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The Live Corpse, a play by Leo Tolstoy |
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Act 2 Scene 1 |
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_ ACT II SCENE I [Two weeks have passed since Act I. Anna Pavlovna and Karenin are discovered sitting in Lisa's dining-room. Enter Sasha.] KARENIN. Well, what news? SASHA. The doctor says there is no danger at present, as long as he does not catch cold. ANNA PAVLOVNA. Yes, but Lisa is quite worn out. SASHA. He says it's false croup, and a very mild attack. [Points to a basket]. What's that? ANNA PAVLOVNA. Grapes. Victor brought them. KARENIN. Won't you have some? SASHA. Yes, she likes grapes. She has become terribly nervous. KARENIN. Naturally--after not sleeping for two nights, and not eating. SASHA. And how about you. KARENIN. That's quite another matter. [Enter doctor and Lisa.] DOCTOR [impressively] Yes, that's it. Change it every half-hour if he's awake, but if he's asleep don't disturb him. You need not paint the throat. The room must be kept at its present temperature ... LISA. But if he again begins to choke? DOCTOR. He probably won't, but if he should, use the spray. And give him the powders: one in the morning and the other at night. I will give you the prescription now. ANNA PAVLOVNA. Have a cup of tea, doctor? DOCTOR. No thanks.... My patients are expecting me. [Sits down to the table. Sasha brings him paper and ink.] LISA. So you're sure it is not croup? DOCTOR [smiling] Perfectly certain! KARENIN [to Lisa] And now have some tea, or, better still, go and lie down!... Just see what you look like.... LISA. Oh, now I am alive again. Thank you, you are a true friend! [Presses his hand. Sasha moves away angrily] I am so grateful to you, dear friend! At such times one recog ... KARENIN. What have I done? There's really no cause at all to thank me. LISA. And who stopped up all night? Who fetched the very best doctor? KARENIN. I am already fully rewarded by the fact that Misha is out of danger; and above all by your kindness. LISA [presses his hand again and laughs, showing him some money in her hand] That's for the doctor; but I never know how to give it.... KARENIN. Neither do I. ANNA PAVLOVNA. Don't know what? LISA. How to give money to a doctor.... He has saved more than my life, and I give him money! It seems so unpleasant. ANNA PAVLOVNA. Let me give it. I know how. It's quite simple. DOCTOR [rises and hands the prescription to Lisa] These powders are to be well mixed in a tablespoonful of boiled water ... [goes on talking]. [Karenin sits at the table drinking tea; Sasha and Anna Pavlovna come forward.] SASHA. I can't bear the way they go on! It's just as if she were in love with him. ANNA PAVLOVNA. Well, can it be wondered at? SASHA. It's disgusting! [Doctor takes leave of everybody, and exit. Anna Pavlovna goes with him.] LISA [to Karenin] He's so sweet now! As soon as even he was a little better he at once began to smile and crow. I must go to him, but I don't like leaving you. KARENIN. You had better have a cup of tea, and eat something. LISA. I don't want anything now. I am so happy after all that anxiety!... [Sobs]. KARENIN. There! You see how worn out you are! LISA. I'm so happy!... Would you like to have a look at him? KARENIN. Of course. LISA. Then come with me. [Exeunt]. ANNA PAVLOVNA [returning to Sasha] What are you looking so glum about?... I gave him the money quite well, and he took it. SASHA. It's disgusting! She has taken him with her to the nursery. It's just as if he were her _fiancE_ or her husband.... ANNA PAVLOVNA. Whatever does it matter to you? Why need you get excited about it? Did you mean to marry him yourself? SASHA. I? Marry that pikestaff? I'd rather marry I don't know whom, than him! Such a thing never entered my head.... I am only disgusted that, after Fedya, Lisa can be so attracted by a stranger. ANNA PAVLOVNA. Not a stranger, but an old playfellow! SASHA. Don't I see by their smiles and looks that they are in love? ANNA PAVLOVNA. Well, what is there to be surprised at in that? He shares her anxiety about her baby, shows sympathy and helps her ... and she feels grateful. Besides, why should she not love and marry Victor? SASHA. That would be disgusting--disgusting.... [Enter Karenin and Lisa. Karenin silently takes leave. Sasha goes of angrily.] LISA [to Anna Pavlovna] What's the matter with her? ANNA PAVLOVNA. I really don't know. [Lisa sighs, and is silent.] [Curtain.] _ |
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