual foolishness, it is a perverted whim. It’s +immaterial to me, but this is simply uninteresting. And if it is part +of your program this evening to shed tears about the broken home, then +pardon me—I’ll fall asleep. + +ELIZABETH + +I don’t remember Henry’s face. Does he resemble you? I can’t recall his +face. + +CARL + +Good night. I am falling asleep. + +ELIZABETH + +You are dreadfully abominable. I am surprised that such an honest and +honorable man as Henry should have such a dishonest brother. + +CARL + +And therefore, leaving the honest Henry, you became the mistress of the +dishonest Carl? Correct! + +ELIZABETH + +According to you, I am also—— + +CARL + +Also what? First you betrayed Henry with your husband, now you are +betraying both Henry and your husband with me. Well, your husband, of +course, is a fool, but after all—and then, you are supporting me. You +know, that is not particularly moral. + +ELIZABETH + +Turn on the light. + +CARL + +Gladly. + + _Looking for the switch._ + +Lizette, I don’t understand why you are so disgusted with me. You have +just said so tragically, “Abominable.” There! + + _Turns on the light. ELIZABETH is sitting in the armchair near + the piano; she covers her eyes with both hands as the light is + suddenly turned on. CARL sits down again, tired, blinking at + the light._ + +I am convenient, because you may say everything and do everything with +me. The devil take them! They have been drinking punch here. That makes +the picture lively. Mr. Feklusha is managing his affairs quite nicely. +Punch! + + _ELIZABETH takes her hands away from her eyes and examines + the room with fear. She wears large diamond earrings. She is + beautiful._ + +ELIZABETH + +This is terrible! This is terrible! + +CARL + +It is simply tasteless. + +ELIZABETH + +No! It looks as if a crime had been committed here. A crime _was_ +committed here. I am a murderess, Carl! + +CARL + +Nonsense! A woman’s nerves! But something is here—a certain interesting +odor. Crime! There’s a word that should be pronounced cautiously. It has +a magic effect. Ah, the devil take it. And the door. He has a key, he may +come back any moment. Let us go! + +ELIZABETH + +Wait. I am looking. I love him! + +CARL + +I have no doubt. What wonderful diamonds you have, Liza! + +ELIZABETH + +I love him. Why have I done it? It wasn’t necessary, it wasn’t necessary +at all. I have an enormous amount of money, but I don’t need it, I don’t +need it at all. But at that time I wanted money—or didn’t I want it? I +don’t know. I don’t know! Carl, I’ll give you ten thousand to-morrow, if +you like. + +CARL + +I do. + +ELIZABETH + +I’ll give you twenty thousand, if you like. + +CARL + +No, you won’t, my dear. You won’t give me even ten thousand, but you will +give me five hundred for this visit. I know you, my dear! But I am not +complaining. I am satisfied. + + _Walks uneasily._ + +Liza, my nerves are on edge. + + _Stretching himself._ + +We must do something. Let us go driving like mad in an automobile. Come. +Meanwhile, let me kiss your ear—you have such wonderful ears. + +ELIZABETH + +Ears or—earrings? + +CARL + +Both. You are such a darling. + +ELIZABETH + +Leave me alone. Don’t dare! + +CARL + +I dare. And now this one! + + _Kisses her ear._ + +ELIZABETH + + _Mockingly_: + +Karlusha! + +CARL + + _Quickly stepping away, angrily_: + +Please! + +ELIZABETH + +Karlusha! Karlusha! + +CARL + + _Turning pale_: + +I have already asked you never to call me by that foolish name. My name +is Carl and not Karlusha. Please remember! + +ELIZABETH + + _Also turning pale, but continuing to laugh._ + +Karlusha! No! You are just Karlusha! + +CARL + + _Violently_: + +But I ask you—seriously! You may call me whatever you like. I will not be +offended, but I can’t bear this nickname. Do you hear? Don’t irritate me. +Don’t irritate me! + +ELIZABETH + +And what will happen if I do—Karlusha? + +CARL + + _Slowly_: + +What will happen? My brother Henry will be tried for the murder of +Elizabeth. I will choke you. Silence! + +ELIZABETH + + _Retreating, in a whisper_: + +Karlusha, Karlusha, Karlusha! + +CARL + + _Advancing a step, also in a low voice_: + +Keep quiet. Will you? For the last time—— + +ELIZABETH + + _Hiding behind the armchair_: + +Karlusha! + + _CARL advances towards her silently. ELIZABETH retreats, + without turning her widened eyes from him. Suddenly she stops + and listens._ + +Hush! + + _Frightened._ + +Some one is coming. + +CARL + + _Also frightened._ + +Where? Ssh! + +ELIZABETH + +Footsteps. + +CARL + +No. + +ELIZABETH + +Some one is behind that door. + +CARL + +Tss. Where? + + _Both are pale, bending, listening attentively. Pause. The + electric light is burning._ + + _Curtain_ + + + + +ACT III + + + SCENE I: _Night. Fog. The bank of one of the Petrograd canals. + Lanterns are seen in the distance. A cast iron gate is seen + distinctly in the foreground. Beyond it, the canal and the + other side are enveloped in darkness, and enormous houses are + outlined faintly in the background. Lights are seen in some of + the windows here and there—the lights are faint and motionless + like yellow spots._ + + _HENRY TILE and FEKLUSHA are standing and talking, half leaning + against the gate. Henry is smoking a cigar._ + +HENRY + +You are drunk, Feklusha, you are absolutely drunk. Your eyes are green. +Come. + +FEKLUSHA + +I won’t. + +HENRY + +Shall I call a cab? Then you won’t have to drag your feet. + +FEKLUSHA + +I don’t want to. + +HENRY + +I’ll give you some more cognac. + +FEKLUSHA + +I don’t want any. You’re drunk yourself. I don’t want to go to your +apartment—leave me alone. I don’t want to! + +HENRY + +Don’t yell. + +FEKLUSHA + +I’m not yelling. + + _Pause._ + +Let me go, Henry. I will go down on my knees before you, if you like. I +will go down on my knees before you, but let me go, or I will shout again. + +HENRY + +Alexandrov! + +FEKLUSHA + +I won’t. Why did you take me along? + + _Cries._ + +I was hiding, but you found me—I can’t bear it any more. I don’t want +to go to that tavern any more. I don’t want your cognac, I want to go +home—my wife is waiting for me. + +HENRY + +You are drunk. Don’t cry, it’s foolish. Listen, have you forgotten what +you wanted to do? Try to recall! Recall! You were planning to betray me +when I run away with the money—in order to get one third. That would make +you rich—rich! Recall! + +FEKLUSHA + +Well, I wanted to do it, but now I don’t want to do it. I was driven +insane by your maps; I began to feel like a bloodhound. I was running and +running, without knowing where I was running. The day I met you on the +Nevsky was cursed—I felt happy—I had found an old friend! + +HENRY + +Yes, that day was cursed. You express yourself precisely. Come to my +house, come; it will be very nice there. Have you forgotten? We will +light all the lamps, I will get some cognac. + +FEKLUSHA + +I won’t go. That’s my last word, Mr. Tile. + +HENRY + +Call me Henry. + +FEKLUSHA + +I don’t want to. Either you run away with your million or—to the devil +with it all! To the devil! + +HENRY + +Very well, I’ll run away. Have another drink, it’s cognac. + +FEKLUSHA + +Where did you get it? + + _Drinks from the bottle._ + +Very good. And you? + +HENRY + +I’ll have a drink, too. + + _Drinks._ + +FEKLUSHA + + _Laughs._ + +Fine comrades! The people of your bank should see you now—how funny! By +God! + +HENRY + + _Laughs softly._ + +They are sleeping, and they see in their dreams that Henry Tile is busy +with his arithmetic. While Henry Tile is drinking cognac with Feklusha. + + _Both laugh, swaying._ + +FEKLUSHA + +Where are we? I don’t know this place. Where are we, Henry? + +HENRY + +This is the Catherine Canal. And that is the fog—and there is the water. +Do you want to spit into the water? + +FEKLUSHA + +I do. + + _Spits._ + +And what is that? + +HENRY + +Those are the lighted windows of the houses on the other side. Someone is +awake. + +FEKLUSHA + +And I thought only we were awake. Haven’t you any more cognac? I would +drink some more. I feel cold. + +HENRY + +Come to my apartment, and I’ll give you more. There is a little round +table, and on the table are cognac and punch. Are you fond of punch? + +FEKLUSHA + + _Still obstinate, but weakening_, + +I won’t go. Either you run away right now, or—! Why don’t you run away? +What sort of a thief are you? Upon my word of honor! I’ll throw myself +into the canal, by God, I will! + +HENRY + +Oh, what a sly little beast you are! You are all very sly beasts, and you +want to be slier than Henry Tile, but you cannot. He will deceive you, +Feklusha! I was jesting. You may run after me night and day, but you will +not overtake me. You will lose your reason altogether, your eyes will +turn yellow, you will be howling at the door, but you will not overtake +me! + +FEKLUSHA + +My eyes are yellow now. And you are also drunk. + +HENRY + +You are foolish! I cannot be drunk. I drink this—(_Throws the bottle into +the water_)—and it turns into fire, it burns like a flame. I am full of +fire! + +FEKLUSHA + +I would have run away twenty times. + +HENRY + +Oh, yes. You would have run away twenty times. Another fool would have +run away twenty times—and twenty times the police would have caught +another fool! But I am waiting. I am thinking and waiting. Oh, I have +grown tired of making plans and upsetting them, but soon I am going to +have a plan which cannot be upset—and then I shall disappear. One, two, +three—Uf! + + _Blows at his fingers._ + +Where is Henry Tile? Disappeared. Excuse me, he has put on a magic cap. +Feklusha! Could you overtake a phantom? + +FEKLUSHA + + _Laughing plaintively_: + +Now it seems to me that I believe you again. You are a real tempter—a +demon. I had better go home. + +HENRY + +Believe me, please, believe me! I have a remarkable mind which sees +everything. You say this is the fog, and I am telling you that these are +the wings on which Henry Tile will fly away. I have a remarkable mind; +it thinks while others sleep. What is it thinking about? Everything! Oh, +what dreams I see, what a happy man I am! + + _Laughs happily._ + +Excuse me, I pushed you. + +FEKLUSHA + +Never mind, Henry, that’s nothing. + +HENRY + +That’s impolite. Excuse me. Fools ask me, What do you do all day long, +you are always alone? Why, I haven’t enough days and nights for thinking! +Thinking! Thinking! They take me to see gay women, they take me as if I +were sick and needed a cure, and they ask me, Isn’t it fine, Henry Tile? +And I say to them, Very good! What a wonderful orgy! + + _Laughs._ + +FEKLUSHA + + _Also laughing_: + +Are the women nice? + +HENRY + +You are foolish. As if I needed women! For a trifling sum I can be +immoral—how foolish! Listen, I am now thirty-four years old, and I may +live another thirty-four years—and what if I should be old, that doesn’t +matter. The Popes of Rome are made Popes only when they are old—that +doesn’t matter. And in America—or wherever I shall be, wherever there +will be the man who will emerge from the stupid skin of Henry Tile—in +America I will invest my million. Oh, I know how to handle money! I have +a plan, I have given much thought to it, I have considered everything, +and I know a dozen combinations which will bring me a hundred millions in +five years. Is that good—a hundred millions? + +FEKLUSHA + +What a question! + +HENRY + +No, Feklusha, that isn’t so good—but a thousand millions, but two +thousand millions—that is good! Then I could live! Then I could amuse +myself! On that I could have palaces, buy women, be the benefactor of +idiots, have a Henry Tile of my own who would love accuracy—then I could +amuse myself! I will amuse myself! + +FEKLUSHA + +No, I don’t want to. Leave me, Henry. My dear fellow! Why did you take me +by the hand? Leave me. + +HENRY + +You must believe me, my old friend! You must love me. I have a remarkable +mind. + +FEKLUSHA + +I do love you, I do love you! + +HENRY + + _Bending down towards him, softly_: + +Silence! Do you know that I, Henry Tile, am a criminal? I _am_! + +FEKLUSHA + +Really? At last, thank God! + +HENRY + +You can think of money only? No, it isn’t _money_. It is women—it is +little children who are still lisping, “Henry, Henry!” It is the murder +of human beings, it is deception, it is betrayal, mockery, falsehood, +cruelty—and what else is there? What else is there that Henry Tile has +not yet tried? + +FEKLUSHA + + _Faintly_: + +Leave me. + +HENRY + +We are going to have cognac soon—you like cognac? Or punch? My dear +Alexandrov, I will give you punch, yes, as much as you like. + +FEKLUSHA + +Again punch? I don’t want any. + + _Rudely_: + +When did you manage all this? You are lying, you haven’t enough money for +all that. I don’t want to hear any more of this nonsense, that’s enough! + +HENRY + + _Laughing happily_: + +I am preparing myself, I must know everything. You remember how they +taught us at school? I am preparing myself. I am painting pictures, I am +a famous painter. I have achieved everything! + +FEKLUSHA + +Leave me alone. + +HENRY + +Be silent, or I will throw you into the water! I have achieved +everything. They—these people—they know only the body of crime, but I, +Henry Tile, I have penetrated into its soul. Oh, how I know the soul of +murder! + +FEKLUSHA + +I’ll call a policeman. + +HENRY + +Keep quiet, you fool! + +FEKLUSHA + + _Loudly_: + +Po—— + + _Henry closes his mouth. A light struggle, followed by a pause. + Only the frightened outcry of Feklusha and the heavy breathing + of Henry are heard._ + +HENRY + +But I was only jesting. This is so foolish. I was jesting, don’t you +understand? You will not cry now, will you? + +FEKLUSHA + +No. I was scared. + +HENRY + +Of course, of course! You thought I was talking seriously, and you were +frightened. Don’t shiver like that, don’t shiver. You are a poor little +rabbit, while I am a wolf, isn’t that so? + + _Laughs, trying to appear kind._ + +I am a wolf, am I not? + +FEKLUSHA + +I like you very much, Henry—you are my benefactor. Why should I cry? + + _Sobs._ + +Leave me, I am chilled, I may catch a bad cold. + +HENRY + +Yes, yes, it is very damp and foggy, you may catch cold, my dear fellow. +Your health is very poor. You mustn’t shiver. Don’t—we will go soon. +Shall we go or will you wait a little? I’ll wait. + +FEKLUSHA + +I am going in a little while. + +HENRY + +Oh, what a foolish little beast! He is shivering! But we will warm him up +with hot punch, with very hot punch, and we will have some music. Do you +like music, Feklusha? + +FEKLUSHA + +I do. Some one is coming. Let my hand go. + +HENRY + + _Laughing_: + +That is the King of the Forest, Feklusha. “The child, all shivering, +is clinging to its father.” Who’s coming? Who wants to scare my little +rabbit? + + _Laughs._ + +That’s nothing: It’s a lady in a large hat. It’s a beautiful woman for a +song, and you will be a Don Juan to-night! + +FEKLUSHA + +No. + +HENRY + +Yes, yes. You said so yourself. Well, smile, smile—you are a splendid +fellow! + + _A woman with a large hat and bent wet plumes emerges silently + from the fog._ + +HENRY + +Good evening, beautiful lady. May I know why you are walking alone in +such bad weather? + + _The woman looks at them silently._ + +HENRY + + _Laughing_: + +Don’t be silent, Feklusha, you must be a gallant cavalier. Ask her. You +are a Don Juan this evening. + +FEKLUSHA + +What shall I ask her? Aren’t you afraid to walk alone, mademoiselle? + +HENRY + + _Laughing_: + +He says, aren’t you afraid to walk alone? Well? Now let us hear the +beautiful lady’s answer. Well? + + _The woman is laughing and waving her hand._ + +WOMAN + +Good evening, friends. Are you laughing at me or not? What are you +standing here for, at the canal? Were you waiting for me? + +HENRY + +She asks: Were we waiting for her? Well, Feklusha, answer. She is a very +nice lady. + +FEKLUSHA + +What shall I answer? You are so strange, Henry! Let’s take a cab, and +that’s all. What’s the use of answering? + +HENRY + + _Rejoicing_: + +That’s it! There’s a brave fellow! + + _Both laugh. The woman, after thinking awhile, also laughs._ + +WOMAN + +Are you drunk? Why do you stand near the canal? I am chilled, I am going +home. What time is it? + +FEKLUSHA + +Happy people don’t watch the time. Henry, what did I say? Happy people +don’t watch the time! + + _Laughs loudly; Henry also laughs, clapping him on the + shoulder._ + +WOMAN + +If you are so happy, take me along with you. I am also happy. My friends +have nicknamed me “Happy Jennie.” I bring luck with me wherever I go. +They all praise me. Come, why are we standing here? The bird on my hat +is afraid of the rain! + +FEKLUSHA + + _Laughing_: + +Happy people don’t watch the time? What? And what were you thinking of, +Jennie? + +HENRY + + _Approvingly_: + +Yes, yes, Feklusha, you have let loose. But we must ask the beautiful +lady about her price. + +WOMAN + +What’s the sense of that? You are talking nonsense. Let us go, and that’s +all. + +HENRY + +Feklusha! It was Henry Tile who asked what is your price. He was afraid +the price would be too high. + +WOMAN + +Oh, not at all. + +HENRY + + _Laughing_: + +Yes, he was afraid! But we are not afraid and we ask you to come along, +Happy Jennie. Now we are all happy. + +FEKLUSHA + +All! I like her. You take her. Jennie, do you like cognac? + +HENRY + +Of course, she is coming along with us, of course. And there will be +cognac, and hot punch. Come! + +WOMAN + +But where are you taking me? I am afraid to go to a strange place. + +FEKLUSHA + +We are kind people, Jennie—don’t be afraid. Henry, shall I take her arm? +Jennie, your arm! Oh, what a little hand! + +HENRY + +But you are a real Don Juan! Come. And I will be your protector. Go, my +dear children, I will follow. + + _They go. Henry follows them._ + +WOMAN + +Where are we going? + +FEKLUSHA + +Do you love me, Jennie? I am a kind man. + + _The bank is deserted. Fog. Night._ + + _Curtain_ + + + SCENE II: _The same night. When the curtain goes up after a + brief intermission, the audience sees the same unfinished room + in Henry’s apartment. The room is brightly lighted. On the + table are cognac and fruit._ + + _HENRY, FEKLUSHA and “HAPPY JENNIE” are seated at the table, + drinking. They have already drunk a great deal. The table is in + disorder. FEKLUSHA, intoxicated, is without a coat, in a soiled + shirt and torn vest. The woman’s waist is partly unfastened, + but she still wears her large hat with the wet plumes._ + +HENRY + +Have another glass, Jennie. Please. And eat this pear. + +WOMAN + +_Merci_, I feel embarrassed. You are the host but you are not drinking +anything yourself! + +HENRY + +Oh, no. I am drinking, too. Please—Your health, “Happy Jennie!” + +FEKLUSHA + +I drink your health, too! + +WOMAN + +I’ll be drunk. Well, here’s to the health of the one who loves! + + _They drink._ + +WOMAN + +I’d like to have some lemon. How much do you pay for your apartment? + +HENRY + +Twelve hundred. + +WOMAN + +Including the porter? + +HENRY + +Oh, yes. Including the porter. + +WOMAN + +That isn’t expensive. And a nice neighborhood, too. Well— + + _To Feklusha_: + +What is it? Why do you pull me? + +FEKLUSHA + +Jennie, take off your hat! + +HENRY + +Feklusha, you are impolite to the lady, you should be attentive to her, +instead of pulling her. Fie! + +FEKLUSHA + +Let her take her hat off! Tell her. Jennie, take your hat off! + +WOMAN + +What do you want of my hat? Let it dry. It’ll dry better on my head. +You’re not going to buy me another one, anyway. + +HENRY + +And don’t pull her hair! + +WOMAN + +It didn’t hurt. We are having such a serious conversation here, and he +bothers me. That isn’t expensive, twelve hundred—not expensive at all. +But you should let some of the rooms. What’s the use of keeping them +vacant? They’re empty. Ah, you have filled my glass again, how quick you +are! + +HENRY + +Your health! + +WOMAN + +My health is all right. Now, really, the rooms are empty. And good rooms, +too. Anybody would take them—so many people need rooms, and here they +are idle. Put out a green sign in front of the house: “Two rooms to let.” + +HENRY + +And with windows on the sunny side—that is very important. + +WOMAN + +With windows facing the sun, why not? Write it out and paste it +downstairs, or the porter will do it. You wouldn’t have to bother. Do you +keep a cook, or do you have your meals at a restaurant? + +HENRY + +At a restaurant. You know, there is so much trouble when you have a cook. + +WOMAN + +Oh, yes, sometimes you get a cook who will give you a lot of trouble! +But, oh, you men, how little you know how to live! It’s funny to look at +you! + +HENRY + +Another drink! + +WOMAN + +_Merci._ Don’t you think it’s too much? I’d like some lemon. + + _To Feklusha_: + +Again? How annoying you are—what is it you want? + +FEKLUSHA + +You came up with me, not with him. Tell her, Henry! + + _Henry and the woman laugh._ + +WOMAN + +Of course with you, with you. Well, give me your lips. I’ll kiss +you—don’t be angry. + +FEKLUSHA + +I don’t want to be. You must love me, do you hear? + +HENRY + +He is jealous. Feklusha, are you jealous? + +WOMAN + +Jealous into the bargain, just think of it. Oh, you fussy little goat! + +HENRY + +He is a very jealous rabbit! + +WOMAN + +Oh, you foolish Feklusha! Look, even your friend is laughing at you, he +is thinking, how foolish you are, and your beard is like that of a goat. +Oh, you little goat! + + _Strokes Feklusha by the beard; he laughs happily._ + +FEKLUSHA + +Let go! Jennie! + +WOMAN + +No, I won’t. Are you going to be jealous? Are you going to be jealous? +You little rabbit. I was jesting a little. Now I can have another drink. +Have a drink, Feklusha! + +HENRY + +She loves you. + +WOMAN + +Of course, I love him, he is so funny. Well, you gaping fool, why do you +spill the drink on the tablecloth? You’re spilling it on the cloth, and +it’ll have to be washed. Be careful. + + _To Henry_: + +We’ve spilled so much, excuse us! + +HENRY + +Never mind, that doesn’t matter. Have this pear, please. Why don’t you +have some fruit? Feklusha, have some. + +FEKLUSHA + +I am eating. He is very kindhearted, Jennie. He is very kindhearted, +isn’t he? + +WOMAN + +He is the host, but he doesn’t touch anything himself. + +HENRY + +Oh, no! + +FEKLUSHA + +I love you very much, Henry. I love him very much, Jennie—he is +kindhearted. I know him well. He calls me “Alexandrov”—and I come rushing +to him. You can’t get away from him—Oh, no! + +WOMAN + +Oh, I am tired sitting up this way. May I sit on the couch? It’s softer +there. + +FEKLUSHA + +I’ll sit down, too. + +HENRY + +Of course, please. Alexandrov, why don’t you help the lady? + +WOMAN + + _Laughing, intoxicated_: + +Or I am going to wash the dishes right away. I am so foolish. Others +do all sorts of things, but when I have had too much to drink, I start +washing plates, cleaning knives and forks! It’s very funny! I wash a +little, but I smash a heap of dishes. + +HENRY + +If that will give you pleasure—— + +WOMAN + +Oh, no. I am not drunk yet. Ah, that’s good. + + _Sits down on the couch._ + +And you, little rabbit, sit down, and I am going to tell you a little +story. Once upon a time there was a little rabbit—his ears were long—Oh, +so long! + + _She tickles Feklusha’s hand, he laughs and withdraws his hand. + Henry looks at them from the distance. He is silent, as though + not there at all._ + +FEKLUSHA + +Do you love me, Jennie? + +WOMAN + +I love you, I love you, of course I love you! Once upon a time there was +a little rabbit. + +FEKLUSHA + +Do you feel chilly? + +WOMAN + +I feel warm now—I was chilly before. Wait, I’ll take my hat off. I’m +tired of it—to the devil with it! Look at the plumes! My dear, I had +been pacing the sidewalks ever since five o’clock—that’s enough to chill +anybody. + +FEKLUSHA + + _Laughs._ + +And I have five children! + +WOMAN + + _Laughing_: + +Oh, you rabbit! What do you want so many children for? I had one, and +lost it—and you have five! Girls? + +FEKLUSHA + +Three girls, and one little boy died—Sasha. How many is that altogether? + +WOMAN + +Well, of course, girls. Just think of it! I had a little boy, a little +rascal. + +FEKLUSHA + +Now, let us count! + +WOMAN + +What’s the use of counting? You are a queer fellow. What an accountant +you are—counting his children on his fingers! Stop it! + +FEKLUSHA + +You’re wrong, Jennie. It’s always best to count, or you may forget. Wait, +I’ll ask him. Henry, how many children have I, eh? + + _Henry maintains silence, his eyes closed._ + +WOMAN + +I guess he is dozing, be quiet! Let him sleep a little. + +FEKLUSHA + +Aren’t you afraid of him? + +WOMAN + +Why should I be afraid of him? You are impolite to me, but he is very +polite. I like him very much. Be quiet, let him sleep. + +FEKLUSHA + +He knows how to count! He has a million! + +WOMAN + +Really? + +FEKLUSHA + + _Laughs._ + +I am doing it purposely. I am sly, too. He thought I was away, but I—he +is wise, but at the same time he’s a fool, a big fool. + +WOMAN + +He is wiser than you. Are you wise? Let me see. + +FEKLUSHA + +I fooled him. + + _Laughs._ + +He thought I was away, but I was standing beneath his window every night. +I watched all his tracks. He can’t run away from me—Oh, no! + +WOMAN + +Don’t shout! + +FEKLUSHA + +I am not shouting. “Alexandrov!” You’ll find out the kind of man +Alexandrov is! I’ll make you wince! I can cry, and I can dance, if I want +to—that’s the kind of man I am. And if I want to, I can kill myself, and +then, go and look for Alexandrov! “Alexandrov!” + +WOMAN + +You are just talking downright nonsense. + +FEKLUSHA + +It isn’t nonsense. You have no right to say that to me. I’ll hit you on +the jaw. + +WOMAN + +What an angry rabbit you are! + +FEKLUSHA + +No, I am not a rabbit. I am a man. It was he who made me a rabbit, but I +am a man. I have no ability, but I am a man. I have a heart beating here, +I believe in God, but he doesn’t. What right has he? + + _Crying_: + +I can’t bear it any more! + +WOMAN + +Now, now! What is it you can’t bear? + +FEKLUSHA + + _Weeping_: + +I can’t bear it any more! + +WOMAN + +Stop it, I am sick of it. Or I’ll fall asleep, do you hear? + +FEKLUSHA + +Kiss me. + +WOMAN + +First he cries, then he wants me to kiss him. There! + +FEKLUSHA + +I don’t want you to kiss me. Your nose is crooked. Why did you come here +with a crooked nose? Get out! + +WOMAN + +Get out yourself! Just think of him! You didn’t invite me here. Get out +yourself! You nasty little rabbit! + +FEKLUSHA + +Jennie! + +HENRY + + _Loudly_: + +Alexandrov! Do you want some more cognac? Now, now—no fighting. Don’t +raise your hand! + +FEKLUSHA + +I am not fighting. It is she. + +HENRY + +You had a little quarrel? That’s nothing. That’ll pass. Have some cognac, +Happy Jennie. + +FEKLUSHA + + _Laughs._ + +Her nose is crooked, Henry. The devil brought her to us! + +WOMAN + +And who brought you? + + _Puts on her hat angrily._ + +HENRY + +Oh, aren’t you ashamed, Alexandrov? You are offending our guest! That +isn’t right. What sort of a man are you? + +FEKLUSHA + + _Laughs._ + +The devil brought her here. + +HENRY + +Then you should be grateful to him, and not angry. If the devil had +brought me such a woman, I would have said to him, Thank you! And I would +have clasped his hairy, honest hand! + + _Laughs._ + +Oh, yes, that would be an honest hand! Or do you think that the devil +cannot have an honest hand? What do you think, Jennie? + +WOMAN + +There are all kinds of devils, just as there are all kinds of people. + +HENRY + + _Solemnly_: + +Do you hear, Alexandrov, you fool? Drink, liven up your dull brain! +Drink, Jennie, drink some more—drink faster! Soon the cock will crow. +My night is passing, and I haven’t had a single one of my dreams. Drink +faster. Swallow the fire! Here I, Henry Tile, am swallowing fire! Look! +One, two, three! + + _Drinks a large glass of cognac._ + +FEKLUSHA + +I too! Look, Henry! I too! + + _Empties his glass, coughs; the woman, laughing, taps him on + the shoulder._ + +WOMAN + +So will I! + +HENRY + +He too! All of us! Drink faster, I beg you, my dear guests, I beg you: +drink faster! The night is passing rapidly, but we must be faster than +the night. Let us rush like wild horses. Do you know how to neigh like a +horse, Feklusha? + +FEKLUSHA + +I do. What time is it? I must go to work to-morrow. + +HENRY + +What work? You are out of your mind. What work are you talking about? +Have you forgotten, my old friend, have you forgotten that you are +working for me? + +FEKLUSHA + +I am done for! + + _Drinks._ + +Jennie, drink! + +WOMAN + +I’m drinking. + + _Laughs._ + +You’re driving us fast. + + _They drink, loudly clanking their glasses._ + +HENRY + +Jennie, kiss Feklusha. Feklusha, kiss Jennie. + +WOMAN + +Drinking and kissing! + +HENRY + +Quick. I want to see how a man kisses the woman he loves. Just think of +it, I have never seen it. Well? + +FEKLUSHA + +Well? + +WOMAN + + _Laughing._ + +There! + + _They kiss._ + +HENRY + +More—more—more passionately! Ah! That’s the way! + +WOMAN + + _Laughing_: + +What a queer fellow—he’s never seen it before. Now, my little rabbit, we +are like husband and wife—we kissed each other three times. + +FEKLUSHA + +I love you. + +HENRY + +Good! Oh, I know something else. We are all going to laugh soon. Wait. +I’ll be back in a minute—just a minute! + + _Goes to his bedroom quickly._ + +WOMAN + +I am drunk, my dear little rabbit—the whole room is dancing before my +eyes. + + _Laughs._ + +What is he up to now—the flatterer? + +FEKLUSHA + +Kiss me some more. Everything seems to be dancing. It’s so funny! + +WOMAN + +That’ll do. Let me rather stroke your head now. What thin hair the little +rabbit has—the crows seem to have pulled them out. Have the crows pulled +out your hair, little rabbit? + +FEKLUSHA + +The crows. + + _Henry Tile enters, with changed make-up, and changed walk. He + has on a light wig, baldheaded, and red beard. His cheeks are + very red. He stops and looks silently at the frightened woman + and at Feklusha._ + +WOMAN + +Who is that? Listen! + +FEKLUSHA + +Look here, there’s nobody here! Who’s that? Why are you staring at us +like that? + + _Calls, frightened_: + +Henry, somebody is here! + + _Henry laughs triumphantly._ + +HENRY + + _Distorting his words_: + +Permit me to ask you: Is Henry Tile at home or has he fled already? I am +an Englishman—Sir Edward Thomson. I am red-headed. + +FEKLUSHA + +Is it possible? Henry! By God, I have sobered up! I was wondering who it +was—I was scared to death. Is it possible? + + _Laughs. Henry and the woman also laugh._ + +HENRY + +You didn’t recognize me? + +FEKLUSHA + +How could I? And your figure, even the figure—and that red beard! + + _Laughs._ + +WOMAN + +And baldheaded. But why baldheaded? + +HENRY + +Look! + + _He walks across the room with a changed gait, imitating an + Englishman._ + +FEKLUSHA + +Wonderful, quite a different man. I don’t understand a thing! I am out of +my mind. Is that you, Henry? + +HENRY + +I. I can change my walk, I can change my voice, and everything else. +Every night I put on this costume, I look at myself in the mirror, and I +walk up and down this room alone. I am practicing. Do you understand me +now, you fool? + +FEKLUSHA + +That’s what I call wonderful. That’s really wonderful. Jennie, do you +see? It isn’t enough to kiss his hand—that’s what I say. + +HENRY + + _Changing his voice_: + +Don’t you want some music, Mr. Alexandrov, and you, my beautiful lady? I +am a musician, and at your service. + +FEKLUSHA + +I do, please, let us have it. Jennie, music! + +HENRY + +I am a famous musician. Listen, Feklusha, I will play for you “The Waltz +of the Dogs.” Listen! + + _He sits down with his usual affected manner, emphasizing it, + and plays “The Waltz of the Dogs,” explaining as he plays_: + +Little dogs are dancing. Nice little dogs. Ti—ta—ta! + +FEKLUSHA + +Little dogs—well, well! + +HENRY + +This way. This way. They pull them by a string—they hold out bits of +sugar—ta-ta-ti-ti-. And then the little dogs lift their feet—this +way—this way—and they dance—the foolish little dogs. This way, this way! + +FEKLUSHA + +More! Please, play it again! + +WOMAN + +More! More! + +HENRY + +No. That’s enough. + + _He walks away from the piano quickly; he stares at the woman + furiously, and then at Feklusha, and he stamps his foot._ + +Who am I? Oh you fools! The best musicians in the world will play for me, +and I will step with my foot—I will crush their stupid violin with my +foot, and will say “Enough!” I will stand with my feet upon your stupid +music! Enough! The most beautiful of women will fall at my feet and kiss +the mud of my soles, and I will stand with my foot upon her beautiful +naked breast and say, Enough! And she will be crushed while still kissing +with dying lips. Enough! I will cry! Enough, you foolish, trivial, +unworthy—creature! + + _He bangs the piano with great force._ + +WOMAN + +Oh, don’t! Better play some more. + +FEKLUSHA + +Don’t, Henry. I am afraid! You’d better play—about the little dogs. Let +the little dogs dance again. + +HENRY + +The little dogs? + +FEKLUSHA + +Yes. + + _Laughs happily._ + +How they pull them by the string, and they lift their little feet, their +little feet! + + _Raises his feet._ + +HENRY + +Their little feet? + +FEKLUSHA + +Yes. Please. I like it. + +HENRY + +Yes, yes. + + _Laughs._ + +He likes it, he likes it. Very well, then, the little dogs. + +WOMAN AND FEKLUSHA + + _Begging_: + +The little dogs?... + +HENRY + + _Sitting down at the piano; with changed voice._ + +Listen! I am a famous musician, and here I am playing for you the famous +“Waltz of the Dogs.” Dance. + + _He plays_ “The Waltz of the Dogs.” _Feklusha, raising his + hands, and imitating a dog dancing, turns around easily on his + toes. His face is serious and solemn. The woman joins him. + Raising her hands, she also dances turning around easily, as in + a dream. Her face, too, is serious and attentive._ + + _Turning around his red head and red cheeks, showing his white + teeth, Henry looks back at them, laughing and playing._ + + _Curtain_ + + + + +ACT IV + + + _The same scene. Night. ELIZABETH, CARL and FEKLUSHA are in the + room._ + +ELIZABETH + +I should like to see the other rooms. Would it be right? I don’t know. + +CARL + +Why not? Look around, if it gives you pleasure. You needn’t pay any +attention to Feklusha. We are friends now. But how fat I am getting, +Liza—have you noticed it? + +ELIZABETH + +Yes. + +CARL + +It’s almost indecent. I gained another pound last week, in spite of my +exercise and horseback riding. I’ll have to get a masseur. Mr. Feklusha, +what do you do in order to be so thin? You will soon look like an Indian +fakir. + +FEKLUSHA + +What? Yes. I have grown very thin. + +CARL + +How much do you weigh? + +FEKLUSHA + +What? I don’t know, I have never weighed myself. + +CARL + +Liza, don’t you think our friend Feklusha looks like a lunatic who has +escaped from an asylum? But why don’t you look at the other rooms, Liza? +Go. We will chat here. What are you looking at? + +ELIZABETH + +Carl, is it possible that eighteen months have passed since we were here? +Look—the same music. + +CARL + +Yes, Henry is conservative. I suppose eighteen months have passed—I don’t +know. But Liza, I don’t understand the charms of these heartrending +recollections. In this respect I am a European. The Russians don’t live, +they only remember something—and whatever they say or whatever they +write, is always like a recollection. + +ELIZABETH + +And Henry? + +CARL + +Henry? I must say that I hardly know my brother Henry. Still, I +am convinced that if he came in now, he would drive both of us +out—notwithstanding the charms of your recollections. Make haste, my dear. + +FEKLUSHA + +He won’t be here so soon. I know his habits. + +CARL + +So much the better. I wouldn’t like to quarrel with Henry. + +ELIZABETH + +My husband is dead, and my child is dead, but here nothing has changed. +There will be the head of Beethoven—when is it going to be there? Carl, I +am going into the other rooms. I’ll be back soon. + +CARL + +Go. The switch is near the door, you’ll find it easily. Mr. Feklusha, sit +down near me. + + _Exit Elizabeth. Feklusha sits down near Carl._ + +CARL + +Well, Mr. Feklusha? Why do you smell of sour beer? You always think up +something new. You look either sick or drunk. Why do you stare at me +this way? Well? + +FEKLUSHA + +It’s done. + +CARL + +What’s done? + +FEKLUSHA + +He’s insured. For a hundred thousand—as agreed. + +CARL + + _Rising._ + +Really? Where is the policy? Has he the policy? + +FEKLUSHA + +The policy will soon be here. They promised to have it in a few days. I +am telling you the truth. + +CARL + +Yes? + + _Walks._ + +CARL + +No! No. You are lying, Mr. Feklusha, you are lying, I can see it! You are +a perfectly unbearable fool—why do you lie to me? A queer man who doesn’t +understand his own advantage—and lies into the bargain. Or are you sorry +to lose the cognac you are drinking with Henry? But you have already +drunk yourself sick—you need a hospital now—your eyes are like those of a +mad dog. We, the Tiles, we can drink much. We come of strong stock, but I +wouldn’t advise you to drink much more! + +FEKLUSHA + +I haven’t touched a drink in a month now. Enough! + +CARL + +That sounds pretty strong for Feklusha, but if that’s the case, why are +your eyes so half-witted? And what is it you like so much about Henry? He +treats you like a scamp. Or is it that you are sorry for him, that you +have human feelings? + +FEKLUSHA + +Yes, I am sorry for him. Why shouldn’t I feel sorry for him? + +CARL + +Fie! Drop it! It’s disgusting to hear you talk! Besides, I’ll tell you +frankly—I know something about medicine, and I tell you that in a year +from now no insurance company will take a risk on Henry. There are +certain symptoms, you understand, which I don’t like at all—I am afraid +for him. + +FEKLUSHA + +In a week—or two—the policy will be here. + +CARL + +Do you want me to believe that? + +FEKLUSHA + +It will be here. + +CARL + +I want you to know that I am not particularly interested. I live +quite well now, and soon—meanwhile it is a secret—I am going to marry +Elizabeth. And do you know how much money she has? Well. I suppose you +haven’t prepared that note either—it’s impossible to have any dealings +with you. + +FEKLUSHA + +I have prepared it. Here it is. + +CARL + + _Reading_: + +“I ask that no one be blamed for my death. I leave no will. Give my +servant Ivan five hundred rubles. Henry Tile.” So. Was that your idea—the +five hundred for Ivan? + +FEKLUSHA + +Yes. + +CARL + +You are a wonderful criminal, Feklusha. I take back everything unpleasant +I have ever said to you. I know Henry’s handwriting. This is a +masterpiece. Most remarkable! Is that his paper, too? + +FEKLUSHA + +Yes, from his desk. Give it back to me. + +CARL + +How old are you—forty? I must tell you that you have been forty years a +blockhead! To bury such a talent in the ground! It’s inexcusably stupid! +With such a genius for forging handwritings you could have made a fortune +long ago. It’s stupid! + +FEKLUSHA + +Let me have the note. + +CARL + + _Putting the note away in his pocketbook._ + +Oh, no, you don’t get that! Show me the policy, then you’ll get your +masterpiece—then it will be in safe hands. _Comprenez_, Mr. Feklusha? + +FEKLUSHA + + _Hesitating_: + +Very well. You are a great criminal yourself, Carl. + +CARL + + _Indifferently_: + +So-so. I must live somehow—money does not lie in the streets. Give me a +million, then you may demand honesty of me. But to ride in a cab, while +others are driving about in automobiles—thank you. But there is one thing +of which you must beware—that’s greed! That’s what kills people like us. +Here is Liza. Well, how is it, Lizette, have you shed tears there? + +ELIZABETH + +Carl, it is terrible. + +CARL + +What is it, Lizette? Ghosts? + +ELIZABETH + +Don’t laugh. One of the rooms is only partly covered with wall paper. +Dust, lime, spiderwebs—what room is that? I forget what he told me that +time—what is that terrible room? + +CARL + +I don’t know. Henry has so many absurd fantastic ideas. I think it’s the +nursery. + + _Laughs._ + +For your unborn children, Lizette! + +FEKLUSHA + +Yes, the nursery. In his excitement at that time, Henry ordered them not +to touch the room—I suppose it has been neglected since then. + +ELIZABETH + +Go out, Carl, and ask Alexandrov to go out with you for awhile. I want to +stay here alone. Do you mind? + +CARL + +Not at all. Let us go out, Feklusha, and chat. You are fascinating like a +bride this evening—I am really fond of you. Call us, Liza. + + _They go out. Elizabeth remains alone, holding an embroidered + handkerchief. She wears large diamond earrings._ + +ELIZABETH + +How strange! Three years have passed. My husband and my child are dead +and buried, and here everything is the same as it was—and the apartment +is waiting for me. Who am I? Liza. I have come purposely from Moscow. I +came here before—I came to Henry. He was not at home, and I waited. Then +I could come in and wait. Henry, I am waiting for you! + + _Pause._ + +Henry, I am waiting for you. + + _Pause. Elizabeth weeps._ + +I love you, Henry! I am happy to kiss the table at which you sit, to kiss +the floor on which you walk, to kiss the room in which I did not want +to live. I? I don’t know. Who else if not I? I love you, Henry. I swear +by the Almighty God, I love you, Henry, and I never loved anyone but +you, and I never called anyone but you! You are strong, and you do not +forgive. You drove me out when I knocked at your door. Go, you said. Go, +unworthy Elizabeth—you said, and shut the door. And I went away. I love +you, Henry. + + _Weeps._ + +Why are you so sad, if you do not love me, Henry? Yesterday you were +walking along the bank of the canal, you thought you were alone, but I +was riding in a carriage and looking at you from the window. You were so +sad! And I fell in love with you all over again, like a little girl—you +thought you were alone—you walked sadly and saw no one. Perhaps you +were even crying, Henry? Perhaps you were also thinking of the unborn +children? Oh, what terrible words—unborn children! Who were not born? Who +did not see the light? Who were expected here and who failed to come? Who +were not born? Who failed to come? Henry! Henry! + + _Pause._ + +God, make it so that my soul shall remain here, that it shall turn into +the air that would embrace him! He will come home sad—and suddenly he +will feel a certain warmth, he will smile and say: “Why is it so nice in +this room? How nice! Who is kissing me? Is that you, Liza? Is that you, +Liza?” + + _Weeps._ + +Your mother, who died long ago and cannot curse me, because she died +long ago—she taught you to play; you were then a little boy and she +moved your little fingers—you had such tiny fingers then. Afterward, +you played for me—I was sitting here, and you were playing, and you +wanted me to laugh, but I suddenly felt sad and terrified. I suddenly +commenced to hate you and your apartment. I commenced to hate your +mother—I felt sad and terrified! I did not understand anything at the +time, and I went to Moscow. But now I know. You were playing about the +unborn children—your laughter was sad. Henry, why did you play for me? +Who were not born? Who did not see the light? For whom were they waiting +here—waiting—waiting—and who failed to come? Henry! + + _Weeps._ + +I love you, Henry! + + _Weeps. Kneels and lowers her head on the keys of the piano. + Then rises, adjusts her hair and wipes her forehead as though + driving something away. Calls_: + +Carl! + + _Enter FEKLUSHA and CARL._ + +CARL + +Well, shall we go home? It’s time. The devil knows what it is, Liza. I +have just been boasting to Feklusha about my health—and suddenly I feel a +most annoying palpitation of the heart! Do you think it’s heart trouble? + +ELIZABETH + +I don’t think so. Let’s go. Good night, Alexandrov. + +CARL + +I don’t think it’s heart trouble, but it’s dreadfully disagreeable. +Well, to the devil with everything, I must start my massage treatment +to-morrow! Good-by, Feklusha, and please don’t disturb me the next few +days. I am going to rest—come in to see me in about a week. Or rather I +will write you when to come. + +ELIZABETH + +Come, let us go, Carl! + +CARL + +Wait a minute. I have waited for two hours at a time for you, so you may +wait for me a minute. Remember, Alexandrov, I will write you when to +come. But see that everything is ready, understand? It is high time for +you to stop being such a fool—you have children. Well, let us go. I hope +we won’t meet Henry now. The devil take your fancies, Liza!... + + _They go out._ + +FEKLUSHA + + _Says to Carl in the corridor_: + +The door shuts itself. + +CARL’S _Voice_ + +I know. Good-by. + +FEKLUSHA + +Good-by. + + _Feklusha remains alone. He sits down at the table, takes out + of his pocket an envelope and a carefully folded sheet of + paper; reads_: + +“I ask that no one be blamed for my death. I leave no will. Give my +servant Ivan five hundred rubles. Henry Tile.” So. Very well. He thinks +that I prepared one note, but I made two—the fool Karlusha. He is greedy, +but foolish. And he didn’t see that his note didn’t have the date, while +no one would write a note like that without dating it—foolish Carl! And +the _r_ in the other note is different from Henry’s _r_—he didn’t notice +that either in his greed. Such fools get caught. + + _Goes over to the mirror, takes out a comb, combs his hair._ + +They’re coming out! I suppose it’s consumption—I feel cold and I +perspire—but I’ll show you my consumption! + + _He walks up and down the room, examining things with contempt._ + +I’ll show you! + + _He tries to open the locked drawer in the table, looks over + papers, and pushes them aside with contempt._ + +Order! Scoundrels! I’ll show you order! + + _Sits down at the table and shakes his hands._ + +It would be fine to put a bomb under the Nicholas Bridge and blow it to +pieces—so that all would fly to hell. Yes. And I could put a bomb under +the whole city, a bomb of tens of thousands of pounds—then I would also +be blown to the devil. No, why should I? A wire could be stretched as +far as Shuvalovo and a button placed somewhere on a tree, in the woods—I +could press it once—and they would all be blown to hell! I think I’ll +wind up in a lunatic asylum—I was turning round and round, and now I +can’t disentangle myself. Oh, fiddlesticks! + + _Thoughtfully_: + +They’ll beat me there. They say they beat people there—they break their +ribs—that’s unpleasant. And the food, they say, is poor there—the +lunatics don’t understand, but as soon as one of them complains, they +break his ribs. They say to him, don’t lie! The lunatic has no rights +whatever, that is very unjust. Of course a lunatic may be quiet, then no +one will touch him. The wardens like the quiet lunatics. I suppose they +also suffer a great deal. Oh, yes! Of course—quietly. + + _Rises and walks ever faster._ + +It’s easy for you to say, quietly. Yes. It’s easy for you to say it, but +for me, it’s dreadful—very dreadful. + + _He turns around the room senselessly; muttering indistinctly, + without noticing that Henry Tile has entered._ + +HENRY + +Good evening, Feklusha. + +FEKLUSHA + +What? What? + +HENRY + +I say: good evening. Why are you running round like that? + +FEKLUSHA + +I? Nothing. Good evening, Henry. + +HENRY + +You were muttering. Are you ill? + +FEKLUSHA + + _Laughs._ + +Was I? There was no one to talk to, so I was talking to myself. I have +found myself a comrade just as wise as I am. + +HENRY + +What were you talking about? + +FEKLUSHA + +My nonsense is of no interest to anybody. I was just talking about +domestic affairs. Is it raining? + +HENRY + +Yes, it’s raining. + + _Sits down, fatigued._ + +FEKLUSHA + +Henry, Ivan has gone out. He said you sent him away for the evening. + +HENRY + +Yes, I sent him away. Sit down, please, and keep quiet. + + _Silence._ + +FEKLUSHA + +What is it, Henry? Why do you look so pale—are you ill? Perhaps you ought +to see the doctor. + +HENRY + +No. I am well. I suppose I am tired—I had to talk a great deal at the +conference to-day—I had to discuss business. I argued with the fools and +I am tired. Are you going to stay long to-night? + +FEKLUSHA + +No. Just a minute. I am going soon. + + _Pause._ + +HENRY + +What a pity I have no fireplace. I thought of everything, but forgot +about a fireplace. It’s true, we have steam heat. Well? + +FEKLUSHA + +Henry! There has been a change in your plans. Even if you swear to me! + +HENRY + +Yes? Wait. What’s this odor of perfume? Yes, I can smell it. Have you +commenced to use perfume? + +FEKLUSHA + +You are inventing now! I can’t smell any perfume here. + +HENRY + +Yes, there is. But that isn’t important. What did you want to say to me? +Tell me. + +FEKLUSHA + +I have told you. There has been a change in your plans. Tell me the +truth, Henry, I will kneel before you. I haven’t been in church in five +years, but I will go to church now and pray for you. Tell me the truth! + +HENRY + +You are fond of kneeling. What truth? I am tired to-night. + +FEKLUSHA + +Why, my dear fellow! We have been friends—remember, when we were small, +when we were at school together. Tell me! Spare my life, I can’t endure +it any longer! + + _Weeps._ + +HENRY + +You are also crying? Strange. For some reason I see so many tears to-day. +I was at the station this afternoon. + +FEKLUSHA + + _Sighing, wiping his eyes with a soiled handkerchief_, + +What were you doing at the station? + +HENRY + +I was watching the trains. No, I was sending off a letter. And there I +saw an old woman in a shawl, walking on the platform—she was alone—and +she was crying. Strange! + + _Thoughtfully._ + +FEKLUSHA + +People rarely cry in the street. Only when they are drunk or when they go +to a relative’s funeral. Henry, listen to me—or I am going to cry again! + +HENRY + +Really? Don’t. No, there is no change in my plan. And beginning to-morrow +you will have rest—I am leaving to-morrow. + +FEKLUSHA + + _Reddening_: + +To-morrow? By what route? + +HENRY + +Tss! It is hard for me at this moment to talk to you, my old comrade, but +come in to-morrow and you will know everything. + + _Smiling_: + +But don’t try to run after me—you’ll not overtake me! + +FEKLUSHA + +Why do you say that? + +HENRY + +Yes, yes, you are a sly little beast! + +FEKLUSHA + +A fool is not helped even by his slyness—he will only fool himself. Shall +I come in early—before going to the office? + +HENRY + +You may come in early. Now go home and sleep peacefully, Feklusha, my old +comrade. Are your children well? + +FEKLUSHA + +I suppose they are well. Why have you stopped drinking cognac? Henry, +your face seems to have grown darker. + +HENRY + +I don’t feel like drinking. Go. + +FEKLUSHA + +To-day is just a month since we had our last drink of cognac. Remember? +Well, I am going, I won’t disturb you. + + _Quietly_: + +Have you put the money away in a safe place? + +HENRY + +Ssh! Keep quiet. Good night, Feklusha, go. Have you rubbers on? It’s +raining hard. Good-by, till to-morrow. + +FEKLUSHA + +If it’s till to-morrow, it’s not good-by, but _au revoir_. _Au revoir_, +Henry. Good night. And I tell you, you are doing well to leave this +apartment! I never said anything before, but now I may tell you: Leave it +as soon as you can! If one should stay here alone for one hour, he’d lose +his mind, by God! + +HENRY + +Yes, I am leaving it. Good-by. + +FEKLUSHA + +Good night. May I say another word? I understand everybody and I can +tell people by their faces. I can tell their inclinations, but here I am +looking at you. You are very stern! + + _Softly_: + +And if I didn’t know your thoughts—— + +HENRY + +Ssh! + +FEKLUSHA + + _With sudden fury_: + +Don’t hiss to me! There are no strangers here! What do you mean? I can +hiss, too. + + _Pause._ + +Excuse me, Henry! + + _Goes._ + +HENRY + +The door shuts itself. + +FEKLUSHA + +I know, Henry. + + _Goes. Henry looks after him, suddenly stops._ + +HENRY + +Wait. It’s raining hard. Here’s money for a cab. Take it. + +FEKLUSHA + +Thank you. Why so much? You embarrass me, really. + +HENRY + +Never mind. Go. + + _Feklusha stops at the door, looks at his hand._ + +FEKLUSHA + +Henry! I am looking at my hand and I wonder. You gave me twenty-five +rubles, but why am I not rejoicing? Of course, it isn’t such a large sum, +but if this happened before, I would have felt happy. And now, I feel—or +does it seem so to me after my tears?—I feel as if I ought to get more +for my tears. Or is it figured out right? + + _Without raising his eyes_: + +Excuse me. + + _Exit. Door is heard closing. Henry is alone. He looks at the + watch._ + +HENRY + +It’s eleven. I must take off my collar. + + _He takes off his collar, his cuffs, his coat, and places them + carefully on the armchair. He walks up and down the room + heavily and slowly. He tries to wipe the window pane, behind + which the rain is heard._ + +Yes. It’s eleven o’clock now, and the sun rises at about seven. How many +more hours of darkness? Many—never mind the exact number, Henry! Henry +Tile, say simply, many! Many hours, much darkness! I have never given +any thought to what people do when they end their life, when they kill +themselves, and now I feel very strange, I don’t know what to do. Perhaps +it is necessary to sit at the table, and I am walking? I must sit down. + + _He sits down, but soon gets up and walks again._ + +No, nonsense! Suicides don’t think whether they should walk or sit. I +suppose they walk around. But where does this odor of perfume come from? +Such sweet, strange, sad perfume. Women who are young and who want love, +use such perfume. But their hearts are sad—sad perfume! Sad women, and +Elizabeth—now I don’t remember her, but there was a time when I loved +her—there was something—there was sadness. My God! Why do I say My God? +My God! I don’t know anything, I don’t remember anything, I don’t love +anybody! A murderer? A thief who has stolen a million? Henry Tile who +loved accuracy? I don’t know. There was everything—and there was nothing. +Why did I strike the table with my fists, why did I cry? Why did Henry +Tile write figures, columns of figures, an endless caravan in an endless +desert? There was everything—and there was nothing. There was a strange +man who tossed about, who shouted, who donned a red wig like a clown, +who swallowed fire. And there was another strange man who worked in the +bank, who dismissed clerks, who looked stern and who was known as Henry +Tile. What nonsense—“Henry Tile!” And who will lie in a coffin—Henry +Tile or the other one? And where shall I be? Here I have already thought +about the coffin—white, with tassels. I am terrified. Is it possible +that all is ended? I am terrified. Has _this_ really come? I have lived +and lived—and suddenly this. _This!_ How horrible! Horrible! _This!_ No! +No! I am not afraid. I am not afraid. Oh, beware of deception, beware of +deception, beware of deception! And so, the coffin, white, with tassels, +and some one is in it. Yes, of course. It is dreadful to Henry Tile with +his figures, it is dreadful to that other one who wanted to steal, to +kill some one, to violate, who put on the stupid red wig of a rogue. But +where am I? My God, great wisdom and love, answer me: Where was I with +my great, sad and lonely soul? I am no more. There is no one. There is +nothing. There is only horror—and _this_.—_This._ Henry, Henry, my dear, +be calm; you knew how to strike the table with your fist, now you must be +calm. Yes. Good. Yes. I am cold. No, I am not cold, but it is cold here. +Why did I take off my coat? I must put it on again. These are the kind of +cuffs Henry Tile used to wear. + + _Forgets to put on the coat._ + +But this is unbearable. These empty rooms have such a terrible effect on +me—as though there was a murderer there. A murderer is hiding in every +room and waiting. It would be well to turn on the lights there, but I am +afraid to go in. But here I can do it. Oh, here I can do it. + + _He turns on some more lights._ + +Now it is light. But what a queer strange room. And there is absolutely +no one here. I smell the odor of perfume again—who has perfume here? Have +the murderers perfume here? May the devil take the one who invented it. I +must go into the bedroom. + + _Opens the drawer of the table, takes out a revolver and + examines it in a businesslike manner, puts it on the table._ + +I must shoot myself where I sleep. I must cover myself over my head with +the quilt, as though I were going to sleep; then I won’t notice it. Yes. +I must do something else—what? I have forgotten everything. What? Oh, +yes. I must write a note. Paper, ink, ink? No! I don’t need any notes. +That’s nonsense. There was everything—and there was nothing, and _this_. +_This._ I must go into the bedroom. What have I forgotten? My God, why do +I say, My God? My God, what have I forgotten? What? + + _He sits down at the piano._ + +Now I will play “The Waltz of the Dogs.” Listen, Henry Tile, I will play +for you for the last time my favorite “Waltz of the Dogs.” My mother +taught me to play it this way. + + _He plays, at first loudly, then ever more softly. Towards the + end, he breaks off a musical phrase, his head falls on the + piano, and he sobs softly. Then he closes the piano silently + and carefully, takes the revolver and goes to the bedroom. He + stops, and says impatiently_: + +What else? Oh, what else? + + _He looks around the room perplexedly._ + +I must—I must—what must I? I must shut off the light, yes, I must do it. +It will burn all night. Let it burn. + + _He goes into the bedroom. A moment of silence. He soon comes + out of the bedroom, without a vest—he looks for something + silently, as if he has either forgotten something, or could not + find it. He is looking for something and not finding it, having + stopped thinking of what he was looking for, he goes to the + bedroom quickly._ + + _The room is empty for a while. A dull shot is heard._ + + _Curtain_ + + + + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 78902 *** |