Chapter III: Act II: Scene I

A room in the house of the Kabanovs.

GLASHA (_packing up clothes in a bundle_).

_Enter_ FEKLUSHA.

FEKLUSHA. Dear girl, always at work! What are you doing, my dear?

GLASHA. I'm getting the master's things ready for his journey.

FEKLUSHA. Is he going away then--the light of our eyes?

GLASHA. Yes.

FEKLUSHA. Is he going to be away long, my dear?

GLASHA. No, not long.

FEKLUSHA. Well, God speed him on his way! And say, will the young mistress do a wail for his going or not?

GLASHA. That I can't say, really.

FEKLUSHA. But she does wail at times, I suppose?

GLASHA. Never heard of her doing it.

FEKLUSHA. Well now, my dear, if there's one thing I love, it's to hear a wail well done! (_Silence._) And mind you keep a sharp look out, my girl, on the beggar woman below, that she don't lay her hands on anything.

GLASHA. Who's to tell the rights and wrongs of it with you begging pilgrims, you all speak ill of one another. Why can't you live and let live? I should have thought you wandering women get plenty in our house all of you, and yet you must always be quarrelling and nagging at each other. Aren't you afraid of such sin?

FEKLUSHA. One can't be without sin, my good girl; we live in the world. I'll tell you what, my dear; you, simple folk, are tempted of one devil, but we pilgrim folk are beset, one with six, another with twelve devils; and here we have to struggle against all at once. It's a hard fight, my dear, a hard fight!

GLASHA. Why is it you have such a lot?

FEKLUSHA. Ah, my good girl, that comes of the hatred the evil one has for us, because we lead a life of such holiness. But I can't say, my dear, that I'm one to gossip; that's not a sin of mine. One failing I have, truly; I know myself what it is. I love dainty eating. Well, well, the Lord in His mercy provides according to my weakness.

GLASHA. And have you travelled far in your wanderings, Feklusha?

FEKLUSHA. No, my dear, owing to my weakness, I've never gone far away; but many a thing I've heard. They do say, my dear, there are countries where there are no Tsars of the true faith, but Sultans rule the lands. In one land there is the Sultan Mahnoot the Turk on the throne--and in another the Sultan Mahnoot the Persian. And they rule, my good girl, over all men, and whatever they decree it's always unrighteous. And they cannot, my dear, judge righteously in any one thing, such is the ban laid upon them. We have a just law, but they, my dear, an unjust law. Everything that is one way in our land is the very opposite in theirs. And all the judges with them, in their countries, are unjust too, so that, do you know, my girl, they even write in their petitions: "judge me, unjust judge!" And there is a country too where all the men have the heads of dogs.

GLASHA. How do they come to have dogs' heads?

FEKLUSHA. For their infidelity. I am going off on my rounds among the merchant gentry, my dear, to see if there won't be some alms for poverty. Good-bye for the present!

GLASHA. Good-bye! (_Exit Feklusha_.) Only fancy that there are lands like that! There's no end to the marvels in the world. And here we sit at home and know nothing. A good thing it is to be sure, that there are pious folk; from time to time one hears what is being done in the light of day; if it weren't for them, we should live and die in our foolishness.

_Enter Katerina and Varvara_.

SCENE II

KATERINA and VARVARA.

VARVARA (_to Glasha_). Carry the bundles down to the chaise, the horses are at the door. (_To Katerina_) You were married off young, and you never had any fun when you were a girl; and so your heart is restless still.

[_Glasha goes out._

KATERINA. And it always will be.

VARVARA. Why?

KATERINA. I have been like that from my birth up, full of fire! I was only six years old, when do you know what I did? They offended me somehow at home,--it was in the evening and quite dark--I ran away to the Volga, and got into a boat, and pushed it off from the bank. They found me next morning, ten miles down the river.

VARVARA. Really! And were there any men in love with you, as a girl?

KATERINA. Of course there were!

VARVARA. Well? And didn't you care for anyone?

KATERINA. No, I only laughed at them.

VARVARA. And you know, Katia, you don't love Tihon.

KATERINA. Oh, yes, I do! I'm dreadfully sorry for him.

VARVARA. Oh, no, you don't. If you're sorry for him you don't love him. And indeed you've no great reason to, I must own. And it's no good your being so close with me! I noticed a long while ago, that you were fond of some one.

KATERINA (_with dismay_). How did you notice it?

VARVARA. How absurd you are! I'm not a baby! Well, I'll tell you the first sign I knew by; directly you see him, your whole face is transformed. (_Katerina drops her eyes._) And that's not all....

KATERINA (_still looking down_). Well, whom then?

VARVARA. Why, you know, what's the use of telling his name?

KATERINA. No, tell it! Tell his name!

VARVARA. Boris Grigoritch.

KATERINA. Yes, yes, Varia! Only mind, Varia, for pity's sake....

VARVARA. What nonsense! _You'd_ better mind, and not betray yourself in any way.

KATERINA. I can't deceive, I don't know how to conceal anything.

VARVARA. But there's no doing without deceit; think where you're living! Our whole house rests on it! I wasn't fond of lying either, but I learnt the trick, when I had to. I was out walking yesterday, and so I saw him and had a few minutes talk with him.

KATERINA (_after a short silence, looking down_). Well?

VARVARA. He sent greetings to you. He was sorry, he said, that he never meets you.

KATERINA (_her head still more bent down_). As if we could meet! And what would be the use....

VARVARA. He is so sad and unhappy....

KATERINA. Don't speak to me of him, for goodness' sake, don't speak of him! I don't want to know him even. I will love my husband: Tisha, my dear one, no one shall ever take your place! I did not want to think of him, you tempt me.

VARVARA. All right, don't think of him; no one compels you to.

KATERINA. You have no mercy on me! You say: don't think of him, and you mention him yourself! Do you suppose I want to think of him; but what can I do, when I can't get him out of my mind? Whatever I try to think, he seems always standing before my eyes. And I try to be different, and I can't. Do you know, last night, the evil one tempted me again. I was almost walking straight out of the house.

VARVARA. You are such a fantastical creature, God bless you! What I think is: one should do what one likes, only be sure it's kept dark!

KATERINA. I don't like that. What good can come of it! I had much better bear it as long as I can bear it.

VARVARA. And when you can't bear it, what will you do?

KATERINA. What shall I do?

VARVARA. Yes, what will you do?

KATERINA. Whatever I long to do, I will do.

VARVARA. Just try; why they'd torment you to death.

KATERINA. What do I care! I should go away, and that would be the end of it.

VARVARA. Where would you go? You are a married woman.

KATERINA. Ah, Varia, you don't know me! I pray, of course, it may never come to that! But if I am too miserable here, they would not keep me by any force on earth. I should throw myself out of the window, I should drown myself in the Volga. If I will not to live here, then I would not, they might cut me to pieces! (_Silence._)

VARVARA. Do you know what, Katia! When Tihon's gone, let's sleep in the garden, in the summerhouse.

KATERINA. Oh, why, Varia?

VARVARA. Why, isn't it just the same to you?

KATERINA. I'm timid of sleeping in a place I'm not used to.

VARVARA. Timid, nonsense! Glasha will be with us.

KATERINA. Still one feels nervous, somehow! But perhaps I will.

VARVARA. I wouldn't have asked you, only mamma wouldn't let me alone, and I must.

KATERINA (_looking at her_). What for?

VARVARA.(_laughing_). We'll tell our fortunes together there.

KATERINA. You must be joking.

VARVARA. To be sure, I am joking; did you think I meant it?

[_Silence_.

KATERINA. Where can Tihon be?

VARVARA. Why, do you want him?

KATERINA. No, I only wondered, he has to start so soon.

VARVARA. He's sitting locked up with mamma. She's nagging away at him now.

KATERINA. What for?

VARVARA. For nothing at all, teaching him to mind what he's about. He'll be a fortnight away out of her sight! Only fancy! She has an uneasy inkling all the time that he'll enjoy himself when he's his own master. And so she's busy now laying all sorts of injunctions upon him, each more imperative than the last, and then she'll take him up to the holy picture and make him swear solemnly that he'll do everything exactly and precisely according to her bidding.

KATERINA. And so even when he's free he'll be as good as bound.

VARVARA. Bound! Oh, will he! As soon as he gets away, he'll start drinking, you may be sure. He says nothing now, but all the while he's only thinking how to get away as soon as possible.

[_Enter Mme. Kabanova and Kabanov_.

SCENE III

The Same with KABANOV and MADAME KABANOVA.

MME. KABANOVA. Now do you remember everything I've told you? Mind you do remember it! Keep it in your heart!

KABANOV. Yes, mamma.

MME. KABANOVA. Well, now everything is ready. The horses are at the door. You've only to say good-bye and be off in God's name.

KABANOV. Yes, mamma, it's time I was off.

MME. KABANOVA. Well?

KABANOV. What do you desire?

MME. KABANOVA. Why are you standing about? Don't you know the way to do things? Lay your commands upon your wife, exhort her how she is to live in your absence.

[_Katerina looks on the ground_.

KABANOV. But she knows quite well without that.

MME. KABANOVA. The way you talk! Come, come, give your commands, that I may hear what commands you lay upon her! And then when you come back, you can ask if she has performed everything exactly.

KABANOV (_standing opposite Katerina_). Obey mamma, Katia.

MME. KABANOVA. Tell her not to be saucy to her mother-in-law.

KABANOV. Don't be saucy!

MME. KABANOVA. To revere her mother-in-law as her own mother.

KABANOV. Revere mamma, Katia, as your own mother.

MME. KABANOVA. Not to sit with her hands in her lap like a fine lady.

KABANOV. Do some work while I am away!

MME. KABANOVA. Not to go staring out of window!

KABANOV. But, mamma, whenever has she....

MME. KABANOVA. Come, come!

KABANOV. Don't look out of window!

MME. KABANOVA. Not to stare at young fellows while you are away!

KABANOV. But that is too much, mamma, for mercy's sake!

MME. KABANOVA (_severely_). Enough of this nonsense! It's your duty to do what your mother tells you. (_With a smile_) It's always as well when it's forbidden.

KABANOV (_in great confusion_). Don't look at young men! [_Katerina looks sternly at him_.

MME. KABANOVA. Well, now you can talk by yourselves a little, if you want to. Come, Varvara! [_They go out_.

SCENE IV

KABANOV and KATERINA (_she stands as though turned to stone_).

KABANOV. Katia! (_Silence_.) Katia, you're not angry with me?

KATERINA (_after a protracted silence--shakes her head_). No!

KABANOV. But why are you like this? Come, forgive me!

KATERINA (_still in the same position, slightly shaking her head_). Peace be with you! (_Hiding her face in her hands_) She has hurt me!

KABANOV. If you take everything to heart so, you'll soon fall into a decline. Why listen to her! You know she must talk! Well then, let her talk, and you let it go in at one ear and out at the other. Come, good-bye, Katia!

KATERINA (_falling on her husband's neck_). Tisha, don't go away! For God's sake, don't go away! Dear one, I implore you!

KABANOV. I must, Katia. When mamma sends me, how can I not go?

KATERINA. Well, take me with you, do take me!

KABANOV (_freeing himself from her embrace_). But it's impossible!

KATERINA. Oh, why, Tisha, impossible?

KABANOV. Much fun there would be in going with you! You've worried me out of my life here between you! No sooner have I a hope of escaping than you want to fasten yourself upon me.

KATERINA. Why, can it be that you are tired of me?

KABANOV. No, I'm not tired of you; but to get out of this slavery a man would run away from the loveliest woman in the world! Just consider for a minute; I may not be good for much; but I'm a man anyway; and living all my life as you see, one's glad to run away from one's wife even. Why, when I think now, that for two whole weeks there'll be no storm hanging over me, no fetters on my legs,--do you suppose I can think of my wife?

KATERINA. How can I care for you, when you say things like that?

KABANOV. Say things? Why, what things am I to say? God knows what it is you're afraid of! You won't be alone, you know, you'll be with mamma.

KATERINA. Don't speak of her, don't torture my heart! Ah, how wretched I am, how wretched! (_Weeps_.) Where can I go? Whom can I cling to? Merciful Heavens, I am lost!

KABANOV. Come, be quiet!

KATERINA (_goes up to her husband and draws him to her_). Tisha, dear one, if you would stay, if you would take me with you, how I would love you, how I would cherish you, my dear one!

KABANOV. I can't make you out, Katia! Often there's no getting a word out of you, to say nothing of a kiss, and now you come coaxing up to me of your own accord.

KATERINA. Tisha, what are you leaving me to? There'll be trouble when you're away! There'll be trouble!

KABANOV. Now, come, I can't, so it's no use.

KATERINA. Well, here then! Take from me some dreadful vow....

KABANOV. What vow?

KATERINA. A vow that I will not dare while you're away on any ground whatever to speak with any outsider, nor see anyone,--that I will not even dare to think of anyone but you.

KABANOV. But what's this for?

KATERINA. Set my heart at rest, do this for me!

KABANOV. But one can never answer for oneself like that, anything may come into one's head.

KATERINA (_falling on her knees_). May I never look upon my father nor my mother! May I die impenitent, if I...

KABANOV (_pulling her up_). Hush! Nonsense! What wickedness is this! I won't hear you!

[_Voice of Mme. Kabanova heard without, "It's time to start, Tihon!" Enter Mme. Kabanova, Varvara and Glasha._

SCENE V

The same.

MME. KABANOVA, VARVARA and GLASHA.

MME. KABANOVA. Come, Tihon, it's time now! Set off on your way in God's name! (_sits down_). Sit down, all of you! (_All sit down. Silence_.) Now, good-bye! (_Gets up and all get up_.)

KABANOV (_going up to his mother_). Good-bye, mamma!

MME. KABANOVA (_with a wave of her hand points him to the ground_). At my feet! At my feet! (_Kabanov bows down to her feet, then kisses his mother_.) Say good-bye to your wife.

KABANOV. Good-bye, Katia! [_Katerina falls on his neck_.

MME. KABANOVA. What do you want to hang on his neck like that for, shameless hussy! It's not a lover you're parting from! He's your husband--your head! Don't you know how to behave? Bow down at his feet! [_Katerina bows down to his feet_.

KABANOV. Good-bye, sister (_kisses Varvara_). Good-bye! Glasha (_kisses Glasha_). Good-bye, mamma! (_bows down to the ground_).

MME. KABANOVA. Good-bye! Long farewells mean foolish tears. [_Kabanov goes out, after him Katerina, Varvara, and Glasha_.

SCENE VI

MME. KABANOVA (_alone_).

MME. KABANOVA. The way young folks behave! It makes one laugh really to see them! If they weren't my own, I could laugh till I split. They don't know the way to do anything properly. Can't even take leave with decorum. A lucky thing it is for them that they have elder folk, who will keep their house together as long as they're living. And yet, the silly fools, they long to be their own masters, though when they do have their own way, they get in a mess directly to the scandal and amusement of all worthy folk. One here and there, to be sure, will be sorry for them, but for the most part they'll all laugh. No one can help laughing either; they'll invite guests, and not know how they should sit, and what's more, as likely as not, they leave out some one of their relations. It's simply comical. But the old order's passing away. There are some houses one doesn't care to go into. If you do cross the threshold, all you can do is to spit, and get away as quick as may be. What will happen when the old people are dead, how the world will go on, I really can't think. I'm thankful anyway, that I shall see nothing of it.

[_Enter Katerina and Varvara._

SCENE VII

MME. KABANOVA, KATERINA, and VARVARA.

You make a boast of loving your husband so much; I see now how much your love's worth. Any other good wife, on seeing her husband off, would wail for a good hour and a half, lying on the steps; but one can see you're not much upset.

KATERINA. There's no reason to be! Besides, I don't know how to wail. Why make the people laugh!

MME. KABANOVA. No great art is needed. If you loved him you would have learnt to do it. If you can't wail properly, you should wail a little, if only for example. It is always more decorous; or else one sees it is all words with you. Well, I'm going to pray to God; do not interrupt me.

VARVARA. I'm going out.

MME. KABANOVA (_caressingly_). I've nothing against it! Go and enjoy yourself till your time comes. You'll have sitting indoors enough later on! [_Exeunt Mme. Kabanova and Varvara._

SCENE VIII

KATERINA (_alone, dreamily_). Well, now, peace reigns in our house! Ah, the dreariness. If only there were children! That's the saddest thing! I have no children; I should sit with them and amuse them all day. I love talking to little children--they are angels, really. (_Silence._) If I had died when I was little, it would have been better. I should have looked down on to the earth from Heaven and been delighted with everything. I should have flown unseen wherever I liked. I would have floated into the country and fluttered from flower to flower, like a butterfly. (_Sinks into a reverie_) I know what I will do; I will begin some piece of work, as an offering to God. I will go to the bazaar, and buy some stuff and make some clothes to give to the poor. They will remember me in their prayers. And so I'll sit sewing with Varvara, and we shall not notice how the time passes; and soon Tisha will be back.

[_Enter Varvara_.

SCENE IX

KATERINA and VARVARA.

VARVARA (_putting a kerchief on her head before the looking-glass_). I am just going out for a walk now; Glasha's putting our beds in the summer house now, mamma's consented to let us sleep there. Mamma always keeps the little gate in the garden behind the raspberries locked up and hides the key. I've taken it and put another one in its place for her, so she won't notice it. Here, see, maybe, it will be wanted (_gives the key_). If I see him, I shall tell him to come to the little gate.

KATERINA (_with horror, pushing away the key_). What for! what for! No! no!

VARVARA. If you don't want it, I do; take it, it won't bite you!

KATERINA. But what are you plotting, wicked girl? It's impossible! Do you know what you're doing? It's dreadful, dreadful!

VARVARA. Well, well--Least said is soonest mended; and I've no time to stay either. It's time for my walk.

[_Goes._

SCENE X

KATERINA (_alone, holding the key in her hand_). The things she thinks of doing! Ah, she's a mad girl, really mad! Here is ruin! Here it is! Fling it away, fling it far away, drop it into the river, that it may never be found. It burns the hand like fire. (_Musing_) This is how we women come to ruin. How can anyone be happy in bondage? One may be driven to anything. Many a one is glad if she gets the chance; she flings herself headlong. But how can they, without thinking, without reflecting! Easy is the path that leads to misfortune! And then tears and anguish all your life: your bondage is bitterer than ever. (_Silence_) But bitter is a life of bondage, ah, how bitter! Who does not weep in it! Most of all, we women. Here am I now! I am fretting away my life, and I see no loophole of light and hope before me! And I never shall see it, that's certain! It'll be worse as it goes on. And now this wickedness too has come upon me. (_Muses_) If it were not for my mother-in-law! ... She is crushing me.... She has made the house hateful to me.... I loathe the very walls because of her. (_Looks dreamily at the key_) Throw it away? Of course, I must throw it away. And how came it into my hands? For my temptation, for my undoing. (_Listens_) Ah, someone is coming. How my heart is beating! (_hides the key in her pocket_) No! ... No one! ... Why was I so frightened? And I have put away the key.... Well, that's a sign it is to be! Fate itself, it seems, wills it! And where is the sin if I do look at him just once, from a distance. Even if I speak to him, still there's no harm in that! But what I said to Tihon ... why, he would not have it himself. And maybe, such a chance will not come again all my life long. Then I may well weep to myself--that there was a chance and I had not sense to seize it. But why talk, why cheat myself? If I die for it, I must see him. Whom am I trying to deceive.... Throw away the key! No, for nothing in the whole world! It is mine now.... Come what may, I will see Boris! Ah, night! come quickly!