The Lower Depths

[Leaves, Baron following him quickly.]

LUKA. Was he really once a Baron?

BUBNOFF. Who knows? A gentleman – ? Yes. That much he’s even now. Occasionally it sticks out. He never got rid of the habit.

LUKA. Nobility is like small-pox. A man may get over it – but it leaves marks.

BUBNOFF. He’s all right all the same – occasionally he kicks – as he did about your passport.

[Alyoshka comes in, slightly drunk, with a concertina in his hand, whistling.]

ALYOSHKA. Hey there, lodgers!

BUBNOFF. What are you yelling for?

ALYOSHKA. Excuse me – I beg your pardon! I’m a well-bred man —

BUBNOFF. On a spree again?

ALYOSHKA. Right you are! A moment ago Medyakin, the precinct captain, threw me out of the police station and said: “Look here – I don’t want as much as a smell of you to stay in the streets – d’you hear?” I’m a man of principles, and the boss croaks at me – and what’s a boss anyway – pah! – it’s all bosh – the boss is a drunkard. I don’t make any demands on life. I want nothing – that’s all. Offer me one ruble, offer me twenty – it doesn’t affect me. [Nastya comes from the kitchen] Offer me a million – I won’t take it! And to think that I, a respectable man, should be ordered about by a pal of mine – and he a drunkard! I won’t have it – I won’t!

[Nastya stands in the doorway, shaking her head at Alyoshka.]

LUKA [good-naturedly] Well, boy, you’re a bit confused —

BUBNOFF. Aren’t men fools!

ALYOSHKA [stretches out on the floor] Here, eat me up alive – and I don’t want anything. I’m a desperate man. Show me one better! Why am I worse than others? There! Medyakin said: “If you show yourself on the streets I smash your face!” And yet I shall go out – I’ll go – and stretch out in the middle of the street – let them choke me – I don’t want a thing!

NASTYA. Poor fellow – only a boy – and he’s already putting on such airs —

ALYOSHKA [kneeling before her] Lady! Mademoiselle! Parlez français – ? Prix courrant? I’m on a spree —

NASTYA [in a loud whisper] Vassilisa!

VASSILISA [opens door quickly; to Alyoshka] You here again?

ALYOSHKA. How do you do – ? Come in – you’re welcome —

VASSILISA. I told you, young puppy, that not a shadow of you should stick around here – and you’re back – eh?

ALYOSHKA. Vassilisa Karpovna.. shall I tune up a funeral march for you?

VASSILISA [seizing him by the shoulders] Get out!

ALYOSHKA [moving towards the door] Wait – you can’t put me out this way! I learned this funeral march a little while ago! It’s refreshing music.. wait – you can’t put me out like that!

VASSILISA. I’ll show whether I can or not. I’ll rouse the whole street against you – you foul-mouthed creature – you’re too young to bark about me —

ALYOSHKA [running out] All right – I’ll go —

VASSILISA. Look out – I’ll get you yet!

ALYOSHKA [opens the door and shouts] Vassilisa Karpovna – I’m not afraid of you – [Hides]

[Luka laughs.]

VASSILISA. Who are you?

LUKA. A passer-by – a traveler.

VASSILISA. Stopping for the night or going to stay here?

LUKA. I’ll see.

VASSILISA. Have you a passport?

LUKA. Yes.

VASSILISA. Give it to me.

LUKA. I’ll bring it over to your house —

VASSILISA. Call yourself a traveler? If you’d say a tramp – that would be nearer the truth —

LUKA [sighing] You’re not very kindly, mother!

[Vassilisa goes to door that leads to Pepel’s room, Alyoshka pokes his head through the kitchen door.]

ALYOSHKA. Has she left?

VASSILISA [turning around] Are you still here?

[Alyoshka disappears, whistling. Nastya and Luka laugh.]

BUBNOFF [to Vassilisa] He isn’t here —

VASSILISA. Who?

BUBNOFF. Vaska.

VASSILISA. Did I ask you about him?

BUBNOFF. I noticed you were looking around —

VASSILISA. I am looking to see if things are in order, you see? Why aren’t the floors swept yet? How often did I give orders to keep the house clean?

BUBNOFF. It’s the actor’s turn to sweep —