Fathers and Sons. Ivan Turgenev
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a man was born.
Nicolai
Still—
Arkady
No. It makes absolutely no difference.
Nicolai (pause)
I don’t recollect whether I told you but your old nurse, Yegorovura, is dead.
Arkady
Really? Poor thing!
Nicolai
That’s about the only change here at Margino.
Arkady
That suits me fine.
Nicolai
Ah.
(Hesitates)
There is one change. I think it my duty to prepare you.
(Pause)
A severe moralist might regard my openness as improper; but after all it can’t be concealed—
(Nicolai is having hard going)
Of course, I have always had decided ideas about the relation of father and son— What I mean is—you have a right to disapprove, of course, however—
(He is helpless)
Arkady (easily)
Fenitchka?
Nicolai (mortified)
Don’t mention her name aloud, please.
(Pause)
Well, she is living with me now. I have installed her in the house—in two little rooms off the drawing room.
(Pause)
But that can all be changed.
Arkady
(who is somewhat amused at his father’s embarrassment)
Goodness, Daddy, what for?
Nicolai
Your friend is going to stay with us—it would be awkward. Not to mention your legitimate objections.
Arkady
Please don’t be uneasy on my account or Bazarov’s. He’s above all that.
Nicolai
Well, but, you, too—the little cabin is so horrid—that’s the worst of it.
Arkady
Goodness, Dad, it’s as if you were apologizing. You act as if you’re ashamed.
Nicolai (terribly embarrassed)
Of course, I’m ashamed.
Arkady
Nonsense, Dad, nonsense; please don’t. What a thing to apologize for! Please, stop—
Nicolai (changing the subject)
I have sold the timber.
Arkady
Why?
Nicolai
The money was needed.
Arkady
I’m sorry about the timber. But what an exquisite day it is today!
Nicolai
To welcome you, my dear boy. Anyway, now you are at home, we must have supper and rest.
(Bazarov returning with Piotr)
Bazarov
A meal would not come amiss, certainly.
Nicolai
Yes, yes, let us have supper directly.
Piotr
You wish supper to be served?
Nicolai
Yes, yes—
Piotr
The cook has been ready for Arkady. It will only be a minute.
Nicolai
Wouldn’t you like to change, Arkady?
Arkady
No thanks. But, I’d better wash up.
Bazarov
Arkady, have you got a light?
(He brandishes his pipe)
Arkady
Of course.
Bazarov
Will you have a cigar?
Arkady
Cigarette, I think, thanks.
(Enter Pavel Petrovitch, a man of about forty-five. Elegantly dressed after an English style. He is in a dark English suit, a fashionable low cravat and kid shoes. He is aristocratic, elegant, graceful. He has exquisitely manicured hands.)
Pavel
Welcome, Arkady. I had begun to think you were not coming.
(He kisses Arkady three times in the Russian manner)
Arkady
I am fine, Uncle Paul. We had a slight delay. You must meet Bazarov.
(Pavel turns politely to Bazarov and makes a little bow. His aesthetic reaction to Bazarov is instantaneously hostile, although he is too polished a gentleman to be rude.)
(Pavel greets Bazarov with a slight inclination of his supple figure. Bazarov responds with a somewhat exaggerated bow which may be due to awkwardness but possibly to satire.)
Pavel
Charmed, I’m sure.
Arkady
Tell Piotr to hurry up. We’re hungry as wolves. I’m going to wash up. I’ll be back directly.
Bazarov
I’m coming with you.
(Bazarov and Arkady exit into the house)
Pavel
Who is he?
Nicolai
A friend of Arkady’s. A very clever fellow.
Pavel
Is he going to stay with us?
Nicolai
Yes.
Pavel
That unkempt creature?
(Piotr enters from the house with a large tray of food which he places on the table under the awning)
Piotr
Dinner is served.
(Bazarov and Arkady return)
Nicolai
That was quick.
Bazarov
We smelled food.
(They all sit down at the table, a servant girl comes in)
Little Girl
Fedosya Nikolaevna is not quite well; she cannot come. Will you please pour tea yourself or should she send Dunyasha?
Nicolai
I will pour for myself, then. Arkady, how do you take your tea—with cream or with lemon?
Arkady
With cream.
(Pause)
Daddy.
Nicolai
Well?
(Nicolai senses what is coming and he is mortified)
Arkady
Is the reason Fenitchka will not