Without a dowry / Бесприданница. Книга для чтения на английском языке

And what will be left for her then? She’ll fade away, and then, the way these things go, she’ll end up with consumption.

Mme Ogudalov. Oh, how can you say things like that! God forbid!

Knurov. It would be a good thing if she’d decide very quickly to leave her husband and come back to you.

Mme Ogudalov. But that would be just more misery, Moky Parmenych, what would my daughter and I have to live on!

Knurov. Well, that’s a misery that could be remedied. The heartfelt concern of a strong and rich man…

Mme Ogudalov.

How nice if such a concern should turn up.

Knurov. You should try to gain it. In cases like this it is quite necessary to have a good friend, one who’s solid and steady.

Mme Ogudalov. It is quite necessary.

Knurov. Now you might tell me that she’s not even married yet, that the time is still far off when she could leave her husband. Yes, it could well be far off, but then again it could be very close. So it’s better to let you know now, so you won’t make some kind of mistake, that I won’t begrudge a thing for Larisa Dmitriyevna.

Why are you smiling?

Mme Ogudalov. It makes me very happy, Moky Parmenych, that you’re so well disposed to us.

Knurov. Do you think, perhaps, that my suggestions are not disinterested?

Mme Ogudalov. Oh, Moky Parmenych!

Knurov. Take offense if you want, throw me out.

Mme Ogudalov (embarrassed). Oh, Moky Parmenych!

Knurov. Go find those people who’ll promise you tens of thousands for nothing in return, then you can scold me.

Only don’t bother to look, you won’t find them. But I got carried away, that wasn’t what I came to talk about. What’s that box you have there?

Mme Ogudalov. I wanted to give it to my daughter for a present, Moky Parmenych.

Knurov (looking over the things in the box). I see…

Mme Ogudalov. But it’s all expensive, more than I can afford.

Knurov (gives back the box). Well, those are just trifles, there are more important things to think about.

You have to provide a good wardrobe for Larisa Dmitriyevna, what I mean is, not just good but very good. A wedding dress and everything else that’s required.

Mme Ogudalov. Yes, yes, Moky Parmenych.

Knurov. It would be a great shame for her to be dressed just any old way. So you go ahead and order everything in the best store, and don’t count the cost or worry over the kopecks. Just send the bills to me, I’ll pay.

Mme Ogudalov.