Page:Five Russian plays and one Ukrainian.pdf/48

 don’t know how to look at Harlequin! I’d willingly confess my wicked crime to him now! But alas! I can’t do it, because what would my revenge come to then? And I can’t go without revenging myself. I’m a deceived husband, and ought to revenge myself, because all nice people do. Oh, how unhappy I am, and how I want to cry! (Threatens the audience with his fist.) Bad, wicked people, it’s you thought out such silly rules! It’s because of you I’ve got to take the life of my best friend! (Turns his back on the public.)

(to Columbine): Why were you late to-day?


 * I was detained by the Doctor—I met him quite near here. He was dancing and limping and drunk and accosting all the girls.


 * Well?


 * He prayed me to make him happy. He assured me that he was very strong and had been very handsome thirty years ago. While I was showing him that I wasn’t a historian to be captivated by antiquity, time passed and I was late.

(to Audience): Poor Doctor! Why didn’t he come to me earlier for advice?