Part 13 (1/2)
MaSHA. Well, there isn't much good in her, if she's thrown you over.
FeDYA. She didn't--I threw her over.
MaSHA. All right, all right! It's always you. She is an angel! What else!
FeDYA. This--that you are a good, dear girlie--and that I love you, and if I live I shall ruin you.
MaSHA. That's not your business. I know quite well what will ruin me.
FeDYA [sighs] But above all, above all ... What use is my life? Don't I know that I am a lost good-for-nothing? I am a burden to myself and to everybody--as your father said. I'm worthless....
MaSHA. What rubbis.h.!.+ I shall stick to you. I've stuck to you already, and there's an end of it! As to your leading a bad life, drinking and going on the spree--well, you're a living soul! Give it up, and have done with it!
FeDYA. That's easily said.
MaSHA. Well, then, do it.
FeDYA. Yes, when I look at you I feel as if I could really do anything.
MaSHA. And so you shall! Yes, you'll do it! [Sees the letter] What's that? You've written to them? What have you written?
FeDYA. What have I written?... [Takes the letter and is about to tear it up] It's no longer wanted now.
MaSHA [s.n.a.t.c.hes the letter] You've said you would kill yourself? Yes?
You did not mention the revolver--only said that you'd kill yourself?
FeDYA. Yes, that I should be no more.
MaSHA. Give it me--give it, give it!... Have you read _What to Do_?
FeDYA. I think I have.
MaSHA. It's a tiresome novel, but there's one very, very good thing in it. That what's his name?--Rakhmanov--goes and pretends he has drowned himself. And you--can you swim?
FeDYA. No.
MaSHA. That's all right. Let me have your clothes--everything, and your pocket-book too.
FeDYA. How can I?
MaSHA. Wait a bit, wait, wait! Let's go home; then you'll change your clothes.
FeDYA. But it will be a fraud.
MaSHA. All right! You go to bathe, your clothes remain on the bank, in the pocket is your pocket-book and this letter.
FeDYA. Yes, and then?
MaSHA. And then? Why, then we'll go off together and live gloriously.