Page:Poet Lore, volume 28, 1917.djvu/294

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276
MADAME MAJOR

call me Fedósia now. I can't go by them . . . Mama is preparing to marry me off . . . When I get you married, she says, all this fancy for Fedósia Ignát'evna will disappear! . . . Well, I won't consent to marry anyone. Why does she . . . (Confusedly steps back as the Major enters.)

Scene II

Liubávin, Teríkhov and then Fénia

Teríkhov.—You? Why aren't you at work? What day is today? Is it a holiday? Why are you idling your time away?
Liubávin.

— I . . . I'm not feeling well. (Fenia enters; Liubavin does not see her.) Terikhov. — Not feeling well? You're feeling well enough to run over here, aren't you? Go to your Treasury; march off with you! Fenia. — Leave him alone! Come on, Tisha, we'll go and pick some raspberries. There's the basket on the table (Points to the door at the right.) Bring it. (Liubavin rushes off for the basket.) Terikhov (With vexation). — What foolishness, Fenia! (He turns on his heels and goes out through the door at the left. Fenia follows him with an ironical glance.) Liubdvin (Enters with basket in his hands, and with lowered eyes gives it to Fenia). — Mustn't I go? Maksim Gavrilych will tell Mamma. Fenia. — Don't you want to go raspberry-picking with me? Liubdvin.— O h, great heavens. Not only raspberry-picking, but everything, everywhere, if it's with you, Fedosia Ignat'evna! Fenia. — And why don't you want to go to work? (Pulls his ear.) There, take that! Liubdvin (Seizes her hand and covers it with kisses). — Oh, what this means to me! I ... I shall lose my reason! Terikhov (Enters). — H'm! (Liubavin becomes confused and doesn't know where to look). — Considering that you are my wife, Fedosia Ignat'evna, your actions are improper. I really must say, improper. You must understand that. And if I married you...it...it.. . wasn't a joke, to me, at least. Fenia (Glancing at her husband, and offering Liubavin her hand). — Kiss i t , I give you permission. (Liubavin wilts.) Why,