THE ACTOR. If you wish, I'll take you into the hallway. Get up, then,
come! [_He helps her to rise, wraps some sort of a rag about her
shoulders, and supports her toward the hall_] It isn't easy. I'm sick
myself--poisoned with alcohol . . .
[_Kostilyoff appears in the doorway._]
KOSTILYOFF. Going for a stroll? What a nice couple--the gallant
cavalier and the lady fair!
THE ACTOR. Step aside, you--don't you see that we're invalids?
KOSTILYOFF. Pass on, please! [_Hums a religious tune, glances about
him suspiciously, and bends his head to the left as if listening to
what is happening in Pepel's room. Kleshtch is jangling his keys and
scraping away with his file, and looks askance at the other_] Filing?
KLESHTCH. What?
KOSTILYOFF. I say, are you filing? [_Pause_] What did I want to ask?
[_Quick and low_] Hasn't my wife been here?
KLESHTCH. I didn't see her.
KOSTILYOFF [_carefully moving toward Pepel's room_] You take up a
whole lot of room for your two rubles a month. The bed--and your
bench--yes--you take up five rubles' worth of space, so help me God!
I'll have to put another half ruble to your rent--
KLESHTCH. You'll put a noose around my neck and choke me . . . you'll
croak soon enough, and still all you think of is half rubles--
KOSTILYOFF. Why should I choke you? What would be the use? God be with
you--live and prosper! But I'll have to raise you half a ruble--I'll
buy oil for the ikon lamp, and my offering will atone for my sins, and
for yours as well. You don't think much of your sins--not much! Oh,
Andrushka, you're a wicked man! Your wife is dying because of your
wickedness--no one loves you, no one respects you--your work is
squeaky, jarring on every one.
KLESHTCH [_shouts_] What do you come here for--just to annoy me?
[_Satine grunts loudly._]
KOSTILYOFF [_with a start_] God, what a noise!
[_The Actor enters._]
THE ACTOR. I've put her down in the hall and wrapped her up.
KOSTILYOFF. You're a kindly fellow. That's good. Some day you'll be
rewarded for it.
THE ACTOR. When?
KOSTILYOFF. In the Beyond, little brother--there all our deeds will be
reckoned up.
THE ACTOR. Suppose you reward me right now?
KOSTILYOFF. How can I do that?
THE ACTOR. Wipe out half my debt.
KOSTILYOFF. He-ho! You're always jesting, darling--always poking fun
. . . can kindliness of heart be repaid with gold? Kindliness--it's
above all other qualities. But your debt to me--remains a debt. And so
you'll have to pay me back. You ought to be kind to me, an old man,
without seeking for reward!