The Lower Depths

PEPEL. No – he has plenty of his own.

BUBNOFF. Oh – are you selling it? You won’t sell much around here. But if you had some old boxes, I’d buy them – on credit.

PEPEL [didactically] You’re a jackass, Andrushka! On the subject of conscience you ought to hear Satine – or the Baron.

KLESHTCH. I’ve nothing to talk to them about!

PEPEL. They have more brains than you – even if they’re drunkards.

BUBNOFF. He who can be drunk and wise at the same time is doubly blessed.

PEPEL. Satine says every man expects his neighbor to have a conscience, but – you see – it isn’t to any one’s advantage to have one – that’s a fact.

[Natasha enters, followed by Luka who carries a stick in his hand, a bundle on his back, a kettle and a teapot slung from his belt.]

LUKA. How are you, honest folks?

PEPEL [twisting his mustache] Aha – Natasha!

BUBNOFF [to Luka] I was honest – up to spring before last.

NATASHA. Here’s a new lodger.

LUKA. Oh, it’s all the same to me. Crooks – I don’t mind them, either. For my part there’s no bad flea – they’re all black – and they all jump – .. Well, dearie, show me where I can stow myself.

NATASHA [pointing to kitchen door] Go in there, grand-dad.

LUKA. Thanks, girlie! One place is like another – as long as an old fellow keeps warm, he keeps happy.

PEPEL. What an amusing old codger you brought in, Natasha!

NATASHA. A hanged sight more interesting than you!.. Andrei, your wife’s in the kitchen with us – come and fetch her after a while.

KLESHTCH. All right – I will.

NATASHA. And be a little more kind to her – you know she won’t last much longer.

KLESHTCH. I know.

NATASHA. Knowing won’t do any good – it’s terrible – dying – don’t you understand?

PEPEL. Well – look at me – I’m not afraid.

NATASHA. Oh – you’re a wonder, aren’t you?

BUBNOFF [whistling] Oh – this thread’s rotten.

PEPEL. Honestly, I’m not afraid! I’m ready to die right now. Knife me to the heart – and I’ll die without making a sound.. even gladly – from such a pure hand.

NATASHA [going out] Spin that yarn for some one else!

BUBNOFF. Oh – that thread is rotten – rotten —

NATASHA [at hallway door] Don’t forget your wife, Andrei!

KLESHTCH. All right.

PEPEL. She’s a wonderful girl!

BUBNOFF. She’s all right.

PEPEL. What makes her so curt with me? Anyway – she’ll come to no good here.

BUBNOFF. Through you – sure!

PEPEL. Why through me? I feel sorry for her.

BUBNOFF. As the wolf for the lamb!

PEPEL. You lie! I feel very sorry for her.. very.. very sorry! She has a tough life here – I can see that.

KLESHTCH. Just wait till Vassilisa catches you talking to her!

BUBNOFF. Vassilisa? She won’t give up so easily what belongs to her – she’s a cruel woman!

PEPEL [stretching himself on the bunk] You two prophets can go to hell!

KLESHTCH. Just wait – you’ll see!

LUKA [singing in the kitchen] “In the dark of the night the way is black.”

KLESHTCH. Another one who yelps!

PEPEL. It’s dreary! Why do I feel so dreary? You live – and everything seems all right. But suddenly a cold chill goes through you – and then everything gets dreary.

BUBNOFF. Dreary? Hm-hm —

PEPEL. Yes – yes —

LUKA [sings] “The way is black.”

PEPEL. Old fellow! Hey there!

LUKA [looking from kitchen door] You call me?

PEPEL. Yes. Don’t sing!

LUKA [coming in] You don’t like it?