The Power of Darkness - Leo Tolstoy (the kiss of deception read online .txt) đ
- Author: Leo Tolstoy
Book online «The Power of Darkness - Leo Tolstoy (the kiss of deception read online .txt) đ». Author Leo Tolstoy
marry me, AkoulĂna?
AkoulĂna
Who, you? Perhaps I might have afore, but I wonât now.
NikĂta
And why not now?
AkoulĂna
âCos you wouldnât love me.
NikĂta
Why not?
AkoulĂna
âCos youâd be forbidden to. Laughs.
NikĂta
Whoâd forbid it?
AkoulĂna
Who? My stepmother. She does nothing but grumble, and is always staring at you.
NikĂta
Laughing. Just hear her! Ainât she cute?
AkoulĂna
Who? Me? Whatâs there to be cute about? Am I blind? Sheâs been rowing and rowing at dad all day. The fat-muzzled witch! Goes into closet.
Nan
Looking out of the window. Look, NikĂta, sheâs coming! Iâm blest if she isnât! Iâll go away. Exit.
MarĂna
Enters. What are you doing with me?
NikĂta
Doing? Iâm not doing anything.
MarĂna
You mean to desert me.
NikĂta
Gets up angrily. What does this look like, your coming here?
MarĂna
Oh, NikĂta!
NikĂta
Well, you are strange! What have you come for?
MarĂna
NikĂta!
NikĂta
Thatâs my name. What do you want with NikĂta? Well, what next? Go away, I tell you!
MarĂna
I see, you do want to throw me over.
NikĂta
Well, and whatâs there to remember? You yourself donât know. When you stood out there round the corner and sent Nan for me, and I didnât come, wasnât it plain enough that youâre not wanted? It seems pretty simple. So thereâ âgo!
MarĂna
Not wanted! So now Iâm not wanted! I believed you when you said you would love me. And now that youâve ruined me, Iâm not wanted.
NikĂta
Whereâs the good of talking? This is quite improper. Youâve been telling tales to father. Now, do go away, will you?
MarĂna
You know yourself I never loved anyone but you. Whether you married me or not, Iâd not have been angry. Iâve done you no wrong, then why have you left off caring for me? Why?
NikĂta
Whereâs the use of baying at the moon? You go away. Goodness me! what a duffer!
MarĂna
Itâs not that you deceived me when you promised to marry me that hurts, but that youâve left off loving. No, itâs not that youâve stopped loving me either, but that youâve changed me for another, thatâs what hurts. I know who it is!
NikĂta
Comes up to her viciously. Eh! whatâs the good of talking to the likes of you, that wonât listen to reason? Be off, or youâll drive me to do something youâll be sorry for.
MarĂna
What, will you strike me, then? Well then, strike me! What are you turning away for? Ah, NikĂta!
NikĂta
Supposing someone came in. Of course, itâs quite improper. And whatâs the good of talking?
MarĂna
So this is the end of it! What has been has flown. You want me to forget it? Well then, NikĂta, listen. I kept my maiden honour as the apple of my eye. You have ruined me for nothing, you have deceived me. You have no pity on a fatherless and motherless girl! Weeping. You have deserted, you have killed me, but I bear you no malice. God forgive you! If you find a better one youâll forget me, if a worse one youâll remember me. Yes, you will remember, NikĂta! Goodbye, then, if it is to be. Oh, how I loved you! Goodbye for the last time. Takes his head in her hands and tries to kiss him.
NikĂta
Tossing his head back. Iâm not going to talk with the likes of you. If you wonât go away I will, and you may stay here by yourself.
MarĂna
Screams. You are a brute. In the doorway. God will give you no joy. Exit, crying.
AkoulĂna
Comes out of closet. Youâre a dog, NikĂta!
NikĂta
Whatâs up?
AkoulĂna
What a cry she gave! Cries.
NikĂta
Whatâs up with you?
AkoulĂna
Whatâs up? Youâve hurt her so. Thatâs the way youâll hurt me also. Youâre a dog. Exit into closet.
Silence.
NikĂta
Hereâs a fine muddle. Iâm as sweet as honey on the lasses, but when a fellowâs sinned with âem itâs a bad lookout!
Curtain.
Act IIThe scene represents the village street. To the left the outside of Peterâs hut, built of logs, with a porch in the middle; to the right of the hut the gates and a corner of the yard buildings. AnĂsya is beating hemp in the street near the corner of the yard. Six months have elapsed since the First Act.
AnĂsya Stops and listens. Mumbling something again. Heâs probably got off the stove. AkoulĂna enters, carrying two pails on a yoke. AnĂsya Heâs calling. You go and see what he wants, kicking up such a row. AkoulĂna Why donât you go? AnĂsya Go, I tell you! Exit AkoulĂna into hut. Heâs bothering me to death. Wonât let out where the money is, and thatâs all about it. He was out in the passage the other day. He must have been hiding it there. Now, I donât know myself where it is. Thank goodness heâs afraid of parting with it, so that at least it will stay in the house. If only I could manage to find it. He hadnât it on him yesterday. Now I donât know where it can be. He has quite worn the life out of me. Enter AkoulĂna, tying her kerchief over her head. AnĂsya Where are you off to? AkoulĂna Where? Why, heâs told me to go for Aunt Martha. âFetch my sister,â he says. âI am going to die,â he says. âI have a word to say to her.â AnĂsya Aside. Asking for his sister? Oh my poor head! Sure he wants to give it her. What shall I do? Oh! To AkoulĂna. Donât go! Where are you off to? AkoulĂna To call Aunt. AnĂsya Donât go I tell you, Iâll go myself. You go and take the clothes to the river to rinse. Else youâll not have finished by the evening. AkoulĂna But he told me to go. AnĂsya You go and do as youâre bid. I tell you Iâll fetch Martha myself. Take the shirts off theFree e-book «The Power of Darkness - Leo Tolstoy (the kiss of deception read online .txt) đ» - read online now
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