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

Mme Ogudalov. What kind of telegram?

Paratov. While I was away my managers reduced my household to a shell. Because of their operations my ships were about to be auctioned off along with all my property and belongings. So I flew off to save my possessions.

Mme Ogudalov. So you saved everything and arranged everything.

Paratov. Not really. I arranged things but not completely; there was quite a loss. But I haven’t lost heart, Aunty, and I haven’t lost my fun-loving disposition.

Mme Ogudalov. I can see you haven’t lost it.

Paratov. We lose in one thing and gain in something else, Aunty; that’s how it is with men like us.

Mme Ogudalov. What do you want to gain in? Have you started some new business operations?

Paratov. It’s not for lightheaded gentlemen like us to go starting new business operations! That’s how people get into debtors’ prison, Aunty, I want to sell my precious freedom.

Mme Ogudalov. I understand. You want to marry for money. How high do you value your precious freedom?

Paratov. At half a million.

Mme Ogudalov. That’s a lot of money.

Paratov. I can’t do it any cheaper, Aunty. If you don’t figure it out right, you’re in trouble, you know that yourself.

Mme Ogudalov. That’s my kind of man!

Paratov. Right.

Mme Ogudalov. What a falcon! It’s a joy to look at you.

Paratov. It’s very flattering to hear that from you. Please allow me to kiss your dear hand. (He kisses her hand.)

Mme Ogudalov. But what about the buyers? That is, you have some buyers, don’t you?

Paratov. If one looks for them, they’ll be found.

Mme Ogudalov. Pardon me for an indiscreet question!

Paratov. If it’s very indiscreet, then don’t ask me. I’m bashful.

Mme Ogudalov. Enough of your jokes! Is there a fiancée or not? If there is, then who is she?

Paratov. Even if you kill me, I won’t say.

Mme Ogudalov. All right, as you wish.

Paratov. I should like to pay my respects to Larisa Dmitriyevna. May I see her?

Mme Ogudalov. Why not, I’ll have her come out right away. (She takes up the case with its things.) You know, Sergey Sergeyich, tomorrow is Larisa’s birthday, and I’d like to give her these things for a present, but I don’t have enough to buy them.

Paratov. Aunty, Aunty! You’ve probably already taken something from three men! I remember those tactics of yours.

Mme Ogudalov (takes Paratov by the ear). You joker you!

Paratov. Tomorrow I’ll bring a gift myself, better than that.

Mme Ogudalov. I’ll get Larisa for you. (She goes off.)

Larisa enters.

Paratov. You weren’t expecting me?

Larisa. No, I wasn’t expecting you now. I waited for you a long time, but I stopped waiting a long time ago.