Plays, series 2 | Page 9

something else. ... He used to be great
and rich and sober. ... [To TIHON] Why you yourself used to see him
riding, as he used to, past this inn, on his way to the town. Such bold
and noble horses! A carriage on springs, of the best quality! He used to
own five troikas, brother. ... Five years ago, I remember, he cam here
driving two horses from Mikishinsky, and he paid with a five-rouble
piece. ... I haven't the time, he says, to wait for the change. ... There!
MERIK. His brain's gone, I suppose.
KUSMA. His brain's all right. ... It all happened because of his
cowardice! From too much fat. First of all, children, because of a
woman. ... He fell in love with a woman of the town, and it seemed to
him that there wasn't any more beautiful thing in the wide world. A fool
may love as much as a wise man. The girl's people were all right. ... But
she wasn't exactly loose, but just ... giddy ... always changing her mind!
Always winking at one! Always laughing and laughing. ... No sense at
all. The gentry like that, they think that's nice, but we moujiks would
soon chuck her out. ... Well, he fell in love, and his luck ran out. He
began to keep company with her, one thing led to another ... they used
to go out in a boat all night, and play pianos. ...
BORTSOV. Don't tell them, Kusma! Why should you? What has my
life got to do with them?
KUSMA. Forgive me, your honour, I'm only telling them a little ...
what does it matter, anyway. ... I'm shaking all over. Pour out some
more. [Drinks.]
MERIK. [In a semitone] And did she love him?
KUSMA. [In a semitone which gradually becomes his ordinary voice]
How shouldn't she? He was a man of means. ... Of course you'll fall in
love when the man has a thousand dessiatins and money to burn. ... He
was a solid, dignified, sober gentleman ... always the same, like this ...
give me your hand [Takes MERIK'S hand] "How do you do and
good-bye, do me the favour." Well, I was going one evening past his
garden--and what a garden, brother, versts of it--I was going along
quietly, and I look and see the two of them sitting on a seat and kissing
each other. [Imitates the sound] He kisses her once, and the snake gives
him back two. ... He was holding her white, little hand, and she was all
fiery and kept on getting closer and closer, too. ... "I love you," she says.
And he, like one of the damned, walks about from one place to another

and brags, the coward, about his happiness. ... Gives one man a rouble,
and two to another. ... Gives me money for a horse. Let off everybody's
debts. ...
BORTSOV. Oh, why tell them all about it? These people haven't any
sympathy. ... It hurts!
KUSMA. It's nothing, sir! They asked me! Why shouldn't I tell them?
But if you are angry I won't ... I won't. ... What do I care for them. ...
[Post-bells are heard.]
FEDYA. Don't shout; tell us quietly. ...
KUSMA. I'll tell you quietly. ... He doesn't want me to, but it can't be
helped. ... But there's nothing more to tell. They got married, that's all.
There was nothing else. Pour out another drop for Kusma the stony!
[Drinks] I don't like people getting drunk! Why the time the wedding
took place, when the gentlefolk sat down to supper afterwards, she
went off in a carriage ... [Whispers] To the town, to her lover, a
lawyer. ... Eh? What do you think of her now? Just at the very moment!
She would be let off lightly if she were killed for it!
MERIK. [Thoughtfully] Well ... what happened then?
KUSMA. He went mad. ... As you see, he started with a fly, as they say,
and now it's grown to a bumble-bee. It was a fly then, and now--it's a
bumble-bee. ... And he still loves her. Look at him, he loves her! I
expect he's walking now to the town to get a glimpse of her with one
eye. ... He'll get a glimpse of her, and go back. ...
[The post has driven up to the in.. The POSTMAN enters and has a
drink.]
TIHON. The post's late to-day!
[The POSTMAN pays in silence and goes out. The post drives off, the
bells ringing.]
A VOICE FROM THE CORNER. One could rob the post in weather
like this--easy as spitting.
MERIK. I've been alive thirty-five years and I haven't robbed the post
once. ... [Pause] It's gone now ... too late,