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

Then when are you thinking of going to the country?

Karandyshov. After the wedding, whenever you want, even the very next day. Only we absolutely must get married here, so nobody can say we’re hiding out because I’m not a good match for you but just the straw a drowning man grabs for.

Larisa. But you know, Yuly Kapitonych, that last part’s almost the way it is, it’s true.

Karandyshov (angrily). Then keep that truth to yourself! (In tears.) Have a little pity on me! At least let the others think you love, that you made a free choice.

Larisa. But why do that?

Karandyshov. What do you mean, “why”? Don’t you make any allowance for self-respect in a man?

Larisa. Self-respect! All you think about is yourself! Everybody loves himself! When is anybody ever going to love me? You’re going to lead me to ruin.

Mme Ogudalov. That’s enough, Larisa, what’s gotten into you?

Larisa. Mama, I’m afraid, I’m afraid of something. Now listen.

If the wedding’s going to be here, then please, as few people as possible, as quiet and simple as possible.

Mme Ogudalov. No, don’t you get any crazy ideas! A wedding’s a wedding, and I’m an Ogudalov and won’t allow any skimping. You’ll shine as nobody here has ever shone.

Karandyshov. And I won’t begrudge a thing.

Larisa. All right, I’ll be quiet. I can see that for you I’m a doll. You’ll play with me, break me and throw me away.

Karandyshov.

That dinner tonight is going to cost me plenty.

Mme Ogudalov. And I consider that dinner of yours absolutely unnecessary, an unjustified expense.

Karandyshov. But even if it should cost me twice as much, or three times as much, I wouldn’t begrudge the money.

Mme Ogudalov. It’s something nobody needs.

Karandyshov. I need it.

Larisa. But what for, Yuly Kapitonych?

Karandyshov. Larisa Dmitriyevna, for three years I’ve been suffering humiliation, for three years I’ve had to put up with mockery from your friends right to my face.

I’ve got to have my turn to laugh at them.

Mme Ogudalov. What will you think up next! Do you want to get up some quarrel, is that it? In that case Larisa and I won’t go.

Larisa. Oh, please, don’t offend anybody!

Karandyshov. Don’t offend! Though they can offend me? But don’t worry, there won’t be any quarrel, it’ll all be very peaceful.