Fathers and Sons. Ivan Turgenev

the house)

      Bazarov

      Is he always like that?

      Arkady

      I must say, Eugeny, you weren’t nice to him. You’ve hurt his feelings.

      Bazarov

      I really didn’t start it. He should have continued his career if that’s his bent. All this vanity and dandyism are a bit out of place a hundred miles from nowhere.

      Arkady

      He deserves pity rather than ridicule. He’s profoundly unhappy. It’s a sin to ridicule him.

      Bazarov

      Who’s ridiculing him? He asked my opinion, that’s all, and I told him.

      (Still eating)

      Have some more meat, Arkady, it’s delicious. There’s no better remedy for idealism than the taste of a good dinner.

      Arkady

      You’re incorrigible.

      Bazarov

      Of course.

      CURTAIN

      ACT I

      SCENE 2

      Nicolai Kirsanov’s garden. One or two days later.

      Fenitchka is in the garden with a maid, Dunyasha, and her baby. Fenitchka is in the swing, giving the baby a ride. Pavel sees her from the house, hesitates and goes directly to her. Fenitchka jumps out of the swing, in great confusion. She gives the baby to Dunyasha.

      Pavel

      Stay put. Stay put. Pardon me, if I disturb you—I only wanted to ask you—they are sending into town today, I think—please, let them buy me some green tea.

      Fenitchka

      Certainly, how much do you want?

      Pavel

      Oh, half a pound will be enough, I imagine—

      (Pause)

      I went to your rooms. You have new curtains.

      Fenitchka (still embarrassed)

      Oh, yes, the curtains. Nicolai Petrovitch was so kind as to make a present of them. They have been up a long time though.

      Pavel

      It’s a long time since I have been to see you. It’s very nice now.

      Fenitchka

      Thanks to Nicolai Petrovitch’s kindness.

      Pavel

      You are more comfortable now, than in the little lodge you used to have?

      Fenitchka

      Certainly—

      Pavel

      Who has the lodge now?

      Fenitchka

      The laundry maids.

      Pavel

      Ah!

      (Pause)

      May I see the little one? I love children.

      Fenitchka

      Dunyasha, please bring Mitya. Ah, he doesn’t have a frock on.

      Pavel

      It doesn’t matter. What a chubby fellow.

      Fenitchka (to the baby)

      That’s Uncle.

      Pavel

      How many months old is he?

      Fenitchka

      Six months; he will be seven months next week.

      Pavel

      He’s like my brother.

      Fenitchka

      Who else should he be like?

      Pavel

      Yes, there’s an unmistakable resemblance.

      Fenitchka

      That’s Uncle—

      (Nicolai enters from the garden)

      Nicolai

      Ah, Pavel, so you’re here!

      Pavel

      You’ve got a splendid little cherub. I came to speak about some tea.

      (He bows and returns to the house)

      Nicolai

      Did he come of himself?

      Fenitchka

      Yes.

      Nicolai

      Has Arkady been to see you again?

      Fenitchka

      No—Hadn’t I better move back to the lodge, Nicolai Petrovitch?

      Nicolai

      Why so?

      Fenitchka

      I wonder whether it wouldn’t be best just for the first?

      Nicolai

      N-no—we ought to have done it before.

      (Turning the baby)

      How are you chubby?

      (Kisses the baby and then Fenitchka)

      Fenitchka

      Nicolai Petrovitch, what are you doing?

      Nicolai

      You’re so bashful—

      Fenitchka

      I can’t help it!

      Nicolai

      It’s charming.

      (Pause)

      So, my brother came to see you?

      Fenitchka

      Yes.

      Nicolai

      Well, that’s a good thing. I’ve got to get back to the house. You stay here.

      (He exits to the house)

      (Bazarov and Arkady enter from the garden)

      Bazarov

      You ought to have planted silver poplars. Ah, there’s someone here.

      (Arkady nods to Fenitchka)

      Bazarov

      Who’s that? What a pretty girl!

      Arkady

      Which one?

      Bazarov

      Only one of them is pretty.

      Arkady

      That’s Fenitchka, my father’s—ah, close friend.

      Bazarov

      Ah,—your father’s got good taste, one can see. I like him, your father. We must make friends, though.

      Arkady

      Bazarov, mind what you are about.

      Bazarov

      Don’t worry yourself, I know how to behave—I’m not a booby.

      (He goes up to Fenitchka, who exhibits great embarrassment, and takes off his cap)

      Allow me to introduce myself. I’m a harmless person, and a friend of Arkady Kirsanov.

      (Fenitchka rises, too embarrassed to speak)

      Bazarov

      What a splendid baby! Don’t be uneasy— Why is he so red? Is he cutting his teeth?

      Fenitchka