The Essential Russian Plays & Short Stories. Максим Горький
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with an ironical expression on his face]. The Government of Saratov! H'm, h'm! And doesn't even blush! One must be on the qui vive with this fellow. [Aloud.] You have undertaken a great task. They say travelling is disagreeable because of the delay in getting horses but, on the other hand, it is a diversion. You are travelling for your own amusement, I suppose?
KHLESTAKOV. No, my father wants me. He's angry because so far I haven't made headway in the St. Petersburg service. He thinks they stick the Vladimir in your buttonhole the minute you get there. I'd like him to knock about in the government offices for a while.
GOVERNOR [aside]. How he fabricates! Dragging in his old father, too. [Aloud.] And may I ask whether you are going there to stay for long?
KHLESTAKOV. I really don't know. You see, my father is stubborn and stupid—an old dotard as hard as a block of wood. I'll tell him straight out, "Do what you will, I can't live away from St. Petersburg." Really, why should I waste my life among peasants? Our times make different demands on us. My soul craves enlightenment.
GOVERNOR [aside]. He can spin yarns all right. Lie after lie and never trips. And such an ugly insignificant-looking creature, too. Why, it seems to me I could crush him with my finger nails. But wait, I'll make you talk. I'll make you tell me things. [Aloud.] You were quite right in your observation, that one can do nothing in a dreary out-of-the-way place. Take this town, for instance. You lie awake nights, you work hard for your country, you don't spare yourself, and the reward? You don't know when it's coming. [He looks round the room.] This room seems rather damp.
KHLESTAKOV. Yes, it's a dirty room. And the bugs! I've never experienced anything like them. They bite like dogs.
GOVERNOR. You don't say! An illustrious guest like you to be subjected to such annoyance at the hands of—whom? Of vile bugs which should never have been born. And I dare say, it's dark here, too.
KHLESTAKOV. Yes, very gloomy. The landlord has introduced the custom of not providing candles. Sometimes I want to do something—read a bit, or, if the fancy strikes me, write something.—I can't. It's a dark room, yes, very dark.
GOVERNOR. I wonder if I might be bold enough to ask you—but, no, I'm unworthy.
KHLESTAKOV. What is it?
GOVERNOR. No, no, I'm unworthy. I'm unworthy.
KHLESTAKOV. But what is it?
GOVERNOR. If I might be bold enough—I have a fine room for you at home, light and cosy. But no, I feel it is too great an honor. Don't be offended. Upon my word, I made the offer out of the simplicity of my heart.
KHLESTAKOV. On the contrary, I accept your invitation with pleasure. I should feel much more comfortable in a private house than in this disreputable tavern.
GOVERNOR. I'm only too delighted. How glad my wife will be. It's my character, you know. I've always been hospitable from my very childhood, especially when my guest is a distinguished person. Don't think I say this out of flattery. No, I haven't that vice. I only speak from the fullness of my heart.
KHLESTAKOV. I'm greatly obliged to you. I myself hate double-faced people. I like your candor and kind-heartedness exceedingly. And I am free to say, I ask for nothing else than devotion and esteem—esteem and devotion.
SCENE IX
The above and the Servant, accompanied by Osip. Bobchinsky peeps in at the door.
SERVANT. Did your Honor wish anything?
KHLESTAKOV. Yes, let me have the bill.
SERVANT. I gave you the second one a little while ago.
KHLESTAKOV. Oh, I can't remember your stupid accounts. Tell me what the whole comes to.
SERVANT. You were pleased to order dinner the first day. The second day you only took salmon. And then you took everything on credit.
KHLESTAKOV. Fool! [Starts to count it all up now.] How much is it altogether?
GOVERNOR. Please don't trouble yourself. He can wait. [To the Servant.] Get out of here. The money will be sent to you.
KHLESTAKOV. Yes, that's so, of course. [He puts the money in his pocket.]
The Servant goes out. Bobchinsky peeps in at the door.
SCENE X
The Governor, Khlestakov and Dobchinsky.
GOVERNOR. Would you care to inspect a few institutions in our town now—the philanthropic institutions, for instance, and others?
KHLESTAKOV. But what is there to see?
GOVERNOR. Well, you'll see how they're run—the order in which we keep them.
KHLESTAKOV. Oh, with the greatest pleasure. I'm ready.
Bobchinsky puts his head in at the door.
GOVERNOR. And then, if you wish, we can go from there and inspect the district school and see our method of education.
KHLESTAKOV. Yes, yes, if you please.
GOVERNOR. Afterwards, if you should like to visit our town jails and prisons, you will see how our criminals are kept.
KHLESTAKOV. Yes, yes, but why go to prison? We had better go to see the philanthropic institutions.
GOVERNOR. As you please. Do you wish to ride in your own carriage, or with me in the cab?
KHLESTAKOV. I'd rather take the cab with you.
GOVERNOR [to Dobchinsky]. Now there'll be no room for you, Piotr Ivanovich.
DOBCHINSKY. It doesn't matter. I'll walk.
GOVERNOR [aside, to Dobchinsky]. Listen. Run as fast as you can and take two notes, one to Zemlianika at the hospital, the other to my wife. [To Khlestakov.] May I take the liberty of asking you to permit me to write a line to my wife to tell her to make ready to receive our honored guest?
KHLESTAKOV. Why go to so much trouble? However, there is the ink. I don't know whether there is any paper. Would the bill do?
GOVERNOR. Yes, that'll do. [Writes, talking to himself at the same time.] We'll see how things will go after lunch and several stout-bellied bottles. We have some Russian Madeira, not much to look at, but it will knock an elephant off its legs. If I only knew what he is and how much I have to be [on] my guard.
He finishes writing and gives the notes to Dobchinsky. As the latter walks across the stage, the door suddenly falls in, and Bobchinsky tumbles in with it to the floor. All exclaim in surprise. Bobchinsky rises.
KHLESTAKOV. Have you hurt yourself?
BOBCHINSKY. Oh, it's nothing—nothing at all—only a little bruise on my nose. I'll run in to Dr. Hübner's. He has a sort of plaster. It'll soon pass away.
GOVERNOR [making an angry gesture at Bobchinsky. To Khlestakov]. Oh, it's nothing. Now, if you please, sir, we'll go. I'll tell your servant to carry your luggage over. [Calls Osip.] Here, my good fellow, take all your master's things to my house, the Governor's. Anyone will tell you where it is. By your leave, sir. [Makes way for Khlestakov and follows him; then turns and says reprovingly to Bobchinsky.] Couldn't you find some other place to fall in? Sprawling out here like a lobster!
Goes out. After him Bobchinsky. Curtain falls.
ACT III
SCENE: The same as in Act I.
SCENE I
Anna Andreyevna and Marya Antonovna standing at the window in the same positions as at the end of Act I.
ANNA.