The Essential Russian Plays & Short Stories. Максим Горький
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first because they begot children, and secondly because, having begot them, they did not immediately commit suicide.
KONDRATY
Good heavens, how you talk! Hearing you, one hardly knows what to think.
SAVVA
And how they lie, how they lie, monk! They don't kill the truth—no, they kick her and bruise her daily, and smear her clean face with their dirt and filth so that no one may recognize her, so that the children may not love her, and so that she may have no refuge. In all the world—yes, monk, in all the world—there is no place for truth. (Sinks into meditation. Pause)
KONDRATY
Is there no other way—without fire? It's terrible, Savva Yegorovich.
Consider what it means! It's the end of the world.
SAVVA
No, it can't be helped, partner. It must be. The end of the world must come too. They were treated with medicine, and it did no good. They were treated with iron, and it did no good. Now they must be treated with fire—fire!
[Pause. Lightning flashes. The thunder has ceased. Somewhere outside a watchman can be heard striking his iron rod.
KONDRATY
And there'll be no drinkshops either?
SAVVA (pensively)
No, nothing.
KONDRATY
They'll start drinkshops again all right. Can't get along without them, you know. (A prolonged pause) Ye-es. What are you thinking about, Savva Yegorovich?
SAVVA
Nothing. (Draws a light breath, cheerfully) Well, Kondraty, shall we begin?
KONDRATY (swaying his head to and fro)
It's a mighty hard problem you have put up to me. It's a poser.
SAVVA
Never mind, don't get shaky now. You are a sensible man; you know it can't be helped; there is nothing else to do. Would I be doing it myself, if it were not necessary? You can see that, can't you?
KONDRATY (heaving a sigh)
Ye-es, hm! Why, Mr. Tropinin—why, my dear fellow—don't I know, don't I understand it all? It's a rotten, cursed life! Ah, Mr. Savva, Mr. Savva—look here. If I were to tell anyone that I am a good man, they'd laugh and say: "What are you lying for, you drunkard?" Kondraty a good man! It sounds like a joke even to myself. And yet I swear to you, by God, I am a good man! I don't know how it happened the way it did, why I am what I am now. I lived and lived, and suddenly! How it came about, what the reason of it is, I don't know.
SAVVA
And you are still afraid?
KONDRATY
What am I now? I am neither a candle for God nor a poker for the devil. Sometimes when I think matters over—ah, Mr. Savva, do you think I have no conscience? Don't I understand? I understand everything but—I am not really afraid of the devil either. I am just playing the fool. The devil—nonsense! If you were in the place of us in there, you would understand. Not long ago, when I was drunk, I cried: "Get out, devil—out of my way—am a desperate man!" I don't care for anything. I don't care if I die. I am ready. You have worked at me, Mr. Savva, until I have grown quite soft. (Wipes his eyes with his sleeves)
SAVVA
Why should you die? I don't want to die either. We are going to live for some time to come, we are. How old are you?
KONDRATY
Forty-two.
SAVVA
Just the right age.
KONDRATY
I am sorry for the ikon. They say it appeared miraculously in the river, and that's how it came to be here.
SAVVA
Nonsense. Don't waste your feelings. It's supposed to be a wonder-working ikon and hasn't one miracle to its credit. Why, it makes one feel like a fool just to say it.
KONDRATY
They say it has been replaced by the devil, so that it isn't the real one.
SAVVA
So much the better. And yet you crack your heads in front of it and fool the people about it. There is no use wasting words, my friend. It's agreed then.
KONDRATY
You have to go now. The gate will soon be closed. And all of a sudden—
SAVVA
What "all of a sudden"?
KONDRATY
And all of a sudden I'll be going to the ikon, and it will strike me down with lightning and thunder. Won't it?
SAVVA (laughing)
Don't be afraid. It won't strike you. That's what everybody thinks. They are all afraid they'll be struck by lightning and thunder. But it won't happen. Believe me, a man may blow up the ikon and no lightning will strike him. Do you need money?
KONDRATY
Have you got any?
SAVVA
I have.
KONDRATY (suspiciously)
Where did you get it?
SAVVA
What business is that of yours? Suppose I killed a rich man, or cut somebody's throat—are you going to report me to the police?
KONDRATY (reassured)
What are you thinking of, Savva Yegorovich? That's your concern. As to your offer, of course, money always comes in handy. It will enable me to leave the monastery. I'll tell you in confidence, I have long been nursing a scheme—it's my dream—to settle somewhere along the road and start an inn. I like company. I am a talkative chap myself. I know I'll succeed. It doesn't hurt a host to have a drink now and then. The guests like it. With a jolly host you'll spend every penny you have, and your pants besides, and you won't notice it. I know by personal experience.
SAVVA
Why not? You can start an inn if you want to.
KONDRATY
And besides, I am still in the full vigor of manhood. Instead of sinning here, I'd rather get legally married.
SAVVA
Don't forget to invite me to the wedding. I'll act as your godfather.
KONDRATY
You are too young. As to the money—when shall it be, before or after?
SAVVA
Judas got his before.
KONDRATY (offended)
There now, when you should be doing your best to persuade me, you call me Judas. It isn't pleasant. The idea of calling a living man Judas!
SAVVA
Judas was a fool. He hanged himself. You are going to start an inn.
KONDRATY
Again? If that's what you think of me—
SAVVA (slapping his shoulders)
Well, well, uncle, don't you see I'm joking? Judas betrayed a man, and you are not going to betray anything but lumber. Is that right, old man? Speransky and Tony appear, the latter walking very unsteadily.
KONDRATY
There—brought by the devil! With us carrying on this kind of conversation, and they—
SAVVA
It's agreed then?
KONDRATY