The Storm

[Dikoy goes out and all follow him. The scene is empty for a little while. Varvara runs quickly in under the arcade and, hiding herself, peeps out.

SCENE III

VARVARA and later BORIS.

VARVARA.

I believe it's he! (Boris advances from the background of the scene.)

Sss-sss! (Boris looks round.) Come here. (She beckons, Boris goes up to

her.) What are we to do with Katerina? For mercy's sake tell me!

BORIS.

Why, what is it?

VARVARA. It's terrible, that's all. Her husband has come back, do you know that? We didn't expect him, but he's here.

BORIS.

No, I didn't know it.

VARVARA.

She's simply beside herself.

BORIS. It seems as if I had only lived for these ten short days that he has been away. And now not to see her!

VARVARA. Oh, I've no patience with you! I've something to tell you! She's shaking all over, as if she were in a fever. She's so pale, she wanders about the house, as though she were looking for something. Her eyes are wild, she's like a mad thing! She began crying long ago in the morning, she simply sobs. Merciful Heavens, what am I to do with her?

BORIS.

But perhaps this will pass off.

VARVARA. I doubt it. She daren't raise her eyes to her husband. Mamma's begun to notice it, and she follows her about and keeps a suspicious eye upon her. She looks daggers at her; and that makes her worse than ever. It makes one wretched to see her. And I'm afraid too.

BORIS.

What are you afraid of?

VARVARA. You don't know her. She's a strange creature. One never knows what to expect from her! She will do things …

BORIS. My God! What's to be done? You must talk to her thoroughly. Can't you manage to soothe her?

VARVARA.

I've tried. She doesn't even hear. Better leave her alone.

BORIS.

Well, what do you suppose she may do?

VARVARA. Why, simply this: fling herself down at her husband's feet, and tell him everything. That's what I'm afraid of.

BORIS (with horror).

Could she possibly!

VARVARA.

She may do anything.

BORIS.

Where is she now?

VARVARA. At this moment she's out on the parade with her husband, and my mother's with them too. You go and meet them, if you like. But no, you'd better not go, or she'll very likely lose her head completely. (A peal of thunder in the distance) Isn't that thunder? (Looks out) Yes, it's raining too. And here are people coming this way. Get somewhere out of sight, and I'll stand here where I can be seen, so that they won't notice anything. (Enter several persons of both sexes and different classes.)

SCENE IV

VARVARA and various persons, and later, MME. KABANOVA, KABANOV, KATERINA and KULIGIN.

FIRST. The good lady seems awfully frightened by the way she's hurrying for shelter.

A WOMAN. No use seeking shelter! If it's written in the book of fate, there's no escaping!

KATERINA (running in).

Ah, Varvara! (Seizes her hand and holds it tight.)

VARVARA.

Come, be quiet!

KATERINA.

It will be my death!

VARVARA.

Come, come! Pull yourself together!

KATERINA.

No! I can't. I can do nothing. My heart aches so.

MME. KABANOVA (entering).

Let me tell you, one should live so as to be always ready for anything.

You would not be in such terror then.

KABANOV. But what sins in special has she to frighten her, mamma? Her sins are no more than all of us have to repent; being afraid of storms is a matter of temperament.

MME. KABANOVA.

How do you know, pray? The heart of another is darkness.

KABANOV (jestingly).

Oh well, maybe, something very wicked while I was away; certainly when

I've been here she never did anything bad.

MME. KABANOVA.

Maybe, when you were away, then.

KABANOV (jesting). Katia, my girl, you'd better repent, if you've been sinful in any way. You can't have secrets from me, you know; no, you naughty girl, I know all about it.

KATERINA (looks him straight in the face).

Dear Tihon!

VARVARA.

Come, why do you keep teazing her? Can't you see she's not well?

[Boris steps out of the crowd and bows to the Kabanovs.

KATERINA (shrieks).

Ah!

KABANOV. What are you frightened of? Did you think it was a stranger? This is a friend! Is your uncle quite well?

BORIS.

Quite, thank you.

KATERINA (to Varvara). What more does he want of me? … Isn't it enough that I am in torture like this.

[Leans against Varvara, sobs.

VARVARA (aloud, so that her mother should hear). We're simply tired out, and don't know what to do with her; and now outsiders must come up too!