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 come to pour tea because I’m here?
Nicolai (turning away to hide his confusion)
Perhaps—she is embarrassed.
Arkady
She has no reason to be embarrassed. You know my views. If you have chosen her to live with you—she must be worthy of it.
Nicolai (profoundly moved)
Thanks, Arkasha. Of course, it’s not some—some caprice, or a cheap affair. It’s not easy for me to talk to you about this. But, you understand it’s difficult for her—especially the first day—of your return.
Arkady (rising)
In that case I will go to her. I will fix everything.
Nicolai (completely disconcerted)
But, Arkady—you can’t. I haven’t told you yet— My God—
(But Arkady has gone)
Pavel
He doesn’t know about the child?
Nicolai
Whatever will happen?
Bazarov
Trust Arkady to do the right thing.
(Bazarov has been eating unconcernedly throughout this conversation)
Nicolai
Oh, of course. I’m sorry, Mr. Bazarov, to expose you to such—intimate family scenes.
Bazarov
Think nothing of it.
Pavel (guarded but polite)
I have been trying to remember where I heard your name before. Was your father a military surgeon, Mr. Bazarov?
Bazarov
My father and my grandfather were in the horse guards.
Pavel
Ah, I remember your grandfather, he died a hero’s death at Sebastopol.
Bazarov
He died like a fool, in a foolish war.
Pavel
That is a rather harsh way to speak of one’s grandfather.
Bazarov
As he is my grandfather,
