The Power of Darkness - Leo Tolstoy (the kiss of deception read online .txt) 📗
- Author: Leo Tolstoy
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say, “Drink, but keep your wits about you.” I can talk with you at once, father. I can attend to any business. You told me about the money; your horse is worn-out—I remember! That can all be managed. That’s all in our hands. If it was an enormous sum that’s wanted, then we might wait; but as it is I can do everything. That’s the case.
Akím
Goes on fidgeting with the leg-bands. Eh, lad, “It’s ill sledging when the thaw has set in.”
Nikíta
What d’you mean by that? “And it’s ill talking with one who is drunk”? But don’t you worry, let’s have some tea. And I can do anything; that’s flat! I can put everything to rights.
Akím
Shakes his head. Eh, eh, eh!
Nikíta
The money, here it is. Puts his hand in his pocket, pulls out pocketbook, handles the notes in it and takes out a ten-rouble note. Take this to get a horse; I can’t forget my parent. I shan’t forsake him, that’s flat. Because he’s my parent! Here you are, take it! Really now, I don’t grudge it. Comes up and pushes the note towards Akím who won’t take it. Nikíta catches hold of his father’s hand. Take it, I tell you. I don’t grudge it.
Akím
I can’t, what d’you call it, I mean, can’t take it! And can’t what d’ye call it, talk to you, because you’re not yourself, I mean.
Nikíta
I’ll not let you go! Take it! Puts the money into Akím’s hand.
Anísya
Enters, and stops. You’d better take it, he’ll give you no peace!
Akím
Takes it, and shakes his head. Oh! that liquor. Not like a man, I mean!
Nikíta
That’s better! If you repay it you’ll repay it, if not I’ll make no bother. That’s what I am! Sees Akoulína. Akoulína, show your presents.
Akoulína
What?
Nikíta
Show your presents.
Akoulína
The presents, what’s the use of showing ’em? I’ve put ’em away.
Nikíta
Get them, I tell you. Nan will like to see ’em. Undo the shawl. Give it here.
Akím
Oh, oh! It’s sickening! Climbs on the oven.
Akoulína
Gets out the parcels and puts them on the table. Well, there you are—what’s the good of looking at ’em?
Nan
Oh how lovely! It’s as good as Stepanída’s.
Akoulína
Stepanída’s? What’s Stepanída’s compared to this? Brightening up and undoing the parcels. Just look here—see the quality! It’s a French one.
Nan
The print is fine! Mary has a dress like it, only lighter on a blue ground. This is pretty.
Nikíta
Ah, that’s it!
Anísya passes angrily into the closet, returns with a tablecloth and the chimney of the samovar, and goes up to the table.
Anísya
Drat you, littering the table!
Nikíta
You look here!
Anísya
What am I to look at? Have I never seen anything? Put it away! Sweeps the shawl on to the floor with her arm.
Akoulína
What are you pitching things down for? You pitch your own things about! Picks up the shawl.
Nikíta
Anísya! Look here!
Anísya
Why am I to look?
Nikíta
You think I have forgotten you? Look here! Shows her a parcel and sits down on it. It’s a present for you. Only you must earn it! Wife, where am I sitting?
Anísya
Enough of your humbug. I’m not afraid of you. Whose money are you spreeing on and buying your fat wench presents with? Mine!
Akoulína
Yours indeed? No fear! You wished to steal it, but it did not come off! Get out of the way! Pushes her while trying to pass.
Anísya
What are you shoving for? I’ll teach you to shove!
Akoulína
Shove me? You try! Presses against Anísya.
Nikíta
Now then, now then, you women. Have done now! Steps between them.
Akoulína
Comes shoving herself in! You ought to keep quiet and remember your doings! You think no one knows!
Anísya
Knows what? Out with it, out with it! What do they know?
Akoulína
I know something about you!
Anísya
You’re a slut who goes with another’s husband!
Akoulína
And you did yours to death!
Anísya
Throwing herself on Akoulína. You’re raving!
Nikíta
Holding her back. Anísya, you seem to have forgotten!
Anísya
Want to frighten me! I’m not afraid of you!
Nikíta
Turns Anísya round and pushes her out. Be off!
Anísya
Where am I to go? I’ll not go out of my own house!
Nikíta
Be off, I tell you, and don’t dare to come in here!
Anísya
I won’t go! Nikíta pushes her, Anísya cries and screams and clings to the door. What! am I to be turned out of my own house by the scruff of the neck? What are you doing, you scoundrel? Do you think there’s no law for you? You wait a bit!
Nikíta
Now then!
Anísya
I’ll go to the Elder! To the policeman!
Nikíta
Off, I tell you! Pushes her out.
Anísya
Behind the door. I’ll hang myself!
Nikíta
No fear!
Nan
Oh, oh, oh! Mother, dear, darling! Cries.
Nikíta
Me frightened of her! A likely thing! What are you crying for? She’ll come back, no fear. Go and see to the samovar. Exit Nan.
Akoulína
Collects and folds her presents. The mean wretch, how she’s messed it up. But wait a bit, I’ll cut up her jacket for her! Sure I will!
Nikíta
I’ve turned her out, what more do you want?
Akoulína
She’s dirtied my new shawl. If that bitch hadn’t gone away, I’d have torn her eyes out!
Nikíta
That’s enough. Why should you be angry? Now if I loved her …
Akoulína
Loved her? She’s worth loving, with her fat mug! If you’d have given her up, then nothing would have happened. You should have sent her to the devil. And the house was mine all the same, and the money was mine! Says she is the mistress, but what sort of mistress is she to her husband? She’s a murderess, that’s what she is! She’ll serve you the same way!
Nikíta
Oh dear, how’s one to stop a woman’s jaw? You don’t yourself know what
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