The Live Corpse. Tolstoy Leo

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The Live Corpse - Tolstoy Leo

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That's for the doctor; but I never know how to give it…

      KARÉNIN. Neither do I.

      ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Don't know what?

      LISA. How to give money to a doctor… He has saved more than my life, and I give him money! It seems so unpleasant.

      ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Let me give it. I know how. It's quite simple.

      DOCTOR [rises and hands the prescription to Lisa] These powders are to be well mixed in a tablespoonful of boiled water … [goes on talking].

      Karénin sits at the table drinking tea; Sásha and Anna Pávlovna come forward.

      SÁSHA. I can't bear the way they go on! It's just as if she were in love with him.

      ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Well, can it be wondered at?

      SÁSHA. It's disgusting!

      Doctor takes leave of everybody, and exit. Anna Pávlovna goes with him.

      LISA [to Karénin] He's so sweet now! As soon as even he was a little better he at once began to smile and crow. I must go to him, but I don't like leaving you.

      KARÉNIN. You had better have a cup of tea, and eat something.

      LISA. I don't want anything now. I am so happy after all that anxiety!.. [Sobs].

      KARÉNIN. There! You see how worn out you are!

      LISA. I'm so happy!.. Would you like to have a look at him?

      KARÉNIN. Of course.

      LISA. Then come with me. [Exeunt].

      ANNA PÁVLOVNA [returning to Sásha] What are you looking so glum about?.. I gave him the money quite well, and he took it.

      SÁSHA. It's disgusting! She has taken him with her to the nursery. It's just as if he were her fiancé or her husband…

      ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Whatever does it matter to you? Why need you get excited about it? Did you mean to marry him yourself?

      SÁSHA. I? Marry that pikestaff? I'd rather marry I don't know whom, than him! Such a thing never entered my head… I am only disgusted that, after Fédya, Lisa can be so attracted by a stranger.

      ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Not a stranger, but an old playfellow!

      SÁSHA. Don't I see by their smiles and looks that they are in love?

      ANNA PÁVLOVNA. Well, what is there to be surprised at in that? He shares her anxiety about her baby, shows sympathy and helps her … and she feels grateful. Besides, why should she not love and marry Victor?

      SÁSHA. That would be disgusting – disgusting…

      Enter Karénin and Lisa. Karénin silently takes leave. Sásha goes of angrily.

      LISA [to Anna Pávlovna] What's the matter with her?

      ANNA PÁVLOVNA. I really don't know.

      Lisa sighs, and is silent.

Curtain

      Scene 2

      Afrémov's sitting-room. Glasses of wine on the table. Afrémov, Stákhov (shaggy), Butkévich (close-shaven), and Korotkóv (a tuft-hunter).

      KOROTKÓV. And I tell you that he'll be out of the running! La Belle Bois is the best horse in Europe… Will you bet?

      STÁKHOV. Don't, my dear fellow… You know very well that nobody believes you, or will bet with you.

      KOROTKÓV. I tell you your Cartouche won't be in it!

      AFRÉMOV. Stop quarrelling! Let me settle it … ask Fédya – he'll give you the right tip.

      FÉDYA. Both horses are good. All depends on the jockey.

      STÁKHOV. Gúsev is a rascal, and needs a firm hand on him.

      KOROTKÓV [shouts] No!

      FÉDYA. Wait a bit – I'll settle your differences… Who won the Moscow Derby?

      KOROTKÓV. He did – but what of that? It was only chance. If Crakus had not fallen ill… [Enter footman].

      AFRÉMOV. What is it?

      FOOTMAN. A lady has come, and is asking for Mr. Protásov.

      AFRÉMOV. What is she like? A real lady?

      FOOTMAN. I don't know her name, but she's a real lady.

      AFRÉMOV. Fédya! a lady to see you!

      FÉDYA [startled] Who is it?

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      1

      Protásov is his family name, but the name by which he is usually addressed is Fédya, an abbreviation of his Christian name – Theodore. The ceremonious form of address would be Theodore Vasílyevich.

      2

      Elisabeth Andréyevna is the polite way of speaking of Mrs. Protásova, otherwise Lisa.

      3

      The polite way of naming Mr. Karénin.

      4

      The polite way of addressing Mr. Afrémov.

      5

      I wanted to speak to you alone.

1

Protásov is his family name, but the name by which he is usually addressed is Fédya, an abbreviation of his Christian name – Theodore. The

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