The Storm

MME. KABANOVA. Well, now everything is ready. The horses are at the door. You've only to say good-bye and be off in God's name.

KABANOV.

Yes, mamma, it's time I was off.

MME. KABANOVA.

Well?

KABANOV.

What do you desire?

MME. KABANOVA. Why are you standing about? Don't you know the way to do things? Lay your commands upon your wife, exhort her how she is to live in your absence.

[Katerina looks on the ground.

KABANOV.

But she knows quite well without that.

MME. KABANOVA. The way you talk! Come, come, give your commands, that I may hear what commands you lay upon her! And then when you come back, you can ask if she has performed everything exactly.

KABANOV (standing opposite Katerina).

Obey mamma, Katia.

MME. KABANOVA.

Tell her not to be saucy to her mother-in-law.

KABANOV.

Don't be saucy!

MME. KABANOVA.

To revere her mother-in-law as her own mother.

KABANOV.

Revere mamma, Katia, as your own mother.

MME. KABANOVA.

Not to sit with her hands in her lap like a fine lady.

KABANOV.

Do some work while I am away!

MME. KABANOVA.

Not to go staring out of window!

KABANOV.

But, mamma, whenever has she….

MME. KABANOVA.

Come, come!

KABANOV.

Don't look out of window!

MME. KABANOVA.

Not to stare at young fellows while you are away!

KABANOV.

But that is too much, mamma, for mercy's sake!

MME. KABANOVA (severely). Enough of this nonsense! It's your duty to do what your mother tells you. (With a smile) It's always as well when it's forbidden.

KABANOV (in great confusion).

Don't look at young men! [Katerina looks sternly at him.

MME. KABANOVA.

Well, now you can talk by yourselves a little, if you want to. Come,

Varvara! [They go out.

SCENE IV

KABANOV and KATERINA (she stands as though turned to stone).

KABANOV.

Katia! (Silence.) Katia, you're not angry with me?

KATERINA (after a protracted silence—shakes her head).

No!

KABANOV.

But why are you like this? Come, forgive me!

KATERINA (still in the same position, slightly shaking her head).

Peace be with you! (Hiding her face in her hands) She has hurt me!

KABANOV. If you take everything to heart so, you'll soon fall into a decline. Why listen to her! You know she must talk! Well then, let her talk, and you let it go in at one ear and out at the other. Come, good-bye, Katia!

KATERINA (falling on her husband's neck). Tisha, don't go away! For God's sake, don't go away! Dear one, I implore you!

KABANOV.

I must, Katia. When mamma sends me, how can I not go?

KATERINA.

Well, take me with you, do take me!

KABANOV (freeing himself from her embrace).

But it's impossible!

KATERINA.

Oh, why, Tisha, impossible?

KABANOV. Much fun there would be in going with you! You've worried me out of my life here between you! No sooner have I a hope of escaping than you want to fasten yourself upon me.

KATERINA.

Why, can it be that you are tired of me?

KABANOV. No, I'm not tired of you; but to get out of this slavery a man would run away from the loveliest woman in the world! Just consider for a minute; I may not be good for much; but I'm a man anyway; and living all my life as you see, one's glad to run away from one's wife even. Why, when I think now, that for two whole weeks there'll be no storm hanging over me, no fetters on my legs,—do you suppose I can think of my wife?

KATERINA.

How can I care for you, when you say things like that?

KABANOV. Say things? Why, what things am I to say? God knows what it is you're afraid of! You won't be alone, you know, you'll be with mamma.

KATERINA.

Don't speak of her, don't torture my heart! Ah, how wretched I am, how

wretched! (Weeps.) Where can I go? Whom can I cling to? Merciful

Heavens, I am lost!

KABANOV.

Come, be quiet!

KATERINA (goes up to her husband and draws him to her). Tisha, dear one, if you would stay, if you would take me with you, how I would love you, how I would cherish you, my dear one!

KABANOV. I can't make you out, Katia! Often there's no getting a word out of you, to say nothing of a kiss, and now you come coaxing up to me of your own accord.

KATERINA.

Tisha, what are you leaving me to? There'll be trouble when you're away!

There'll be trouble!

KABANOV.

Now, come, I can't, so it's no use.

KATERINA.

Well, here then! Take from me some dreadful vow….

KABANOV.

What vow?

KATERINA. A vow that I will not dare while you're away on any ground whatever to speak with any outsider, nor see anyone,—that I will not even dare to think of anyone but you.

KABANOV.

But what's this for?

KATERINA.

Set my heart at rest, do this for me!

KABANOV. But one can never answer for oneself like that, anything may come into one's head.