Fathers and Sons. Ivan Turgenev

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