Peredonov

“ In spite of its "local colour" and its portrayal of small town life in Russia, this novel has the world for its stage, and its chief actor, Peredonov, is a universal character. He is a Russian—an American—an Englishman. He is to be found everywhere, and in every station of life. Both translators agree that they have even met one or two Peredonovs at London literary teas—and not a few Volodins, for that matter.
Certainly there is a touch of Peredonov in many men. It is a matter of degree. ”

“ He spread out his arms, lowered his forehead as if he were about to butt and grew silent.
"And so, as you see," said Peredonov, "he's a young man. And he shouldn't live like this. He ought to marry. In any case the married man is always better off."
"And if his wife suits him, what can be better?" added Volodin.
"And you," continued Peredonov, "are a girl. You also ought to marry."
From behind the door there came a slight rustle, abrupt smothered sounds, as though someone were breathing or laughing with a closed mouth. ”

“ Peredonov recounted everything that he had heard from Varvara, and incidentally he dilated on the poor qualities of Kokovkina. Khripatch listened and now and then gave vent to his dry, mechanical laughter.
"I'm afraid, my dear Ardalyon Borisitch, that your imagination has played pranks with you," he said, as he rose and caught Peredonov by the sleeve. "I, as well as many of my esteemed friends, have children, we're not in our swaddling clothes. Surely you don't think that we would have admitted a disguised girl as a boy?" ”

“ Before Peredonov arrived there was already a visitor there. Peredonov knew him—but then who is not known to everyone in our town? Everyone knows everyone else, but some have quarrelled and broken off the acquaintance.
This was the District physician, Georgiy Semenovitch Trepetov, a little man—even smaller than Kirillov—with a pimply, insignificant, sharp-featured face. He wore blue spectacles, and he always looked under or to the side of them, as if it were an effort to look at his companion. He was unusually upright, and never gave a single kopeck for anyone else's benefit. ”

“ And after all, what were the students to Peredonov even earlier? Were they not merely an apparatus for the spreading of ink and paper by means of the pen, and for the retelling in ready-made language what had been said before in live human speech! In his whole educational career Peredonov never for a moment reflected that the students were the same human beings as grown-ups. Only bearded students with awakened inclinations towards women suddenly became in his eyes equal to himself. ”

“ Skouchayev felt very flattered that Peredonov had come to him. He did not understand what it was all about, but he was shrewd enough not to show his lack of comprehension.
"And there are other things being said about me," continued Peredonov. "For one thing that I live with Varvara—they say that she's not my cousin but my mistress. And she's only a cousin to me—honest to God! She's a very distant relative—only a third cousin; there's nothing against marrying her. Indeed I'm going to marry her." ”

“ She stood like a black sorceress and blew out smoke, as if she were casting a spell. He spat and pronounced an exorcism. Vershina laughed and asked:
"What's the matter with you, Ardalyon Borisitch?"
Peredonov looked vaguely at her and said at last:
"Ah, it's you! I didn't recognise you."
"That's a good sign. It means I'll soon be rich," said Vershina.
This did not please Peredonov, he wanted to be rich himself.
"Get away!" he exclaimed angrily. "Why should you be rich—you'll always be what you are now."
"Never mind, I shall win twenty thousand," said Vershina with a wry smile. ”

“ Varvara and Volodin laughed.
"I can always quack, Ardasha," said Volodin. "Kra, Kra. It's quite easy."
Red, and drunken with vodka, Volodin protruded his lips and quacked. He became more and more arrogant towards Peredonov.
"You've been taken in, Ardasha," he said with contemptuous pity.
"I'll take you in," bellowed Peredonov in fury.
Volodin appeared terrible to him and menacing. He must defend himself. Peredonov quickly pulled out his knife, threw himself on Volodin, and slashed him across his throat. The blood gushed out in a stream. ”

“ The difficulty was that Peredonov had never seen her. It would be useless to ask Varvara—she would tell lies.
At last Peredonov thought he would burn the whole pack. Let them all burn! If they creep into the cards to his ruin, then it's their own fault.
Peredonov chose a time when Varvara was not at home. The stove in the parlour was alight—and he threw all the cards into the stove. With a crackling the marvellous pale red flowers opened out—they burned but were black at the edges. Peredonov looked in horror at these flaming blossoms. ”

“ Peredonov rose and shouted:
"Well, we'll have a drink, Pavloushka!"
Volodin sniggered.
"That's a possibility, Ardasha," he said. "It's always possible to take a drink."
"We must get that cat back," decided Peredonov.
"A treasure," replied Varvara sarcastically. "I'll send Klavdiushka for it after dinner."
They sat down to dinner. Volodin was in a cheerful mood and chattered and laughed a great deal. His laughter sounded to Peredonov like the bleating of the ram he had met in the street.
"Why has he got evil intentions against me?" thought Peredonov. "What does he want?" ”

“ Misha for a moment unexpectedly felt touched and tears came into his eyes. He lowered his handkerchief and looked angrily at his sister.
"The youngster might suddenly get into a fit," thought Peredonov, "and begin to bite; human spit, they say, is poisonous."
He moved closer to Volodin, so that in case of danger he could hide behind him. Nadezhda said to her brother:
"Pavel Vassilyevitch asks for my hand."
"Hand and heart," corrected Peredonov.
"And heart," added Volodin modestly but with dignity. ”

“ He raises a racket and he fights," said Peredonov morosely. "He's always in mischief."
"I don't fight at all," exclaimed Antosha dolefully. "Ask anyone you like. I haven't fought with anybody."
"He doesn't let anyone pass," said Peredonov.
"Very well, I'll go to the gymnasia myself and I'll ask the inspector," said Goudayevsky decisively.
"Nika, Nika, why don't you believe him?" cried Julia. "Would you like to see Antosha turn out a good-for-nothing? He needs a beating." ”

“ Peredonov fixed his troubled eyes upon him, and asked:
"Are you a friend to me or an enemy?"
"A friend, a friend, Ardasha!" replied Volodin.
"A friend with true love is like a beetle behind the stove," said Varvara.
"Not a beetle but a ram," corrected Peredonov. "Well, you and I will drink together, Pavloushka, only we two. And you, Varvara, drink also—we'll drink together, we two."
Volodin said with a snigger:
"If Varvara Dmitrievna drinks with us, it won't be two but three."
"Two, I say," repeated Peredonov morosely.
"Husband and wife are one Satan," said Varvara, and began to laugh. ”

“ The girls' anger with Peredonov soon gave place to laughter. Routilov left. The girls ran to the windows.
"Ardalyon Borisitch," exclaimed Darya. "Why can't you make up your mind. You shouldn't do things like this!"
"Kislyai Kislyaevitch! (Sour Sourson!) " exclaimed Liudmilla, laughingly.
Peredonov was angry. In his opinion the sisters ought to have wept with disappointment that he had rejected them. "They're pretending," he thought, as he left the garden silently. The girls ran to the windows facing the street and shouted gibes after him until he was lost in the darkness. ”

“ The sisters ran away laughing. Their voices and laughter ceased directly they were in the house. Peredonov turned away from the gate; he was not quite satisfied. He thought: "They babbled something and then ran away." It would have been far better if they'd put it on paper. But he had already stood here waiting long enough.
"Well, are you satisfied?" asked Routilov. "Which one do you like best?"
Peredonov was lost in thought. Of course, he concluded at last, he ought to take the youngest. A young woman is always better than an older one.
"Bring Valeria here," he said decisively. ”

“ Prepolovensky said:
"I wondered why these cards kept catching each other. That's the reason. I kept feeling. Why is it, I thought, that they have such rough backs? Now I see it comes from these little holes. That's it—it's the backs that are rough!"
Everyone laughed except Peredonov, who looked morose. Varvara said with a smile:
"You know my Ardalyon Borisitch has strange whims. He's always thinking of different tricks."
"Why did you do it?" asked Routilov with a loud laugh.
"Why should they have eyes?" said Peredonov morosely. "They don't need to see!" ”

“ And I up and said to him quietly, and with great dignity: 'Your Excellency,' I say to him, 'Will you be good enough to take your hat off, because,' I say to him, 'there's an ikon in the room.' Now, was that the right thing to say?" asked Volodin, opening his eyes, questioningly.
"That was clever, Pavloushka," shouted Peredonov. "He got what he deserved."
"Yes, that was quite proper," chimed in Varvara. "People like that shouldn't be let off. You're a smart young fellow, Pavel Vassilyevitch." ”

“ This unpleasant news was confirmed by Grushina. Peredonov was stupefied with astonishment. It was impossible to know what she might say, and then the gendarmes would take up the matter and report it to the authorities. It was a bad look-out.
At the same second Peredonov's eyes rested on the shelf under the sideboard. There stood several bound volumes: the thin ones were the works of Pisarev and the larger ones were the "Annals of the Fatherland." [4] Peredonov went pale and said:
"I must hide those books or I shall be reported." ”

“ Peredonov explained:
"He's being taught nasty words in the gymnasia and he won't say who it is. He oughtn't to conceal things. He not only learns nasty words himself but he shields the other boys."
"Oh, Sashenka, Sashenka. How could you do it? Aren't you ashamed?" said Kokovkina in a flustered way, as she released Sasha. ”

“ Peredonov once asked him.
"Well, why shouldn't I wear a bowler, Ardalyon Borisitch?" replied Volodin gaily and shrewdly. "It's modest and becoming. I'm not allowed to wear a cap with a badge, and as for a top-hat, let the aristocrats stick to it, it doesn't become us."
"You'll roast in your bowler," said Peredonov morosely.
Volodin sniggered.
They went to Peredonov's house.
"One has to do so much walking," complained Peredonov.
"It's good to take exercise, Ardalyon Borisitch," said Volodin persuasively. "You work, you take a walk, you eat your meals, and you're healthy." ”

“ Or he might think of economising and buy a simple black one. And that would be fatal, thought Peredonov: Adamenko is a fashionable girl and if he should come to propose to her in any kind of a tie she might be offended and reject him. Peredonov said:
"Only don't buy a cheap one. Pavloushka, you've won from me enough money to pay for a tie. How much do I owe you? I think it's one rouble forty kopecks, isn't it?"
"You're quite right about the forty kopecks," said Volodin with a wry smile, "only it's not one rouble but two." ”

“ I don't read such nonsense. There's nothing but stupidities in stories and novels." Nadezhda Vassilyevna smiled amiably and said:
"You're very severe towards contemporary literature. But good books are written even nowadays."
"I read all the good books long ago," announced Peredonov. "I don't intend to begin to read what's being written now."
Volodin looked at Peredonov with respect. Nadezhda Vassilyevna sighed lightly and—as there was nothing else for her to do—she began a string of small-talk and gossip to the best of her ability. ”

“ He had bad luck, as he nearly always did, and it seemed to him that the faces of the kings, queens and knaves expressed spite and mockery; the queen of spades even gritted her teeth, evidently enraged by his blinding her. Finally, after a heavy loss, Peredonov seized the pack of cards and in his rage began to tear them to shreds. The guests roared with laughter. Varvara said with a smile:
"He's always like that—whenever he takes a drop he always does strange things."
"You mean when he's drunk," said Prepolovenskaya spitefully. "Do you hear, Ardalyon Borisitch, what your cousin thinks of you?" ”

“ There was an awkward silence for the next few minutes.
"You're very poor, aren't you?" said Peredonov suddenly.
"Well, we're not rich," said Marta, "but still we're not so poor. Each one of us has a little something put aside."
Peredonov looked at her incredulously and said:
"I'm sure you're poor. You go barefoot at home every day."
"We don't do it from poverty," exclaimed Vladya. ”

“ And when you meet a muzhik you get more respect——"
"A badge doesn't become your mug, Pavloushka," said Peredonov; "and keep farther off, you're making me dusty with your hoofs."
Volodin relapsed into an injured silence, but still walked beside him. Peredonov said in a preoccupied way:
"The Routilov girls ought to be informed against too. They only go to church to chatter and to laugh. They rouge themselves, they dress themselves up and then go to church. And then they steal incense to make scents of—that's why they have such a strong smell." ”

“ He went on:
"As far as it concerns my personal opinion of you, I still continue to think that there are sad lapses in your professional activity."
"Yes," said Peredonov morosely. "You've taken it into your head that I'm good for nothing. Yet I'm always preoccupied with the gymnasia."
Khripatch lifted his eyebrows in astonishment and glanced questioningly at Peredonov.
"You haven't noticed," continued Peredonov, "that there's a possibility of a scandal in our gymnasia. No one has noticed it—I alone have detected it." ”