Fifty-Two Stories

A minute passed in silence. The unknown woman wiped her pale lips several times with a handkerchief, holding her breath to overcome her inner trembling, while Pasha stood motionless before her as if rooted to the spot and looked at her with perplexity and fear.

“So you say he’s not here?” the lady asked in a firm voice now and smiling somehow strangely.

“I…I don’t know who you’re asking about.”

“You’re vile, mean, repulsive…,” the stranger muttered, looking at Pasha with hatred and loathing. “Yes, yes…you’re vile. I’m very, very glad that I can finally tell you so!”

Pasha felt that she made on this lady in black, with angry eyes and slender white fingers, the impression of something vile and ugly, and she became ashamed of her plump red cheeks, the pockmarks on her nose, and the fringe on her forehead that refused to stay combed back. And it seemed to her that if she were thin, unpowdered, and without the fringe, it would be possible to conceal that she was not a respectable girl, and it would not be so frightening and shameful to stand before this unknown, mysterious lady.

“Where is my husband?” the lady went on. “However, whether he’s here or not makes no difference to me, but I must tell you that the embezzlement has been discovered and they’re looking for Nikolai Petrovich…They’re going to arrest him. That’s what you have done!”

The lady got up and paced the room in strong agitation. Pasha looked at her and was too frightened to understand.

“They’ll find him today and arrest him,” the lady said and sobbed, and in that sound could be heard both offense and vexation. “I know who drove him to such horror! Vile, repulsive! Loathsome, bought woman!” (The lady’s lips twisted and her nose wrinkled with loathing.) “I’m powerless…listen, you mean woman!…I’m powerless, you’re stronger than I am, but there’s someone who will intercede for me and my children! God sees everything! He is just! He will punish you for each of my tears, for all my sleepless nights! The time will come, and you will remember me!”

Again there was silence. The lady paced the room wringing her hands, and Pasha went on looking at her dully, with perplexity, not understanding and expecting something dreadful from her.

“I don’t know anything, madam!” she said and suddenly began to cry.

“You’re lying!” the lady shouted and flashed her eyes spitefully. “I know everything! I’ve known about you for a long time now! I know over this past month he spent every day with you!”

“Yes. So what? What of it? I have many guests, but I don’t force anybody. Free is as free does.”

“I tell you: there’s been an embezzlement! He embezzled other people’s money at the office! For the sake of a person…like you, for your sake he committed a crime. Listen,” the lady said in a resolute tone, stopping in front of Pasha. “You cannot have any principles, you live only to do evil, that is your goal, but it’s unthinkable that you have fallen so low as to have no trace of human feeling left! He has a wife, children…If he is condemned and exiled, I and the children will die of hunger…Understand that! But there is a way to save him and us from poverty and disgrace. If I deposit nine hundred roubles today, he will be left in peace. Just nine hundred roubles!”

“What nine hundred roubles?” Pasha asked softly. “I…I don’t know…I didn’t take…”

“I’m not asking you for nine hundred roubles…you have no money, and I have no need of what is yours. I am asking for something else…Men usually give expensive things to the likes of you. Just give me back the things my husband has given you!”

“Madam, he never gave me anything!” Pasha shrieked, beginning to understand.

“Then where is the money? He squandered his, mine, and other people’s…Where did it all go? Listen, I beg you! I was indignant and said all kinds of unpleasant things to you, but I apologize. You must hate me, I know, but if you’re capable of compassion, put yourself in my place! I implore you, give me back those things!”

“Hm…,” said Pasha, and she shrugged her shoulders. “I’d be glad to, but, God strike me dead, he never gave me anything. In all conscience. Though, to tell the truth,” the singer became embarrassed, “he once brought me two little things. Here, I’ll give them to you, if you like…”

Pasha pulled open one of the little drawers in her dressing table and took out a hollow gold bracelet and a cheap little ring with a ruby.

“Here!” she said, giving these things to the visitor.

The lady flushed deeply, and her face quivered. She was insulted.

“What’s this you’re giving me?” she said. “I’m not asking for alms, but for what does not belong to you…what you, profiting from your situation, extracted from my husband…that weak, unfortunate man…On Thursday, when I saw you and my husband at the pier, you were wearing expensive brooches and bracelets. So there’s no point in playing the innocent lamb. I ask you for the last time, will you give me those things or not?”