Biographies Characteristics Analysis

Cinderella is a very brief content for a reader's diary. Cinderella or glass slipper

PERSONS:

Bolshov Samson Silych- merchant

Agrafena Kondratievna- his wife

sticky- their daughter

Podkhalyuzin- clerk

Ustinya Naumovna- matchmaker

Fominishna- housekeeper

Rispolozhensky Sysy Psoich- solicitor

Tishka- boy

Act one

Living room in Bolshov's house.

Ostrovsky. Our people - let's count. Spectacle

The first phenomenon

sticky (sitting by the window with a book). What a fun activity these dances are! After all, how good! What could be more amazing? You come to the Assembly, or to someone’s wedding, you sit, naturally, - all in flowers, dressed up like a toy or a picture from a magazine, - suddenly a gentleman flies up: “Give me happiness, madam!” Well, you see: if a person with the concept of Ali is what kind of army - you take it and squint, you answer: “If you please, with pleasure!” Oh! (with heat) ocha-ro-va-tel-but! It's just mind-boggling! (Sighs.) Most of all, I do not like to dance with students and with clerks. What a difference with the military! Ah, lovely! Delight! And mustaches, and epaulettes, and a uniform, and some even have spurs with bells. One deadly thing is that there is no saber! And why are they tying her off? Strange, by God! They themselves do not understand how to shine more charmingly! After all, they would have looked at the spurs, how they ring, especially if a lancer or colonel paints what - a miracle! Loving is sweet! Well, attach a saber to it: you just won’t see anything more curious, you’ll hear enough thunder better than music. What kind of comparison is there: military or civilian? A military man - you can already see it now: both dexterity and everything, but what about a civilian? So some inanimate! (Silence.) I wonder why many ladies are sitting with their legs crossed? Formally, there is no difficulty to learn! That's what I was ashamed of the teacher, and in twenty lessons I completely understood everything. Why not learn to dance! It's just a superstition! Here, mother used to be angry that the teacher was grabbing everything by the knees. All this from ignorance! What an importance! He is a dance master, not anyone else. (thinks.) I imagine to myself: suddenly a military man will marry me, suddenly we have a ceremonial conspiracy: candles are burning everywhere, waiters are walking around in white gloves; I, naturally, in a tulle or gauze dress, then suddenly a waltz will start playing. Well, how I am embarrassed in front of him! Ah, what a fear! Where then to go? What will he think? Here, he will say, an uneducated fool! No, how is that possible! However, I have not danced for a year and a half! I'll try it now at my leisure. (Badly waltzing.) One... two... three... one... two... three...

The second phenomenon

Lipochka and Agrafena Kondratievna.

Agrafena Kondratievna (entering). Yes, yes, shameless! As if the heart felt: neither light nor dawn, do not eat God's bread, and even for dancing right away!

sticky. Like, mother, I drank tea and ate cheesecake. Look, okay? One, two, three... one... two...

Agrafena Kondratievna (chasing her). So what did you eat? I really need to watch how you sin! .. I tell you, do not fidget! ..

sticky. What a sin! Everyone is having fun with this. “One…two…

Agrafena Kondratievna. It’s better to knock your forehead on the table, but don’t be mischievous with your feet! (Running after her.)- Yes, what are you, why did you take it not to obey!

sticky. How not to obey who told you! Do not interfere, let me finish as it should! One two Three…

Agrafena Kondratievna. How long should I run after you in my old age! Wow, tortured, barbarian! Listen, stop! Sorry to my father!

sticky. Now, now, mother! Last circle! God created you for that, to complain. You yourself are not very important to me! One, two...

Agrafena Kondratievna. How! you're still dancing, and you're still swearing! Drop it this minute! It will be worse for you: I will catch you by the skirt, I will tear off the whole tail.

sticky. Well, cheer up! You will have to sew! Here it will be! (Sits down.) Fu ... fu ... how it was packed, as if it was carrying a cart! Wow! Give me, mother, to wipe the sweat on a handkerchief.

Agrafena Kondratievna. Wait, I'll wipe it myself! Look, tired! But even then to say, as if they were not willing. If you don’t honor your mother, then you would be ashamed of the walls! Father, my dear, moves his legs through great strength, and here you are jumping like a spinning top!

sticky. Come on with your advice! What do you think I should do! Most, perhaps, will you order to be ill? Here's another manner, if only I were a doctor! Wow! What a disgusting notion you have! Oh! What are you, mother, by God! Really, sometimes I have to blush from your stupidities!

Agrafena Kondratievna. What an incredible child! I ask you to think how she honors her mother! Oh, you stupid talker! Is it possible to insult parents with such speeches? Is it possible that I then gave birth to you, taught you and cherished you more than straws?

sticky. Not you taught - outsiders; completeness, please; you yourself, to confess to say, have not been brought up in anything. Well? You gave birth - I was then what? A child, a child without a concept, did not understand the appeal. And I grew up and looked at the secular tone, and I see that I am much more educated than others. Well, I should indulge your stupidity! How! There is an opportunity.

Agrafena Kondratievna. Calm down, hey, calm down, shameless! If you bring me out of patience, I’ll go straight to my father, so I’ll knock at my feet, I’ll say, there’s no life from my daughter, Samsonushko!

sticky. Yes, you have no life! I imagine. - Do I have a life from you? Why did you refuse the groom? Why not an incomparable party? Why not capidon? What did you find gullible about him?

Agrafena Kondratievna. And even gullible, that scoff! Arrived, broke, broke, spun, spun. Eka is unseen!

sticky. Yes, you know a lot! It is known that he is a noble person, and he acts in a delicate way. They always do that in their circle. “How else do you dare to defame people you don’t even know?” He's not some kind of merchant. (Whispers to the side.) Douche, cutie!

Agrafena Kondratievna. Yes, good darling! Tell me please! It's a pity that they didn't give you away for a jester for a pea. After all, you are, what a whim is in you; because you are whispering under your breath to spite your mother.

sticky. Visible reason that you do not want my happiness. You and your aunt only build slander and tyrannize.

Agrafena Kondratievna. Well, whatever you want, think about it. The Lord is your judge! And no one takes care of his offspring as much as the mother's womb! Here you are swindling and digging out various nonsense, and my father and I take care day and night how you can find a good person and attach you as soon as possible.

sticky. Yes, it's easy for you to talk, but let me ask you, what is it like for me?

Agrafena Kondratievna. Don't I feel sorry for you, you think? Yes, what to do! Be patient a little, if you have been waiting for many years. After all, you can’t suddenly find a groom; soon only cats catch mice.

sticky. What do I care about your cats! I need a husband! What it is! It is a shame to meet acquaintances, in the whole of Moscow they could not choose a groom - everything is different and different. Who will not be touched to the quick: all the friends with their husbands for a long time, and I'm like an orphan! One was found, and that one was refused. Hear, find me a fiancé, find me without fail!.. I tell you ahead, look for it without fail, otherwise it will be worse for you: on purpose, to spite you, in secret I will get an admirer, I will run away with a hussar, and we will get married on the sly.

Agrafena Kondratievna. What, what, dissolute! Who hammered such filth into you! Merciful Lord, I can’t muster up the courage… Oh, you dog stub! Well, there's nothing to do! Looks like you have to call your father.

sticky. Just get along like a father and a father; Boyki you talk in front of him, but try it yourself!

Agrafena Kondratievna. So what, I'm a fool, what do you think, or what? What hussars you have there, your shameless nose! Pah you, diabolical obsession! Ali, do you think that I have no power over you to order? Speak, your shameless eyes, why do you have such an envious look? What do you want to be quicker than your mother! I don’t have long, I’ll send the pots to the kitchen to soar. Look you! Look you! Ah!.. Ah, you are my mothers! I’ll sew a slinky sarafan, and I’ll put it on your head! With piglets, instead of your parents, I will plant you!

sticky. How! Let me take control! Here's more news!

Agrafena Kondratievna. Shut up, shut up, Yegorovna tarant! Give way to your mother! Eco seed is nasty! You will utter a word, so I will sew the tongue below the heels. The Lord has sent consolation! The girl is cheeky! You are a boy, a rogue, and everything on your mind is not feminine! Ready, tea, jump on a horse like a soldier!

sticky. You, I imagine, will soon drag all the guards. It would be better if they were not so brought up. I'm all bad, but what are you after that! What, do you want to send me to the next world ahead of time, to plague me with your whims? (Crying.) Well, perhaps I'm already coughing like a fly. (Crying.)

Agrafena Kondratievna (stands and looks at her). Well, full, full!

Lipochka cries louder and then sobs. Well, you're full, you're full! They tell you to stop! Well, I'm to blame, just stop it, I'm to blame. The fox is crying. Velcro! Linden! Well, it will! Well, stop it! (Through tears.) Well don't be mad at me (crying)... stupid woman ... unlearned ... (Both cry together). Well, forgive me... I'll buy earrings.

sticky (crying). What do I need your earrings for, I already have a full toilet. And you buy bracelets with emeralds.

Agrafena Kondratievna. I'll buy it, I'll buy it, just stop crying!

sticky (through tears). Then I'll stop when I get married. (Crying.)

Agrafena Kondratievna. Get out, get out, you are my darling! Well, kiss me! They kiss. Well, Christ is with you! Well, let me wipe your tears. (Wipes.) Just now Ustnya Naumovna wanted to come, and we'll talk it over.

The third phenomenon

The same and Fominishna.

Fominishna. Guess, mother Agrafena Kondratyevna, who would like to pay us a favor?

Agrafena Kondratievna. I can't say. What am I to you, guessing grandmother, or what, Fominishna?

sticky. Why don't you ask me that I'm more stupid than you and your mother?

Fominishna. I don't know how to say; in words, you are painfully quick with us, but in reality, here you are. She asked, she asked, not only what is it, give at least a handkerchief, you have two heaps lying around without charity, so everything is gone, everything is a stranger and a stranger.

Agrafena Kondratievna. This, Fominishna, I will not understand to the end.

sticky. Look she! To know, I took a sip of beer after breakfast, stuck miracles here in a sieve.

Fominishna. Let's go like this; what's laughing? What is the end, Agrafena Kondratievna, sometimes the beginning is worse than the end.

Agrafena Kondratievna. You will not part! If you start to interpret, just clap your ears. Who came there?

sticky. Man or woman?

Fominishna. All the men in your eyes are jumping. But where is it seen that a man walks in a cap? Widow's business - what should be called?

sticky. Naturally, unmarried, widow.

Fominishna. So my truth? And it turns out that a woman!

sticky. Eka is clueless! Who is the woman?

Fominishna. That's it, smart, but not quick-witted: there is no one else to be, if not Ustinya Naumovna.

sticky. Oh, mother, how fitting!

Agrafena Kondratievna. Where is she still? Lead her quickly, Fominishna.

Fominishna. She herself will appear in a second: she stopped in the yard - she scolds the janitor: she did not open the gate soon.

The fourth phenomenon

The same and Ustinya Naumovna.

Ustinya Naumovna (entering). Phew, fa, fa! What is it with you, silver ones, what a steep staircase: you climb, you climb, you crawl by force.

sticky. Oh yes, there she is! Hello, Ustinya Naumovna!

Ustinya Naumovna. Don't be in a hurry! There are older than you. Let's talk with mum first. (Kissing.) Hello, Agrafena Kondratyevna, how did you get up and spend the night, is everything alive, brilliant?

Agrafena Kondratievna. Glory to the creator! I live - I chew bread; spent the whole morning dancing with my daughter.

Ustinya Naumovna. Tea, all about the outfits. (Kissing Lipochka.) Now it's your turn. What is it that you seem to have grown fat, emerald? Come on, creator! What better than to bloom with beauty!

Fominishna. Pah, you sinner! Still jinx it, perhaps.

sticky. Ah, what nonsense! It seemed so to you, Ustinya Naumovna. I keep getting sick: sometimes colic, sometimes my heart beats like a pendulum; everything is as if you are being washed away, or you are floating on the sea, and so melancholy ripples in your eyes.

Ustinya Naumovna (Fominishne). Well, with you, God's old woman, we will kiss by the way. True, they greeted each other in the yard, silver, so there was nothing to wag their lips.

Fominishna. As you know. It is known that we are not the masters, a small fry sewn with a bast, but we also have a soul, and not steam!

Agrafena Kondratievna (sitting down). Sit down, sit down, Ustinya Naumovna, you're standing like a cannon on wheels! Come on, tell us, Fominigan, to warm up the samovar.

Ustinya Naumovna. Saw, saw, pearl; fail on the spot - she drank and ran like that, for a minute.

Agrafena Kondratievna. What are you doing, Fominishna? Run, my mother, faster.

sticky. Allow me, mother, I'll run away as soon as possible, you see how clumsy she is.

Fominishna. No more tricky, where they don’t ask! And I, mother Agrafena Kondratyevna, here's what I think: wouldn't it be nicer to serve balsam with herring.

Agrafena Kondratievna. Well, a balsan is a balsan, and a samovar is a samovar. Al do you feel sorry for someone else's good? Yes, as soon as it is in time, tell them to bring it here.

Fominishna. How! I'm listening! (Exits.)

Fifth phenomenon

The same ones without Fominishna.

Agrafena Kondratievna. Well, is there anything new, Ustinya Naumovna? Look, I have a girl who missed me completely.

sticky. And in fact, Ustinya Naumovna, you walk and walk, but there is no sense.

Ustinya Naumovna. Come on, you won’t figure it out with you soon, brilliant ones. Your tyatenko gets along well with a rich man: he says that even Fedot is out of the gate for me, as long as he has money, and he breaks a smaller dowry. Mama, Agrafena Kondratyevna also strives for her own pleasure: give her a merchant without fail, but that he should be paid, but you would keep good horses, and even baptize your forehead in the old way. You have your own mind too. How can you please?

The sixth phenomenon

The same and Fominishna, enters, puts vodka with a snack on the table.

sticky. I won’t go for a merchant, I won’t go for anything - Is that why I was brought up like that: I studied in French, and on the pianoforte, and dance! No no! Wherever you want, take it, but get the noble one.

Agrafena Kondratievna. So you talk to her.

Fominishna. What did these nobles give you? What is their special taste? Naked on naked, and there is no Christianity at all: he doesn’t go to the bathhouse, he doesn’t bake pies on holidays; and even though you will be married, you will get tired of the sauce with gravy.

sticky. You, Fominishna, were born among peasants and you will stretch your legs like a peasant. What do I need in your merchant! What weight can he have? Where is his ambition? Is it his washcloth, or what, do I need it?

Fominishna. Not a washcloth, but God's hair, madam, so-and-so!

Agrafena Kondratievna. After all, your aunt is not some kind of fool, and his beard is also not shabby, but you kiss him somehow.

sticky. It’s one thing for a aunt, and another thing for a husband. What are you up to, mother? I already said that I won’t go for a merchant, I won’t go! I’d rather die now, I’ll pay it to the end all my life: there won’t be enough tears, we’ll eat pepper.

Fominishna. Are you going to cry? And you can't think! And you want to tease, Agrafena Kondratyevna!

Agrafena Kondratievna. Who teases her? She picks herself up.

Ustinya Naumovna. Perhaps, if you have such an appetite, we will find you a noble one. What do you like: more impressive or fried?

sticky. Nothing and thicker, would not be small. Of course, it’s better to be tall than some kind of fly, And most of all, Ustinya Naumovna, so as not to be snub-nosed, without fail to be a brunette; well, of course, so that he was dressed in a magazine way. (Looks in the mirror.) Ah, Lord! and now I myself am all disheveled like a broom.

Ustinya Naumovna. And now I have a fiancé, exactly the same as you, brilliant, paint: both noble, and tall, and brulee.

sticky. Ah, Ustinya Naumovna! Not brulee at all, but brunette.

Ustinya Naumovna. Yes, I really need, in my old age, to break my tongue in your way: as it has affected, so it lives. And there are peasants, and the order around the neck; you go and get dressed, and my mother and I will talk about this matter.

sticky. Oh, my dear, Ustinya Naumovna, come into my room already: I ​​need to talk to you. Let's go, Fominishna.

Fominishna. Oh, you tell me, fidget! Please.

The seventh phenomenon

Agrafena Kondratyevna, Naumovna and Ustinya

Agrafena Kondratievna. Shall we have some balsam before tea, Ustinya Naumovna?

Ustinya Naumovna. It is possible, brilliant, it is possible.

Agrafena Kondratievna (pouring). Eat for health!

Ustinya Naumovna. Yes, you yourself would have something before, yacht. (Drinking.)

Agrafena Kondratievna. I'll be quicker!

Ustinya Naumovna. Wow! ugh! Where do you get this potion?

Agrafena Kondratievna. From the winery. (Drinking.)

Ustinya Naumovna. Buckets, tea?

Agrafena Kondratievna. Buckets. What perishing on a little something, you'll save yourself? We have a lot of expenses.

Ustinya Naumovna. What to say, mother, what to say! Well, I've been busy, I've been busy for you, Agrafena Kondratievna, cutting, cutting the pavement, and even dug up the groom: gasp, brilliants, and nothing more.

Agrafena Kondratievna. Forcibly uttered a clever word.

Ustinya Naumovna. Noble birth and significant person; such a grandee that you have never seen in a dream.

Agrafena Kondratievna. It can be seen that you should ask Samson Silych for a couple of Arabs.

Ustinya Naumovna. Nothing, pearl, I'll take it. And there are peasants, and an organ around his neck, but he’s smart, just a golden idol for you.

Agrafena Kondratievna. You should, Ustinya Naumovna, report in advance that for our daughter we don’t have mountains, they say, of gold.

Ustinya Naumovna. Yes, he has nowhere to put his.

Agrafena Kondratievna. It would be good, it hurts too good; only this, Ustinya Naumovna, you yourself, mother, judge what I will do with a noble son-in-law! I don’t know how to say a word to him, as if in a forest.

Ustinya Naumovna. It’s definitely pearly, wild at first, well, but then you get used to it, you manage somehow. Yes, I need to talk to Samson Silych, maybe he knows him, this man.

The eighth phenomenon

The same and Rispolozhensky.

Rispolozhensky (entering). And I'm to you, mother Agrafena Kondratyevna. I was pushing towards Samson Silych, but I was busy, I see; so I think: I’ll go, they say, I’m to Agrafena Kondratyevna. What is this, do you have vodka? I, Agrafena Kondratievna, will drink a glass. (Drinking.)

Agrafena Kondratievna. Eat, father, to health! We ask you to sit down; how can you live?

Rispolozhensky. What is our life! So, we smoke the sky, Agrafena Kondratievna! You know yourself: the family is big, the deeds are small. And I don’t grumble, it’s a sin to grumble, Agrafena Kondratyevna.

Agrafena Kondratievna. This, father, is the last thing.

Rispolozhensky. Whoever grumbles means he opposes God, Agrafena Kondratievna. Here's the story...

Agrafena Kondratievna. What is your name, father? I will forget everything.

Rispolozhensky. Sysoi Psoich, Mother Agrafena Kondratyevna.

Ustinya Naumovna. How is it so: Psovich, silver? What is it like?

Rispolozhensky. I can't tell you for sure; father's name was Psoy - well, therefore, I'm Psoyich and I'm going out.

Ustinya Naumovna. And Psovich, so Psovich; Well, it's nothing, and it happens worse, brilliant.

Agrafena Kondratievna. So what kind of story did you want to tell, Sysoi Psovich?

Rispolozhensky. So, mother Agrafena Kondratievna, there was a story: not that it was a parable or a fairy tale, but a true incident. I, Agrafena Kondratievna, will drink a glass. (Drinking.)

Agrafena Kondratievna. Eat, baby, eat.

Rispolozhensky (sits down). There lived an old man, a venerable old man ... Now, mother, I forgot where, but only in such a ... uninhabited side. He had, my madam, twelve daughters - small, small, less. He can’t work himself, his wife is also an old woman, the children are still small, but you need to drink and eat. What was good, everyone lived in old age, there was no one to drink, feed! Where to go with little kids? So he thinks like that, thinks like that - no, my madam, you can’t think of anything here. “I’ll go,” he says, “I’m at a crossroads: will there be something from well-meaning givers?” Sitting for a day - God will give, another sitting - God will give; here he is, mother, and murmured.

Agrafena Kondratievna. Ah, fathers!

Rispolozhensky. Lord, he says, I'm not a bribe taker, I'm not a covetous man ... it's better, he says, to lay hands on yourself.

Agrafena Kondratievna. Ah, my father! Rispolozhensky. And let him, my madam, sleep in the night ...

Enter Bolshov.

The ninth phenomenon

The same and Bolshov.

Bolshov. BUT! and you, sir, are here! What are you preaching here?

Rispolozhensky (bows). Are you all well, Samson Silych?

Ustinya Naumovna. What is it you, yacht, seem to have lost weight? Al mutilation what attacked?

Bolshov (sitting down). He must have caught a cold, or hemorrhoids, or something, diverged ...

Agrafena Kondratievna. Well, so, Sysoy Psovich, what was next for him?

Rispolozhensky. Afterwards, Agrafena Kondratyevna, after I’ll tell you, when I’m free, I’ll somehow run into the twilight and tell you.

Bolshov. What are you, Ali took up the holiness! Ha, ha, ha! It's time to feel.

Agrafena Kondratievna. Well, you're about to start! Do not let your soul talk.

Bolshov. To my liking! .. Ha, ha, ha ... And you ask, how did his case disappear from the court; Here's a story he'll tell you better.

Rispolozhensky. But no, and it's not gone! That's not true, Samson Silych!

Bolshov. And why did they kick you out?

Rispolozhensky. But for what, mother Agrafena Kondratievna. I took one case home from the court, but on the way it was wrapped up with a friend, the man is weak, well, you understand ... if I may say so, at least in the cellar ... I left him there, but drunk, I must have forgotten. Well, it can happen to anyone. Then, my madam, in court this case was missed: they searched, searched, I went to the house twice with an executor - no, no! They wanted to bring me to court, and then I remember that it must be, they say, I forgot him in the cellar. Let's go with an executor - it is there.

Agrafena Kondratievna. Well! It’s not only with a drinker, and it happens with a non-drinker. What a disaster!

Bolshov. Why weren't you exiled to Kamchatka?

Rispolozhensky. Already in Kamchatka! And for what, let me ask you, why to exile to Kamchatka?

Bolshov. For what! For the disgrace! So do you indulge? That way you get drunk with the circle.

Rispolozhensky. Ah, forgiven. Here, mother Agrafena Kondratievna, they wanted to put me on trial for this very thing. I am now to the general to ours, bang at his feet. Your Excellency, I say! Don't lose! Wife, I say, the children are small! Well, he says, God bless you, they don’t beat a lying person, give it up, he says, resign so that I don’t see you here. So I forgave. Well! God bless him! He does not forget me even now; sometimes you will run to him at a holiday: what, he says, are you, Sysoi Psoich? Happy holiday, they say, Your Excellency, I came to congratulate. I recently went to the Trinity, brought him a prosvirka. I, Agrafena Kondratievna, will drink a glass. (Drinking.)

Agrafena Kondratievna. Eat, father, to health! And you and I, Ustinya Naumovna, let's go, tea, the samovar is ready; Yes, I'll show you, we have some of the new dowry.

Ustinya Naumovna. You have tea, and so the heaps are prepared, brilliant.

Agrafena Kondratievna. What to do something! New materials have come out, and it’s as if we can’t pay money for them.

Ustinya Naumovna. What can I say, pearl! Your own store is like growing in a garden.

They leave.

The tenth phenomenon

Bolshov and Rispolozhensky.

Bolshov. And what, Sysoi Psoich, tea, have you spent a lot of ink in your lifetime with this chicanery?

Rispolozhensky. Heh, heh ... Samson Silych, the material is not expensive. And I just ran to see how your affairs are.

Bolshov. You ran! And it hurts you to know! That's why you are such a vile people, some kind of bloodsuckers: if only you could sniff out something like that, then you are hovering around here with your diabolical instigation.

Rispolozhensky. What can happen, Samson Silych, instigation from me? And what kind of teacher am I when you yourself are perhaps ten times smarter than me? Whatever they ask me, I will do. Why not do it! I would be a pig if I didn’t, because, one might say, I am blessed by you and the kids. And I'm still stupid enough to advise you: you yourself know your business better than anyone.

Bolshov. You know! That's the trouble, our brother, the merchant, is a fool, he doesn't understand anything, and leeches like you benefit from this. After all, now you will beat all the thresholds with me by dragging something.

Rispolozhensky. How can I not get carried away! If I didn't love you, I wouldn't hang out with you. Don't I feel? What am I, in fact, cattle, or what, what kind of dumb?

Bolshov. I know that you love - you all love us; you just won't get anything good from you. Now I'm toiling, toiling with the matter, I'm so exhausted, will you believe it, with this one opinion alone. At least as soon as possible, or something, but out of my head.

Rispolozhensky. Well, Samson Silych, you are not the first, you are not the last; something others don't do?

Bolshov. How not to do, brother, and others do. And how they do something: without shame, without conscience! They ride on recumbent loggers, live in three-story houses; another such belvedere with columns will deduce that he, with his image, is ashamed to enter there; and there is kaput, and there is nothing to take from him. These carriages will disperse to no one knows where, the houses are all mortgaged, whether there will be left, if there are no old pairs of boots for creditors. Here's your short time. Moreover, he will deceive someone: for example, he will let some poor people in one shirt around the world. And my creditors are all rich people, what will happen to them!

Rispolozhensky. Known business. Well, Samson Silych, it's all in our hands.

Bolshov. I know what is in our hands, but will you be able to do this thing? After all, you are a people too! I already know you! In words, you are quick, and there he went fornication.

Rispolozhensky. What are you, Samson Silych, have mercy, something for me for the first time! Don't know this yet! heh, heh, heh ... But have I done things like that ... but I got away with it. Someone else would have been sent away for such things a long time ago, where Makar did not drive calves.

Bolshov. Oh is it? So what kind of mechanics will you tarry?

Rispolozhensky. And there, depending on the circumstances. I, Samson Silych, will drink a glass... (Drinking.) Here, the first thing, Samson Silych, you need to mortgage the house and shops or sell it. This is the first thing.

Bolshov. Yes, it definitely needs to be done in advance. On whom would this burden be dumped? Yes, but for a wife?

Rispolozhensky. Illegal, Samson Silych! It is illegal! The laws state that such sales are invalid. After all, it doesn’t take long to do, so that the hooks don’t come out after. It’s necessary to do it, Samson Silych, stronger.

Bolshov. And that's the thing, so that there were no looking back.

Rispolozhensky. As soon as you fix something on someone else, there’s nothing to complain about. Argue after, go, Against some genuine papers.

Bolshov. Only that's the trouble; how you fix it on someone else's house, and he, perhaps, will get stuck there, like a flea in a war.

Rispolozhensky. You are already looking, Samson Silych, for such a person that he knows his conscience.

Bolshov. Where can you find him today? Nowadays, everyone strives to grab you by the collar, but you wanted a conscience.

Rispolozhensky. And this is how I mek, Samson Silych, whether you want to listen to me, whether you want to - no: what kind of person is our clerk?

Bolshov. Which? Lazarus, right?

Rispolozhensky. Yes, Lazar Elizarych.

Bolshov. Well, and no Lazarus, so let him; he is small with the concept, and there is a capitalist.

Rispolozhensky. What do you order, Samson Silych: a mortgage or a bill of sale?

Bolshov. And what percentage is less, then the harp. As you do everything in a neat way, I’ll put such a mogarych for you, Sysoy Psoich, just say, you’ll burn.

Rispolozhensky. Be calm, Samson Silych, we know our business. Did you tell Lazar Elizarych about this matter or not? I, Samson Silych, will drink a glass. (Drinking.)

Bolshov. Not yet. Now let's talk. He's a good guy, he just blink, he understands. And he will do something, so you won’t slip a finger. - Well, we will mortgage the house, and then what?

Rispolozhensky. And then we’ll write a register that, they say, this way and that, twenty-five kopecks per ruble: well, go on creditors. If someone balks painfully, you can add it, and pay the other angry one everything ... You pay him, and he - so that he writes that he received twenty-five kopecks on the deal, so, for appearances, to show others. Here, they say, so and so, well, others, looking at them, will agree.

Bolshov. That’s for sure, it doesn’t interfere with bargaining: if they don’t take twenty-five, they’ll take half; and if they don’t take half a ruble, then they will grab seven hryvnias with both hands. Still a bastard. There, at least say something, but my daughter is a bride, even now from floor to floor and out of the yard. Yes, and yourself, my brother, it's time to rest; we would lay on our side, and all this trade to hell. Yes, here comes Lazarus.

The eleventh phenomenon

The same and Podkhalyuzin (enters).

Bolshov. What do you say, Lazarus? Are you from the city? How are you there?

Podkhalyuzin. Thank God, it's going slowly. Sysoy Psovich! (Bows.)

Rispolozhensky. Hello, father Lazar Elizarych! (Bows.)

Bolshov. And it goes, so let it go. (After a pause.) But you, Lazar, when you made a balance for me at your leisure, you would take into account the retail part of the panorama, well, and the rest, what else is there. And then we trade, we trade, brother, but not a penny is useful. Ali inmates, perhaps, are sinning, dragging relatives and mistresses; they would be advised a little. What is it, without a profit, to smoke the sky? Al dexterity do not know? It's about time, it seems.

Podkhalyuzin. How is it possible, Samson Silych, not to know the skill? It seems that I myself am always in the city, sir, and you always talk to them, sir.

Bolshov. Yes, what are you talking about?

Podkhalyuzin. A well-known business, sir, I try to make sure everything is in order and as it should be, sir. You guys, I say, don’t yawn: you see something suitable, the buyer, or something, some cuff turned up, or some young lady liked the color with the pattern, he took it, I say, and threw a ruble or two on a arshin.

Bolshov. Tea, brother, you know how the Germans rob our bars in our stores. Let's assume that we are not Germans, but Orthodox Christians, and we also eat stuffed pies. Is it so, huh?

Rispolozhensky laughs.

Podkhalyuzin. The matter is understandable. And to measure, I say, it is also necessary more naturally: pull and sip. only, only so that, God forbid, how it didn’t burst, after all, it’s not for us, I say, to wear after. Well, they gape, so no one is to blame, you can, I say, and just slip through your hand an extra arshin once.

Bolshov. Everything is unique: after all, the tailor will steal. BUT? Will it steal?

Rispolozhensky. He will steal, Samson Silych, without fail, a swindler, he will steal; I already know these tailors.

Bolshov. That's it; they are all swindlers around, and glory is upon us.

Rispolozhensky. That's for sure, Samson Silych, otherwise you'd like to tell the truth.

Bolshov. Eh, Lazar, the profits are bad today: not the old days. (After a pause.) What did Vedomosti bring?

Podkhalyuzin (taking out of pocket and serving). Please receive.

Bolshov. Come on, let's see. (Puts on glasses and looks around.)

Rispolozhensky. I, Samson Silych, will drink a glass. (He drinks, then puts on his glasses, sits down beside Bolshov and looks at the papers.)

Bolshov. (reads aloud). "Announcements from state and different societies: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, from the Orphanage." It's not in our line, we can't buy peasants. "7 and 8 from the Moscow Novelsitet, from the Provincial Boards, from the Orders of Public Charity." Well, this is past. "From the City Council of the Sixth". Well, well, isn't there something! (Is reading.)“This is an announcement from the Moscow City Duma of six voices: whether anyone would like to take the following quitrent articles into the content.” It's none of our business: we have to submit pledges. “The office of the Widow’s House invites you…” Let him invite you, but we won’t go. "From the Orphan's Court". They have neither father nor mother. (Looks further.) Hey! Wow, where did it go! Listen, Lazarus! “Such and such a year, September of such and such a day. by the decision of the Commercial Court, the first guild merchant Fedot Seliverstov Pleshkov was declared an insolvent debtor; as a result of which ... "What is there to interpret! It is known that as a result it happens. Here are Fedot Seliverstich! What was the ace, but flew out the pipe. And what, Lazarus, doesn't he owe us?

Podkhalyuzin. A little must, sir. They took thirty or forty pounds of sugar for the house.

Bolshov. Bad business, Lazarus. Well, yes, he will give me in full in a friendly way.

Podkhalyuzin. Doubtfully, sir.

Bolshov. Let's get along somehow. (Is reading.)"The Moscow first guild merchant Antip Sysoev Enotov was declared an insolvent debtor." Is there nothing behind this?

Podkhalyuzin. For vegetable oil, sir, they took a keg with three sir for the Great Lent.

Bolshov. Here are dry eaters, fasters! And they strive to please God at someone else's expense. You, brother, do not believe this degree! This people is baptized with one hand, and climbs into someone else's bosom with the other! Here is the third one: "The Moscow merchant of the second guild, Efrem Lukin Poluarshinnikov, has been declared an insolvent debtor." Well, how about this one?

Podkhalyuzin. There is a bill!

Bolshov. Protested?

Podkhalyuzin. Protested, sir. He himself is hiding.

Bolshov. Well! And the fourth here, Samopalov. What are they talking about, or what?

Podkhalyuzin. Such a degrading people, sir.

Bolshov (turning sheets). Yes, you won’t re-read them until tomorrow. Take away!

Podkhalyuzin (picks up newspaper). The newspaper is only spoiled. There is a kind of morality for all merchants.

Silence.

Rispolozhensky. Goodbye, Samson Silych, I'll run home now: there are some things to do.

Bolshov. Yes, you could sit for a while.

Rispolozhensky. No, by God, Samson Silych, this is not the time. I'll come to you early tomorrow.

Bolshov. Well as you know!

Rispolozhensky. Farewell! Farewell, Lazar Elizarych! (Exits.)

The twelfth phenomenon

Bolshov and Podkhalyuzin.

Bolshov. So you know, Lazarus, what kind of trade is! You think that! So donate and take the money. If not money, he will say, he saw frogs jumping. Na-ko, he says, a bill. And on a bill of exchange, what can you take from others! Here I have a hundred thousand overwhelmed, and with protests; only things that every year enclose. I'll give everything for half a silver! You can’t find debtors for them, tea, and with dogs: those who died out, and those who fled, there’s no one to put in a pit. But even if you plant something, Lazarus, you yourself are not happy: the other one will be so obsessed that you won’t smoke out his ottedov’s cigarette. To me, he says, it’s good here, but you get out. Is that right, Lazarus?

Podkhalyuzin. It's the way it is.

Bolshov. All promissory note yes promissory note! What is a bill of exchange? So, paper, and that's it. And you will give it back at a discount, so the interest will slip that your stomach will growl, and even after that, answer with your kindness. (After a pause.) It’s better not to mess with policemen: everything is in debt and in debt; but if he brings it, isn’t it, so blind trifle and Arabs, you’ll see - no legs, no head, and there has long been no rank for trifles. And here you are, as you like! It’s better not to show the local merchants: he will go into any anbar, only things that he sniffs, sniffs, picks, picks, and goes away. It would be a wonder if there were no goods - what else is worth selling. One shop is Muscovite, another is red, the third is with groceries; so no, nothing is lucky. Do not come to the auctions: they knock down prices more than the devil knows what; and put on a collar, and even give a knitting, and mogarychs, and treats, and there are various shortcomings with sagging. There it is! Do you feel it?

Podkhalyuzin. Seems to feel, sir.

Bolshov. That's what trade is, here and trade! (After a pause.) What, Lazarus, what do you think?

Podkhalyuzin. Yes, how to think! It's as you please. Our business is primary.

Bolshov. What is the primary thing here: you speak to your heart's content. I'm asking you about business.

Podkhalyuzin. This is again, Samson Silych, as you wish, sir.

Bolshov. Set up one thing: as you wish. Yes, how are you?

Podkhalyuzin. This I cannot know.

More in (after a pause). Tell me, Lazarus, honestly, do you love me? (Silence.) Do you love it? Why are you silent? (Silence.) Watered, fed, brought to people, it seems.

Podkhalyuzin. Oh, Samson Silych! But what is there to talk about, sir, you don’t doubt me! One word: that's how it is, all here.

Bolshov. Well, what are you all about?

Podkhalyuzin. If this or that, then you will be satisfied: I will not regret myself.

Bolshov. Well, there's nothing to talk about. For me, Lazarus, now is the most present time; We have enough money in cash, all the bills have come due. What are you waiting for? You wait, perhaps, that some of your own brother, the son of a dog, will rob you clean, and then, you see, he will make a deal for a hryvnia for a ruble, and he sits in a million, and doesn’t want to spit on you. And you, an honest merchant, look and execute yourself, blink your eyes. So I’m thinking, Lazar, to offer creditors something like this article: will they take twenty-five kopecks from me for a ruble. How do you think?

Podkhalyuzin. And for me, Samson Silych, if you pay twenty-five, it's more decent not to pay at all.

Bolshov. And what? After all, it's true. You won’t surprise anyone with courage, but it’s better to do a little business in a quiet manner. There after judge the lord at the second coming. It's just a lot of hassle. I will lay a house and shops for you.

Podkhalyuzin. It can't be done without hassle. Here, the bills must be sold for something, sir, the goods must be transported to hell. Let's get busy!

Bolshov. It is so. Yes, old man, I'm getting busy. And will you help?

Podkhalyuzin. Have mercy, Samson Silych, I will climb into fire and water, sir.

Bolshov. Something better! What the hell is there for a penny to make money! He waved immediately, and the Sabbath. Only on, God forbid courage. Thank you Lazar. Made it easy! (Rises.) Well, cheers! (Goes up to him and pats him on the shoulder.) If you do it carefully, then we will share the profits with you. I will reward for life. (Goes to the door.)

Podkhalyuzin. I, Samson Silych, apart from your peace of mind, do not need anything, sir. How you zhimshi from childhood and seeing all your good deeds, you can say, the boy was taken from the bench to sweep, therefore, I must feel.

Action two

Office in the house of Bolshov a. Straight through the door, on the left side there is a staircase upstairs.

The first phenomenon

Tishka (with brush proscenium). Oh, life, life! That's how the light here you sweep the floors! Is it my business to take revenge! We are not like people! With other owners, if the boy is already living in boys, it means that he is present at the shop. And with us here and there, shuffling along the pavement all day long like a madman. Soon you will fill your hand, keep your pocket. Good people keep a janitor for dispersal, but here he lies with the kittens on the stove or with the cook, and he will ask you. Others still have freedom; at other times you will be fined for something or something, because of your infancy it descends to you; and with us - if not that one, then the other, if not himself, then she will set the thrashing; and then here is the clerk Lazar, and then here is Fominishna, and then here ... every trash is commanding you. Here she is, what an anathema! And this is to escape when out of the house, with friends in three leaves, or fight against the walls - and don’t think better! Yes, and in my head, it’s true, it’s not! (He climbs on a chair with his knees and looks in the mirror.) Hello, Tikhon Savostyanych! How are you? Are you all thank God? Well, Tishka, throw out your knee. (Makes a grimace.) That's it! (Another.) Evos it like… (Laughs.)

The second phenomenon

Tishka and Podkhalyuzin (sneaks and grabs him by the collar).

Podkhalyuzin. And it's you, you little devil, what are you doing?

Tishka. What? it is known that! wiped off the dust.

Podkhalyuzin. I erased my tongue! What kind of dust did you find on the mirror! I'll show you the dust! Look, it's breaking! But I'll stick a cuff on you, so you'll know.

Tishka. Will know! What else would it be?

Podkhalyuzin. And for what, for what! Talk and you'll see why! Here's some more picnic!

Tishka. Yes, pick some more! After all, I’ll tell the owner, you won’t take anything!

Podkhalyuzin. I’ll tell the master!.. What is your master to me… I, for that matter… your master to me! They will shoot you, don’t beat you, and you won’t see any good. Prahtika something this known. I, brother, have passed fires and waters and copper pipes myself.

Tishka. We know what has passed.

Podkhalyuzin. Tssch, devil! (Swings.)

Tishka. Fuck it, try it! I won’t say anything, by God, I’ll say it!

Podkhalyuzin. What do you say, you damn bastard!

Tishka. What will I say? And the fact that you bark!

Podkhalyuzin. An important meal! Look, what a gentleman! Come on! Was Sysa Psoich?

Tishka. Known to have been.

Podkhalyuzin. Yes, you little devil, speak plainly! Would you like to come in?

Tishka. Wanted to come in!

Podkhalyuzin. Well, then you run at your leisure.

Tishka. Ryabinovki, or what?

Podkhalyuzin. Yes, rowanberries. It is necessary to Sysoy Psoyich, to regale. (Gives money.) Buy half a damask and take the change for your gingerbread. Only you, look, be quick so that they don’t miss!

Tishka. A short-haired girl will not braid her braids. So it is necessary to flutter - in a lively manner.

Silence leaves.

The third phenomenon

Podkhalyuzin (one). Here's the trouble! Here it is where the trouble came to us! What to do now? Well, bad business! Do not pass now to be declared insolvent! Well, let's suppose that the owner will have something left, but what will I have to do with it? Where should I go? Trade in dust in the aisle! He served, served for twenty years, and then go to the pavement. How should this matter be judged now? Commodity, right? He ordered the bills to be sold (pulls out and counts), here, it should be possible to use it. (Walks around the room.) They say you need to know your conscience! Yes, a well-known case, one must know one's conscience, but in what sense is this to be understood? Against a good man, everyone has a conscience; and if he himself deceives others, then what conscience is there! Samson Silych is the richest merchant, and now he started this whole business, one might say, just to pass the time. And I'm a poor man! If I use something superfluous in this matter, then there is no sin; therefore he himself acts unjustly, goes against the law. What should I feel sorry for him? The line came out, well, don’t make a mistake: he is pursuing his own policy, and you drive your article. I would have done something else with him, but I don’t have to. Hm! After all, such a fantasy will climb into a person’s head! Of course, Alimpiyada Samsonovna is an educated young lady, and one can say that there are none in the world, but this fiancé will not take her now, he will say, give me money! Where to get money? And now she will not be for a noble, because there is no money. Sooner or later, but you have to pay for the merchant! (Walks silently.) And having collected some money, and bow to Samson Silych: they say I, Samson Silych, are in such years that I should think about the continuation of offspring, and I, they say, Samson Silych, did not spare sweat and blood for your peace of mind. Of course, they say, Alimpiyada Samsonovna is an educated young lady, but after all, I, Samson Silych, am not a bastard, if you please see for yourself, I have a capitalist and can limit myself to this subject. "Why not give it to me?" Why am I not human? He is not seen in anything, he is respectful to his elders! Yes, for all that, as Samson Silych mortgaged the house and shops to me, one can frighten the mortgage. And if you know the character of Samson Silych, what he is, this can very well happen. They have such an institution: if they get anything in their head, nothing will knock them out. It’s the same as in the fourth year they wanted to shave their beard: no matter how much they asked Agrafena Kondratievna, no matter how much they cried, no, he says, after that I’ll let him go again, but now I’ll put it on my own, they took it and shaved it. So that's the thing: I'll take care of them, or so come into their heads - tomorrow down the aisle, and that's it, and don't you dare talk. Yes, you can jump off Ivan the Great from such pleasure!

The fourth phenomenon

Podkhalyuzin and Tishka.

Tishka (included with damask). Here I come!

Podkhalyuzin. Listen, Tishka, is Ustinya Naumovna here?

Tishka. Up there. Yes, and the stralulist is coming.

Podkhalyuzin. So you put some vodka on the table and get some snacks.

Tishka puts down vodka and takes out snacks, then leaves.

Fifth phenomenon

Podkhalyuzin and Rispolozhensky.

Podkhalyuzin. Ah, ours to you!

Rispolozhensky. To you, father Lazar Elizarych, to you! Right. I think, they say, you never know, maybe that's what you need. Is that your vodka? I, Lazar Elizarych, will drink a glass. Something hands began to shake in the morning, especially the right one; how to write something, Lazar Elizarych, I keep everything with my left hand. By God! And drink vodka, as if better. (Drinking.)

Podkhalyuzin. Why are your hands shaking?

Rispolozhensky (sits down at the table). From care, Lazar Elizarych, from care, father.

Podkhalyuzin. Yes, sir! And I think so from the fact that it hurts people rob. God punishes untruth.

Rispolozhensky. Eh, heh, heh ... Lazar Elizarych! Where can we rob! Our little affairs We, like the birds of heaven, peck at the grain.

Podkhalyuzin. You, therefore, more on trifles|

Rispolozhensky. You will be on the little things, if there is nowhere to take it. Well, it’s not that if I’m alone, otherwise I have a wife and four children. They ask for everything, my dears. He says - tyatenko, give, the other says - tyatenko, give. I assigned one to the gymnasium: you need a uniform, that, that, that! And where is the Evono house! .. That you will only wear out your boots, walking to the Resurrection Gate from Butyrok.

Podkhalyuzin. That's right, sir.

Rispolozhensky. And why are you walking around: to whom you will portray a request, to whom you will ascribe to the bourgeoisie. Another day you won't bring home half a ruble of silver. Oh god, I'm not lying. What is there to live here? I, Lazar Elizarych, will drink a glass. (Drinking.) And I think: I’ll run in, they say, I’ll go to Lazar Elizarych, if he won’t give me some money.

Podkhalyuzin. And what are these offenses for?

Rispolozhensky. How for what faults! What a sin, Lazar Elizarych! Why don't I serve you? According to the coffin of the servant, make whatever you want. And I got you a mortgage.

Podkhalyuzin. After all, you've been paid! And you don’t have to talk about the same thing!

Rispolozhensky. That's right, Lazar Elizarych, paid for. That's for sure! Oh, Lazar Elizarych, poverty has overcome me.

Podkhalyuzin. Poverty has been overcome! It happens, sir. (Goes up and sits down at the table.) But we have extra ones, sir: nowhere to go. (Puts wallet on table.)

Rispolozhensky. What are you, Lazar Elizarych, really superfluous? No, are you kidding me?

Podkhalyuzin. Apart from all sorts of jokes, sir.

Rispolozhensky. And if they are superfluous, then why not help a poor person. God will send you for it.

Podkhalyuzin. How much do you need?

Rispolozhensky. Give me three cents.

Podkhalyuzin. What is so little?

Rispolozhensky. Well, give me five.

Podkhalyuzin. And you ask for more.

Rispolozhensky. Well, if there is mercy, give me ten.

Podkhalyuzin. Ten sir! So, for free?

Rispolozhensky. How free! I deserve it, Lazar Elizarych, someday we'll get even.

Podkhalyuzin. All this is beech-s. Julitta is coming, but someday she will be. And now we are going to start this matter with you: how much did Samson Silych promise you for all this mechanics?

Rispolozhensky. I'm ashamed to say, Lazar Elizarych: a thousand rubles and an old raccoon coat. No one will take less than me, by God, at least ask the price.

Podkhalyuzin. Well, so that's what, Sysoy Psoich, I'll give you two thousand, sir ... for this same subject, sir.

Rispolozhensky. You are my benefactor, Lazar Elizarych! I will go into bondage with my wife and children.

Podkhalyuzin. One hundred silver now, sir, and the rest after, after the end of this whole incident, sir.

Rispolozhensky. Well, how can you not pray to God for such people! Only some pig uneducated can not feel it. I will bow at your feet, Lazar Elizarych!

Podkhalyuzin. This is for what, sir! Only, Sysoy Psoich, don’t turn your tail back and forth, but walk carefully, hit this point and turn on this line. Do you understand?

Rispolozhensky. How not to understand! What are you, Lazar Elizarych, small, or something, I! Nora understand!

Podkhalyuzin. Yes, what do you understand? Here are some things. You listen first. Samson Silych and I are coming to the city, and this register was brought in as it should be. So he went to creditors: he didn't. agree, the other does not agree; so no one will go to this thing. Here is some article.

Rispolozhensky. What are you saying, Lazar Elizarych! BUT! Here you go! Here is the people!

Podkhalyuzin. How could we not goof off with this business now! Do you understand me or not?

Rispolozhensky. That is, about insolvency, Lazar Elizarych?

Podkhalyuzin. Failure there in itself, but at the expense of my affairs.

Rispolozhensky. Heh, heh, heh., that is, a house with shops ... something like that ... a house ... heh, heh, heh ...

Podkhalyuzin. What-o-s?

Rispolozhensky. No, sir, it's me, Lazar Elizarych, out of stupidity, as if for a joke.

Podkhalyuzin. Something for a joke! And you are not joking with this! It’s not like a house here, I have such a fantasy in my head about this subject now that I need to talk to you extensively, sir! Come to me, Tishka!

The sixth phenomenon

The same and Tishka.

Podkhalyuzin. Get it all here! Well, let's go, Sysoy Psoich!

Tishka wants to clean up the vodka.

Rispolozhensky. Stop, stop! Oh, brother, what a fool you are! You see that they want a thread, you wait. You wait. You are still small, so be courteous and condescending. I, Lazar Elizarych, drink a glass.

Podkhalyuzin. Drink, but only as soon as possible, look, he will come.

Rispolozhensky. Now, father Lazar Elizarych, now! (Drinks and eats.) Yes, we'd better take it with us.

They leave. Tishka cleans up something; Ustinya Naumovna and Fominishna descend from above. Silence leaves.

Fominishna. Sort out her need, Ustinya Naumovna! Look, the girl is completely exhausted, but it’s time, mother. Youth is not a bottomless pot, and even that, they say, is emptied. I already know this myself. I got married in the thirteenth year, and in a month she would have a blowjob in the nineteenth year. What to torment her in vain. Others in her time had long ago raised their children. That's it, my mother, why torment her.

Ustinya Naumovna. I myself understand all this, silver, but something has become my business; I have suitors something that males are greyhounds. Yes, you see, they are very picky with their mother.

Fominishna. Yes, take them apart! Well, it’s a well-known fact that there should be fresh people, not bald, so that they don’t smell of anything, but whatever you take there, everyone is a person.

Ustinya Naumovna (sitting down). Sit down, silver. I've been exhausted today day by day, since early morning like some kind of thieves mooing. But you can’t miss anything, everywhere, therefore, a necessary person. A well-known thing, silver, every person is a living creature; he needed a bride, at least give birth to that groom, but give it, and somewhere there is a wedding at all. And who will compose - all I do. Puff alone for all Ustinya Naumovna. Why take a breath? Because this is how it is visibly arranged - from the beginning of the world, a kind of wheel has been wound up. Exactly, it must be told the truth, they do not bypass us for our labors: who is wearing fabric for your dress, who is a shawl with a fringe, who concocts a bonnet for you, and where it is gold, where it will roll over a little more - it is known what is worth, looking at the strength of the opportunity .

Fominishna. What to say, mother, what to say!

Ustinya Naumovna. Sit down, Fominishna, your legs are old and broken.

Fominishna. And mother! once. After all, what a sin: something itself does not go from the city, we all walk under fear; that and look, the drunk will arrive. And what a blessing, Lord! After all, such a mischievous one will be born!

Ustinya Naumovna. A well-known case: with a rich peasant, what the hell, you will not soon figure it out.

Fominishna. We have already seen passion from him. Here last week, at night, a drunk arrived: he fought so hard that he would go. Passion and nothing more: pounding dishes ... “U! - he says, - you are such and such, I will kill you right away!

Ustinya Naumovna. Non-education.

Fominishna. It's true, mother! And I’ll run, my dear, upstairs - Agrafena Kondratievna is the only one with me there. When you go home, wrap it up for me - I'll tie a chicken leg for you. (He goes to the stairs.)

Ustinya Naumovna. I'll come, silver, I'll come.

Podkhalyuzin enters.

The seventh phenomenon

Ustinya Naumovna and Podkhalyuzin.

Podkhalyuzin. BUT! Ustinya Naumovna! How many years, how many winters!

Ustinya Naumovna. Hello, living soul, how do you jump?

Podkhalyuzin. What is being done to us. (Sits down.)

Ustinya Naumovna. Mamzelka, if you want, I'll marry you!

Podkhalyuzin. Thank you very much - we don't need it yet.

Ustinya Naumovna. Himself, silver, if you don’t want it, I’ll hurt my friend. After all, tea, you have acquaintances around the city, like dogs.

Podkhalyuzin. Yes, there are about that.

Ustinya Naumovna. Well, if there is, then thank God! A little bit of a groom, whether he is single, whether he is unmarried, whether he is a widower - straight ahead and drag me to me.

Podkhalyuzin. So you marry him?

Ustinya Naumovna. So I'm getting married. Why not marry, and you won’t see it like a wife.

Podkhalyuzin. This is a good thing, sir. But now I’ll ask you, Ustinya Naumovna, why did you get into the habit of visiting us so often?

Ustinya Naumovna. What a sadness for you! Why would I go. I'm not stolen, not a sheep without a name. What kind of demand are you?

Podkhalyuzin. Yes, sir, don't you go in vain?

Ustinya Naumovna. How in vain? Why are you, silver, invented! Look at the groom you've found. - Noble, there are peasants, and well done.

Podkhalyuzin. What was the matter, sir?

Ustinya Naumovna. Nothing happened! Wanted to come tomorrow and get acquainted. And there we wrap, and the whole is short-lived.

Podkhalyuzin. Wrap it, try it, - he will ask you after soot.

Ustinya Naumovna. What are you, are you healthy, yacht?

Podkhalyuzin. Here you will see!

Ustinya Naumovna. Do not live until the evening; you, diamond, are either drunk or out of your mind.

Podkhalyuzin. You don’t have to worry about this, you think about yourself, and we know that we know.

Ustinya Naumovna. Yes, what do you know?

Podkhalyuzin. Little do we know.

Ustinya Naumovna. And if you know anything, tell us so; maybe the tongue won't fall off.

Podkhalyuzin. That's the strength, that it's impossible to say something.

Ustinya Naumovna. Why is it impossible, you’re ashamed of me, brilliant, say nothing, there’s no need.

Podkhalyuzin. It's not about conscience. And tell you, you, perhaps, will chatter.

Ustinya Naumovna. I want to be an anathema, if I say - I give my hand to cut off.

Podkhalyuzin. That's the same, sir. A deal is better than money, sir.

Ustinya Naumovna. Known business. Well, what do you know?

Podkhalyuzin. And here's the thing, Ustinya Naumovna: can't you refuse this fiancé of yours, sir!

Ustinya Naumovna. What are you, henbane, or something, overeat?

Podkhalyuzin. Don't eat anything! And if you want to speak to your heart's content, sir, this is the kind of business, sir: I have a Russian merchant I know, and they are very much in love with Alimpiyada Samsonovna, sir. What, he says, not to give, just to get married; nothing, he says, I will not regret it.

Ustinya Naumovna. Why didn't you tell me before, diamond?

Podkhalyuzin. There was nothing to say, according to the very thing that I myself recently found out, sir.

Ustinya Naumovna. It's too late now, brilliant!

Podkhalyuzin. What a fiancé, Ustinya Naumovna! Yes, he will shower you with gold from head to toe, sir, he will sew a fur coat from live sables.

Ustinya Naumovna. Yes, my dear, you can't! I would be glad with joy, yes, I gave my word.

Podkhalyuzin. Well, whatever you like! And for this you will marry, so you will make troubles that after that you will not disentangle,

Ustinya Naumovna. Well, you yourself judge with what snout I will show myself to Samson Silych? I told them about three boxes that he was rich, and handsome, and so in love that he couldn’t even live, and now what can I say? After all, you yourself know what your little child Samson Silych is like, because he, the hour is uneven, and the bonnet is wrinkled.

Podkhalyuzin. Doesn't remember anything.

Ustinya Naumovna. Yes, and she teased the girl, she sends twice a day: what is the groom, but how is the groom?

Podkhalyuzin. And you, Ustinya Naumovna, don't run from your happiness, sir. Do you want two thousand rubles and a sable coat just to upset this wedding, sir? And we will have a special agreement for matchmaking, sir. I tell you, sir, that the groom is such that you have never seen it, only one thing, sir: not of noble birth.

Ustinya Naumovna. Are they noble? That's the trouble, yacht! Today the institution is so vulgar that every bastard of yours strives for the nobility. If only Alimpiyada Samsonovna, of course, God grant her good health, favors her in a princely way, but her origin is probably worse than ours. Father, Samson Silych, traded golitsami on Ba. ts-d chuge; good people called Samsoshka, fed with slaps on the back of the head. Yes, and mother Agrafena Kondratyevna is almost a panevnitsa - she was taken from Preobrazhensky. And they amassed capital and climbed out into merchants, so the daughter strives to become a princess. And all this is money. Here I am, the worse it is, but watch her tail. God knows what kind of upbringing, too: he writes like an elephant crawling on his belly, in French, or on the pianoforte, too, here, there, and there is nothing; well, if I cut off the dance - I myself will blow dust in my nose.

Podkhalyuzin. Well, you see, it is much more decent for her to be a merchant.

Ustinya Naumovna. But how can I be with the groom, silver? I assured him painfully that Alimpiyada Samsonovna was such a beauty, that she was your real patron, and educated, I speak, and in French, and in various manners she knows. What am I going to tell him now?

Podkhalyuzin. Yes, and now you tell him the same thing, that, they say, and a beauty, and educated, and in all sorts of manners, only, they say, they got upset with the money, so he himself will refuse!

Ustinya Naumovna. And what, after all, is it true, brilliant! No, wait! How! After all, I told him that Samson Silych does not peck for money.

Podkhalyuzin. That's it, you are very quick to tell something. And how do you know how much money Samson Silych has, did you count something?

Ustinya Naumovna. Yes, you can ask anyone, everyone knows that Samson Silych is a rich merchant.

Podkhalyuzin. Yes! You know a lot! And what will happen after you marry a significant person, and Samson Silych won’t give money? And after all this, he will intercede and say: they say, I am not a merchant, that you can deceive me with a dowry! Moreover, as a significant person, he will file a complaint with the court, because a significant person has a way everywhere, sir: Samson Silych and I got caught, and you won’t get away either. After all, you yourself know - you can deceive our brother with a dowry, you can get away with it, but deceive a significant person, go ahead, and then you won’t leave.

Ustinya Naumovna. It's enough for you to scare me! Completely bewildered.

Podkhalyuzin. And here you are, take a deposit of a hundred silver, and deal with it, sir.

Ustinya Naumovna. So you, Yakhontovy, say that two thousand rubles and a sable fur coat?

Podkhalyuzin. Exactly like that. Be calm! “But if you put on a sable coat, Ustinya Naumovna, and walk along the festivities, another will think, what a general's wife.

Ustinya Naumovna. And what do you think, and indeed! As soon as I put on a sable fur coat, I cheer up, but my hands are at my sides, so your brothers, bearded, open their mouths. They swing so that you can’t flood a fire pipe; wives with jealousy will cut off all your noses.

Podkhalyuzin. That's exactly right!

Ustinya Naumovna. Let's make a deposit! Was not!

Podkhalyuzin. And you, Ustinya Naumovna, don't be shy!

Ustinya Naumovna. What to be afraid of? Just look: two thousand rubles and a sable coat.

Podkhalyuzin. I tell you, we will sew from the living. What to interpret!

Ustinya Naumovna. Well, goodbye, emerald! I'm off to my fiance now. I'll see you tomorrow, so I'll clear everything up for you.

Podkhalyuzin. Wait! Where to run something! Come to me - let's drink vodka, sir. Tishka! Tishka!

Tishka enters.

You look, if the owner arrives, then you come running after me at that time.

They leave.

The eighth phenomenon

Tishka (sits down at the table and takes money out of his pocket). Half a ruble in silver is now given by Lazarus. Yes, the other day, as Agrafena Kondratyevna fell from the bell tower, they gave a dime, but he won a quarter in a toss, and the owner forgot a ruble on the counter. Evos, what money! (Counts to himself.)

Tishka. What else is there?

“At home, is it cha, Laaar?”

There was, but the whole thing came out!

“But where did he go, Lord?”

And how much do I know; something he asks me! If you asked, I would have known.

Fominishna comes down the stairs.

What do you have there?

Fominishna. Why, Samson Silych arrived, but not intoxicated at all.

Tishka. Phew! got caught!

Fominishna. Run, Tishka, for Lazar, my dear, run quickly!

Silence runs.

Agrafena Kondratievna (shown on the stairs). What, Fominishna, mother, where is he going?

Fominishna. No way, mother, come here! Oh, I'll lock the door, by God, I'll lock it; let him go upstairs, and you, my dear, sit here.

Go, father, go to sleep, Christ is with you!

Bolshov. (behind the doors). Why, you old hag, are you out of your mind?

Fominishna. Oh, my dove! Ah, I am blind! But show me foolishly that you came drunk. Excuse me, I became deaf in my old age.

Samson Silych enters.

The ninth phenomenon

Fominishna and Bolshov.

Bolshov. Was it a stretcher?

Fominishna. And they cooked, father, cabbage soup with corned beef, fried goose, drachena.

Bolshov. Yes, you are henbane, or something, you overate, you old fool!

Fominishna. No, father! She punished the cook herself. Large. Go away! (Sits down.)

Fominishna goes through the door, Podkhalyuzin and Tishka enter.

Fominishna (returning). Oh, I'm stupid, stupid! Do not look for a bad memory. “The cold piglet has gone completely out of his mind.

The tenth phenomenon

Podkhalyuzin, Bolshov and Tishka.

Bolshov. Get out to the pigs! Fominishna leaves. (To Tishka.) What are you doing with your mouth open! Al don't you care?

Podkhalyuzin (Tishke). They told you, it seems!

Silence leaves.

Bolshov. Was it a stretcher?

Podkhalyuzin. Was with!

Bolshov. Have you spoken to him?

Podkhalyuzin. Why, Samson Silych, does he feel? It is known, inky soul, sir! One thing is fine - to declare yourself insolvent.

Bolshov. Well, to show up, so show up - one way.

Podkhalyuzin. Oh, Samson Silych, what are you talking about!

Bolshov. Well, money to pay? Where did you get it from? Yes, I'd rather burn everything with fire, and I won't give them a penny. Transport goods, sell bills, let them steal, steal whoever wants, and I'm not a payer to them.

Podkhalyuzin. Have mercy, Samson Silych, our establishment used to be so excellent, and now everything must fall into disarray.

Bolshov. And what's your business? It wasn't yours. You only try - you will not be forgotten from me.

Podkhalyuzin. I do not need anything after your beneficence. And in vain you have such a story about me. I am now ready to give my whole soul for you, and not just to make some kind of falyp. You are advancing towards old age, Agrafena Kondratyevna is a pampered lady, Alimpiyada Samsonovna is an educated young lady even in such years; care must also be applied to her, sir. And now such circumstances: you never know what can happen from all this.

Bolshov. And what can happen? I am alone in the answer.

Podkhalyuzin. What is there to say about you! You, Samson Silych, have outlived your life, thank God, you have lived, but Alimpiyada Samsonovna, a well-known case, is a young lady, such as there are no others in the world. I tell you, Samson Silych, in all conscience, that is, how it all is according to my feelings: if I am now trying for you and all my zeal, you can say, not sparing sweat and blood, I am applying it - it’s more and more because it’s a pity me of your family.

Bolshov. Full, right?

Podkhalyuzin. Let me, sir: well, let's assume that this all ends happily, sir, all right, sir. You will have something left to attach Alimpiyada Samsonovna. Well, there's nothing to talk about that, sir; there would be money, but suitors will be found, sir. Well, what a sin, God forbid! As soon as they find fault, they will start dragging them through the courts, and such morality will go to the whole family, and, perhaps, they will take away everything from the estate: they will have to endure hunger and cold without any contempt, like some defenseless chicks. Yes, God save it! What will it be then? (Crying.)

Bolshov. What are you crying about?

Podkhalyuzin. Of course, Samson Silych, I say this for example - in a good hour to say, in a bad hour to remain silent, the word will not; but the enemy is strong - he sways mountains.

Bolshov. What to do, brother, to know, such is the will of God, you will not go against it.

Podkhalyuzin. That's right, Samson Silych! And yet, according to my foolish reasoning, if for the time being Alimpiyada Samsonovna would be attached for a good person, then she would be, at least, like behind a stone wall, sir. Yes, the main thing is that a person has a soul, so he will feel. And then there, that he wooed Alimpiyada Samsonovna, a noble one, and turned back deafeningly.

Bolshov. How back? Yes, what did you come up with?

Podkhalyuzin. I, Samson Silych, did not invent it - you ask Ustina Naumovna. He must have heard something, who knows.

Bolshov. Well, him! For my purposes, this is no longer necessary.

Podkhalyuzin. You, Samson Silych, take into account: I am a stranger, not a native, - but for your well-being I don’t know peace day or night, and my heart is all tired; and for him they give a young lady, one might say, an indescribable beauty; and they still give money, sir, but he breaks down and puts on airs - well, does he have a soul after all this?

Bolshov. Well, if he doesn’t want to, he doesn’t have to, we won’t cry!

Podkhalyuzin. No, you, Samson Silych, think about it: does a person have a soul? I'm a complete stranger, but I can't see all this without tears. Understand this, Samson Silych! Another would not have taken attention so to be killed because of someone else's business, sir; but now you even drive me away, even beat me, but I won’t leave you; that's why I can't - my heart is not like that.

Bolshov. Yes, how can you leave me: only after all, and hopes now, that you. I myself am old, things have come close. Wait: maybe we’ll do something else that you don’t expect.

Podkhalyuzin. But I can't do that, Samson Silych. Understand from this: I am not such a person at all! To another, Samson Silych, of course, it's all the same, sir, even if the grass doesn't grow for him, and I can't, if you please see for yourself, sir, I'm busy or not, sir. What the hell, I'm killing myself now because of your business, sir, because I'm not that kind of person, sir. This is being done with pity for you, and not so much for you as for your family. If you please know yourself, Agrafena Kondratievna is a pampered lady, Alimpiyada Samsonovna is a young lady, there are none in the world, sir ...

Bolshov. Is it really not in the world? You, brother, aren't you? ..

Podkhalyuzin. What? .. No, I'm nothing! ..

Bolshov. That's it, brother, you'd better speak frankly. Are you in love with Alimpiyada Samsonovna?

Podkhalyuzin. You, Samson Silych, may be joking.

Bolshov. What a joke! I'm asking you without jokes.

Podkhalyuzin. Excuse me, Samson Silych, do I dare to think that, sir.

Bolshov. And why not dare something like that? What is she, a princess, or what, what kind?

Podkhalyuzin. Although not a princess, but how could you be my benefactor and instead of my own father ... No, Samson Silych, have mercy, how is it possible, sir, really I don’t feel it!

Bolshov. So you don't love her?

Podkhalyuzin. How not to love, sir, have mercy, it seems, more than anything in the world. No, sir, Samson Silych, how is that possible, sir.

Bolshov. You would have said that I love, they say, more than anything in the world.

Podkhalyuzin. Yes, how not to love, sir! If you please, judge for yourself: I think during the day, I think at night... that is, a well-known case, Alimpiyada Samsonovna is a young lady, there are none in the world... No, that’s impossible, sir. Where are we, sir! ..

Bolshov. But why not, you stupid head?

Podkhalyuzin. But how is it possible, Samson Silych? How do I know you, as a father, and Alimpiyada Samsonovna, sir, and again know myself what I mean - where am I with a cloth snout, sir?

Bolshov. Nothing fluffy. Snout like a snout. If there was a mind in your head, - but you don’t have to take your mind to become, God rewarded this good. So, Lazar, should I ask you to woo Alimpiada Samsonovna, huh?

Podkhalyuzin. Please, do I dare? Alimpiada Samsonovna, maybe they won't want to look at me, sir!

Bolshov. Important business! Do not dance to me on her pipe in my old age. For whom I command, for that I will go. My brainchild: I want to eat with porridge, I want to butter butter. - You talk to me.

Podkhalyuzin. I don't dare, Samson Silych, to talk about this with you. I don't want to be a scoundrel against you.

Bolshov. What are you, brother, stupid! If I didn't love you, why would I talk to you like that? Do you understand that I can make you happy for the rest of your life!

Podkhalyuzin. Is there something I don't love you, Samson Silych, more than my own father? God punish me!.. What a beast I am!

Bolshov. Well, do you love your daughter?

Podkhalyuzin. Exhausted all, sir! My whole duta turned over a long time ago, sir!

Bolshov. Well, if the soul is broken, then we will correct you. Own, Thaddeus, Pasha Malanya.

Podkhalyuzin. Aunty, what are you complaining about? But I'm worth it, I'm not worth it! And my physiognomy is not like that at all.

Bolshov. Well, her face! But I’ll transfer all the estate to you, so after that the creditors will regret that they didn’t take twenty-five kopecks each.

Podkhalyuzin. How much more they will regret it!

Bolshov. Well, you go now to the city, and go in to the bride right away: we will play a joke on them.

Podkhalyuzin. I'm listening, darling! (Exits.)

Act Three

Scenery of the first act.

The first phenomenon

Bolshov (enters and sits on a chair, looks around the corners for a while and yawns). Here it is, life is something; it is truly said: vanity of vanities and all vanity. The devil knows, and you yourself will not understand what you want. I wish I had something to eat, but you'll ruin your dinner, and you'll be a fool to sit around anyway. Ali would like to pamper him with some tea. (Silence.) That's how it is: a man lived, lived, and suddenly died - so everything will go to dust. Oh, my God, my God! (Yawns and looks around.)

The second phenomenon

Agrafena Kondratievna and Lipochka (discharged).

Agrafena Kondratievna. Go, go, my little one; Take care of the door, don't catch it. Look, Samson Silych, admire, my sir, how I dressed up my daughter! Fu you, go away! What is your rose peony! (To her.) Oh, you, my angel, princess, you are my little cherub! (To him.) What, Samson Silych, is it true, or what? If only she could ride gear in a carriage.

Bolshov. Pass and a couple - not a great flight of the landowner!

Agrafena Kondratievna. It’s already known, not the general’s daughter, but everything, as it is, a beauty! .. Yes, take a sip of a child that you grumble like a bear.

Bolshov. And how else can I snuggle? Handles, or what, lick, bow to the legs? In what an unseen! We saw better.

Agrafena Kondratievna. What did you take out? So something, but this is your daughter, a blood child, you are a stone man.

Bolshov. What is a daughter? Thank God - shod, dressed, fed; what else does she want?

Agrafena Kondratievna. What do you want! Are you crazy, Samson Silych, or what? Fed! You never know what is fed! According to Christian law, everyone should be fed; and they despise strangers, not only their own, - and yet it’s a sin to say to people: no matter how it is, dear brainchild!

Bolshov. We know that dear, but what else is there for her? Why are you explaining these parables to me? Don't put it in a frame! We understand that the father

Agrafena Kondratievna. Yes, if you, father, father, don’t be a father-in-law! It's time, it seems, to come to his senses; you have to part soon, and you won’t even utter a kind word; I ought to advise something of this sort for the good of life. There is no parental custom in you!

Bolshov. But no, so what's the trouble; So, that's how God created it.

Agrafena Kondratievna. God created! Yes, what are you? After all, she, it seems, is a creation of God, or not? Not some kind of animal, God forgive me!.. Yes, ask her something.

Bolshov. What kind of demand am I? A goose is not a comrade to a pig: do as you wish.

Agrafena Kondratievna. Yes, in fact, we won’t ask, you’re a Pokedova. A stranger, an outsider, will arrive, nevertheless, try it on as you like, and a man - not a woman - will run into him for the first time, without seeing him.

Bolshov. It is said to stay away.

Agrafena Kondratievna. You are such a father, and you are also called your own! Oh, you, my abandoned child, stand like an orphan, bowing your head. Retreated from you, and they don’t want to know; Sit down, Lipochka, sit down, darling, my beloved treasure! (Seats.)

sticky. Oh, stay away, mother! Completely crushed.

Agrafena Kondratievna. Well, I'll look at you from afar!

sticky. Perhaps, look, but just do not fantasize! Php, mother, you can’t dress decently: you will immediately become emotional.

Agrafena Kondratievna. Yes, yes, baby! Yes, if I look at you, then this pity is like.

sticky. Well, you have to, sometime.

Agrafena Kondratievna. Still, it’s a pity, fool: they grew, grew, and grew up - and for no reason at all we give to strangers, as if you are tired of us and bored with your stupid little childishness, your meek behavior. Here we will get you out of the house, like a thief out of the city, and there we will grab and catch ourselves, and there is nowhere to take. Judge, good people, what it's like to live in a strange far side, you choke on someone else's piece, wiping your tears with your fist! Yes, God have mercy, the uneven will come out, the uneven fool will be imposed, al what a fool - a stupid son! (Crying.)

sticky. Here you suddenly burst into tears! Really, shame on you, mother! What's the fool?

Agrafena Kondratievna (crying). Yes, it is, so they say, - by the way I had to.

Bolshov. And what would you hear it, razryumilsya? To ask you, you don't know yourself.

Agrafena Kondratievna. I don’t know, father, oh, I don’t know: I found such a verse.

Bolshov. That's stupid. Your tears are cheap.

Agrafena Kondratievna. Oh, cheap, father, cheap; and I myself know that they are cheap, but what can I do?

sticky. Fi, mama, how did you suddenly! Fullness! Well, suddenly arrive - what good!

Agrafena Kondratievna. I'll stop, baby, I'll stop; I'll stop now!

The third phenomenon.

The same and Ustinya Naumovna,

Ustinya Naumovna (entering). Hello gold! What are you sad - noses hung?

They kiss.

Agrafena Kondratievna. And we've been waiting for you.

sticky. What, Ustinya Naumovna, will she arrive soon?

Ustinya Naumovna. Guilty, now fail, guilty! And our affairs, silver, are not very good!

sticky. How? What is news?

Agrafena Kondratievna. What else did you think of?

Ustinya Naumovna. And then, brilliants, that our fiance is wrinkling something.

Bolshov. Ha, ha, ha! And also a matchmaker! Where to marry you!

Ustinya Naumovna. Rested like a horse - no wow, no well; You won't get a good word from him.

sticky. But what is it, Ustinya Naumovna? How are you, right!

Agrafena Kondratievna. Ah, fathers! Yes, how can it be?

sticky. How long have you seen him?

Ustinya Naumovna. Was this morning. Came out as is in one dressing gown; and already regaled - you can attribute the honor. And he ordered coffee, and some rum, and heaped some crackers - apparently, invisibly. Eat, says Ustinya Naumovna! I was talking about something, you know - it is necessary, they say, to decide something; you, I say, now wanted to go to get acquainted with something; and he didn't say anything to me about it. “Here,” he says, after thinking and consulting, while he himself is just pulling on the belt.

sticky. Why is he sentimentalizing there through the sleeves? Really, it's sickening to see how it all goes on.

Agrafena Kondratievna. And in fact, what does it break? Are we worse than him?

Ustinya Naumovna. Ah, frog peck him, why can't we find another one?

Bolshov. Well, you don’t look for another, otherwise the same thing will happen again. I'll find another one for you.

Agrafena Kondratievna. Yes, you will find it, sitting on the stove; You already forgot, it seems that you have a daughter.

Bolshov. But you'll see!

Agrafena Kondratievna. What to see! There is nothing to see! Don't tell me, please don't upset me. (Sits down.)

Bolshov laughs. Ustinya Naumovna walks away with Lipochka to the other side of the stage. Ustinya Naumovna examines her dress.

Ustinya Naumovna. Look how dressed up you are - what an adventurous dress you have on. Didn't you make it yourself?

sticky. That's terribly necessary! What do you think we are, beggars? What about madams?

Ustinya Naumovna. Fu you, perishing and beggars! Who is telling you such nonsense? Here they talk about the household, that it wasn’t, they say, sewed, but, well, your dress is rubbish.

sticky. What are you, what are you! Have you lost your mind? Where are your eyes? What are you thinking of embarrassing?

Ustinya Naumovna. What are you so upset about?

sticky. Here's an opportunity! I will endure this nonsense. What am I, a girl, or something, what an uneducated one!

Ustinya Naumovna. What did you take it from? Where did he find such a whim on you? Do I blaspheme your dress? What is not a dress - and everyone will say that a dress. Yes, it doesn’t suit you, because of your beauty, it’s not at all necessary for you - disappear soul, if I’m lying. Gold is not enough for you: give us something embroidered with pearls. - Here she smiled, emerald! I know what I'm talking about!

Tishka (included). Sysoi Psovich was ordered to ask if it was possible, they say, to go up. They are there, at Lazar Elizarych

Bolshov. Go, call him here, and with Lazarus.

Silence leaves.

Agrafena Kondratievna. Well, it’s not for nothing that the appetizer is prepared - so let’s have a bite. And you, tea, Ustinya Naumovna, have you been wanting vodka for a long time?

Ustinya Naumovna. A well-known case - the admiral's hour - the very present.

Agrafena Kondratievna. Well, Samson Silych, get moving, something to sit like that.

Bolshov. Wait, here they come - you still have time.

sticky. I, mother, will go undress.

Agrafena Kondratievna. Go, baby, go.

Bolshov. Wait a minute to undress, the groom will come.

Agrafena Kondratievna. What kind of groom is there - it’s full of fooling around.

Bolshov. Wait, Lipa, the groom will arrive.

sticky. Who is this, auntie? Do I know him or not?

Bolshov. But you will see, so, maybe you will know.

Agrafena Kondratievna. Why are you listening to him, what kind of jester will come! So the tongue scratches.

Bolshov. They tell you that he will come, so I, therefore, know what I'm talking about.

Agrafena Kondratievna. If someone really comes, then you should have said it in a way, otherwise he will come, he will come, but God knows who will come. That's always how it is.

sticky. Well, then, mother, I will stay. (He goes to the mirror and looks, then to his father.) Auntie!

Bolshov. What do you want?

sticky. It's embarrassing to say, darling!

Agrafena Kondratievna. What a shame, fool! Speak when you need to.

Ustinya Naumovna. Shame is not smoke - it won't eat your eyes out.

sticky. No, by God, ashamed!

Bolshov. Well, shut up if you're ashamed.

Agrafena Kondratievna. Do you want a new hat?

sticky. So they didn’t guess, not a hat at all.

Bolshov. So what do you want?

sticky. Marry a soldier!

Bolshov. Ek after all that took out!

Agrafena Kondratievna. Wake up, you imbecile! Christ is with you!

sticky. Well, because others come out.

Bolshov. Well, let them come out, and you sit by the sea and wait for the weather.

Agrafena Kondratievna. Yes, you do not dare to stutter! I won't give you a parental blessing.

The fourth phenomenon

The same and Lazar, Rispolozhensky and Fomiishna (at the door)

Rispolozhensky. Hello, father Samson Silych! Hello, mother Agrafena Kondratievna! Olimpiada Samsonovna, hello!

Bolshov. Hello brother, hello! Sit down, please! Sit down too, Lazarus!

Agrafena Kondratievna. Wouldn't you like to have a bite? And I have a snack.

Rispolozhensky. Why, mother, do not have a bite; I would now drink a glass.

Bolshov. But now let's all go together, and now let's talk a little for now.

Ustinya Naumovna. Why not talk! Here, my golden ones, I heard, as if it was printed in the newspaper, is it true, isn’t it, that another Bonaparte was born, and as if, my golden ones ...

Bolshov. Bonaparte Bonaparte, and we most of all hope for the mercy of God; yeah, that's not what we're talking about now.

Ustinya Naumovna. So about what, yakhontovy?

Bolshov. And the fact that our advancing years are advancing, our health is also interrupted every minute, and the creator alone knows what will happen in the future: this is what we decided during our lifetime to give our only daughter in marriage, and in the reasoning of the dowry, we can also hope that she will not shock our capital and origin, but evenly and in front of other

Ustinya Naumovna. Look, after all, how sweetly he talks, brilliant.

Bolshov. And since now our daughter is here, and for all that, being confident in the honest behavior and sufficiency of our future son-in-law, which is very sensitive for us, in the consideration of divine blessing, then we appoint him a teverite in general contemplation. - Linda, come here.

sticky. What do you want, baby?

Bolshov. Come to me, I won’t bite, I suppose. Well, now you, Lazarus, crawl.

Podkhalyuzin. Ready for a long time!

Bolshov. Well, Lipa, give me your hand! Lipochka. How, what is this nonsense?

sticky. Why did you come up with this?

Bolshov. Worse, I'll take it by force!

Ustinya Naumovna. Here you are, grandmother, and St. George's Day!

Agrafena Kondratievna. Lord, what is this?

sticky. I don't want, I don't want! I will not go for such a nasty one.

Fominishna. The power of the cross is with us!

Podkhalyuzin. It can be seen, my dear, that I cannot see happiness in this world! It can be seen, not byvat-with at your request!

Bolshov (takes Lipochka forcibly by the hand and Lazarus). How can I not be, if I want to? What am I and my father to do, if not to order? For nothing, or what, I fed her?

Agrafena Kondratievna. What you! What you! Come to your senses!

Bolshov. Know your cricket pole! None of your business! Well Lipa! Here's your fiance! Please love and respect! Sit down in a row and talk in a friendly manner - and then with an honest feast and for the wedding.

sticky. How, - I really need to sit with an ignoramus! Here's an opportunity!

Bolshov. And if you don’t sit down, I’ll forcefully put you in and make you pretend.

sticky. Where has it been seen that educated young ladies marry their workers?

Bolshov. Shut up better! I command you to marry the janitor. (Silence.)

Ustinya Naumovna. Understand, Agrafena Kondratievna, what kind of trouble this is.

Agrafena Kondratievna. Itself, dear, eclipsed, exactly what a closet. And I can't figure out where this came from.

Fominishna. God! I have lived for ten years, how many weddings I have celebrated, but I have never seen such filth.

Agrafena Kondratievna. Why did you, murderers, disgrace the girl?

Bolshov. Yes, I really need to listen to your fanabery. I wanted to marry my daughter to a clerk, and I’ll put it on my own, and don’t you dare talk; I don't want to know anyone. Now let's go have a bite to eat, and let them play pranks, maybe they'll get along somehow.

Rispolozhensky. Come along, Samson Silych, and I'll have a drink with you for company. And this, Agrafena Kondratievna, is the first duty for children to obey their parents. It's not started by us, and it won't end with us.

Everyone gets up and leaves, except Lipochka, Podkhalyuzin and Agrafena Kondratyevna.

sticky. What is it, mama, what is it? What am I to them, the cook, or what, got? (Crying.)

Podkhalyuzin. Mommy-s! You have a son-in-law who would respect you and, therefore, put your old age to rest - besides me, you can’t find it, sir.

Agrafena Kondratievna. How are you, father?

Podkhalyuzin. Mommy-s! God put such an intention in me, because, sir, another of you, mama, sir, won’t even want to know, and I, for the grave of my life (crying) must feel.

Agrafena Kondratievna. Ah, father! Yes, how can it be?

Bolshov. (out of the door). Wife, come here!

Agrafena Kondratievna. Now, father, now!

Podkhalyuzin. You, mother, remember this word that I just said

Agrafena Kondratyevna leaves.

Fifth phenomenon

Lipochka and Podkhalyuzin.

Silence.

Podkhalyuzin. Alimpiyada Samsonovna, sir! Alimpiada Samsonovna! But you seem to despise me! Say at least one word, sir! Let me kiss your hand.

sticky. You are an uneducated fool!

Podkhalyuzin. Why are you, Alimpiyada Samsonovna, offending you, sir?

sticky. I will tell you once and for all that I will not go for you - I will not go.

Podkhalyuzin. It's as you wish, sir! You won't be forced to be nice. I'll just tell you what...

sticky. I don't want to listen to you, get away from me! How courteous a gentleman you are: you see that I don’t want to go after you for any treasures - you should refuse.

Podkhalyuzin. Here you are, Alimpiada Samsonovna, if you please say: refuse. Only if I refuse, then what will happen, sir?

sticky. And then it will be that I will marry a noble.

Podkhalyuzin. For the noble! A noble would not take without a dowry.

sticky. How without a dowry? What are you talking about! Look at what a dowry I have - it will rush into my nose.

Podkhalyuzin. Rags, sir! Noble rags will not take. The noble one needs money, sir.

sticky. Well! Tyatenka will give money!

Podkhalyuzin. Well, as will give-sir! How about nothing to give? You don’t know about Tyatenkin’s affairs, but I know them very well: Tyatenka is your bankrupt, sir.

sticky. How's the bankrupt? And the house, and the shops?

Podkhalyuzin. And the house and the shops are mine, sir!

sticky. Yours?! Come on you! What do you want to fool me? Found yourself dumber!

Podkhalyuzin. But we have legal documents! (Pulls out.)

sticky. So you bought from your aunt?

Podkhalyuzin. I bought it!

sticky. Where did you get the money?

Podkhalyuzin. Of money! We, thank God, have more money than any noble.

sticky. What are they doing to me? Raised, educated, then went bankrupt!

Silence.

Podkhalyuzin. Well, suppose, Alimpiyada Samsonovna, that you will also marry a nobleman - but what's the point in that, sir? Only one glory, that the lady, but there is no pleasantness, sir. If you please judge, sir, the ladies themselves often go to the market on foot, sir. And if they go somewhere, it’s only glory that there are quadruplets, and worse than one with a merchant. By God, it's worse. They also don't dress too pompously, sir. And if you, Alimpnyada Samsonovna, come out for me, sir, then the first word: you will go around in silk dresses at home, sir, but to visit or go to the theater, sir, except for velvet ones, and we won’t put them on. In the discussion of hats or coats - let's not look at various noble decency, but put on what a wonderful thing! We'll get the Oryol horses. (Silence.) If you have any doubts about the physiognomy, it’s as you please, sir, we’ll also put on a tailcoat and shave off our beard, or we’ll cut it like that, according to fashion, sir, that’s all the same for us, sir.

sticky. Yes, you all say so before the wedding, and then you will deceive.

Podkhalyuzin. You can't leave the spot, Alimpiyada Samsonovna! I want to be anathema if I'm lying! Why, sir, Alimpiada Samsonovna, are we going to live in a house like that? We’ll buy it in Karetny Ryad, sir, we’ll write it down: we’ll draw birds of paradise on the ceilings, sirens, various capidones - they’ll only give money to look.

sticky. They don't draw capidones these days.

Podkhalyuzin. Well, so we will let the bouquets go. (Silence.) It would be only your consent, otherwise I don’t need anything in my life. (Silence.) How unhappy I am in my life that I can't give any compliments.

sticky. Why don't you speak French, Lazar Elivarich?

Podkhalyuzin. And for what we have nothing to do. (Silence.) Make me happy, Alimpiyada Samsonovna, show some kind of favor, sir. (Silence.) Get on your knees.

sticky. Become!

Podkhalyuzin becomes.

What a bad vest you have

Podkhalyuzin. I’ll give this one to Tishka, sir, and I’ll order it for myself on the Kuznetsk bridge, just don’t ruin it! (Silence.) Well, Alimpiyada Samsonovna, sir?

sticky. Let me see.

Podkhalyuzin. Yes, what are you thinking about?

sticky. How can you not think?

Podkhalyuzin. Don't you think.

sticky. You know what, Lazar Elizarych!

Podkhalyuzin. What do you order?

sticky. Take me away slowly.

Podkhalyuzin. But why on the sly, sir, when my aunt and mother agree so much?

sticky. Yes, they do that. Well, if you don’t want to take it away, then, perhaps, so be it.

Podkhalyuzin. Alimpiada Samsonovna! Let me kiss your hand! (He kisses, then jumps up and runs to the door.) Auntie-s!..

sticky. Lazar Elizarych, Lazar Elizarych! Come here!

Podkhalyuzin. What do you want, sir?

sticky. Ah, if you only knew, Lazar Elizarych, what a life I have here! Mommy has seven Fridays a week; Auntie, if not drunk, is so silent, but if he is drunk, he will beat him and look. What is it like to endure an abraded young lady! That's how I would marry a noble, so I would leave home and forget about all this. And now everything will go back to the old way.

Podkhalyuzin. No, sir, Alimpiyada Samsonovna, this will not happen! We, Alimpiada Samsonovna, as soon as we play a wedding, we will go to our house, sir. And we won't give them orders, sir. No, it's over now! It will be with them - they have thought in their lifetime, now it's time for us!

sticky. Yes, you are so timid, Lazar Elizarych, you will not dare to say anything to the tyatenko, but they would have talked a little with the noble.

Podkhalyuzin. That's why he was timid, sir, because it was a subordinate matter - it's impossible, sir. I dare not argue. And how we live our home, so no one can tell us. But you are all talking about the noble. Will the noble love you as much as I will love you? The nobleman is at work in the morning, and in the evening he wanders around the clubs, and the wife has to sit at home alone without any pleasure. Do I dare to do so? All my life I must try to give you every pleasure.

sticky. So look, Lazar Elizarych, we will live on our own, and they on their own. We will start everything in fashion, and they - as they want.

Podkhalyuzin. It's just as usual, sir.

sticky. Well, now call aunty. (Rises and preens before the mirror.)

Podkhalyuzin. Auntie-sir! Auntie-sir! Mommy-s!..

The sixth phenomenon

Podkhalyuzin (goes towards Samson Silych and throws himself into his arms). Alimpiyada Samsonovna, sir! |

Agrafena Kondratievna. Run, baby, run.

Bolshov. Well, that's it! That's the same. I know what I'm doing, it's not for you to teach me.

Podkhalyuzin (to Agrafena Kondratievna). Mommy-s! Let me kiss your hand.

Agrafena Kondratievna. Kiss, father, both are clean. Oh, child, how is it just now, huh? By God! What is it? And I didn’t even know how to judge this matter. Ah, you are my sweetheart!

sticky. I never imagined, mother, that Lazar Elizarych was such a courteous cavalier! And now I suddenly see that he is much more respectful than the others.

Agrafena Kondratievna. That's it, fool! Your father won't wish you well. Oh, my dove! Eka is a parable, isn't it? Ah, my mothers! What is it? Fominish! Fominish!

Fominishna. Run, run, mother, run. (Enters.)

Bolshov. Wait, you taranta! So you sit down next to us - and we'll look at you. Yes, give us a bottle of fizz.

Podkhalyuzin and Lipochka sit down.

Fominishna. Now, father, now! (Exits.)

The seventh phenomenon

The same, Ustinya Naumovna and Rispolozhensky.

Agrafena Kondratievna. Congratulate the groom on his bride, Ustinya Naumovna! Here God brought in old age, lived to joy.

Ustinya Naumovna. But how can I congratulate you, emerald ones? A dry spoon is tearing at your mouth.

Bolshov. And here we will wet your throat.

The eighth phenomenon

The same, Fominishna and Tishka (with wine on a tray).

Ustinya Naumovna. Here is a different kind of thing. Well, God forbid you live and get younger, get fat and get rich. (Drinking.) Bitter, brilliant!

Lipochka and Lazar kiss.

Bolshov. Let me congratulate you. (Takes a glass.)

Lipochka and Lazar get up.

Live as you know - you have your own mind. And so that you don’t get bored with your life, so, Lazarus, a house and shops will go instead of a dowry, but we’ll count it out of cash.

Podkhalyuzin. Have mercy, aunty, I'm already very pleased with you.

Bolshov. What is there to be kind! He made his own good. To whom I want, I give. Pour more!

Silence pours.

Yes, what is there to talk about. There is no judgment for mercy. Take everything, just feed me and the old woman and pay ten kopecks to creditors.

Podkhalyuzin. Is it worth it, dear, to talk about it, sir. Is there something I don't feel? Our people - let's count!

Bolshov. They tell you, take everything, and it's over. And no one tells me! Pay only creditors. Will you pay?

Podkhalyuzin. Have mercy, dear, first duty, sir!

Bolshov. Just watch - don't give them too much. And then you, tea, are glad to give everything foolishly.

Podkhalyuzin. Yes, there, darling, we'll settle down somehow. Have mercy, your people.

Bolshov. That's it! Don't give them more than ten kopecks. Will be with them ... Well, kiss!

Lipochka and Lazar kiss.

Agrafena Kondratievna. Ah, you are my doves! Yes, how is it so? Just like crazy.

Ustinya Naumovna. Oh, and where has it been seen, Oh, and where has it been heard, For a hen to give birth to a bull, Piglet laid an egg!

He pours some wine and goes up to Rispolozhensky. Rispolozhensky bows and refuses.

Bolshov. Drink, Sysoy Psoich, for joy!

Rispolozhensky. I can't, Samson Silych, he's disgusted.

Bolshov. Complete you! Drink for joy.

Ustinya Naumovna. Still there, it breaks!

Rispolozhensky. Repulsive, Samson Silych! By God, it's disgusting. Here I am drinking a glass of vodka! And this nature does not accept. It's such a weak collection.

Ustinya Naumovna. Oh, wire neck! Look at you - nature does not accept him! Yes, let me pour it down the collar if he doesn’t drink.

Rispolozhensky. It's indecent, Ustinya Naumovna! It's indecent for a lady. Samson Silich! I can't! Would I refuse? Heh, heh, heh, what kind of a fool am I to do such ignorance; we have seen people, we know how to live; Here I will never refuse vodka, perhaps, at least now I will drink a glass! And I can’t do this - that’s why it disgusts me. And you, Samson Silych, don't allow atrocities, to offend for a short time, but not good.

Bolshov. Good for him, Ustinya Naumovna, good!

Rispolozhensky runs.

Ustinya Naumovna (puts wine on the table). You're lying, vitriol soul, you won't leave! (Pushes him into a corner and grabs him by the collar.)

Rispolozhensky. Guard!!

Everyone is laughing.

act four

Podkhalyuzin's house has a richly furnished living room.

The first phenomenon

Olimpiada Samsonovna is sitting at the window in a luxurious position; she is wearing a silk blouse, a cap of the latest style. Podkhalyuzin in a fashionable frock coat stands in front of a mirror. Silence behind him pulls and preens.

Tishka. You look how it is fitted, just right!

Podkhalyuzin. And what, Tishka, do I look like a Frenchman? a? Look away!

Tishka. Two drops of water.

Podkhalyuzin. That's it, fool! Here you are now and look at us! (Walks around the room.) So, sir, Alimpiyada Samsonovna! And you wanted to go for an officer, sir. Why are we not great? Here they took a brand new frock coat and put it on.

Olimpiada Samsonovna. But you, Lazar Elizarych, don't know how to dance.

Podkhalyuzin. Well, no, we won't learn; how to learn something - the most important manner. In the winter we will go to the Merchants' Assembly, sir. So know ours, sir! Let's dance the polka.

Olimpiada Samsonovna. You, Lazar Elizarych, buy that carriage that you saw at Arbatsky's.

Podkhalyuzin. How, Ayanmpiyada Samsonovna, sir! Give to buy, give, sir.

Olimpiada Samsonovna. And they brought me a new mantella, so we would have gone to Sokolniki on Friday.

Podkhalyuzin. Well, sir, we’ll certainly go, sir; and we'll go to the Park on Sunday. After all, a carriage is worth a thousand rubles, and a horse is a thousand rubles, and a harness of false silver - so let them look. Tishka! handset!

Silence leaves.

(Sits down near Olimpiada Samsonovna.) So, sir, Alimpiyada Samsonovna! Let yourself look.

Silence.

Olimpiada Samsonovna. Why don't you kiss me, Lazar Elizarych?

Podkhalyuzin. How! Have mercy, sir! With our pleasure! Please, a pen, sir! (Kisses. Silence.) Tell me, Alimpiyada Samsonovna, something for me in the French dialect, sir.

Olimpiada Samsonovna. What can you say?

Podkhalyuzin. Yes, say something - just a little, sir. I don't care, sir!

Olimpiada Samsonovna. Kom vu zet joly.

Podkhalyuzin. And what is this, sir?

Olimpiada Samsonovna. How sweet you are!

Podkhalyuzin (jumps up from chair). Here she is our wife! Ah yes Alimpiyada Samsonovna! Respected! Please a pen!

Tishka enters with a pipe.

Tishka. Ustinya Naumovna has come.

Podkhalyuzin. Why else would the devil bring her!

Silence leaves.

The second phenomenon

The same and Ustinya Naumovna.

Ustinya Naumovna. How can you live, brilliants?

Podkhalyuzin. With your prayers, Ustinya Naumovna, with your prayers.

Ustinya Naumovna (kissing). What is it you, as if prettier, swollen?

Olimpiada Samsonovna. Oh, what nonsense you are talking about, Ustinya Naumovna! Well, where did you get it from?

Ustinya Naumovna. What nonsense, golden; that's where it's going. Rada is not glad - there is nothing to do!.. Love to ride, love to carry sleds too! Haven't you had time to look around yet? Everyone, tea, admire each other and almond.

Podkhalyuzin. There is that sin, Ustinya Naumovna, there is that sin!

Ustinya Naumovna. The same thing: what a sudarushka I gave you!

Podkhalyuzin. Much satisfied, Ustinya Naumovna, much satisfied.

Ustinya Naumovna. Still not happy, golden! What are you! Now you, tea, are busy with clothes. Have you messed up a lot of fashionable things?

Olimpiada Samsonovna. Not so much. And even that is more because new materials have come out.

Ustinya Naumovna. A well-known case, pearl, the commissioner cannot be without trousers: even thin ones, but blue ones. And which ones did you cook up more - woolen or silk?

Olimpiada Samsonovna. Different - both woolen and silk; yes, I recently sewed crepe with gold.

Ustinya Naumovna. How much do you have, emerald?

Olimpiada Samsonovna. But consider; wedding blond on a satin stunted and three velvet - it will be four; two gauze and crepe, embroidered with gold - these are seven; three satin and three grosgrains are thirteen; grodenaplevy yes grodafrikovyh seven - this is twenty; three marceline, two muslindel, two chineroyal - is that a lot? - three yes four seven, yes twenty - twenty seven; crepe prachel four is thirty-one. Well, there are also up to twenty pieces of muslin, bouffant muslin and chintz; Yes, there is a blouse and hoods - either nine, or ten. Yes, I recently sewed it from Persian fabric.

Ustinya Naumovna. Look, God bless you, how much you have piled up. And you go and choose for me which one is wider from the grodafrikovy.

Olimpiada Samsonovna. I won't give you Grodafrikov's, I myself only have three; Yes, it will not converge on your waist; perhaps, if you want, take crepe prachel.

Ustinya Naumovna. On what kind of railway do I have something fluffy: well, it’s obvious there’s nothing to do with you, I’ll make peace with satin, so be it.

Olimpiada Samsonovna. Well, satin ones too - somehow not the same, sewn in a ballroom style, very openly - you understand? And from the crepe prachel we will find a hood, dissolve the folds, and it will be in the very proportion.

Ustinya Naumovna. Well, come on treprashelchaty! Yours took, brilliant! Go open the closet.

Olimpiada Samsonovna. I'm now, wait a little.

Ustinya Naumovna. Wait, honey, wait. I also need to talk to your husband.

Olimpiada Samsonovna leaves.

What is it you, brilliant, completely forgot your promise?

Podkhalyuzin. How can you forget, sir, remember! (He takes out his wallet and gives her a banknote.)

Ustinya Naumovna. What is it, diamond?

Podkhalyuzin. One hundred rubles, sir!

Ustinya Naumovna. How so one hundred rubles? Yes, you promised me fifteen thousand.

Podkhalyuzin. What-o-s?

Ustinya Naumovna. You promised me fifteen thousand.

Podkhalyuzin. Will it not be greasy, will you lop off unevenly?

Ustinya Naumovna. What are you, chicken son, joking with me, or what? I, brother, and the lady herself are rollicking.

Podkhalyuzin. What are you giving money for? It would be a marvel for what business!

Ustinya Naumovna. For work, for idleness, but come on - you yourself promised!

Podkhalyuzin. You never know what I promised! I promised to jump from Ivan the Great, if I marry Alimpiyada Samsonovna, will I jump like that?

Ustinya Naumovna. What do you think, I won't find a court against you? It is of great importance that you are a merchant of the second guild, I myself am in the fourteenth grade, after all, I am an official.

Podkhalyuzin. Yes, even if the general's wife - I do not care; I don't even want to know you - that's the whole conversation.

Ustinya Naumovna. But you’re not lying all: you promised me a sable coat.

Podkhalyuzin. What?

Ustinya Naumovna. Sable coat. What are you deaf, or what?

Podkhalyuzin. Sable, sir! Heh, heh, heh...

Ustinya Naumovna. Yes, sable! What are you laughing at, that you are staring at your throat!

Podkhalyuzin. They haven’t come out with a snout yet, with sable coats to walk around!

Olimpiada Samsonovna takes out the dress and gives it to Ustinya Naumovna.

The third phenomenon

The same and Olimpiada Samsonovna.

Ustinya Naumovna. What are you really - rob me, or what, you want?

Podkhalyuzin. What a robbery, but go with God, that's all.

Ustinya Naumovna. Already you began to drive me; Yes, and I, a stupid fool, got in touch with you - now you can see: petty-bourgeois blood!

Podkhalyuzin. Yes, sir! Tell me please!

Ustinya Naumovna. And if so, I don't even want to look at you! I won’t agree with you for any treasures! I’ll run around thirty miles, but I won’t go past you! I'd rather close my eyes and stumble upon a horse than look at your lair! I want to spit, and then I won’t turn into this street. Burst into ten pieces if I'm lying! Fall into hell if you see me here!

Podkhalyuzin. Yes, you, aunty, lightly; otherwise we will send for the quarterly.

Ustinya Naumovna. I'll print you, golden ones: you will know! I’ll glorify you so much in Moscow that it would be a shame to show my eyes to people! To a lady with a rank-rank ... Ugh! Ugh! Ugh! (Exits.)

Podkhalyuzin. Look, you dispersed noble blood! Oh you, Lord! There is an official! Here is a proverb that says: thunder rumbles not from a cloud, but from a dunghill! Oh you, Lord! Look at her, what a lady!

Olimpiada Samsonovna. You had a desire, Lazar Elizarych, to mess with her!

Podkhalyuzin. Yes, pardon, quite incongruous woman!

Olimpiada Samsonovna (looks out the window) They didn’t let the little girl out of the pit - look, Lazar Elizarych!

Podkhalyuzin. Well, no, sir: they won’t let the little one out of the pit soon; but it must be assumed that he was written out for the competition, so he asked to go home ... Mommy, sir! Agrafena Kondratievna! Auntie is coming!

The fourth phenomenon

The same, Bolshov and Agrafena Kondratyevna.

Agrafena Kondratievna. Where is he? Where is he?! You are my relatives, you are my dears!

They kiss.

Podkhalyuzin. Tyatenka, hello, our respect!

Agrafena Kondratievna. You are my dear, Samson Silych, you are my gold! You left me an orphan in my old age!

Bolshov. Stop it, wife!

Olimpiada Samsonovna. What are you, mother, as if crying over a dead man! God doesn't know what happened.

Bolshov. It's for sure, daughter, not God knows what, but still your father is sitting in a pit.

Olimpiada Samsonovna. Well, darling, they sit and are better than you and me.

Bolshov. They sit, they sit, but what is it like to sit! What is it like to walk down the street with a soldier! Oh daughter! After all, everyone in the city has known me for forty years, for forty years everyone bowed from the waist, and now the boys are showing their fingers.

Agrafena Kondratievna. And there is no face on you, my darling! It's like you're from the other world!

Podkhalyuzin. Hey, darling, God is merciful! Everything will grind - there will be flour. What, my dear, are the creditors saying?

Bolshov. Yes, agree to the deal. What, they say, to pull something - whether you still take it, don’t you, but you give me something clean, and God bless you.

Podkhalyuzin. Why not give it! Give give, sir! Are they asking a lot, darling?

Bolshov. They ask for twenty-five kopecks.

Podkhalyuzin. This, darling, is a lot!

Bolshov. And I myself, brother, I know that there are many, but what can I do? They don't take less.

Podkhalyuzin. Like ten kopecks, that would be fine, sir. Seven and a half for satisfaction, and two and a half for competitive expenses.

Bolshov. I said something like that, and they don't want to hear it.

Podkhalyuzin. They recognized it hurt! Don't they want eight kopecks in five years?

Bolshov. Well, Lazarus, we'll have to give twenty-five, because we ourselves have previously offered so.

Podkhalyuzin. Yes, how about it, aunty-sir! After all, you yourself then deigned to say, sir, not to give more than ten kopecks, sir. You judge for yourself: twenty-five kopecks is a lot of money. Do you want something to eat, dear, sir? Mommy! Order the vodka to be served, and order the samovar to be put on, and we, for the company, will drink, sir. "And twenty-five kopecks is a lot, sir!"

Agrafena Kondratievna. Now, father, now! (Exits.)

Bolshov. But what are you explaining to me: I myself know that there are many, but how can it be? They’ll spend a year and a half in a pit, and every week they’ll lead a soldier through the streets, and, you see, they’ll move him to prison: you’ll be so glad to give a half. From one fear, you don’t know where to hide.

Agrafena Kondratievna with vodka; Tishka takes down the snack and leaves.

Agrafena Kondratievna. You are my dove! Eat, baby, eat! Chai, they starved you out there!

Podkhalyuzin. Eat, auntie! Do not seek what God has sent!

Bolshov. Thank you Lazar! Thank you! (Drinking.) Drink yourself.

Podkhalyuzin. For your health! (Drinking.) Mommy! Wouldn't you like? Do me a favor!

Agrafena Kondratievna. Ah, father, am I up to now! Such a divine allowance! Oh, my God! Oh, you are my darling!

Podkhalyuzin. Eh, mother, God is merciful, we'll get off somehow! Not all of a sudden!

Agrafena Kondratievna. Give something Lord! And then I too, looking at him, all exhausted.

Bolshov. Well, what about Lazarus?

Podkhalyuzin. Ten kopecks, if you please, ladies, as they said.

Bolshov. Where can I get fifteen? Not from matting, I should melt them.

Podkhalyuzin. I, darling, can't. God knows, I can't!

Bolshov. What are you, Lazar, what are you! But where are you doing money?

Podkhalyuzin. Yes, if you please, judge: I'm starting a trade, I finished the house. Eat something, baby! That's at least madersy, or something, sir! Mommy! Treat aunty.

Agrafena Kondratievna. Eat, father, Samson Silych! Eat! I'll pour you a punch, father!

Bolshov (drinks). Help out, kids, help out!

Podkhalyuzin. Here you are, dear, if you please tell me where I am doing money? How about? Judge for yourself: we are starting to trade, you know, without capital it’s impossible, sir, there’s nothing to sculpt; Here I bought a house, they brought all sorts of homemade establishments, horses, this and that. Feel free to judge for yourself! You have to think about children.

Olimpiada Samsonovna. Well, darling, we can't have nothing to do with ourselves. After all, we are not commoners.

Podkhalyuzin. You, my dear, if you please, judge: today you can’t do without capital, sir, without capital you’ll make a little bargain.

Olimpiada Samsonovna. I lived with you, my dear, until I was twenty years old - I didn’t see the world. Well, will you order me to give you the money, and to walk around again in cotton dresses?

Bolshov. What do you! What do you! Come to your senses! After all, I do not ask you for alms, but for my own good. Are you people?

Olimpiada Samsonovna. It's a well-known thing, my dear, people, not animals.

Bolshov. Lazarus! Yes, you remember those, because I gave you everything, everything is clean; this is what he left for himself, you see! After all, I took you into the house as a boy, you insensitive scoundrel! He gave water, fed instead of his own father, brought him into the people. Have I seen any gratitude from you? Did you see? Remember, Lazarus, how many times I have noticed that you are not clean in hand! Well? After all, I didn’t drive you away like some cattle, I didn’t slander the whole city. I made you the chief clerk, I gave you all my fortune, but to you, Lazarus, I gave my daughter with my own hands. And if this allowance had not happened to me, you would not even dare to look at her.

Podkhalyuzin. Have mercy, auntie, I feel all this very well, sir!

Bolshov. Do you feel! You would have to give everything, like me, to stay in one shirt, if only to help out your benefactor. Yes, I do not ask for this, I do not need it; you pay for me only what now follows..

Podkhalyuzin. Why not pay, sir, but they ask for a price that is completely incongruous.

Bolshov. Do I ask! I begged, begged, bowed at your feet because of your every penny, but what am I to do when they don’t want to give up anything?

Olimpiada Samsonovna. We told you, darling, that we can't give you more than ten kopecks, and there's nothing to talk about.

Bolshov. Tell me, daughter: go, they say, you old devil, into the pit! Yes, in the hole! To his prison, the old fool. And for the cause! Don't go after more, be happy with what you have. And you chase after the big one, and the last thing will be taken away, you will be robbed clean. And you will have to run to the Stone Bridge and rush into the Moscow River. Yes, and they will pull you out by the tongue and put you in jail.

Everyone is silent. Bolshov drinks.

And you think what it's like for me to go into the pit now. What do I need to close my eyes, or what? Now Ilyinka seems a hundred miles away. Just think about what it's like to walk along Ilyinka. It's like the devils, God forgive me, are dragging a sinful soul through ordeals. And there, past Iverskaya, how can I look at her, at my mother? .. You know, Lazarus, Judas - after all, he also sold Christ for money, as we sell our conscience for money ... And what was it to him? And there the Offices, the Criminal Chamber... After all, I am malicious - deliberate... after all, they will send me to Siberia. Lord! .. If you don’t give money like that, give it for Christ’s sake! (Crying.)

Podkhalyuzin. What are you, what are you, auntie? Fullness! God is merciful! What is it you? We'll fix it somehow. It's all up to us!

Bolshov. You need money, Lazar, money. Nothing more to fix. Or. money, or to Siberia.

Podkhalyuzin. And we'll give money, sir, if only they would get rid of it! I'll add another five kopecks anyway.

Bolshov. Eki of the year! Do you have Christianity? Twenty-five kopecks is needed, Lazar!

Podkhalyuzin. No, this, darling, is a lot, sir, by God, a lot!

Bolshov. You snakes are subterranean! (He drops his head on the table.)

Agrafena Kondratievna. You are a barbarian, a barbarian! You are such a robber! You don't have my blessing! After all, you will dry up with money, you will dry up before you live a century. You are a robber, such a robber!

Podkhalyuzin. Come on, mother, to anger God! Why are you cursing us without sorting things out! You see, the tyatenko got a little tipsy, and you are already on the go.

Olimpiada Samsonovna. You, mother, would be better silent! And then you are happy to curse in the underworld. I know: you will be on it. That's why God didn't give you other children.

Agrafena Kondratievna. Shut up yourself, you brat! And God sent you one as a punishment.

Olimpiada Samsonovna. You are all dissolute - you alone are good. You should look at yourself, you’ll just be on Monday, otherwise not a day will pass without barking at someone.

Agrafena Kondratievna. Look you! Look you! Ah, ah, ah!.. Yes, I will curse you at all the cathedrals!

Olimpiada Samsonovna. Curse, perhaps!

Agrafena Kondratievna. Yes! That's how! Die, don't rot! Yes!..

Olimpiada Samsonovna. Very necessary!

Bolshov (rises). Well, goodbye, kids.

Podkhalyuzin. What are you, tyatenko, sit down! Gotta get it done somehow!

Bolshov. So what's the end? I can see that it's over. The slave beats herself if she does not reap cleanly! Don't pay anything for me: let them do what they want with me. Farewell, it's time for me!

Podkhalyuzin. Farewell, auntie! God is merciful - somehow manage!

Bolshov. Farewell, wife!

Agrafena Kondratievna. Farewell, father Samson Silych! When do they let you into the pit?

Bolshov. Don't know!

Agrafena Kondratievna. Well, then I'll visit: otherwise you'll die here without seeing you.

Bolshov. Farewell, daughter! Farewell, Alimpiyada Samsonovna! Well, now you will be rich, you will live like a lord. This is for festivities, for balls - to amuse the devil! And don't you forget, Alimpiada Samsonovna, that there are cages with iron bars, poor prisoners are sitting there. Don't forget us poor prisoners. (Exit with Agrafena Kondratyevna.)

Podkhalyuzin. Eh, Alimpiyada Samsonovna, sir! It's embarrassing! I'm sorry, my dear, by God, I'm sorry! Something to go to bargain with creditors! Al is not necessary, sir? He'd better pity them. BUT? ali go? I'll go! Tishka!

Olimpiada Samsonovna. Do it the way you want, it's up to you.

Podkhalyuzin. Tishka!

Included.

Give me an old coat, which is worse.

Silence leaves.

And then they will think; rich, it must be, in those days you can’t talk.

Fifth phenomenon

The same, Rispolozhensky and Agrafena Kondratievna.

Rispolozhensky. You, mother, Agrafena Kondratievna, have you yet deigned to pickle cucumbers?

Agrafena Kondratievna. No, father! What now cucumbers! Is it up to me? Did you salt?

Rispolozhensky. How, mother, salted. The roads are very good these days; they say it's cold enough. Lazar Elizarych, father, hello. Is it vodka? I, Lazar Elizarych, will drink a glass.

Agrafena Kondratyevna leaves with Olimpiada Samsonovna.

Podkhalyuzin. And why are you complaining to the ladies?

Rispolozhensky. Heh, heh, heh!.. What a jester you are, Lazar Elizarych! A well-known case, for what!

Podkhalyuzin. And for what would it be, it is desirable to know, sir?

Rispolozhensky. For money, Lazar Elizarych, for money! Who is for what, and I'm all for the money

Podkhalyuzin. Yes, you often go after money.

Rispolozhensky. Yes, how can you not go, Lazar Elizarych, when you give five rubles apiece. After all, I have a family.

Podkhalyuzin. Well, it’s not for you to give according to the same.

Rispolozhensky. And if they had given it away at once, I would not have gone to you.

Podkhalyuzin. That's why you don't understand an ear or a snout, and you also take the hapantsy. Why give something to you!

Rispolozhensky. How for what? - You promised!

Podkhalyuzin. They promised! After all, they gave you - they used it, well, it will be, it’s an honor to know.

Rispolozhensky. How is it time to honor to know? Yes, you still owe me a thousand and a half.

Podkhalyuzin. Should! So "should!" It's like he has a document! And what a scam!

Rispolozhensky. How about a scam? For work, not for fraud!

Podkhalyuzin. For labor!

Rispolozhensky. Well, yes, there for whatever it was, but give me money, otherwise a document.

Podkhalyuzin. What? Document! No, come after that.

Rispolozhensky. So, do you want to rob me with small children?

Podkhalyuzin. What a robbery! But take another five rubles, and go with God.

Rispolozhensky. No, wait! You won't get rid of me!

Silence enters.

Podkhalyuzin. What are you going to do with me?

Rispolozhensky. The language is something I have not bought.

Podkhalyuzin. What are you, lick, or what, do you want me?

Rispolozhensky. No, do not lick, but tell good people.

Podkhalyuzin. Something to talk about, vitriol soul! Who else will believe you?

Rispolozhensky. Who will believe?

Podkhalyuzin. Yes! Who will believe? Take a look at yourself.

Rispolozhensky. Who will believe? Who will believe? But you'll see! But you'll see! My fathers, what am I to do? My death! Robbing me, robber, robbing me! No, you wait! You'll see! Robbery is not ordered!

Podkhalyuzin. What is there to see?

Rispolozhensky. And here's what you'll see! Hold on, hold on, hold on! Do you think I won't find a trial for you? Wait a minute!

Podkhalyuzin. Wait a minute! I've been waiting for quite a while. You're full of frightening something: it's not scary.

Rispolozhensky. Do you think no one will believe me? Won't believe? Well, let them offend! I ... I'll do this: most respectable audience!

Podkhalyuzin. What you! What you! Wake up!

Tishka. Look at you, where you climb from drunken eyes!

Rispolozhensky. Wait, wait!.. Dear audience! Wife, four children - these are thin boots! ..

Podkhalyuzin. Everything is lying! The most empty person! You are full, full ... You first look at yourself, well, where are you climbing!

Rispolozhensky. Let it go! Father-in-law robbed! And they rob me ... Wife, four children, thin boots!

Tishka. You can throw marks!

Rispolozhensky. What are you? You are such a robber!

Tishka. Nothing, let's go!

Podkhalyuzin. Oh! Well, what kind of morality are you letting go!

Rispolozhensky. No, you wait! I will remember you! I will take you to Siberia!

Podkhalyuzin. Do not believe it, everything is lying! So, sir, the most empty person, sir, not worthy of attention! Oh, brother, how ugly you are! Well, I didn’t know you - I wouldn’t get involved for any well-being.

Rispolozhensky. What, took, ah! What took! Here you go, dog! Well, now choke on my money, to hell with you! (Exits.)

Podkhalyuzin. What a hot one! (To the audience.) You don't believe him, it's him that said, sir, it's all lies. None of this happened. He must have dreamed this. But we are opening a shop, you are welcome! If you send a small child, we won’t cheat in an onion.


A. N. Ostrovsky

"Own people - let's get along"

The work was written in 1849. The time of action in the play is the end of the first half of the 19th century, the place is Moscow.

Main heroes.

Samson Silych Bolshov. Merchant, owns three shops in Moscow.

He has a wife, Agrafena Kondratievna, and a daughter, Olimpiada Samsonovna, whom everyone affectionately calls Lipochka. Their family is rich and prosperous. Samson Silych is a tyrant, he is stubborn and self-centered, but he is a respected man in society. The author endowed him with meanness and cunning, stubbornness.

Lazar Elizarych Podkhalyuzin. In the play - the clerk of the merchant Bolshov. Podkhalyuzin is a man of 30-45 years old. He has been working for his owner for 20 years. He is a crafty, mean, smart and dishonest person. Podkhalyuzin has a difficult fate, he has seen and experienced a lot. At any convenient moment, he will do everything for his own benefit.

Bolshova Olimpiada Samsonovna (Lipochka). One of the main characters in the play, the daughter of Samson Silych and the wife of Podkhalyuzin. She is 18 years old. Lipochka is the only daughter of Bolshov and his wife. She is described as: an empty and poorly educated girl. She has a high self-importance, because Lipochka considers herself educated and wants to marry only a nobleman. She wants to appear as a French noblewoman, but in reality she cannot play the piano, write Russian, and speak French poorly. Lipochka is disrespectful to her parents, who do not spare money for her maintenance.

Bolshova Agrafena Kondratievna. The wife of the merchant Bolshov, the mother of Olympias. An intelligent, meek woman, a peasant woman, like her husband, by birth. She is patient, as she endures her daughter's disrespectful attitude with dignity.

Rispolozhensky Sysy Psoich. An acquaintance of Bolshov, a retired official. In the play, he is a complete drunkard. That is why he was fired from the service. Having lost his job, Rispolozhensky began to engage in private practice, filling out the necessary documents for people. He is dishonest and mean.

Ustinya Naumovna. A familiar matchmaker Bolshova, who helps to find a passion for the Bolshova Olympics. Ustinya is described in the story as a cunning and vile woman who knows how to profitably deceive. She is ready for any bad deed for her own benefit.

The merchant Bolshov wants to pull off a scam: in order to pay off part of the loan to creditors and save money, he needs to declare himself bankrupt. But since the police can take away the property, Bolshov must transfer it to a stranger, to someone who is not his relative. As a result, he registers his property for Podkhalyuzin.

Podkhalyuzin agrees to participate in the scam, but secretly pursues his goals. Soon, Bolshov's daughter Lipochka marries Podkhalyuzin, contrary to her wishes to marry a nobleman.

However, the Bolshoi's scam fails: creditors demand full repayment of the loan. Bolshov finds himself in a debt hole. He asks his daughter and her husband to pay off the debt so as not to serve their sentence in Siberia. The newlyweds refuse to pay the debt because they want to spend the money on other things.

My opinion.

This work causes confusion and pity for Bolshov. His narrow-mindedness, perseverance and desire for money led him into debt. The meanness of Lipochka and Podkhalyuzin is striking: even in relation to their parents, they do not express respect. I advise you to read this play, as it denounces the worst human vices.

Updated: 2018-08-06

Attention!
If you notice an error or typo, highlight the text and press Ctrl+Enter.
Thus, you will provide invaluable benefit to the project and other readers.

Thank you for your attention.

The merchant's daughter of marriageable age, Olimpiada Samsonovna (Lipochka) Bolshova, sits alone at the window with a book and, arguing, "what a pleasant occupation these dances are," she begins to waltz: she has not danced for a year and a half and is afraid, if anything, "to be embarrassed."

Dancing badly. The mother, Agrafena Kondratievna, enters: “Neither light nor dawn, do not eat the bread of God, and for dancing right away! Mother and daughter are arguing, apparently habitually: “All friends have been with their husbands for a long time, but I’m like an orphan! Hear, find me a groom, find me without fail! I'm coughing like a fly! (Crying.)”

Matchmaker Ustinya Naumovna arrives. Lipochka wants a groom "from the nobles", his father - a rich man, his mother - a merchant, "so that he baptizes his forehead in the old way", Sysoy Psoyich Rispolozhensky comes, a lawyer, expelled from the court for drunkenness. They tease him. But the new owner, Bolshov, needs a lawyer seriously: he is thinking about declaring himself an insolvent debtor (the first name of the comedy was “Bankrupt”). The women leave, and the owner and the lawyer delve into this topic. The lawyer advises to transfer all property to the clerk Lazar Elizarych Podkhalyuzin. He also enters, telling how he teaches the salesmen in the shop to cheat the buyers “naturally”.

Bolshov is reading a newspaper. In Moscow - a chain of bankruptcies, mostly, apparently - "malicious", intentional; and each, each refusal to pay debts naturally entails the following. “Yes, they agreed, or something! You can’t count them here ... ”And the merchant decides. The main question: is it possible to trust the one to whom you rewrite your property in order to hide from the inventory for debts?

Podkhalyuzin sends the boy Tishka for a rowanberry for Rispolozhensky, with whom he has business, and indulges in thoughts aloud. “I am a poor man! If I use something superfluous in this matter, then there is no sin, because he himself goes against the law!” Lazar is in love with Lipochka and is already making new plans, including marrying her: “Yes, you can jump off Ivan the Great from such pleasure.”

And, treating the lawyer, he asks how much Bolshov promised him for "all these mechanics", and he himself promises not a thousand, but two.

The matchmaker comes, he promises her the same amount and a sable fur coat in addition - “we will sew from the living” - if she repels the already planned “noble” groom: let him tell him that Bolshov is ruined. Bolshov himself comes home, there is a panic in the house by mistake: it seemed that he was “drunk”. Lazar starts a conversation with him about marriage - he doesn’t start it directly, but when he hears for the third time that Lipochka is “a young lady like no other in the world,” Bolshov takes the bull by the horns. Lazar is modest: “Where am I with a cloth snout, sir? - Nothing fancy. Snout like a snout." Of course, to transfer more good not to the clerk, but to the future son-in-law - in the interests of Bolshov.

The house is preparing for the wedding. Samson Silych is also solemn in his own way, but Ustinya Naumovna appears with bad news: supposedly the groom is being capricious. “Ah, peck his frog, why can’t we find another one? - Well, you don’t look for another, otherwise it will be the same again. I’ll find another one for you myself,” says Bolshov himself and knows what he’s talking about.

The housekeeper Fominishna, Rispolozhensky, Lazar join the company, and Bolshov solemnly announces Lazar as a groom. Trouble. Lipochka just makes a fuss. “I command you to marry the janitor!” Bolshov yells at his daughter. “Mom-s! You have a son-in-law who would respect you and, therefore, put your old age to rest - you won’t find it besides me, sir. You, mother, remember this word that I just said, ”Lazar says after the hostess and, remaining face to face with the enraged Lipochka, tells her that the house and shops are now his, and“ your aunt is yours: bankrupt - with! So what are they doing to me? They brought up, brought up, then went bankrupt!” And Lipochka, after a pause, agrees, on the condition: “We will live on our own, and they on their own. We will start everything according to fashion, and they will do what they want. ” Immediately they call “them” and the family celebration begins. And Bolshov announces: “To you, Lazar, a house and shops will go instead of a dowry, but we will count it from cash. Just feed us and the old woman, and pay ten kopecks to creditors. “Is it worth it, darling, to talk about it?” Our people - let's count!" The celebration is in full swing. The matchmaker pours wine down the collar of the lawyer.

The opening remarks of the last act: “The Podkhalyuzins' house has a richly furnished living room. Olimpiada Samsonovna is sitting at the window in a luxurious position, she is wearing a silk blouse, a cap of the latest style. Podkhalyuzin in a fashionable frock coat stands in front of a mirror. The couple enjoy happiness. Lipa asks to buy the thousandth stroller. Lazar is ready. Lipa says a French compliment. Lazarus is delighted. Ustinya Naumovna comes for the promised. “You never know what I promised!” - Podkhalyuzin says bluntly to the matchmaker, and she leaves with a hundred-dollar note instead of the promised thousands and an unimportant dress from Lipochka instead of a sable coat. “They didn’t let the little darling out of the pit,” Lipochka saw through the window. “Well, no, sir, they won’t let the little one out of the pit soon; and, presumably, he asked for time off to go home,” and Lazar calls his mother-in-law.

Bolshov had complained about his health before; “like a native of the other world,” the wife wails. He wants to pay his creditors twenty-five kopecks per ruble of debt, just as he himself intended at the beginning. They agree (in the debtor's prison, the “pit”, the imprisoned debtors were kept at the expense of creditors). But to sit Bolshov, and to decide Podkhalyuzin: now the money is his. And he refuses with Lipochkin's full support. “-I, darling, I can’t! God knows, I can't! - Help, kids, help! I lived with you, my dear, until I was twenty years old - I never saw the light. Well, will you order me to give you the money and go around again in cotton dresses? - What are you, what are you! Come to your senses! After all, I'm not asking you for alms, but my own good! “We, darling, told you that we can’t give more than ten kopecks - therefore, there’s nothing to talk about it.” Such is Lipochka's last word. “After all, I am malicious - deliberate ... they will send me to Siberia. God! If you don’t give money like that, give it for Christ’s sake!” Bolshov is already crying. Agrafena Kondratievna curses both her son-in-law and her daughter out loud. The whole result: “So be it, I’ll add another five kopecks,” Lazar sighs. The desperate Bolshov gets up and leaves with Agrafena Kondratievna.

“Awkward, sir! Tishka! Give me an old frock coat, which is worse.” Podkhalyuzin decides to go himself to bargain with creditors. Rispolozhensky appears, like the matchmaker, for the promised money, and they treat him the same way as the matchmaker, and even worse: “Must! Also, you should! It's like he has a document! And what a scam! - No, wait! You won't get rid of me! - What are you going to do with me? - My language is not bought. - What are you, lick, or something, you want me? - No, do not lick, but - I ... Here's what I'll do: most respectable audience! - What are you, what are you, wake up! “Look, where are you climbing from drunken eyes!” Rispolozhensky climbs right into the auditorium, shouting: “He robbed my father-in-law! And I am robbed ... Wife, four children, thin boots! But the last word here, too, belongs to Podkhalyuzin: “You don’t believe him, it’s him who spoke, sir, it’s all lies. None of this happened. He must have dreamed this. And here we are opening a shop: you are welcome! If you send a small robe, we won’t cheat in an onion. ”

Option 2

The merchant's daughter Lipochka Bolshova sits dreamily at the window with a book. Passionately desiring to marry, she asks her mother to find her a noble groom. Agrafena Kondratyevna, Lipochka's mother, wants a merchant son-in-law. The matchmaker Ustinya Naumovna and the lawyer come to them, who was expelled from the court for drunkenness, but the owner needs him without debts.

Bolshov reads a newspaper in which it is written about bankruptcy in Moscow, and refuseniks are severely punished for debts. The merchant decides who to entrust to rewrite the goods in order to hide from the inventory for debts. The lawyer advises to write to the clerk Podkhalyuzin, who comes in and tells how he teaches sellers to cleverly deceive buyers. Podkhalyuzin sends Tishka to fetch a rowanberry for the lawyer, while he himself pretends to be a poor relative.

Lazar is in love with Lipochka and makes plans for the future, including marriage. Treating the lawyer, Podkhalyuzin asks him how much Bolshov paid him for this deal. Promises two thousand rubles to him. The matchmaker comes, promises her so much, and in addition a sable fur coat, if he repels the groom, saying that Bolshov is ruined. Lazar starts talking about marriage, insisting and praising Lipochka as the best in the world. The house is preparing for the matchmaking, and Samson Silych prepares in a special way.

Bolshov solemnly announces Lazar's fiancé, although Lipochka angrily refuses. Lazar affectionately persuades his mother to agree, since a better son-in-law cannot be found. Lipochka announces privately that her father is bankrupt, and all the good is transferred to Lazarus. Lipochka, after a pause, agrees, but on the condition that they live on their own. Bolshov at the table says that instead of a dowry for Lazar, he will rewrite the house and shops, only so that he does not forget to feed his parents, and pay his creditors. Lazar reassures with words, that is, his people - let's settle.

In the house of the Podkhalyuzins there is rich furniture. Lipochka herself is sitting on the sofa, in a new bonnet sewn in a fashionable way and in a fashionable blouse, while Podkhalyuzin, in a fashionable frock coat, is fidgeting in front of the mirror. The couple enjoy serene happiness, even talking to each other with compliments. The matchmaker comes to them for a gift that Lazar promised her, but he thrust a hundred rubles into her hand, and Lipochka gives a cheap dress as a gift. Bolshov wants to repay the creditors with money while he is in prison and asks Podkhalyuzin and with the support of Lipochka's daughter for money. But the son-in-law and daughter refuse to give money. In the hearts of Agrafena Kondratievna curses her daughter and son-in-law and leaves.

Little time has passed. Podkhalyuzin decides to bargain with creditors, but in public the lawyer climbs right into the auditorium, shouting that Lazar robbed his father-in-law and wants to rob him. And here Lazar managed to kindly answer people that all this was not true. We are opening a store, come, we won’t even shortchange a child.

Essay on literature on the topic: Summary Our people - let's consider Ostrovsky A. N

Other writings:

  1. The plot of the play is based on a case of fraud, common in the last century among merchants. The wealthy merchant Samson Silych Bolshov borrowed a large sum of money from other merchants and, not wanting to return it, declared bankruptcy. And all his property he Read More ......
  2. Ostrovsky's play "Our People - Let's Settle" is very interesting to the modern reader. In the play, the author, with his characteristic humor, describes the merchant environment with its own habits and aspirations. The main characters of the work are at the same time narrow-minded and arrogant, stubborn and short-sighted. Each of the characters in the play deserves Read More ......
  3. The play “Our people - we will settle down”, on which A. N. Ostrovsky worked from 1846 to 1849, became the debut of the young playwright. The original title of the work - "Bankrut" - gives an idea of ​​the plot of the play. Its main character, the hardened merchant Bolshov, conceives and implements Read More ......
  4. In the person of Bolshov, the playwright created a type very characteristic of the history of the Russian bourgeoisie of the 19th century. “The big one came out of the bottom - in his youth he “traded in Balchug with naked faces; good people gave cuffs to the back of the head.” But he made it to the people - to wealth and honor Read More ......
  5. Lipochka's character also comically combines complacency and spiritual backwardness. She considers herself a young lady who has received an “education”, but she treats servants, clerks, and even her mother with cold, rude disdain. Her petty-bourgeois admiration for the “nobility” of the nobility and the brilliance of the officers is especially funny. To Read More ......
  6. True literary fame for A. N. Ostrovsky was brought by the comedy “Bankrupt”, published in the magazine “Moskvityanin” in 1850 under the title “Own people - let's settle!”. In this comedy, the influence of Gogol is strongly felt. The plot is based on Read More ......
  7. I survived my desires… The work “I survived my desires…” gives an understanding of the inner world of the poet, revealing his state of mind. The reader is imbued with sympathy for the literary character. Literally in every line of this poem we see how lonely he is. The sensuality with which Read More ......
  8. Snow Maiden The action takes place in the country of the Berendeys in mythical times. The end of winter comes - the goblin hides in a hollow. Spring arrives on Krasnaya Gorka near Berendeyev Posad, the capital of Tsar Berendey, and birds return with it: cranes, swans - the retinue of Spring. Cold Read More ......
Summary Our people - let's consider Ostrovsky A. N

Lipochka, Olimpiada Samsonovna Bolshova, a merchant's daughter, has long been a marriageable girl. She sits by the window with a book, but her thoughts revolve around dancing. She remembers with pleasure how she danced at a ball a year and a half ago, then she is upset that she has forgotten everything for a long time and now she is “embarrassed”, so she tries to waltz, but it turns out badly.

Her mother, Agrafena Kondratyevna, enters and reproaches her for the fact that she has already started dancing at dawn. The mother suspects that her daughter has not even eaten anything yet, but Lipochka convinces her that she drank tea and ate the cheesecake. Word for word, and mother and daughter begin to swear. Lipochka reproaches her mother for the fact that she still cannot find a groom.

Say, all the girlfriends are already with their husbands, and she is ashamed to appear in her eyes, like an orphan. The daughter cries bitterly and says that she will not calm down until they bring her a groom. Agrafena Kondratievna says that the matchmaker is coming. Ustinya Naumovna arrives. They drink a glass with their mother and Fominishna, discussing various news. The matchmaker complains that it is impossible to find a groom for Lipochka, because everyone wants different things: the daughter is “from the noble”, “capidon” (Cupid), the father wants a richer groom to improve his affairs, and the mother dreams of the same merchant as her husband , Samson Silych, so that "the forehead was baptized in the old way."

At this time, Rispolozhensky Sysoi Psoich arrives - a lawyer who was expelled from court for drunkenness: once he forgot the case in the cellar, but they missed it in court - there was no case. They wanted to bring Sysoi Psovich to court, but he “thumped at the feet” of the general, and he dismissed him. The matchmaker makes fun of his unusual middle name, but he is not offended, but asks the hostess for a glass.

Bolshov appears, and he and the lawyer begin to discuss how he can improve his financial affairs. Alternatively, Samson Silych is going to declare himself an insolvent debtor, bankrupt, then all his property will be described and taken away for debts, and it needs to be registered with someone. As such a person, he sees his clerk Lazar Podkhalyuzin.

Act II

And Podkhalyuzin, meanwhile, is thinking about how he could marry Lipochka, with whom he has long been in love. He understands that she is an educated young lady and dreams of a groom from the “noble”, but he has a small capital. Therefore, the young man wants to directly turn to Bolshov for help in order to ask him for the hand of his daughter.

Podkhalyuzin sends his servant Tishka for rowan tincture, and when the lawyer Rispolozhensky comes to him, he asks him how much Bolshov paid him for his services. The lawyer admits that a thousand rubles and a raccoon coat. The clerk is willing to pay twice as much.

The housekeeper Fominishna and the matchmaker Ustinya Naumovna appear. They talk about how difficult it is to marry Lipochka, who dreams of marrying only a noble groom. The matchmaker sits down to rest, and the clerk begins to pester her with questions why she comes to the Bolshovs' house so often. She confesses that she has found a groom for the merchant's daughter. Podkhalyuzin promises her two thousand and a sable fur coat if she repels the groom, spreading the rumor that the merchant is ruined.

In the merchant's office, the clerk starts a conversation about marriage, but from afar, not directly. He says that "Alimpiyada Samsonovna is a young lady, which does not exist in the world." Bolshov hints at marriage, but Podkhalyuzin declares that he “with a cloth snout” has nothing to think about such a bride. But Bolshov solemnly declares that for whom he orders, for that she will go. They agree on an engagement and swear eternal love to each other.

Act III

A dressed up Lipochka appears, waiting for the groom. The mother is touched and once again emphasizes that such a beauty is worthy only to drive around in carriages. But Bolshov does not show much joy, which causes Agrafena Kondratyevna sincere bewilderment: soon to part with her daughter, and her father does not seem to be upset.

The matchmaker arrives with disappointing news that the groom is rumpled - he does not dare to marry. Women gasp and groan, and Bolshov declares that he himself will find a better groom. Lipochka is about to change clothes, but her father insists that her real fiancé will arrive right now.

At this time, Podkhalyuzin, Rispolozhensky and Fominishna appear in the house. First, everyone discusses the latest news about the chain of bankruptcies that have occurred recently, about Bonaparte who appeared out of nowhere. But Samson Silych again starts talking about the marriage of his only daughter and announces Lazar Podkhalyuzin as the groom.

Everyone is dumbfounded. Lipochka does not even want to approach such an "ignoramus": she declares to her father, where it has been seen, that the owners give their daughters, "educated young ladies", for their own workers. Podkhalyuzin bitterly says that he will not see happiness. But Bolshov forcibly joins the hands of Lipa and Lazar and orders them to sit next to each other to talk, and calls the others to the table to celebrate the engagement.

To Zhenya and Fominishna, who reproach him for dishonoring his daughter by passing her off as a clerk, Bolshov declares that he is the father and knows better what will be good for his daughter. Lipochka weepingly turns to her mother for help, but Podkhalyuzin tells her future mother-in-law that she, besides him, cannot find a better son-in-law, because she will become dearer to him than her mother.

Left alone with the owner's daughter, Lazar asks "Alimpiyada Samsonovna" why he is so disliked by her that she does not want to marry him. She calls him "an uneducated fool" and again declares that she will go only for a noble. Lazar humbly agrees that “you won’t be forced to be nice,” but at the same time he explains that give a dowry to a noble, and her aunt is a bankrupt.

Lipochka does not believe, but the cunning clerk shows her the documents, which clearly show that the house, the shops, and all the other property of the Bolshovs were bought by him. He states that he has more money than any noble. Lipochka is thoughtful, but the clerk continues to sing Lazarus. He says that he will provide her with the best: silk and velvet dresses, Oryol trotters, a house in Karetny Ryad, painted with "kapidons" and birds of paradise.

Olimpiada Samsonovna notes with regret that he does not speak French. Then Lazarus kneels down and swears that only she can make him happy. Lipochka asks to be taken away immediately, because she is tired of being at her parents' house: her mother has seven Fridays a week, and her aunt, when she is not drunk, is silent, and when she is drunk, she will kill someone.

The young people decide to urgently get married, and then move to their own house and arrange everything there in their own way. They call their parents and guests, and Lazar says that Olimpiada Samsonovna agrees to marry him. Bolshov promises to give Podkhalyuzin almost all his wealth as a dowry, only that he and his wife feed him and pay ten kopecks to his creditors. The clerk reassures: "We will settle our people." Everyone is going to wet their throats in joy, but Rispolozhensky refuses, then Bolshov pours wine for him by the scruff of the neck, and everyone around them laughs.

Action IV

Everything in the Podkhalyuzins' new house is arranged in a fashionable way: a richly furnished living room, the hostess in a silk blouse and a bonnet of the latest style, and the owner in a fashionable frock coat. Lazar Elizarych listens with delight to how his wife speaks bad French, and admires this. He promises to buy a new carriage for a thousand rubles and horses for the same amount in order to go to Sokolniki for fun.

Ustinya Naumovna comes for the promised reward, but instead of fifteen hundred she gets a hundred, and instead of a sable coat, Lipochka's old dress. The matchmaker is offended so much that he promises to go around their house for thirty miles and “bring fame” to them all over Moscow.

Lipochka sees her father through the window, and a minute later she and her mother enter the house to her son-in-law. It turns out that the father is sitting in a debt hole, promising to pay 25 kopecks to creditors, but his own daughter does not want to give so much money for debts, because she supposedly will have to walk in cotton dresses again. And neither she nor her son-in-law is absolutely embarrassed by the fact that the father is being led along the street with a soldier, the boys are pointing their finger at him, and everyone who has known him for 40 years as an honest merchant has now turned away.

Bolshov is indignant: he does not ask for alms, but for his own acquired property. He reproaches Lazar that he did not expel him, even noticing that he was not clean-handed, but, on the contrary, made him the chief clerk, brought him out to the people, even gave him his only daughter.

Samson Silych says bitterly to his daughter: “To his prison, the old fool!” He understands that it was impossible to chase after more - now all that remains is to rush into the Moscow River, but even from there they will be pulled out and put in jail.

He reminds Lazarus that Judas also sold Christ for money, just as he now sold his conscience. For Christ's sake, he asks his son-in-law for money, explaining that he will be sent to Siberia if he does not pay. But the former clerk promises to add only five kopecks. The father bitterly calls them “podkolodnye snakes”, and Agrafena Kondratyevna calls her son-in-law “barbarian” and “robber”, promising that someday he will dry up with his money, “before he lives”. She and her daughter are going to curse “at all cathedrals”, but Bolshov takes her away with him, wishing the young people to continue to have fun and amuse the Devil, but sometimes remember the prisoners who are sitting behind iron bars.