The Lower Depths

VASSILISA. Never mind whose turn it is! If the health inspector comes and fines me, I’ll throw out the lot of you —

BUBNOFF [calmly] Then how are you going to earn your living?

VASSILISA. I don’t want a speck of dirt! [Goes to kitchen; to Nastya] What are you hanging round here for? Why’s your face all swollen up? Why are you standing there like a dummy? Go on – sweep the floor! Did you see Natalia? Was she here?

NASTYA. I don’t know – I haven’t seen her.

VASSILISA. Bubnoff! Was my sister here?

BUBNOFF. She brought him along.

VASSILISA. That one – was he home?

BUBNOFF. Vassily? Yes – Natalia was here talking to Kleshtch —

VASSILISA. I’m not asking you whom she talked to. Dirt everywhere – filth – oh, you swine! Mop it all up – do you hear? [Exit rapidly]

BUBNOFF. What a savage beast she is!

LUKA. She’s a lady that means business!

NASTYA. You grow to be an animal, leading such a life – any human being tied to such a husband as hers.

BUBNOFF. Well – that tie isn’t worrying her any —

LUKA. Does she always have these fits?

BUBNOFF. Always. You see, she came to find her lover – but he isn’t home —

LUKA. I guess she was hurt. Oh-ho! Everybody is trying to be boss – and is threatening everybody else with all kinds of punishment – and still there’s no order in life.. and no cleanliness —

BUBNOFF. All the world likes order – but some people’s brains aren’t fit for it. All the same – the room should be swept – Nastya – you ought to get busy!

NASTYA. Oh, certainly? Anything else? Think I’m your servant? [Silence] I’m going to get drunk to-night – dead-drunk!

BUBNOFF. Fine business!

LUKA. Why do you want to get drunk, girlie? A while ago you were crying – and now you say you’ll get drunk —

NASTYA [defiantly] I’ll drink – then I cry again – that’s all there’s to it!

BUBNOFF. That’s nothing!

LUKA. But for what reason – tell me! Every pimple has a cause! [Nastya remains silent, shaking her head] Oh – you men – what’s to become of you? All right – I’ll sweep the place. Where’s your broom?

BUBNOFF. Behind the door – in the hall —

[Luka goes into the hall.]

Nastinka!

NASTYA. Yes?

BUBNOFF. Why did Vassilisa jump on Alyoshka?

NASTYA. He told her that Vaska was tired of her and was going to get rid of her – and that he’s going to make up to Natasha – I’ll go away from here – I’ll find another lodging-house —

BUBNOFF. Why? Where?

NASTYA. I’m sick of this – I’m not wanted here!

BUBNOFF [calmly] You’re not wanted anywhere – and, anyway, all people on earth are superfluous —

[Nastya shakes her head. Rises and slowly, quietly, leaves the cellar. Miedviedieff comes in. Luka, with the broom, follows him.]

MIEDVIEDIEFF. I don’t think I know you —

LUKA. How about the others – d’you know them all?

MIEDVIEDIEFF. I must know everybody in my precinct. But I don’t know you.

LUKA. That’s because, uncle, the whole world can’t stow itself away in your precinct – some of it was bound to remain outside.. [Goes into kitchen]

MIEDVIEDIEFF [crosses to Bubnoff] It’s true – my precinct is rather small – yet it’s worse than any of the very largest. Just now, before getting off duty, I had to bring Alyoshka, the shoemaker, to the station house. Just imagine – there he was, stretched right in the middle of the street, playing his concertina and yelping: “I want nothing, nothing!” Horses going past all the time – and with all the traffic going on, he could easily have been run over – and so on! He’s a wild youngster – so I just collared him – he likes to make mischief —

BUBNOFF. Coming to play checkers to-night?

MIEDVIEDIEFF. Yes – I’ll come – how’s Vaska?

BUBNOFF. Same as ever —

MIEDVIEDIEFF. Meaning – he’s getting along – ?

BUBNOFF. Why shouldn’t he? He’s able to get along all right.

MIEDVIEDIEFF [doubtfully] Why shouldn’t he? [Luka goes into hallway, carrying a pail] M-yes – there’s a lot of talk about Vaska. Haven’t you heard?

BUBNOFF. I hear all sorts of gossip.

MIEDVIEDIEFF. There seems to have been some sort of talk concerning Vassilisa. Haven’t you heard about it?

BUBNOFF. What?

MIEDVIEDIEFF. Oh – why – generally speaking. Perhaps you know – and lie. Everybody knows – [Severely] You mustn’t lie, brother!

BUBNOFF. Why should I lie?

MIEDVIEDIEFF. That’s right. Dogs! They say that Vaska and Vassilisa.. but what’s that to me? I’m not her father. I’m her uncle. Why should they ridicule me? [Kvashnya comes in] What are people coming to? They laugh at everything. Aha – you here?