Classic Audiobook Collection - Fathers and Sons by Ivan Turgenev ~ Full Audiobook [drama]

Starting point is 00:00:00 fathers and sons by ivan tyrganev chapter i well pietra still not in sight was the question asked on twentieth of may eighteen fifty nine by a gentleman of about forty wearing a dusty overcoat and checked trousers who came out hatless into the low porch of the posting station at x he was speaking to his servant a chubby young fellow with whitish down growing on his chin and with dim little eyes. The servant, in whom everything, the turquoise ring in his ear, the hair plastered down with grease, and the polite flexibility of his movements, indicated a man of the new improved generation, glanced condescendingly along the road, and answered, No, sir, definitely not in sight. Not in sight, repeated his master. No, sir, replied the servant again.

Starting point is 00:01:01 his master sighed and sat down on a little bench we will introduce him to the reader while he sits with his feet tucked in looking thoughtfully around his name was nikolai petrovitch kirsanov he owned about twelve miles from the posting station a fine property of two hundred serfs or as he called it since he had arranged the division of his land with the peasants a farm of nearly five thousand acres. His father, a general in the army, who had served in 1812, a crude, almost illiterate, but good-natured type of Russian, had stuck to a routine job all his life, first commanding a brigade and later a division, and lived permanently in the provinces, where by virtue of his rank he was able to play a certain part. Nikolai Petrovich was born in South Russia, as was he was he. his elder brother, Pavel, of whom we shall hear more.

Starting point is 00:02:06 Till the age of fourteen he was educated at home, surrounded by cheap tutors, free and easy, but fawning adjutants, and all the usual regimental and staff people. His mother, a member of the Collyasson family, was called Agatha as a girl, but as a general's wife, her name was Agafukli Kuzminishna Kyrsinov. She was a domineering military lady, wore gorgeous caps and rustling silk dresses. In church, she was the first to go up to the cross. She talked a lot in a loud voice. Let her children kiss her hand every morning and gave them her blessing at night.

Starting point is 00:02:49 In fact, she enjoyed her life and got as much out of it as she could. As a general's son, Nikolai Petrovich, though so far from brave that he had even been called, a funk, was intended, like his brother Pavel, to enter the army, but he broke his leg on the very day he obtained a commission, and after spending two months in bed, he never got rid of a slight limp for the rest of his life. His father gave him up as a bad job and let him go in for the civil service. He took him to Petersburg as soon as he was 18 and placed him in the university there. His brother happened at the same time to become an officer in a guards regiment. The young men started to share a flat together

Starting point is 00:03:39 and were kept under the remote supervision of a cousin on their mother's side. Ilya Kalyasin, an important official. Their father returned to his division and to his wife and only occasionally wrote to his sons on large sheets of gray paper scrawled over in an ornate clerkly handwriting. The bottom of these sheets was adorned with a scroll and closing the words, Piotr Kyrzanov, Major General.

Starting point is 00:04:10 In 1835, Nikolai Petrovich graduated from the university, and in the same year, General Kyrzinov was put on the retired list after an unsuccessful review, and came with his wife to live in Petersburg. He was about to take a house in the Tavrachesky Gardens and had joined the English club when he suddenly died of an apoplectic fit. Agavocle-Cousinna soon followed him to the grave. She could not adapt herself to a dull life in the capital, and was consumed by the boredom of retirement from regimental existence.

Starting point is 00:04:47 Meanwhile, Nikolai Petrovich, during his parents' lifetime and much to their distress, had managed to fall in love with the daughter of his landlord, a petty official called Propolovansky. She was an attractive and, as they call it, well-educated girl. She used to read the serious articles in the science column of the newspapers. He married her as soon as the period of mourning for his pretext. parents was over, and leaving the civil service, where his father had secured him a post through patronage, he started to live very happily with his mascha, first in a country villa near the Forestry Institute,

Starting point is 00:05:31 afterwards in Petersburg, in a pretty little flat with a clean staircase and a drafty drawing-room, and finally in the country where he settled down and where in due course his son Arkady was born. and wife lived well and peacefully. They were hardly ever separated. They read together. They sang and played duets together on the piano. She grew flowers and looked after the poultry yard. He busied himself with the estate and sometimes hunted, while Arkady went on growing in the same happy and peaceful way. Ten years passed like a dream. Then, in 1847, Kirsanov's wife, died he hardly survived this blow and his hair turned gray in a few weeks he was preparing to travel abroad if possible to distract his thoughts but then came the year eighteen forty eight he returned unwillingly to the country and after a rather long period of inactivity he began to take an interest in improving his estate in eighteen fifty five he brought

Starting point is 00:06:49 his son to the university and spent three winters in petersburg with him hardly going out anywhere and trying to make acquaintance with arkady's young comrades the last winter he was unable to go and here we see him in may eighteen fifty nine already entirely gray-haired plump and rather bent waiting for his son who had just taken his university degree as once he had taken it himself The servant, from a feeling of propriety, and perhaps also because he was anxious to escape from his master's eye, had gone over to the gate and was smoking a pipe. Nikolai Petrovich bowed his head and began to stare at the crumbling steps. A big, mottled hen walked sedately towards him, treading firmly with its thick yellow legs. A dirty cat cast a disapproving look at him as she twisted herself coyly around the railing. The sun was scorching. A smell of hot rye bread was wafted from the dim entrance of the posting station. Nikolai Petrovich started musing.

Starting point is 00:08:05 My son, a graduate. Arkasha, kept on turning round in his mind. He tried to think of something else, but the same thought, returned. He remembered his dead wife. She did not live to see it, he murmured sadly. A plump blue pigeon flew on the road and hurriedly started to drink water from a puddle near the well. Nikolai Petrovich began to watch it, but his ear had already caught the sound of approaching wheels. It sounds as if they're coming, sir, announced the servant, emerging from the gateway. nikolai petrovitch jumped up and fixed his eyes on the road a carriage appeared with three posting horses abreast inside it he caught a glimpse of the band of a student's cap and the familiar outline of a dear face

Starting point is 00:09:02 arkasha arkasha cried kirsanov and he ran out into the road waving his arms a few moments later his lips were pressed to the beardless dusty sunburnt cheek of the young graduate end of chapter one recording by roger maline chapter two of fathers and sons this librivox recording is in the public domain recording by roger maline Fathers and Sons by Ivan Tirganev Translated by Richard Hare. Chapter 2 Let me shake myself first, Daddy, said Arkadi, in a voice rather tired from traveling, but boyish and resonant, as he responded gaily to his father's greetings. I'm covering you with dust. Never mind, never mind, repeated Nikolai Petrovich, smiling tenderly,

Starting point is 00:10:08 and struck the collar of his son's cloak and his own greatcoat with his hand. Let me have a look at you. Just show yourself, he added, moving back from him, and then hurried away towards the station yard, calling out, This way, this way, bring the horses along at once. Nikolay Petrovich seemed much more excited than his son. He was really rather confused and shy. Arcadi stopped him. Daddy, he said, let me introduce you to my great friend, Bazarov,

Starting point is 00:10:44 about whom I wrote to you so often. He has kindly agreed to come to stay with us. Nikolay Petrovich turned round quickly, and going up to a tall man in a long, loose, rough coat with tassels, who had just climbed out of the carriage, he warmly pressed the ungloved red hand which the latter did not at one. hold out to him.

Starting point is 00:11:06 I am delighted, he began, and grateful for your kind intention to visit us. I hope, please tell me your name and patronymic. Evgeny Vasilyev, answered Basayrov, in a lazy but manly voice, and turning back the collar of his rough overcoat he showed his whole face. It was long and thin, with a broad forehead, a nose flat at the the base and sharper at the end large greenish eyes and sand-colored drooping side-whiskers it was enlivened by a calm smile and looked self-confident and intelligent i hope my dear avgeny vasilich that you won't be bored staying with us continued nikolai petrovitch bezaro's thin lips moved slightly but he made no answer and merely took off his cap his fair hair long and thick did not hide the prominent bumps on his broad skull

Starting point is 00:12:13 well arkady nikolai petrovitch began again turning to his son would you rather have the horses brought round at once or would you like to rest we'll rest at home daddy tell them to harness the horses at once at once his father exclaimed hey pietra do you hear get a move on my boy pietra who as a perfectly modern servant had not kissed his master's hand but only bowed to him from a distance vanished again through the gates i came here with the carriage but there are three horses for your tarentas also said nikolai petrovitch fussily while arkady drank some water from an iron bucket brought to him by the woman in charge of the station, and Bezadov began smoking a pipe and went up to the driver, who was unharnessing the horses. There are only two seats in the carriage, and I don't know how your friend— He will go on the Tarantas, interrupted Arkady in an undertone. Don't stand on ceremony with him, please.

Starting point is 00:13:24 He's a splendid fellow, so simple, you will see. Nikolai Petrovich's coachman brought the horses round. Well, make haste, bushy beard, said Bezad, addressing the driver. Do you hear, Mitya, chipped in, another driver, standing with his hands behind him thrust into the slits of his sheepskin coat. What the gentleman just called you? That's just what you are, a bushy beard.

Starting point is 00:13:55 Mitya only jerked his hat and pulled the reins off the steaming horses. "'Hurry up, lads, lend a hand,' cried Nikolai Petrovich. "'There'll be something to drink our health with.' In a few minutes the horses were harnessed. Father and son took their places in the carriage. Piotr climbed on to the box. Bazarov jumped into the Tarantas, leaned his head back against the leather cushion,

Starting point is 00:14:22 and both vehicles rolled away. End of Chapter 2. Recording by Roger Malene. Chapter 3 of Fathers and Sons This Libra Box recording is in the public domain. Recording by Roger Maline. Fathers and Sons by Yvonne Tjrganev Translated by Richard Hare.

Starting point is 00:14:52 Chapter 3 So here you are! A graduate at last! And home again, said Nikolai Petrovich, touching Arkady now on the shoulder, now on the knee. At last! and how his uncle is he well asked arcady who in spite of the genuine almost childless joy which filled him wanted as soon as possible to turn the conversation from an emotional to a more commonplace level quite well he wanted to come with me to meet you but for some reason he changed his mind and did you have a long wait for me asked arcady oh about five hours you dear old daddy arkady turned round briskly to his father and gave him a resounding kiss on the cheek nikolai petrovitch laughed quietly

Starting point is 00:15:51 i've got a splendid horse for you he began you will see for yourself and your room has been freshly papered and is there a room ready for bazadov we will find one all right please daddy be kind to him i can't tell you how much i value his friendship you met him only recently quite recently that's how i didn't see him last winter what is he studying his chief subject is natural science but he knows everything next year he wants to take his doctor's degree ah he's in the medical faculty remarked nikolai petrovitch and fell silent pietra he went on stretching out his hand aren't those our peasants driving along pietro looked aside to where his master was pointing a few carts drawn by unbridled horses were rolling rapidly along a narrow side track in each cart were seated one or two peasants in unbuttoned sheepskin coats. Just so, sir, replied Piotr. Where are they going? To the town?

Starting point is 00:17:13 To the town, I suppose, to the pub, Piotr added contemptuously, and half turned towards the coachman, as if including him in the reproach. But the latter did not turn a hair. He was a man of the old type, and did not share the latest views of the younger generation. The peasants have given me a lot of trouble this year, went on Nikolai Petrovich, turning to his son.

Starting point is 00:17:40 They won't pay their rent. What is one to do? And are you satisfied with your hired laborers? Yes, said Nikolai Petrovich between his teeth. But they're being set against me, that's the worst of it. And they don't really work properly. They spoil the tools. however they've managed to plow the land we shall manage somehow there will be enough flour to go round are you starting to be interested in agriculture what a pity you have no shade remarked autokadie without answering the last question i have had a big awning put up on the north side over the veranda said nikolai petrovitch now we can even have dinner in the open air

Starting point is 00:18:30 won't it be rather too like a summer villa but that's a minor matter what air there is here how wonderful it smells really it seems to me no air in the world is so sweetly scented as here and the sky too arkady suddenly stopped cast a quick look behind him and did not finish his sentence naturally observed nikolai petrovitch you were born here so everything is bound to strike you with a special really daddy it makes absolutely no difference where a person is born still no it makes no difference at all nikolai petrovitch glanced sideways at his son and the carriage went on half a mile farther before the conversation was renewed i forgot if i wrote to you began nikolai petrovitch that your old nurse yegorovna has died really poor old woman and is prokofitch still alive yes and not changed a bit he grumbles as much as ever indeed you won't find many changes at marino have you still the same bailiff well i have made a change there i decided it was better not to keep around me any freed serfs who had been house servants at least not to entrust them with any responsible jobs arkady glanced towards i le lilybri en afe said nikolai petrovitch in an undertone but as you see he's only a valet my new bailiff is a townsman he seems fairly efficient i pay him two hundred and fifty roubles a year but added nikolai petrovitch rubbing his forehead and eyebrows with his hand which was always with him a sign of embarrassment

Starting point is 00:20:33 i told you just now you would find no changes at marino that's not quite true i think it my duty to tell you in advance though he hesitated for a moment and then went on in french a severe moralist would consider my frankness improper but in the first place i can't conceal it and then as you know i have always had my own particular principles about relations between father and son of course you have a right to blame me at my age to cut a long story short that-that girl about whom you have probably heard fenichka inquired arkady casually nikolai petrovitch blushed don't mention her name so loudly please well yes she lives with me now i have installed her in the house there were two small rooms available Of course, all that can be altered. But why, Daddy? What for? Your friend will be staying with us. It'll be awkward. Please don't worry about Bazarov. He's above all that.

Starting point is 00:21:48 Well, but you too, added Nikolai Petrovich. Unfortunately, the little side wing is in such a bad state. For goodness sake, Daddy, interposed Arkady. You needn't apologize. Are you ashamed? Of course, I ought to be ashamed, answered Nikolai Petrovich, turning redder and redder. Enough of that, Daddy, please don't, Arkadis smiled affectionately. What a thing to apologize for, he thought to himself, and his heart was filled with a feeling of indulgent tenderness for his kind,

Starting point is 00:22:28 soft-hearted father, mixed with a sense of secret superiority. Please stop that, he repeated once more, instinctively enjoying the awareness of his own more emancipated outlook. Nikolay Petitovich looked at his son through the fingers of the hand with which he was again rubbing his forehead, and a pang seized his heart, but he immediately reproached himself for it. here are our own meadows at last he remarked after a long silence and that is our forest over there isn't it asked arkady yes but i have sold it this year they will cut it down for timber why did you sell it we need the money besides that land will be taken over by the peasants who don't pay their rent that's

Starting point is 00:23:25 their affair anyhow they will pay it some day it's a pity about the forest said arkady and began to look around him the country through which they were driving could not possibly be called picturesque field after fields stretched right up to the horizon now gently sloping upwards then slanting down again in some places woods were visible and winding ravines planted with low scrubby bushes, vividly reminiscent of the way in which they were represented in the old maps of Catherine's times. They passed by little streams with hollow banks and ponds with narrow dams, small villages with low huts under dark and often crumbling roofs, and crooked barns with walls woven out of dry twigs and with gaping doorways opening on to neglected threshing floors, and churches, some brick-built with the stucco-covering peeling off in patches, others built of wood, near crosses fallen crooked in the overgrown graveyards.

Starting point is 00:24:37 Gradually, Arkadhi's heart began to sink. As if to contemplate the picture, the peasants whom they met were all in rags and mounted on the most wretched-looking little horses. The willows, with their broken branches and trunks stripped of bark, stood like tattered beggars along the roadside. Lean and shaggy cows, pinched with hunger, were greedily tearing up grass along the ditches. They looked as if they had just been snatched out of the clutches

Starting point is 00:25:09 of some terrifying, murderous monster. And the pitiful sight of these emaciated animals in the setting of that gulfs, gorgeous spring day, conjured up, like a white ghost, the vision of interminable joyless winter with its storms, frosts, and snows. No, thought Arcadi, this country is far from rich, and the people seem neither contented nor industrious. We just can't let things go on like this. Reforms are indispensable. But how are we to execute them? How should we begin?

Starting point is 00:25:46 Such were Arkadi's thoughts, but even while he was thinking the spring regained its sway. All around lay a sea of golden green, everything, trees, bushes and grass, vibrated and stirred in gentle waves under the breath of the warm breeze. From every side the larks were pouring out their loud, continuous trills. The plovers were calling as they glide a while. over the low-lying meadows, or noiselessly ran over the tufts of grass. The crows strutted about in the low spring corn, looking picturesquely black against its tender green. They disappeared in the already whitening rye, only from time to time their

Starting point is 00:26:36 heads peeped out from among its misty waves. Arcari gazed and gazed, and his thoughts grew slowly fainter and died away. he flung off his overcoat and turned round with such a bright boyish look that his father hugged him once again we're not far away now remarked nikolai petrovitch as soon as we get to the top of this hill the house will be in sight we shall have a fine life together arkasha you will help me to farm the land if only it doesn't bore you we must draw close to each other now and get to know each other better, mustn't we? Of course, murmured Arcadi. But what a wonderful day it is. To welcome you home, my dear one.

Starting point is 00:27:28 Yes, this is spring in all its glory. Though I agree with Pushkin. Do you remember in Evgeny Onegan? To me, how sad your coming is. Spring, spring, spring, sweet time of love. What? "'Arcari!' shouted Bazarov's voice from the Tarantas. "'Give me a match! I've got nothing to light my pipe with!'

Starting point is 00:27:55 Nikolai Petrovich fell silent, while Arkady, who had been listening to him with some surprise, but not without sympathy, hurriedly pulled a silver matchbox out of his pocket and told Piotr to take it over to Bizarrov. "'Do you want a cigar?' shouted Bizarro. again. Thanks, answered Arcadi. Piotr came back to the carriage and handed him, together with the matchbox, a thick black cigar, which Arcadi started to smoke at once, spreading around him such a strong and acrid smell of cheap tobacco that Nikolai Petrovich, who had never been a smoker, was forced to turn away his head, which he did unobtrusively

Starting point is 00:28:43 to avoid hurting his son's feelings. A quarter of an hour later, both carriages drew up in front of the porch of a new wooden house, painted gray, with a red iron roof. This was Marino, also known as New Hamlet, or, as the peasants had nicknamed it,

Starting point is 00:29:04 landless farm. End of Chapter 3, recording by Roger Maline. Chapter 4 of Fathers and Sons. this librivox recording is in the public domain recording by roger maline fathers and sons by ivan tirgenev translated by richard hare chapter four no crowd of house servants ran out to meet their master there appeared only a little twelve-year-old girl and behind her a young lad very like pietra came out of the house he was dressed in a gray livery with white armorial buttons and was the servant of pavl petrovitch kirsanov he silently opened the carriage door and unbuttoned the apron of the tarantas nikolai petrovitch with his son and bazarov walked through a dark and almost empty hall through the door of which they caught a glimpse of a young woman's face and into a drawing-room furnished in the most modern style

Starting point is 00:30:18 well here we are at home said nikolai petrovitch removing his cap and shaking back his hair now the main thing is to have supper and then to rest it wouldn't be a bad thing to have a meal certainly said bazardov stretching himself and he sank on to a sofa yes yes let us have supper at once exclaimed nikolai petrovitch and for no apparent reason stamped his foot ah here comes prokhovitch just at the right moment a man of sixty entered white-haired thin and swarthy dressed in a brown coat with brass buttons and a pink neckerchief he grinned went up to kiss arkady's hand and after bowing to the guest retreated to the door and put his hands behind his back here he is prokovitch began nikolai petrovitch at last he has come back to us. Well, how do you find him? As well as could be, said the old man, and grinned again. Then he quickly knitted his bushy eyebrows.

Starting point is 00:31:32 Do you want supper served? he asked solemnly. Yes, yes, please. But don't you want to go to your room first, Evgeny Vasilich? No, thanks. There's no need. Only tell them to carry my little trunk in there, and this garment, too, he added, taking off his loose overcoat. Certainly.

Starting point is 00:31:55 Prokovitch, take the gentleman's coat. Prokovitch, with a puzzled look, picked up Bazzadov's garment with both hands, and holding it high above his head, went out on tiptoe. And you, Arkady, are you going to your room for a moment? Yes, I must wash, answered Arkady, and was just moving towards the door, when at that moment there entered the drawing-room, a man of medium height, dressed in a dark English suit, a fashionable low cravat, and patent-leather shoes, Pavel Petrovich Kierzenov. He looked about forty-five, his closely cropped gray hair shown with a dark luster like

Starting point is 00:32:39 unpolished silver. His ivory-colored face, without wrinkles, had exceptionally regular and clear features, as though carved by a sharp and delicate chisel, and showed traces of outstanding beauty. Particularly fine were his shining, dark, almond-shaped eyes. The whole figure of Arcadi's uncle, graceful and aristocratic, had preserved the flexibility of youth and that air of striving upwards, away from the earth, which usually disappears when people are over thirty. Vl Petrovich drew from his trouser pocket his beautiful hand with its long pink nails, a hand which looked even more beautiful against the snowy white cuff,

Starting point is 00:33:27 buttoned with a single large opal, and stretched it out to his nephew. After a preliminary European handshake, he kissed him three times in the Russian style. In fact, he touched his cheek three times with his perfumed mustache and said, Welcome! nikolai petrovitch introduced him to bizarov pavl petrovitch responded with a slight inclination of his supple body and a slight smile but he did not give him his hand and even put it back in his pocket i began to think that you weren't coming to-day he began in a pleasant voice with an amiable swing and shrug of the shoulders his smile showed his splendid white teeth did anything go wrong on the road nothing went wrong answered arcady only we dawdled a bit so now we're as hungry as wolves make prokofitch hurry up daddy i'll be back in a moment wait i'm coming with you exclaimed bazarov suddenly pulling himself off the sofa both the young men went out who is he asked pavil petrovitch

Starting point is 00:34:45 a friend of varkashe's according to him a very clever young man is he going to stay with us yes that unkempt creature well yes pevil petrovitch drummed on the table with his finger-tips i fancy arcadi se de jory he observed i'm glad he has come back at supper there was little conversation bezarov uttered hardly a word but ate a lot nikolai petrov told various anecdotes about what he called his farming career talked about the forthcoming government measures about committees deputations the need to introduce new machinery etc pavl petrovitch paced slowly up and down the dining-room he never ate supper occasionally sipping from a glass of red wine and less often uttering some remark or rather exclamation such as ah ah ha ha mhm arkady spoke about the latest news from petersburg but he was conscious of being a bit awkward with that awkwardness which usually overcomes a youth when he has just stopped being a child and has come back to a place where they are accustomed to regard and treat him as a child he made his sentences quite unnecessarily long avoided the word daddy and even sometimes replaced it by the word father mumbled between his teeth with exaggerated carelessness he poured into his glass far more wine than he really wanted and drank it all prokovitch did not take his eyes off him and kept on chewing his lips

Starting point is 00:36:39 after supper they all separated at once your uncle's a queer fellow bazarov said to arkady as he sat in his dressing-gown by the bed smoking a short pipe all that smart dandyism in the country just think of it and his nails his nails they ought to be sent to an exhibition why of course you don't know replied arkady he was a great figure in his dead I'll tell you his story sometime. He was extremely handsome and used to turn all the women's heads. Oh, that's it. So he keeps it up for the sake of old times. What a pity there's no one for him to fascinate here. I kept on looking at his astonishing collar, just like marble, and his chin so meticulously shaved. Come, come, Marcadi, isn't it ridiculous? perhaps it is but he's a good man really an archaic survival but your father is a splendid fellow he wastes his time reading poetry and knows precious little about farming but he's kind-hearted my father has a heart of gold did you notice how shy he was arcadi shook his head as if he were not shy himself

Starting point is 00:38:08 it's something astonishing went on bezotov these old romantic idealists they go on developing their nervous systems till they get highly strung and irritable then they lose their balance completely well good night in my room there's an english washstand but the door won't fasten anyhow that ought to be encouraged english washstands they stand for progress but zaroff went out and a sense of peaceful happiness stole over arkady it was sweet to fall asleep in one's own home in the familiar bed under the quilt which had been worked by loving hands perhaps the hands of his old nurse those gentle good and tireless hands arkady remembered yagorovna and sighed and wished god rest her soul for himself he said no one prayer. Both he and Bazarov soon fell asleep, but others in the house remained awake much longer. Nikolai Petrovich was agitated by his son's return. He lay in bed, but did not put out the candles, and propping his head in his hands, he went on thinking. His brother was sitting till long after midnight in his study, in a wide armchair in front of the fireplace, in which some embers

Starting point is 00:39:36 glowed faintly. Pevel Petrovich had not undressed, but some red Chinese slippers had replaced his patent-leather shoes. He held in his hand the last number of Galignani, but he was not reading it. He gazed fixedly into the fireplace, where a bluish flame flickered, dying down and flaring up again at intervals. God knows where his thoughts were wandering, but they were not wandering only in the past. his face had a stern and concentrated expression unlike that of a man who was solely absorbed in his memories and in a little back room on a large chest sat a young woman in a blue jacket with a white kerchief thrown over her dark hair

Starting point is 00:40:26 this was finitschka she was now listening now dozing now looking across towards the open door through which a child's bed was visible and the regular breathing of a sleeping infant could be heard end of chapter four recording by roger maline chapter five of fathers and sons this librivox recording is in the public domain recording by roger maline fathers and sons by ivan tirgene translated by richard hare chapter five the next morning bezharov woke up earlier than any one else and went out of the house ugh he thought this isn't much of a place when nikolai petrovitch had divided his estate with his peasants he had to set aside for his new manor house four acres of entirely flat and barren land he had built a house offices and farm buildings laid out a garden dug a pond and sunk two wells. But the young trees had not flourished. Very little water had collected in the pond, and the well water had a brackish taste. Only one arbor of lilac and acacia had grown up properly. The family sometimes drank tea or dined there. In a few minutes, Bazadov had explored all the

Starting point is 00:42:05 little paths in the garden. He went into the cattle yard and the stables, discovered two fire, boys with whom he made friends at once and went off with them to a small swamp about a mile from the house in order to search for frogs what do you want frogs for sir asked one of the boys i'll tell you what for answered bazardov who had a special capacity for winning the confidence of lower-class people though he never cringed to them and indeed treated them casually i shall cut the frog open to see what goes on inside him and then as you and i are much the same as frogs except that we walk on legs i shall learn what is going on inside us as well and why do you want to know that in order not to make a mistake if you're taken ill and i have to cure you are you a doctor then yes vaska did you hear that the gentleman says that you and i are just like frogs that's queer i am frightened of frogs remarked vaska a boy of seven with flaxen hair and bare feet dressed in a gray smock with a high collar what are you frightened of do they bite there paddle along into the water you philosophers said bazardov meanwhile nikolai petrovitch had also awakened and had gone to see arcadi whom he found dressed father and son went out on to the terrace under the shelter of the awning the samovar was already boiling on the table near the balustrade among great bunches of lilac

Starting point is 00:43:55 a little girl appeared the same one who had first met them on their arrival the evening before in a shrill voice she said fidosia nikolaevna is not very well and she can't come. She told me to ask you, will you pour out tea yourself, or should she send Donyasha? I'll pour myself, of course, interposed Nikolai Petrovich hurriedly. Arkady, how do you like your tea, with cream or with lemon? With cream, answered Arkady. Then, after a brief pause, he muttered questioningly. Daddy! Nikolai Petrovich looked at his son. with embarrassment.

Starting point is 00:44:40 Well, he said. Arcadi lowered his eyes. Excuse me, Daddy, if my question seems to you indiscreet, he began. But you yourself, by your frank talk yesterday, encouraged me to be frank. You won't be angry? Go on. You make me bold enough to ask you.

Starting point is 00:45:04 Isn't the reason why Fent— Isn't it only because I'm here that she's— won't come to pour out tea?" Nikolai Petrovich turned slightly aside. "'Perhaps,' he at length answered, "'she supposes she feels ashamed.' Arcadi glanced quickly at his father. "'She has no reason to feel ashamed. In the first place, you know my point of view.'

Starting point is 00:45:32 Arcari much enjoyed pronouncing these words. And secondly, how could I want to interfere in the smallest way with your life and habits. Besides, I'm sure you couldn't make a bad choice. If you allow her to live under the same roof with you, she must be worthy of it. In any case, it's not for a son to judge his father, particularly for me, and with such a father who has always let me do everything I wanted. Articati's voice trembled to start with. He felt he was being magnanimous, and realized at the same time that he was delivering something like a lecture to his father. But the sound of his own voice has a powerful effect on any man,

Starting point is 00:46:18 and Arkari pronounced the last words firmly and even emphatically. Thank you, Arkasha, said Nikolai Petrovich thickly, and his fingers again passed over his eyebrows. What you suppose is, in fact, quite true. Of course, if this guy... girl hasn't deserved. It's not just a frivolous fancy. It's awkward for me to talk to you about this, but you understand that it's difficult for her to come here in your presence, especially on the first day of your arrival. In that case, I'll go to her myself, exclaimed Arcadi,

Starting point is 00:46:58 with a fresh onrush of generous excitement, and he jumped up from his seat. I will explain to her that she has no need to feel ashamed in front of me. Nikolai Petrovich got up also. "'Arcadi,' he began, "'please, how is it possible? There—I haven't told you yet—' But Arcadi was no longer listening to him. He had run off the terrace.

Starting point is 00:47:27 Nikolai Petrovich gazed after him and sank into a chair overwhelmed with confusion. His heart began to throb. did he realize at that moment the inevitable strangeness of his future relations with his son was he aware that arkady might have shown him more respect if he had never mentioned that subject at all did he reproach himself for weakness it is hard to say all these feelings moved within him though in the state of vague sensations only but the flush remained on his face and his heart beat rapidly then came the sound of hurrying footsteps and arcady appeared on the terrace we have introduced ourselves daddy he cried with an expression of affectionate and good-natured triumph on his face fidosia nikolaevna is really not very well to-day and she will come out a little later but why didn't you tell me i have a brother i should have kissed him last night as i kissed him just now niglai petrovitch tried to say something tried to rise and opened wide his arms arkady flung himself on his neck what's this embracing again sounded the voice of pavl petrovitch behind them

Starting point is 00:48:52 father and son were both equally glad to see him at that moment there are situations however touching from which one nevertheless wants to escape as quickly as possible why are you surprised at that said nikolai petrovitch gaily what ages i've been waiting for arkasha i haven't had time to look at him properly since yesterday arkady went up to his uncle and again felt on his cheeks the touch of that perfumed mustache pevil petrovitch sat down at the table he was wearing another elegant english suit with a bright little fez on his head that fez and the carelessly tied little cravat suggested the freedom of country life but the stiff collar of his shirt not white it is true but striped as is correct with morning dress stood up as inexorably as ever against his well-shaved chin where is your new friend he asked arcady he's not in the house he usually gets up early and goes off somewhere the main thing is your new friend he asked arcady he's not in the house he usually gets up early and goes off somewhere the main thing is not to pay any attention to him he dislikes ceremony yes that's obvious pavlpetrovitch began slowly spreading butter on his bread is he going to stay long with us possibly he came here on his way to his father's and where does his father live in our province about sixty-five miles from here he has a small property there he used to be an army doctor tut tut tut of course i kept on asking myself where have i heard that name before bazarov nikolai don't you remember there was a surgeon called bazarov in our father's division

Starting point is 00:50:52 i believe there was exactly so that surgeon is his father hmm pevil petrovitch pulled his moustache well and monsieur bazarov what is he he asked in a leisurely tone what is bazaarov arkady smiled would you like me to tell you uncle what he really is please do nephew he is a nihilist what asked nikolai petrovitch while pevil petrovitch lifted his knife in the air with a small piece of butter on the tip and remained motionless he is a nihilist repeated arkady a nihilist said nikolai petrovitch that comes from the latin nihil nohil nothing as far as i can judge judge. The word must mean a man who—who recognizes nothing? Say, who respects nothing, interposed Pavl Petrovich, and lowered his knife with the butter on it. Who regards everything from the critical point of view, said Arkady. Isn't that exactly the same thing? asked Pavel Petrovich.

Starting point is 00:52:15 No, it's not the same thing. a nihilist is a person who does not bow down to any authority who does not accept any principle on faith however much that principle may be revered well and is that good asked pavl petrovitch that depends uncle dear for some it is good for others very bad indeed well i see that's not in our line we old fashioned people think that without principles, taken as you say on faith, one can't take a step or even breathe. "'Vos have changed to ce la. May God grant you health and a general's rank, and we shall be content to look on and admire your—what was the name?' "'Niolists,' said Arcadi, pronouncing very distinctly.

Starting point is 00:53:14 "'Yes. There used to be Hegelists, and, and—' and now there are nihilists. We shall see how you will manage to exist in the empty, airless void. And now, ring, please, brother Nikolai. It's time for me to drink my cocoa. Nikolai Petrovich rang the bell and called Donyasha! But instead of Donyasha, Finichka herself appeared on the terrace. She was a young woman of about 23, with a soft white skin.

Starting point is 00:53:47 skin, dark hair and eyes, childishly pouting lips, and plump little hands. She wore a neat cotton dress, a new blue kerchief lay lightly over her soft shoulders. She carried a large cup of cocoa, and, setting it down in front of Pavil Petrovich, she was overcome with confusion. The hot blood rushed in a wave of crimson under the delicate skin of her charming face. she lowered her eyes and stood by the table slightly pressing it with her finger-tips she looked as if she were ashamed of having come in and somehow felt at the same time that she had a right to come pavl petrovitch frowned and nikolai petrovitch looked embarrassed good morning fenichka he muttered through his teeth good morning she replied in a voice not loud but resonant and casting a quick glance at arkady who gave her a friendly smile she went quietly away she had a slightly swaying walk but that also suited her

Starting point is 00:54:59 for some minutes silence reigned on the terrace pevil petrovitch was sipping his cocoa suddenly he raised his head here is mr nihilist coming over to visit us he murmured bazarraf was in fact approaching through the garden striding over the flower beds his linen coat and trousers were bespattered with mud a clinging marsh plant was twined round the crown of his old round hat in his right hand he held a small bag in which something alive was wriggling he walked quickly up to the terrace and said with a nod good morning gentlemen sorry i was late for tea i'll join you in a moment i just have to put these prisoners away what have you there leeches asked pavl petrovitch no frogs do you eat them or keep them for breeding for experiments answered bazadov indifferently and went into the house so he's going to cut them up observed pavl petrovitch he has no faith in principles but he has faith in frogs arkady looked sadly at his uncle nikolai petrovitch almost imperceptibly shrugged his shoulders pavil petrovitch himself felt that his epigram had misfired and he began to talk about farming and the new bailiff who had come to him the evening before to complain that a laborer, Foma, was debauched, and had become unmanageable.

Starting point is 00:56:45 He's such an Aesop, he remarked. He announces to everyone that he's a worthless fellow. He wants to have a good time, and then he'll suddenly leave his job on account of some stupidity. End of Chapter 5, recording by Roger Maline. Chapter 6 of Fathers and Sons. This Liber Vox recording is in the... the public domain. Recording by Roger Maline. Fathers and Sons by Ivan Tergenyev, translated by Richard Hare.

Starting point is 00:57:25 Chapter 6 Bizarov came back, sat down at the table, and began to drink tea hurriedly. Both brothers watched him in silence, and Arkady glanced furtively from one to the other. Did you walk far this morning? asked Nikolai Petrovich. at last. To where you've got a little marsh near an Aspenwood. I scared away five snipe. You might shoot them, Arkady. So you're not a sportsman yourself? No. Isn't physics your special subject? asked Pavil Petrovich in his turn. Yes, physics and natural science in general. They say the Teutons have lately had great success in

Starting point is 00:58:15 that line. Yes, the Germans are our teachers in it, Bezadov answered carelessly. Pavl Petrovich had used the word Teutans instead of Germans, with an ironical intention, which, however, no one noticed. Have you such a high opinion of Germans? asked Pavl Petrovich, with exaggerated politeness. He was beginning to feel a concealed irritation. Bazzadov's complete nonchalance disgusted his aristocratic nature. This surgeon's son was not only self-assured, he even answered abruptly and unwillingly,

Starting point is 00:58:55 and there was something coarse and almost insolent in the tone of his voice. Their scientists are a clever lot. Ah, yes, I expect you hold a less flattering opinion about Russian scientists. Very likely. That is very praiseworthy self-denial, said Pavl Petrovich, drawing himself up and throwing back his head. But how is it that Arkady Nikolaitch was telling us just now that you acknowledge no authorities?

Starting point is 00:59:30 Don't you even believe in them? Why should I acknowledge them or believe in them? If they tell me the truth, I agree. That's all. And do all you all? All Germans tell the truth, murmured Pavl Petrovich, and his face took on a distant, detached expression, as if he had withdrawn to some misty height. Not all, answered Bazarov with a short yawn, obviously not wanting to prolong the discussion. Pavl Petrovich looked at Arkady as if he wanted to say, how polite your friend is. As far as I'm concerned, he began again with...

Starting point is 01:00:12 some effort. I plead guilty of not liking Germans. There's no need to mention Russian Germans. We all know what sort of creatures they are. But even German Germans don't appeal to me. Formally, there were a few Germans here and there. Well, Schiller, for instance, or Goethe. My brother is particularly fond of them. But nowadays they all seem to have turned into chemists and materialists. A decent chemist is twenty times more useful than any poet, interrupted Bazado. Oh, indeed, remarked Pavl Petrovich, and as if he were falling asleep, he slightly raised his eyebrows.

Starting point is 01:00:57 So you don't acknowledge art? The art of making money or of advertising pills, cried Bazadov, with a contemptuous laugh. Ah, just so. You like joking, I see. So you reject all that very well. So you believe in science only? I have already explained to you that I don't believe in anything. And what is science? Science in the abstract? There are sciences, as there are trades and professions. But abstract science just doesn't exist. Well, and do you maintain the same negative attitude towards other traditions which have become generally accepted for human conduct? What is this? A cross-examination? asked Bizarro. Pavel Petrovich turned a little pale.

Starting point is 01:01:56 Nikolai Petrovich felt that the moment had come for him to intervene in the conversation. Sometime we should discuss this subject with you in greater detail, my dear Evgeny Vesilich. We will hear your views and express our own. I must say I'm personally very glad you are studying natural science. I heard that Liebig made some wonderful discoveries about improving the soil. You can help me in my agricultural work and give me some useful advice. I'm at your service, Nikolai Petrovich, but Liebig is quite above our heads. We must first learn the alphabet and only then begin to read.

Starting point is 01:02:37 and we haven't even yet grasped the ABC. You are a nihilist all right, thought Nikolai Petrovich, and added aloud, All the same, I hope you will let me apply to you occasionally. And now, brother, I think it's time for us to go and have our talk with the bailiff. Pavel Petrovich rose from his seat. Yes, he said, without looking at anyone. It's sad to have lived like this for five years in. in the country, far from mighty intellects.

Starting point is 01:03:10 You turn into a fool straight away. You try not to forget what you have learned, and then, one fine day, it turns out to be all rubbish, and they tell you that experienced people have nothing to do with such nonsense, and that you, if you please, are an antiquated old simpleton. What's to be done? Obviously, young people are cleverer than we. Pavel Petrovich turned slowly on his heels and went out. Nikolai Petrovich followed him.

Starting point is 01:03:43 Is he always like that? Bazarov Kuli asked Arkady, directly the door had closed behind the two brothers. I must say, Evgeny, you were unnecessarily rude to him, remarked Arkady. You heard his feelings. Well, am I to humor them, these provincial aristocrats? why it's all personal vanity smart habits and foppery he should have continued his career in petersburg if that's his turn of mind but enough of him i've found a rather rare specimen of water beetle dytis marganatus do you know it i'll show you i promise to tell you his story began arkady the story of the beetle come come avgeny the story of my uncle you'll see he's not the kind of man you take him for he deserves pity rather than ridicule i don't dispute but why do you worry about him

Starting point is 01:04:50 one should be just avgeny how does that follow no listen and arkady told him his uncle's story the reader will find it in the following chapter Chapter. End of Chapter 6. Recording by Roger Maline. Chapter 7 of Fathers and Sons. This Libervox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Roger Maline. Fathers and Sons by Ivan Turingev.

Starting point is 01:05:28 Translated by Richard Hare. Chapter 7. Pervil Petrovich Kiersanov was educated first at home, like his younger brother. and afterwards in the core of pages. From childhood he was distinguished by his remarkable beauty. He was self-confident, rather ironical, and had a biting sense of humor. He could not fail to please people.

Starting point is 01:05:56 He began to be received everywhere, directly he had obtained his commission as an officer. He was pampered by society, and indulged in every kind of whim and folly, but that did not make him any less at, attractive. Women went crazy about him. Men called him a fop and secretly envied him. He shared a flat with his brother, whom he loved sincerely, although he was most unlike him. Nikolai Petrovich was rather lame, had small, agreeable but somewhat melancholy features,

Starting point is 01:06:32 little black eyes and soft, thin hair. He enjoyed being lazy, but he also loved, liked reading and was shy in society pavlpetrovitch did not spend a single evening at home prided himself on his boldness and agility he was just bringing gymnastics into fashion among the young men of his set and had read in all five or six french books at twenty-eight he was already a captain a brilliant career lay before him suddenly all that was changed in those days there used to appear occasionally in petersburg society a woman who has even now not been forgotten princess r she had a well-educated and respectable but rather stupid husband and no children she used suddenly to travel abroad and equally suddenly returned to russia and in general she led an eccentric life she was reputed to be a frivolous coquette abandoned herself keenly to every kind of pleasure danced to exhaustion laughed and joked with young men whom she used to receive before dinner in a dimly lit drawing-room but at night she wept and said prayers finding no peace anywhere and often paced her room till morning wringing her hands in anguish or sat pale and cold reading a salter day came and she turned again into a lady of fashion she went about again laughed chatted and literally flung herself into any activity which could afford her the slightest distraction

Starting point is 01:08:23 she had a wonderful figure her hair golden in color and heavy like gold fell below her knees yet no one would have called her a beauty the only striking feature in her whole face was her eyes and even her eyes were gray and not large but their glance was swift and deeply penetrating carefree to the point of audacity and thoughtful to the verge of melancholy an an enigmatic glance something extraordinary shone in those eyes even when her tongue was chattering the emptiest gossip she dressed exquisitely pavl petrovitch met her at a ball danced a mazurka with her in the course of which she did not utter a single sensible word and fell passionately in love with her accustomed to making conquests he succeeded with her also but his easy triumph did not damp his enthusiasm on the contrary he found himself in a still closer and more tormenting bondage to this woman in whom even when she surrendered herself without reserve there seemed always to remain something mysterious and unattainable to which no one could penetrate what was hidden in that soul god alone knows it seemed as if she were in the grip of some strange powers unknown even to herself they seemed to play with her at will and her limited mind was not strong enough to master their caprices her whole behavior was a maze of inconsistencies the only letters which could have aroused her husband's just suspicions she wrote to a man who was almost a stranger to her and her love had always an element of sadness

Starting point is 01:10:20 She no longer laughed and joked with the man whom she had chosen, but listened to him and looked at him in bewilderment. Sometimes this bewilderment would change suddenly into a cold horror. Her face would take on a wild, death-like expression, and she would lock herself up in her bedroom. Her maid, putting her ear to the keyhole, could hear her smothered sobs. More than once, as he was,

Starting point is 01:10:50 returned home after a tender meeting, Kiercenov felt within him that heart-rending, bitter gloom which follows the consciousness of total failure. "'What more do I want?' he asked himself, but his heart was heavy. He once gave her a ring which had a sphinx engraved in the stone. "'What is this?' she asked. "'A sphinx?' "'Yes,' he answered. and that sphinx is you.

Starting point is 01:11:23 Me, she asked, and slowly looked at him with her enigmatic eyes. Do you know, that is very flattering, she added with a meaningless smile, while her eyes still looked as strangely as before. Pavel Petrovich suffered even while Princess R. loved him, but when she became cold to him, and that happened quite soon,

Starting point is 01:11:48 he almost went out of his mind. He tortured himself. He was jealous. He gave her no rest, but followed her everywhere. She grew sick of his persistent pursuit of her and went abroad. He resigned from his regiment, in spite of the entreaties of his friends and the advice of his superior officers, and he followed the princess abroad. Four years he spent in foreign countries, at one time pursuing her.

Starting point is 01:12:18 at other times trying to lose sight of her he was ashamed of himself he was indignant at his own lack of resolution but nothing helped her image that incomprehensible almost meaningless but fascinating image was too deeply rooted in his heart in baden he once more revived his former relationship with her it seemed as though she had never before loved him so passionately but in a month it was all over the flame flared up for the last time and then died out forever foreseeing the inevitable separation he wanted at least to remain her friend as if lasting friendship with such a woman were possible she left baden secretly and from that time permanently avoided meeting kirsanov he returned to russia and tried to live as before but he could not adapt himself to his old routine he wandered from place to place like one possessed he still went out to parties and retained the habits of a man of the world he could boast of two or three more conquests but he no longer expected anything from himself or from others and he undertook nothing new he grew old and gray spending all his evenings at the club embittered and bored arguing indifferently in bachelor society became a necessity for him and that was a bad sign of course the thought of marriage never even occurred to him ten years passed in this way gray and fruitless years but they sped by terribly quickly

Starting point is 01:14:10 nowhere does time fly as it does in russia in prison they say it flies even faster one day when he was dining at his club pavl petrovitch heard that princess r was dead she had died in paris in a state bordering on insanity he rose from the table and paced about the rooms for a long time occasionally standing motionless behind the card players but he returned home no earlier than usual a few weeks later he received a packet on which his name had been written it contained the ring which he had given to the princess she had drawn lines in the shape of a cross over the sphinx and sent him a message to say that the solution of the enigma was the cross this happened at the beginning of the year eighteen forty eight at the same time a time a as Nikolai Petrovich came to Petersburg after the death of his wife. Pavel Petrovich had hardly seen his brother since the latter had settled in the country. Nikolai Petrovich's marriage had coincided with the very first days of Pavl Petrovich's acquaintance with the princess. When he returned from abroad, he went to the country,

Starting point is 01:15:34 intending to stay two months with his brother and to take pleasure in his happiness. but he could stand it for only a week. The difference between them was too great. In 1848, this difference had diminished. Nikolai Petrovich had lost his wife. Pavelle Petrovich had abandoned his memories. After the death of the princess, he tried not to think about her. But for Nikolai there remained the feeling of a well-spent life, and his son was growing up under his eyes. pevil on the contrary a lonely bachelor was entering into that indefinite twilight period of regrets which resemble hopes and of hopes which are akin to regrets when youth is over and old age has not yet started this time was harder for pavl petrovitch than for other people for in losing his past he lost everything he had i won't ask you to come to marino now nikolai petrovitch said to him one day he had called his property by that name in honor of his wife

Starting point is 01:16:48 you found it dull there even when my dear wife was alive and now i fear you would be bored to death i was stupid and fidgety then answered pevel petrovitch since then i have calmed down if not grown wiser now on the contrary if you will let me i am ready to settle down with you for good instead of answering nikolai petrovitch embraced him but a year and a half elapsed after this conversation before pevil petrovitch finally decided to carry out his intention once he was settled in the country however he would not leave it even during those three winters which nikolai spent in petersburg with his son He began to read, chiefly in English. Indeed, he organized his whole life in an English manner, rarely met his neighbors, and went only out to the local elections, and then he was usually silent, though he occasionally teased and alarmed landowners of the old school by his liberal sallies,

Starting point is 01:18:00 and he held himself aloof from members of the younger generation. Both generations regarded him as stuck up, and both respected him for his excellent aristocratic manners, for his reputation as a lady-killer, for the fact that he was always perfectly dressed and always stayed in the best room in the best hotel, for the fact that he knew about good food and had once even dined with the Duke of Wellington at Louis-Philippe's table,

Starting point is 01:18:32 for the fact that he took with him, him everywhere a real silver dressing-case and a portable bath for the fact that he smelt of some unusual and strikingly distinguished perfume for the fact that he played wist superbly and always lost lastly they respected him for his incorruptible honesty ladies found him enchantingly romantic, but he did not cultivate the society of ladies. "'So you see, Evgeny,' remarked Arkady as he finished his story, "'how unjustly you judge my uncle! Not to mention that he has more than once helped my father out of financial troubles, given him all his money. Perhaps you don't know, the property was

Starting point is 01:19:22 never divided up. He's happy to help anyone. Incidentally, he is a little. He is a always doing something for the peasants it is true when he talks to them he screws up his face and sniffs odicologne nerves obviously interrupted perhaps but his heart is in the right place and he's far from stupid what a lot of useful advice he has given me especially especially about relations with women aha if you burn your mouth with hot milk you'll even blow on water we know that well continued arkady in a word he's profoundly unhappy it's a crime to despise him and who is despising him retorted bazadov still i must say that a man who has staked his whole life on the one card of a woman's love and when that card for a man has staked his whole life on the one card of a woman's love and when that card fails, turns sour, and lets himself drift till he's fit for nothing, is not really a man. You say he's unhappy. You know better than I do. But he certainly hasn't got rid of all his foibles. I'm sure that he imagines he is busy and useful, because he reads Galignani, and once a month saves a

Starting point is 01:20:50 peasant from being flogged. But remember his education, the age in which he grew up, said Arkady. Education, ejaculated Basaro. Everyone should educate himself, as I've done, for instance. And as for the age, why should I depend upon it? Let it rather depend on me. No, my dear fellow, that's all emptiness and loose living. and what are these mysterious relations between a man and a woman we physiologists know what they are you study the anatomy of the eye and where does it come in that enigmatic look you talk about

Starting point is 01:21:36 that's all romanticism rubbish and mouldy aesthetics we had much better go and examine the beetle and the two friends went off to bezaros room which was already pervaded by a kind of medical surgical smell mixed with the reek of cheap tobacco. End of Chapter 7. Recording by Roger Maline. Chapter 8 of Fathers and Sons This Libervox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Roger Maline. Fathers and Sons by Yvon Tittigenev Translated by Richard Hare.

Starting point is 01:22:26 Chapter 8 petrovitch did not stay long at his brother's interview with the bailiff a tall thin man with the soft voice of a consumptive and cunning eyes who to all nikolai petrovitch's remarks answered indeed certainly sir and tried to show up the peasants as thieves and drunkards the estate had only just started to be run on the new system whose mechanism still creaked like an ungreased wheel and cracked and cracked in places like homemade furniture of raw, unseasoned wood. Nikolai Petrovich did not lose heart, but he often sighed and felt discouraged. He realized that things could not be improved without more money, and his money was almost all spent. Arkady had spoken the truth. Pavel Petrovich had helped his brother more than once, several times, seeing him perplexed,

Starting point is 01:23:29 racking his brains not knowing which way to turn pavl petrovitch had moved towards the window and with his hands thrust into his pockets had muttered between his teeth but jean you donnae de l'geng and gave him money but to-day he had none left himself and he preferred to go away the petty disputes of agricultural management wearied him besides he could not help feeling that nikolai petrovitch with all his zeal and hard work did not set about things in the right way although he could not point out exactly what were his brother's mistakes my brother is not practical enough he would say to himself they cheat him on the other hand nikolai petrovitch had the highest opinion of pavlpetrovitch's practical capacity and was always asking for his advice i'm a mild weak person i've spent my life in the depths of the country he used to say while you haven't seen so much of the world for nothing you understand people you see through them with an eagle's eye in answer to such words pavl petrovitch only turned aside but did not contradict his brother leaving nikolai petrovitch in the study he walked along the corridor which separated the front portion of the house from the back on reaching a low door he stopped and hesitated for a moment then pulling at his mustache he knocked on it who is there come in called him out Finichka's voice.

Starting point is 01:25:19 "'It is me,' said Pavel Petrovich, and opened the door. Finichka jumped up from the chair on which she was sitting with her baby, and putting him into the arms of a girl who at once carried him out of the room, she hastily straightened her kerchief. "'Excuse me for disturbing you,' began Pavel Petrovich without looking at her. "'I only wanted to ask you, as they are still, sending into the town today to see that they buy some green tea for me. Certainly, answered Finichka, how much tea do you want?

Starting point is 01:25:59 Oh, half a pound will be enough, I should think. I see you have made some changes here, he added, casting a rapid look around and at Finichka's face. Those curtains, he went on, seeing that she did not understand him. oh yes the curtains nikolai petrovitch kindly gave them to me but they've been hung up for quite a long time yes and i haven't been to see you for a long time now it is all very nice here thanks to nikolai petrovitch's kindness murmured finnitchka you are more comfortable here than in the little side wing where you used to be inquired pavl petrovitch's kindness murmured fennichka you are more comfortable here than in the little side wing where you used to be inquired pevil petrovitch poland lightly, but without any trace of a smile. Certainly, it is better here.

Starting point is 01:26:54 Who has been put in your place now? The laundry maids are there now. Ah! Pavel Petrovich was silent. Now he will go, thought Finichka, but he did not go, and she stood in front of him, rooted to the spot, moving her fingers nervously.

Starting point is 01:27:17 why did you send your little one away said pavlpetrovitch at last i love children do let me see him fenichka blushed all over with confusion and joy she was frightened of pavlpetrovitch he hardly ever spoke to her dunyasha she called will you bring mitya please fenichka was polite to every member of the household but wait a moment he must have a frock on finichka was going towards the door that doesn't matter remarked pavlpetrovitch i shall be back in a moment answered finichka and she went out quickly pavl petrovitch was left alone and this time he looked round with special attention the small low room in which he found himself was very clean and cosy it smelt of the freshly painted floor and of camomile flowers along the walls stood chairs with lyre-shaped backs bought by the late general kirsanov in poland during a campaign in one corner was a little bedstead under a muslin canopy alongside a chest with iron clamps and a curved lid in the opposite corner a little lamp was burning in front of a big dark picture of st nicholas the miracle worker a tiny porcelain egg hung over the saint's breast suspended by a red ribbon from his halo on the window-sills stood carefully tied greenish glass jars filled with last year's jam.

Starting point is 01:29:04 Fennichka had herself written in big letters on their paper covers the word gooseberry. It was the favorite jam of Nikolai Petrovich. A cage containing a short-tailed canary hung on a long cord from the ceiling. He constantly chirped and hopped about, and the cage kept on swinging and shaking, while hemp seeds fell with a light tap onto the floor. lore. On the wall, just above a small chest of drawers, hung some rather bad photographs of Nikolai Petrovich, taken in various positions. There, too, was a most unsuccessful photograph of Finitschka. It showed an eyeless face smiling with effort in a dingy frame. Nothing more definite could be

Starting point is 01:29:55 distinguished, and, above Finitschka, General Yormolov, in a Caucasian cloak, scowled menacingly at distant mountains from under a little silk shoe for pins which fell right over his forehead. Five minutes passed. A sound of rustling and whispering could be heard in the next room. Pavl Petrovich took from the chest of drawers a greasy book, an odd volume of Masalsky's musketeer and turned over a few pages. The door opened and Finichka came in with Mitya in her arms. She had dressed him in a little red shirt with an embroidered collar, had combed his hair and washed his face. He was breathing heavily, his whole body moved up and down, and he waved his little hands in the air as all healthy babies do. But his smart shirt obviously

Starting point is 01:30:53 impressed him, and his plump little person radiated delight. Finichka had also put her own hair in order, and rearranged her kerchief. But she might well have remained as she was. Indeed, is there anything more charming in the world than a beautiful young mother with a healthy child in her arms? What a chubby little fellow, said Pavl Petrovich, graciously tickling Mitya's double chin with the tapered nail of his forefinger. The baby stared at the canary and laughed.

Starting point is 01:31:28 That's uncle, said Finichka, bending her face over him and slightly rocking him, while Donyasha quietly sat on the windowsill a smoldering candle, putting a coin under it. How many months old is he? asked Pavl Petrovich. Six months. It'll be seven on the eleventh of this month. isn't it eight fedosia nikolyevna dunyasha interrupted timidly no seven what an idea the baby laughed again stared at the chest and suddenly seized his mother's nose and mouth with all his five little fingers naughty little one said finnitchka without drawing her face away he's like my brother said pavl petrovitch he's like my brother said pavl petrovitch who else should he be like thought fenichka yes continued pevil petrovitch as those speaking to himself an unmistakable likeness he looked attentively almost sadly at fenichka that's uncle she repeated this time in a whisper ah pavl there you are suddenly resounded the voice of nikolai petrovitch

Starting point is 01:32:50 pavl petrovitch turned hurriedly round with a frown on his face but his brother looked at him with such delight and gratitude that he could not help responding to his smile you've got a splendid little boy he said and looked at his watch i came in here to ask about some tea then assuming an expression of indifference pavl petrovitch at once left the room did he come here of his own accord nikolai petrovitch asked fenichka yes he just knocked and walked in well and has arkasha come to see you again no hadn't i better move into the side wing again nikolai petrovitch why should you i wonder whether it wouldn't be better just at first no no said Nikolai Petrovitch slowly and rubbed his forehead. We should have done it sooner. How are you, little balloon? He said, suddenly brightening,

Starting point is 01:34:00 and went up to the child and kissed him on the cheek. Then he bent lower and pressed his lips to Finchka's hand, which lay white as milk on Mitya's little red shirt. Nikolai Petrovich, what are you doing? She murmured, lowering her eyes. then quietly looked up again. Her expression was charming as she peeped from under the eyelid and smiled tenderly and rather stupidly.

Starting point is 01:34:29 Nikolai Petrovich had made Finchka's acquaintance in the following way. Three years ago he had once stayed the night at an inn in a remote provincial town. He was pleasantly surprised by the cleanliness of the Rome assigned to him and the freshness of the bed linen surely there must be a german woman in charge he thought at first but the housekeeper turned out to be a russian a woman of about fifty neatly dressed with a good-looking sensible face and a measured way of talking he got into conversation with her at tea and liked her very much nikolai petrovitch at that time had only just moved into his new home and not wishing to keep serfs in the house he was looking for wage servants the housekeeper at the inn complained about the hard times and the small number of visitors to that town he offered her the post of housekeeper in his home and she accepted it her husband had long been dead he had left her with an only daughter finichka within a fortnight arina savishna that was the new housekeeper's name arrived with her daughter at marino and was installed in the side wing

Starting point is 01:35:54 nikolai petrovitch had made a good choice arina brought order into the household no one talked about fenichka who was then seventeen and hardly any one saw her she lived in quiet seclusion and only on sundays nikolai petrovitch used to notice the delicate profile of her pale face somewhere in a corner of the church thus another year passed one morning arina came into his study and after bowing low as usual asked him if he could help her daughter as a spark from the stove had flown into her eye nikolai petrovitch like many home-loving country people had studied simple remedies and had even procured a homeopathic medicine chest he at once told arina to bring the injured girl to him finichka was much alarmed when she heard that the master had sent for her but she followed her mother nikolai petrovitch led her to the window and took her head between his hands after thoroughly examining her red and swollen eye he made up a poultice at once and tearing his handkerchief in strips showed her how it should be applied finichka listened to all he said and turned to go out kiss the master's hand you silly girl said arina nikolai petrovitch did not hold out his hand and in confusion himself kissed her bent head on the party of the hair. Finitschka's eye soon healed, but the impression she had made on Nikolai Petrovich

Starting point is 01:37:41 did not pass away so quickly. He had constant visions of that pure, gentle, timidly raised face. He felt that soft hair under the palms of his hands, and saw those innocent, slightly parted lips through which pearly teeth gleamed with moist brilliance in the sunshine. He began to be a to watch her very attentively in church and tried to get into conversation with her. At first she was extremely shy with him, and one day, meeting him towards evening on a narrow footpath crossing a rye field, she ran into the tall, thick rye, overgrown with cornflowers and wormwood, to avoid meeting him face to face. He caught sight of her small head through the golden network of ears of rye,

Starting point is 01:38:33 from which she was peering out like a wild animal, and called out to her affectionately. "'Good evening, Finichka! I won't bite!' "'Good evening,' murmured Finichka, without emerging from her hiding place. By degrees she began to feel more at ease with him, but she was still a shy girl when suddenly her mother, Arina, died of cholera.

Starting point is 01:39:02 What was to become of Finichka? She had inherited from her mother a love of order, tidiness, and regularity, but she was so young, so alone in the world. Nikolai Petrovich was so genuinely kind and considerate. There is no need to describe what followed. So my brother came to see you? Nikolai Petrovich asked her. He just knocked and came in?

Starting point is 01:39:32 Yes. well that's good let me give mitya a swing and nikolai petrovitch began to toss him almost up to the ceiling to the vast delight of the baby and to the considerable anxiety of his mother who each time he flew upwards stretched out her arms towards his little bare legs meanwhile pavl petrovitch had gone back to his elegant study which was decorated with handsome blue white wallpaper, and with weapons hanging from a multicolored Persian carpet fixed to the wall. It had walnut furniture, upholstered in dark green velvet, a Renaissance bookcase of ancient black oak, bronze statuettes on the magnificent writing desk, an open hearth. He threw himself on the sofa, clasped his hands behind his head, and remained motionless, looking at the ceiling with an expression verging on despair.

Starting point is 01:40:36 Perhaps because he wanted to hide even from the walls whatever was reflected in his face, or for some other reason, he rose, drew the heavy window curtains, and again threw himself on the sofa. End of Chapter 8, recording by Roger Maline. Chapter 9 of Fathers and Sons. This Liber Vox recording is in the Public. domain. Recording by Roger Maline. Fathers and Sons by Ivan Targenyev, translated by Richard Hare. Chapter 9

Starting point is 01:41:18 On that same day, Bazarov met Fennichka. He was walking with Arkady in the garden and explaining to him why some of the trees, particularly the oaks, were growing badly. You would do better to plant silver poplars here, or, first, and perhaps limes, with some extra-black earth. The arbor there has grown up well, he added, because it's acacia and lilac. They're good shrubs.

Starting point is 01:41:49 They don't need looking after. Ah, there's someone inside. In the arbor, Finichka was sitting with Donyasha and Mitya. Bezadov stopped, and Arkady nodded to Finchka like an old friend. Who's that? Bizarov asked him directly they had passed by. What a pretty girl! Whom do you mean?

Starting point is 01:42:15 You must know, only one of them is pretty. Arkady, not without embarrassment, explained to him briefly who Finchka was. Aha, remarked Bazarov. That shows your father's got good taste. I like your father. Aye, he's a good fellow. but we must make friends, he added, and turned back towards the arbor.

Starting point is 01:42:43 Evgenie, cried Arkady, after him in bewilderment. Be careful what you do, for goodness sake. Don't worry, said Bazado. I'm an experienced man, not a country bumpkin. Going up to Finichka, he took off his cap. May I introduce myself? He began, making a polite bow. i'm a friend of arkady nikolayevitch and a harmless person fenichka got up from the garden seat and looked at him without speaking what a wonderful baby continued

Starting point is 01:43:20 don't be uneasy my praises have never brought the evil eye why are his cheeks so flushed is he cutting his teeth yes murmured fanichka he has cut four teeth already and now the gum are swollen again. Show me. Don't be afraid. I'm a doctor. Bazadov took the baby in his arms, and to the great astonishment of both Finitschka and Dunyasha, the child made no resistance and was not even frightened. I see, I see. It's nothing. He'll have a good set of teeth. If anything goes wrong, you just tell me.

Starting point is 01:44:02 And are you quite well yourself? Very well. Thank God. Thank God, that's the main thing. And you, he added, turning to Donyasha. Dunyasha, who behaved very primly inside the house and was frivolous out of doors, only giggled in reply.

Starting point is 01:44:24 Well, that's all right. Here's your young hero. Finchka took back the baby in her arms. How quiet he was with you, she said in an undertone. children are always good with me answered bazada i have a way with them children know who loves them remarked yes they certainly do fanichka added mitya won't allow some people to touch him not for anything will he come to me asked arkady who after standing at a distance for some time had come to join them he tried to entice mitya into his arms but mitya threw back his head and screamed much to finitschka's confusion another day when he's had time to get accustomed to me said arcady graciously and the two friends walked away what's her name asked bazaro fenichka fedosya answered arcadi and her father's name one must know that too

Starting point is 01:45:33 nikolayevna good what i like about her is that she's not too embarrassed some people i suppose would think ill of her on that account but what rubbish why should she be embarrassed she's a mother and she's quite right she is in the right observed arkady but my father he's right too interposed well no i don't think so i suppose an extra little air is not to your liking you ought to be ashamed to attribute such thoughts to me retorted arkady hotly i don't consider my father in the wrong from that point of view as i see it he ought to marry her well well said bazadov calmly how generous-minded we are so you still attach significance to marriage i didn't expect that from you the friends walked on a few steps in silence i've seen all around your father's place began bazad off again the cattle are bad the horses are broken down the buildings aren't up to much and the workmen look like professional loafers and the bailiff is either a fool or a knave i haven't yet found out which you are very severe to-day fgeny facelich and the good peasants are taking your father in properly you know the proverb the russian peasants will cheat god himself i begin to agree with my uncle remarked arkady you certainly have a poor opinion of russians as if that mattered

Starting point is 01:47:25 the only good quality of a russian is to have the lowest possible opinion about himself what matters is that twice two make four and the rest is all rubbish and is nature rubbish asked arkady gazing pensively at the colored fields in the distance beautifully lit up in the mellow rays of the sinking sun. Nature, too, is rubbish in the sense you give to it. Nature is not a temple, but a workshop, and man is the workman in it. At that moment, the long, drawn-out notes of a cello floated out to them from the house. Someone was playing Schubert's expectation with feeling, though with an untrained hand, and the sweet melody flowed like honey through the air. "'What is that?' exclaimed Bazadoff in amazement.

Starting point is 01:48:20 "'My father.' "'Your father plays the cello?' "'Yes.' "'And how old is your father?' "'Forty-four.' Bazzarov suddenly roared with laughter. "'What are you laughing at?' "'My goodness, a man of forty-four, a father of a family,

Starting point is 01:48:43 in this province plays on the cello. Bazarov went on laughing, but much as he revered his friend's example, this time Arcadi did not even smile. End of Chapter 9. Recording by Roger Maline. Chapter 10 of Fathers and Sons. This Libervox recording is in the public domain.

Starting point is 01:49:15 Recording by Roger Moline. Fathers and Sons by Evas Vantur Genev Translated by Richard Hare Chapter 10 A fortnight passed by Life at Marino pursued its normal course

Starting point is 01:49:32 While Arkadi luxuriously enjoyed himself And Bazara worked Everyone in the house had grown accustomed to Bizarro To his casual behavior To his curt and abrupt manner of speaking

Starting point is 01:49:46 Finichka indeed felt so much at ease with him that one night she had him awakened. Mitya had been seized by convulsions. Bezadov had gone, half-joking and half-yawning as usual, had sat with her for two hours, and relieved the child. On the other hand, Pavel Petrovich had grown to hate Bezadov with all the strength of his soul. He regarded him as conceited, impudent, cynical, and vulgar. he suspected that bazarov had no respect for him that he all but despised him him pavl kirsanov he nikolai petrovitch was rather frightened of the young nihilist and doubted the benefit of his influence on arcadi but he listened keenly to what he said and was glad to be present during his chemical and scientific experiments bezarov had brought a microscope with him and busied himself with it for hours the servants also took to him though he made fun of them they felt that he was more like one of themselves and not a master

Starting point is 01:51:00 dunyasha was always ready to giggle with him and used to cast significant sidelong glances at him when she skipped past like a squirrel pietra who was vain and stupid to the highest degree with a constant forced frown on his brow and whose only merit consisted in the fact that he looked polite could spell out a page of reading and assiduously brushed his coat even he grinned and brightened up when bazadov paid any attention to him the farm boys simply ran after the doctor like puppies only old prokovitch disliked him at table he handed him dishes with a grim expression he called him butcher and upstart and declared that with his huge whiskers he looked like a pig in a sty prachovitch in his own way was quite as much of an aristocrat as pevo petrovitch the best days of the year had come the early june days the weather was lovely in the distance it is true cholera was threatening but the inhabitants of that province had grown used to its periodic ravages. Bizarov used to get up very early and walk for two or three miles, not for pleasure. He could not bear walking without an object,

Starting point is 01:52:27 but in order to collect specimens of plants and insects. Sometimes he took Arcadi with him. On the way home, an argument often sprang up, in which arkady was usually defeated in spite of talking more than his companion one day they had stayed out rather late nikolay petrovitch had gone into the garden to meet them and as he reached the arbor he suddenly heard the quick steps and voices of the two young men they were walking on the other side of the arbor and could not see him you don't know my father well enough arkady was saying your father is a good fellow said bazaro but his day is over his song has been sung to extinction nikolai petrovitch listened intently arkady made no reply the man whose day was over stood still for a minute or two then quietly returned to the house the day before yesterday i saw him reading pushkin bazarraf went on meanwhile please explain to him how utterly useless that is after all he's not a boy it's high time he got rid of such rubbish and what an idea to be romantic in our times give him something sensible to read

Starting point is 01:53:54 what should i give him asked arkady oh i think buchner's stoff and craft to start with i think so too remarked arkady approvingly stoff and craft is written in popular language so it seems said nikolai petrovitch the same day after dinner to his brother as they sat in his study you and i are behind the times our day is over well perhaps bazarov is right but one thing i must say hurts me i was so hoping just now to get on really close and friendly terms with arkari and it turns out that I've lagged behind while he has gone forward, and we simply can't understand one another. But how has he gone forward? And in what way is he so different from us? exclaimed Pavel Petrovich impatiently.

Starting point is 01:54:53 It's that Grand Signor of a nihilist who has knocked such ideas into his head. I loathe that doctor fellow. In my opinion, he's nothing but a charlatan. i'm sure that in spite of all his tadpoles he knows precious little even in medicine no brother you mustn't say that bazarov is clever and knows his subject and so disagreeably conceded pevil petrovitch broke in again yes observed nikolai petrovitch he is conceded evidently one can't manage without it that's what i failed to take into account i thought i was doing everything to keep up with the times i divided the land with the peasants started a model farm so that i'm even described as a rebel all over the province i read i study i try in every way to keep abreast of the demands of the day and they say my day is over and brother i really begin to think that it is why is that i'll tell you why i was sitting and reading pushkin to-day i remember it happened to be the gipsies suddenly arcady comes up to me and silently with such a kind pity in his face as gently as if i were a baby

Starting point is 01:56:24 takes the book away from me and puts another one in front of me instead a german book smiles and goes out carrying pushkin off with him well really what book did he give you this one and nikolai petrovitch pulled out of his hip pocket the ninth edition of buchner's well-known treatise pavl petrovitch turned it over in his hands hmm he growled arkady nikolayevitch is taking your education in hand well have you tried to read it yes i tried what did you think of it either i'm stupid or it's all nonsense i suppose i must be stupid but you haven't forgotten your german asked pavl petrovitch oh i understand the language all right pavl petrovitch again fingered the book and glanced across at his brother both were silent oh by the way began nikolai petrovitch evidently wanting to change the subject i've had a letter from kalyasin from matveilich yes he has come to inspect the province he's quite a big wig now he writes to say that as a relation he wants to see us again and invites you me and arkady to go to stay in the town are you going asked pevil petrovitch no are you no i shan't go what is the sense of dragging oneself forty miles on a wild goose chase matthew wants to show off to us in all his glory

Starting point is 01:58:21 let him go to the devil he'll have the whole province at his feet so he can get on without us it's a grand honor a privy counsellor if i had continued in the service drudging along in that dreary routine i should have been a general adjutant by now besides you and i are behind the times yes brother it seems the time has come to order a coffin and to cross the arms over one's chest remarked nikolai petrovitch with a sigh well i shan't give in quite so soon muttered his brother i've got a quarrel with this doctor creature in front of me i'm sure of that the quarrel materialized that very evening at tea pavl petrovitch came into the drawing-room all keyed up irritable and determined he was only waiting for a pretext to pounce upon his enemy but for some time no such pretext arose as a rule bazarov spoke little in the presence of the old kirsanov's that was what he called the brothers and that evening he felt in a bad humor and drank cup after cup of tea without saying a word pavl petrovitch was burning with impatience his wishes were fulfilled at last the conversation turned to one of the neighboring landowners rotten aristocratic snob observed bazad of casually he had met him in petersburg allow me to ask you began pavl petrovitch and his lips were trembling

Starting point is 02:00:07 do you attach an identical meaning to the words rotten and aristocrat i said aristocratic snob replied bazadov lazily swallowing a sip of tea precisely but i imagine you hold the same opinion of aristocrats as of aristocratic snobs i think it my duty to tell you that i do not share that opinion i venture to say that i am well known to be a man of liberal views and devoted to progress but for that very reason i respect aristocrats real aristocrats kindly remember sir at these words bazarov lifted his eyes and looked at pavl petrovitch kindly remember sir he repeated sharply the english aristocracy they did not abandon one iota of their rights and for that reason they respect the rights of others they demand the fulfilment of one iota of their rights and for that reason they respect the rights of others they demand the fulfilment of what is due to them and therefore they respect their own duties the aristocracy gave freedom to england and they maintain it for her we've heard that story many times what are you trying to prove by it i am trying to prove by that sir when pevel petrovitch became angry he intentionally clipped his words though of course he knew very well that such forms are not strictly This whim indicated a survival from the period of Alexander I. The great ones of that time, on the rare occasions when they spoke their own language,

Starting point is 02:01:51 made use of such distortions as if seeking to show thereby that, though they were genuine Russians, yet at the same time as Grand Signor, they could afford to ignore the grammatical rules of scholars. I am trying to prove by that, sir, that without a sense of personal dignity, without self-respect, and these two feelings are developed in the aristocrat, there is no firm foundation for the social bien-public, for the social structure. Personal character, my good sir, that is the chief thing. A man's personality must be as strong as a rock, since everything else is built up on it. i am well aware for instance that you choose to consider my habits my dress even my tidiness ridiculous but all this comes from a sense of self-respect and of duty yes from a sense of duty

Starting point is 02:02:54 i live in the wilds of the country but i refuse to lower myself i respect the dignity of man in myself let me ask you pevel petrovitch muttered you respect yourself and you sit with folded hands what sort of benefit is that to the bienpublic if you didn't respect yourself you'd do just the same pavl petrovitch turned pale that is quite another question there is absolutely no need for me to explain to you now why i sit here with folded hands as you are pleased to express yourself i wish only to tell you that aristocracy is a principle and that only depraved or stupid people can live in our time without principles i said as much to arcadi the day after he was a principle and that only depraved or stupid people can live in our time without principles i said as much to arkady the day after he came home and i repeat it to you now isn't that so nikolai petrovitch nodded his head aristocracy liberalism progress principles said bazarov just think what a lot of foreign and useless words to a russian they're no good for anything what is good for russians according to you if we listen to you we shall find ourselves beyond the pale of humanity outside human laws doesn't the logic of history demand what's the use of that logic to us we can get along without it what do you mean why this you don't need logic i suppose to put a piece of bread in your mouth when you're hungry

Starting point is 02:04:46 for what do we need those abstractions pavl petrovitch raised his hands i simply don't understand you after all that you insult the russian people i fail to understand how it is possible not to acknowledge principles rules by virtue of what can you act i already told you uncle dear that we don't recognize any authorities interposed opposed Arkady. We act by virtue of what we recognize as useful, went on Bazaroff. At present, the most useful thing is denial, so we deny everything? Everything. What? Not only, art, poetry, but the thought is appalling.

Starting point is 02:05:41 Everything, repeat a Bizarrof, with indescribable composure. pavl petrovitch stared at him he had not expected this and arkady even blushed with satisfaction but allow me began nikolai petrovitch you deny everything or to put it more precisely you destroy everything but one must construct too you know that is not our business we must first clear the ground the present condition of the people demands it added arkady rather sententiously we must fulfil those demands we have no right to yield to the satisfaction of personal egotism that last phrase obviously displeased bazaarov it smacked of philosophy or romanticism for bazaarov called philosophy a kind of romanticism but he did not judge it necessary to correct his young disciples No, no, cried Pavl Petrovich with sudden vehemence. I can't believe that you young men really know the Russian people, that you represent their needs and aspirations. No, the Russian people are not what you imagine them to be.

Starting point is 02:07:05 They hold traditions sacred. They are a patriarchal people. They cannot live without faith. I'm not going to argue with you, interrupt you. interrupted Bazadov. I'm even ready to agree that there you are right. And if I am right, it proves nothing all the same. Exactly, it proves nothing, repeated Arkady, with the assurance of an experienced chess player, who, having foreseen an apparently dangerous move on the part of his adversary, is not in the least put out by it.

Starting point is 02:07:41 How can it prove nothing? mumbled Pavel Petrovich in consternation. In that case, you must be going against your own people. And what if we are? exclaimed Bizarro. The people imagine that when it thunders, the prophet Elia is riding across the sky in his chariot. What then? Are we to agree with them? Besides, if they are Russian, so am I.

Starting point is 02:08:11 No, you are not a Russian, after what you have said. I can't admit you have any right to call yourself a Russian. My grandfather plowed the land, answered Bizarrof with haughty pride. Ask any one of your peasants which of us, you or me, he would more readily acknowledge as a fellow countryman. You don't even know how to talk to them. While you talk to them and despise them at the same time,

Starting point is 02:08:42 What of that, if they deserve contempt? You find fault with my point of view, but what makes you think it came into being by chance, that it's not a product of that very national spirit which you are championing? What an idea! How can we need nihilists? Whether they are needed or not is not for us to decide.

Starting point is 02:09:09 Why, even you imagine you're not a useless person, gentleman gentlemen no personalities please cried nikolai petrovitch getting up pavl petrovitch smiled and laying his hand on his brother's shoulder made him sit down again don't be alarmed he said i shan't forget myself thanks to that sense of dignity which is so cruelly ridiculed by our friend our friend the doctor allow me to point out of out, he resumed, turning again to Bizarro, you probably think that your doctrine is a novelty? That is an illusion of yours. The materialism which you preach was more than once in vogue before

Starting point is 02:09:57 and has always proved inadequate. Yet another foreign word, broke in Bizarro. He was beginning to feel angry, and his face looked peculiarly copper-colored and coarse. in the first place we preach nothing that's not in our line what do you do then this is what we do not long ago we used to say that our officials took bribes that we had no roads no commerce no real justice oh i see your reformers that's the right name i think i too should agree with many of your reforms but then we suspected that talk and only talk about our social diseases was not worth while that it led to nothing but hypocrisy and pedantry we saw that our leading men our so-called advanced people and reformers are worthless that we busy ourselves with rubbish talk nonsense about art about unconscious creation parliamentarianism trial by jury and the devil knows what

Starting point is 02:11:15 when the real question is daily bred when the grossest superstitions are stifling us when all our business enterprises crash simply because there aren't enough honest men to carry them on while the very emancipation which our government is struggling to organize will hardly come to any good because our peasant is happy to rob even himself so long as he can get drunk at the pub yes broke in pavl petrovitch indeed you were convinced of all this and you therefore decided to undertake nothing serious yourselves we decided to undertake nothing serious yourselves we decided to undertake nothing repeated Bazadhaff grimly. He suddenly felt annoyed with himself for having been so expansive in front of this gentleman. But to confine yourselves to abuse! To confine ourselves to abuse!

Starting point is 02:12:18 And that is called nihilism? And that is called nihilism, Bazadov repeated again, this time in a particularly insolent tone. pavl petrovitch screwed up his eyes a little so that's it he murmured in a strangely composed voice nihilism is to cure all our woes and you you are our saviors and heroes very well but why do you find fault with others including the reformers don't you do as much talking as anyone else whatever faults we may have that is not one of them muttered bazarov between his teeth what then do you act are you preparing for action bazarov made no reply a tremor passed through pavlpetrovitch but he at once regained control of himself hmm action destruction he went on but how can you destroy without even knowing why

Starting point is 02:13:29 we shall destroy because we are a force remarked arkady pavlpetrovitch looked at his nephew and laughed yes a force can't be called to account for itself said arkady drawing himself up unhappy boy groaned pavlpetrovitch who could no longer maintain his show of firmness can't you realize the kind of thing you are encouraging in russia with your shallow doctrine no it's enough to try the patience of an angel force there's force in the savage kalmuk or in the mongol but what is that to us what is dear to us is civilization yes yes my good sir its fruits are precious to us and don't you tell me these fruits are worth the poorest dauber un babelieu the man who plays dance music for five farthings in evening even they are of more use than you because they stand for civilization and not for brute mongolian force you fancy yourselves as advanced people and yet you're only fit for the kalmook's dirty hovel force and remember you forceful gentlemen you forceful gentlemen that you're only four men and a half and the others are millions who won't let you trample their sacred beliefs under foot but will crush you instead if we're crushed that's in store for us said bazaro but it's an open question we're not so few as you suppose what you seriously suppose you can set yourself up against a whole people

Starting point is 02:15:22 all moscow was burnt down you know by a penny candle answered bazado indeed first comes in almost satanic pride then cynical jeers so that is what attracts the young what takes by storm the inexperienced hearts of boys here is one of them sitting beside you ready to worship the ground beneath your feet look at him arcadi turned aside and frowned and this plague is already spread far and wide i am told that in rome our artists don't even enter the vatican raphael they regard as a fool because of course he is an authority and these artists are themselves disgustingly sterile and weak men whose imagination can soar no higher than girls at a fountain and even the girls are abominably drawn they are fine fellows in your view i suppose to my mind retorted bazard of raphael isn't worth a brass farthing and they're no better than he bravo bravo listen arcady that is how modern young men should express themselves and if you come to think of it they're bound to follow you formerly young men had to study if they didn't want to be called fools they had to work hard whether they liked it or not but now they need only say everything in the world is rubbish and the trick is done young men are delighted and to be sure they were only sheep before but now they have suddenly turned into nihilists you have departed from your praiseworthy sense of personal dignity remarked bazada fligmatically while arkady had turned hot all over and his eyes were flashing

Starting point is 02:17:30 our argument has gone too far better cut it short i think i shall be quite ready to agree with you he added getting up when you can show me a single institution in our present mode of life in the family or in society which does not call for complete and ruthless destruction i can show you millions of such institutions cried pavl petrovitch millions well take the commune for instance a cold smile distorted bezardos lips well you had better talk to your brother about the commune i should think he has seen by now what the commune is like in reality its mutual guarantees its sobriety and such like well the family the family as it exists among our peasants cried pevil petrovitch on that subject too i think it will be better for you not to enter into too much detail you know how the head of the family chooses his daughters-in-law take my advice pavlpetrovitch allow yourself a day or two to think it all over you'll hardly find anything straight away go through the various classes of our society and examine them carefully meanwhile arkady and i will we'll go on abusing everything broke in pavl petrovitch no we will go on dissecting frogs come arcady good-bye for the present gentlemen the two friends walked off the brothers were left alone and at first only looked at each other so that began pavl petrovitch that is our modern youth

Starting point is 02:19:24 those young men are our heirs our heirs repeated nikolai petrovitch with a weary smile he had been sitting as if on thorns throughout the argument and only from time to time cast a sad furtive glance at arcadi do you know what i was reminded of brother i once quarreled with our mother she shouted and wouldn't listen to me at last i said to her of course you can't understand me we belong to two different generations she was terribly offended but i thought it can't be helped a bitter pill but she has to swallow it so now our turn has come and our successors can tell us you don't belong to our generation swallow your pill you are much too generous and modest replied pavlpetrovitch i am convinced on the contrary that you and i are far more in the right than these young gentlemen although perhaps we express ourselves in more old-fashioned language vyeye and are not so insolently conceded and the airs these young people give themselves you ask one would you like white wine or red it is my custom to prefer red he answers in a deep voice and with a face as solemn as if the whole world were looking at him that moment do you want any more tea asked fanichka putting her head in at the door she had not wanted to come into the drawing-room while the noisy dispute was going on. No, you can tell them to take away the Samovar,

Starting point is 02:21:14 answered Nikolai Petrovich, and he got up to meet her. Pavel Petrovich said, Bonsois to him abruptly, and went to his own study. End of Chapter 10, recording by Roger Malin. Chapter 11 of Fathers and Sons. This Libervox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Roger Maline Fathers and Sons by Yvonne Turgenev

Starting point is 02:21:53 Translated by Richard Hare Chapter 11 Half an hour later Nikolai Petrovich went into the garden to his favorite arbor He was filled with melancholy thoughts For the first time he saw clearly the distance separating him from his son And he foresaw that it would grow wider every day

Starting point is 02:22:18 so they were spent in vain those winters in petersburg when sometimes he had poured for whole days on end over the latest books in vain had he listened to the talk of the young men and rejoiced when he succeeded in slipping a few of his own words into heated discussions my brother says we are right he thought and laying aside all vanity it even seems to me that they are further from the truth than we are though all the same i feel they have something behind them which we lack some superiority over us is it youth no it can't only be that their superiority may be that they show fewer traces of the slave-owner than we do nikolai petrovitch's head sank despondently and he passed his hand over his face but to renounce poetry to have no feeling for art for nature and he looked around as though trying to understand how it was possible to have no feeling for nature it was already evening the sun was hidden behind a small clump of aspens which grew about a quarter of a mile from the garden its shadow stretched indefinitely across the motionless fields a little peasant on a white pony was riding along the dark narrow path near the wood his whole figure was clearly visible even to the patch on his shoulder although he was in the shade the pony's hoofs rose and fell with graceful distinctness the sun's rays on the farther side fell full on the clump of trees and piercing through them threw such a warm light on the aspen trunks that they looked like pines and their leaves seemed almost dark blue while above them rose a pale blue sky tinged by the red sunset glow

Starting point is 02:24:23 the swallows flew high the wind had quite died down some late bees hummed lazily among the lilac blossoms a swarm of midges hung like a cloud over a solitary branch which stood out against the sky how beautiful my god thought nikolai petrovitch and his favorite verses almost rose to his lips then he remembered arcadi's stoff and craft and remained silent but he still sat there abandoning himself to the sad consolation of solitary thought he was fond of dreaming and his country life had developed that tendency in him how short a time ago he had been dreaming like this waiting for his son at the posting station and how much had changed since that day the relations then indeterminate had now been defined and how defined his dead wife came back to his imagination but not as he had known her for so many years not as a good domesticated housewife but as a young girl with a slim waist an innocent inquiring look and a tightly twisted pigtail on her childish neck he remembered how he had seen her for the first time he was still a student then he had met her on the staircase of his lodgings and running into her by accident he tried to apologize but could only mutter pardon monsieur while she bowed smiled then suddenly seemed frightened and ran away glanced quickly back at him looked serious and blushed

Starting point is 02:26:14 afterwards the first timid visits the hint the half-smiles and embarrassment the uncertain sadness the ups and downs and at last that overwhelming joy where had it all vanished away she had been his wife he had been happy as few on earth are happy but he mused those sweet fleeting moments why could could one not live an eternal undying life in them? He made no effort to clarify his thoughts, but he felt that he longed to hold that blissful time by something stronger than memory. He longed to feel his Maria near him to sense her warmth and breathing.

Starting point is 02:27:04 Already he could fancy her actual presence. Nikolai Petrovich! came the sound of Finichka's voice close by. where are you? He started. He felt no remorse, no shame. He never admitted even the possibility of comparison between his wife and Finichka,

Starting point is 02:27:27 but he was sorry that she had thought of coming to look for him. Her voice had brought back to him at once his gray hairs, his age, his daily existence. The enchanted world arising out of the dim, mists of the past into which he had just stepped, quivered and disappeared. I'm here, he answered. I'm coming. You run along.

Starting point is 02:27:56 There they are, traces of the slave owner, flashed through his mind. Finichka peeped into the arbor without speaking to him and went away again, and he noticed with surprise that night had fallen while he was dreaming. Everything around was dark and hushed, and Finitschka's face had glimmered in front of him, so pale and slight. He got up and was about to go home, but the emotion stirring his heart could not be calmed so soon, and he began walking slowly about the garden, sometimes meditatively surveying the ground, then raising his eyes to the sky where multitudes of stars were twinkling. he went on walking till he was almost tired out but the restlessness within him a yearning vague melancholy excitement was still not appeased

Starting point is 02:28:53 oh how bazadov would have laughed at him if he had known what was happening to him then even arkady would have condemned him he a man of forty-four an agriculturist and a landowner was shedding tears tears without reason it was a hundred times worse than playing the cello nikolai petrovitch still walked up and down and could not make up his mind to go into the house into the cozy peaceful nest which looked at him so hospitably from its lighted windows he had not the strength to tear himself away from the darkness the garden the sensation of fresh air in his face and from that sad restless excitement at a turn in the path he met pavl petrovitch what is the matter with you he asked nikolai petrovitch you were as white as a ghost you must be unwell why don't you go to bed nikolai said a few words to his brother about his state of mind and moved away pavil petrovitch walked on to the end of the garden also deep in thought and he too raised his eyes to the sky but his beautiful dark eyes reflected only the light of the stars he was not born a romantic idealist and his fastidiously dry though ardent soul with its tinge of french scepticism was not addicted to dreaming. Do you know what,

Starting point is 02:30:34 Bazarov was saying to Arkady that very night? I've had a splendid idea. Your father was saying today that he had received an invitation from that illustrious relative of yours. Your father doesn't want to go, but why shouldn't we be off to, X? You know the man invites you as well.

Starting point is 02:30:57 You see what fine weather it is. We'll stroll around and look at the town. Let's have a jaunt for five or six days, no more. And you'll come back here afterwards? No, I must go to my father's. You know, he lives about twenty miles from X. I've not seen him or my mother for a long time. I must cheer the old people up. They've been good to me, my father particularly. He's awfully funny. I'm there only one. Will you stay long with them?

Starting point is 02:31:37 I don't think so. It'll be dull, of course. And you'll come to us again on your way back? I don't know. We'll see. Well, what do you say? Shall we go? If you like, answered Arcadi languidly.

Starting point is 02:31:56 In his heart he was overjoyed by friend's suggestion, but thought it a duty to conceal his feeling. He was not a nihilist for nothing. The next day he set off with Pizarov to X. The younger members of the household at Marino were sorry about their departure. Donyasha even wept, but the older people breathed more freely. End of Chapter 11. Recording by Roger Maline.

Starting point is 02:32:35 12 of Fathers and Sons. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Roger Maline. Fathers and Sons by Ivan Tergenyev. Translated by Richard Hare. Chapter 12 The town of X, to which our friends set off, was under the jurisdiction of a governor, who was still a young man, and who was at once progressive and despotic, as so often happens with Russians. before the end of the first year of his governorship he had managed to quarrel not only with the marshal of nobility a retired guards officer who kept open house and a stud of horses but even with his own subordinates

Starting point is 02:33:23 the resulting feuds at length grew to such proportions that the ministry in petersburg found it necessary to send a trusted official with a commission to investigate everything on the spot the choice of the authorities fell on matveyay ilhijit kalyazen the son of that klyazen under whose protection the brothers kirsinoff had been when they were students in petersburg he was also a young man that is to say he was only just over forty but he was well on the way to becoming a statesman and already wore two stars on his breast admittedly one of them was a foreign star and not of the first magnitude like the governor upon whom he had come to pass judgment he was considered a progressive and though he was already a bigwig he was not altogether like the majority of bigwigs of himself he had the highest opinion his vanity knew no bounds but his manners were simple he had a friendly face he listened indulgently and laughed so good-naturedly that on first acquaintance he might even have been taken for a jolly good fellow on important occasions however he knew so to speak how to make his authority felt energy is essential he used to say then l'energé la premier qualit de tte yet in spite of all that he was habitually cheated and any thoroughly experienced official could twist him round his finger matvai ilitch used to speak with great respect about gizot and tried to impress every one with the idea that he did not belong to the class of routine officials and old-fashioned bureaucrats that not a single phenomenon of social life escaped his attention

Starting point is 02:35:25 he was quite at home with phrases of the latter kind he even followed with a certain casual condescension it is true the development of the development of the latter kind he even followed with a certain casual condescension it is true the development of contemporary literature as a grown-up man who meets a crowd of street urchins will sometimes join them out of curiosity in reality matvayelyevitch had not got much farther than those politicians of the time of alexander i who used to prepare for an evening party at madame svelychens by reading a page of kondiak only his methods were different and more modern he was a skilful courtier and extremely cunning hypocrite and little more he had no aptitude for handling public affairs and his intellect was scanty but he knew how to manage his own affairs successfully no one could get the better of him there and of course that is a most important thing matvai ilitch received arcadi with the amiability or should we say playfulness characteristic of the enlightened higher official he was astonished however when he heard that both the cousins he had invited had stayed at home in the country your father was always a queer fellow he remarked playing with the tassels of his magnificent velvet dressing-gown and turning suddenly to a young official in a faultlessly buttoned-up uniform he shouted with an air of concern what the young man whose lips were almost glued together from prolonged silence came forward and looked in perplexity at his chief but having embarrassed his subordinate matvailyitch paid him no further attention our higher officials are fond of upsetting their subordinates and they resort to quite varied means of achieving that end

Starting point is 02:37:30 the following method among others is often used is quite a favorite as the english say a high official suddenly ceases to understand the simplest words and pretends to be deaf. He asks, for instance, what day of the week it is. He is respectfully informed, Today's Friday, Your Excellency. A? What? What's that? What do you say? The great man repeats with strained attention. Today's Friday, Your Excellency. A? What? What? What Friday?

Starting point is 02:38:11 Friday, Your Excellency, the day of the week. What? Are you presuming to teach me something? Matvei Eliotz remained a higher official, though he considered himself a liberal. I advise you, my dear boy, to go and call on the governor, he said to Arkady. You understand I don't advise you to do so on account of any old-fashioned ideas about the necessity of paying respect to the authorities, but simply because the governor is a decent fellow. Besides, you probably want to get to know the society here.

Starting point is 02:38:52 You're not a bear, I hope. And he's giving a large ball the day after tomorrow. Will you be at the ball? inquired Arkady. He gives it in my honor, answered Matva Iliitch, almost pityingly. Do you dance? Yes, I dance, but not well. That's a pity. There are pretty women here,

Starting point is 02:39:19 and it's a shame for a young man not to dance. Of course, I don't say that because of any old conventions. I would never suggest that a man's wit lies in his feet, but Byronism has become ridiculous. He la fe saint-tain. But uncle, it's not because of byronism that i don't i'll introduce you to some of the local ladies and take you under my wing interrupted matvai ilitch and he laughed a self-satisfied laugh you'll find it warm eh a servant entered and announced the arrival of the superintendent of government institutions an old man with tender eyes and deep lines round his mouth who was extremely fond of nature

Starting point is 02:40:08 especially on summer days when to use his words every little busy bee takes a little bribe from every little flower arcadi withdrew he found bazardov at the inn where they were staying and took a long time to persuade him to accompany him to the governors well it can't be helped said bazardov at last it's no good doing things by halves we came to look at the landowners so let us look at them the governor received the young men affably but he did not ask them to sit down nor did he sit down himself he was perpetually fussing and hurrying every morning he put on a tight uniform and an extremely stiff cravat he never ate or drank enough he could never stop making arrangements he invited kirsanov and bazadov to his ball and within a few minutes, he invited them a second time, taking them for brothers and calling them Kisarov. They were on their way back from the governors, when, suddenly a short man in Slav national dress, jumped out of a passing carriage and crying, "'Evgeny Vassilich!' rushed up to Bizarov.

Starting point is 02:41:30 "'Ah, it's you, Erzitnikov,' remarked Bazarov, still walking along the pavement. what chance brought you here just fancy quite by accident the man replied and returning to the carriage he waved his arms several times and shouted follow follow us my father had business here he went on jumping across the gutter and so he asked me to come i heard to-day you had arrived and have already been to visit you in fact on returning home the friends did find there a card with the corners turned down bearing the name sitnikov in french on one side and in slovanic characters on the other i hope you are not coming from the governors it's no use hoping we've come straight from em ah in that case i will call on him too eugenie vasilitch introduce me to you to the sitnikov kirsanov mumbled bazarov without stopping i am much honored began sitnikov stepping sideways smirking and pulling off his over-elegant gloves i have heard so much i am an old acquaintance of eugenie vassilitch and i must say his disciple i owe to him my regeneration arkady looked at baserov's disciple there was an expression of excited stupidity in the small but agreeable features of his well-groomed face

Starting point is 02:43:16 his little eyes which looked permanently surprised had a staring uneasy look his laugh too was uneasy an abrupt wooden laugh would you believe it he continued when avgeny vasilitch for the first time said before me that we should acknowledge no authorities i felt such enthusiasm my eyes were opened by the way evgeny vasilitch you simply must get to know a lady here who is really capable of understanding you and for whom your visit would be a real treat you may have heard of her who is it grunted bezathev unwillingly coochina yadogsi evdoski coxina she's a remarkable nature emancipé in the true sense of the word an advanced woman do you know what let us all go and visit her now she lives only two steps from here we will have lunch there i suppose you have not lunched yet no not yet well that's splendid she is separated you understand from her husband she is not dependent on any one is she pretty bezada broke in no one couldn't say that then what the devil are you asking us to see her for ha you must have your joke she will give us a bottle of champagne so that's it the practical man shows himself at once by the way is your father still in the vodka business yes said sittnikov hurriedly and burst into a shrill laugh

Starting point is 02:45:14 well shall we go you wanted to meet people go along said arkady in an undertone and what do you say about it mr kirsanov interposed sit in the cough you must come too we can't go without you but how can we burst in upon her all at once never mind about that cookshina is a good sort will there be a bottle of champagne asked three cried sidnikov i'll answer for that what with my own head better with your father's purse however we'll come along end of Chapter 12, recording by Roger Maline. Chapter 13 of Fathers and Sons. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Roger Maline. Fathers and Sons by Ivan Targenev, translated by Richard Hare.

Starting point is 02:46:30 Chapter 13. The small detached house in Moscow style, inhabited by Avdotya Nikitishna, or Evdoksyakukchna, or evdoxia kuchina stood in one of those streets of x which had been lately burnt down it is well known that our russian provincial towns are burnt down once every five years at the door above a visiting card nailed on at a slant hung a bell-handle and in the hall the visitors were met by some one in a cap not quite a servant nor quite a companion unmistakable signs of the progressive aspirations of the lady of the house sitnikov asked if of d'adya nicotishna was at home is that you victor sounded a shrill voice from the other room come in the woman in the cap disappeared at once i'm not alone said sitnikov casting a sharp look at arcady and bazarov as he briskly pulled off his cloak beneath which appeared something like a leather jacket. No matter, answered the voice.

Starting point is 02:47:42 Entre! The young men went in. The room which they entered was more like a working study than a drawing room. Papers, letters, fat issues of Russian journals, for the most part uncut, lay thrown about on dusty tables. White cigarette ends were scattered all over the place. A lady, still young, was half lying on a leather-covered sofa. Her blonde hair was dishelled, and she was wearing a crumpled silk dress,

Starting point is 02:48:15 with heavy bracelets on her short arms and a lace kerchief over her head. She rose from the sofa, and carelessly drawing over her shoulders of velvet cape, trimmed with faded ermine, she murmured languidly, "'Good morning, Victor!' and held out her hand. to Sitnikov. Bezanov, Kyrsanov, he announced abruptly, successfully imitating Bizarov's manner. So glad to meet you, answered Madame Kukshina, fixing on Bizarrof her round eyes, between which appeared a forlorn little turned-up red nose.

Starting point is 02:48:54 I know you, she added and pressed his hand. Bizarov frowned. There was nothing definitely ugly in the small, plain figure of the emancipated woman, but her facial expression produced an uncomfortable effect on the spectator. One felt impelled to ask her, What's the matter? Are you hungry, or bored, or shy? Why are you fidgeting? Both she and Sittnikov had the same nervous manner. Her movements and speech were very unconstrained, and at the same time awkward. She evidently regarded herself as a good-natured simple creature, yet all the time, whatever she did, it always

Starting point is 02:49:41 struck one that it was not exactly what she wanted to do. Everything with her seemed, as children say, done on purpose, that is, not spontaneously or simply. Yes, yes, I know you, Bazadov, she repeated. She had the habit, peculiar to many provincial and Moscow ladies, of calling men by their bare surnames from the moment she first met them. Would you like a cigar? A cigar is all very well, interjected Sittnikov, who was already lolling in an armchair with his legs in the air. But give us some lunch!

Starting point is 02:50:23 We're frightfully hungry, and tell them to bring us up a bottle of champagne. You cyberite! cried Evdokcia with a laugh. when she laughed the gum showed over her upper teeth isn't it true bezharov he's a cyberite i like comfort in life pronounced sitnikov gravely but that doesn't prevent me from being a liberal it does though it does exclaimed evdoxia and nevertheless gave instructions to her maid both about the lunch and about the champagne what do you think about that she added turning to bezarov i'm sure you share my opinion well no retorted bazadoff a piece of meat is better than a piece of bread even from the point of view of chemistry are you studying chemistry that's my passion i've invented a new sort of paste a paste you yes and you know what it's for Or? To make doll's heads, so that they can't break.

Starting point is 02:51:37 I'm practical also, you see. But it's not quite ready yet. I've still got to read Liebig. By the way, have you read Kislyakov's article on female labor in the Moscow news? Please read it. Of course, you're interested in the woman's question, and in the schools, too. What does your friend do? What is his name?

Starting point is 02:52:02 madame kuxina poured out her questions one after another with affected negligence without waiting for the answers spoilt children talk like that to their nurses my name is arkady nikolayitch kirsanov and i do nothing evdoksya giggled oh how charming what don't you smoke victor you know i'm very angry with you what for they tell me you've begun praising george sand a backward woman and nothing else how can people compare her with emerson she hasn't a single idea about education or physiology or anything i'm sure she's never even heard of embryology and in these days what can be done without that evdoxia actually threw up her hand oh what a wonderful article elizievitch has written about it he's a gentleman of genius evdoxia constantly used the word gentleman instead of the word man bezada up sit by me on the sofa you don't know perhaps but i'm awfully afraid of you and why may i ask you're a dangerous gentleman you're a dangerous gentleman you're a dangerous gentleman you're such a critic. My God, how absurd! I'm talking like some provincial landowner, but I really am one. I manage my property myself, and just imagine, my bailiff, Yerofé, he's a wonderful type, just like

Starting point is 02:53:44 Phenimore Cooper's Pathfinder, there's something so spontaneous about him. I've come to settle down here. It's an intolerable town, isn't it? But what is one to do? do. The town's like any other town, remarked Bazarov, coolly. All its interests are so petty. That's what is so dreadful. I used to spend the winters in Moscow, but now my lawful husband, Monsieur Kukchen, lives there. And besides, Moscow nowadays, I don't know, it's not what it was. I'm thinking of going abroad. I almost went last year. To Paris, I suppose, said Bezaro.

Starting point is 02:54:31 To Paris and to Heidelberg. Why to Heidelberg? How can you ask? Bonson lives there. Bazarov could find no reply to that one. Pierre Sopozenikov. Do you know him? No, I don't. Not no Pierre Sopozenikov? He's always at least.

Starting point is 02:54:56 lydia costatoves i don't know her either well he undertook to escort me thank god i'm independent i've no children what did i say thank god never mind though ev doxia rolled a cigarette between her fingers brown with tobacco stains put it across her tongue licked it and started to smoke the maid came in with a tray ah here's lunch will you have an aperitif first victor open the bottle that's in your line yes it's in my line mumbled sitnikov and again uttered a piercing convulsive laugh are there any pretty women here asked bazadov as he drank down a third glass yes there are answered evdoxia but they're all so empty-headed For instance, my friend Odinstova is nice-looking. It's a pity she's got such a reputation. Of course, that wouldn't matter, but she has no independent views,

Starting point is 02:56:08 no breadth of outlook, nothing of that kind. The whole system of education wants changing. I've thought a lot about it. Our women are so badly educated. There's nothing to be done with them, interposed Sittnikov. One of us.

Starting point is 02:56:26 ought to despise them, and I do despise them utterly and completely. The possibility of feeling and expressing contempt was the most agreeable sensation to Sitnikov. He attacked women in particular, never suspecting that it would be his fate a few months later, to cringe to his wife merely because she had been born a princess Dordoliosov. Not one of them would be capable of understanding our conversation. Not one of them deserves to be spoken about by serious men like us. But there's no need whatsoever for them to understand our conversation, remarked Basaro. Whom do you mean? said Evdokia.

Starting point is 02:57:11 Pretty women. What? Do you then share the ideas of Prudhon? Bazarov drew himself up haughtily. I share no one's ideas. I have a few ones. my own. Damn all authorities, shouted Sittnikov, delighted to have an opportunity of expressing himself boldly in front of the man he slavishly abired. But even Macaulay, Madame Cuxina was trying to say. Damn, Macaulay, thundered Sittnikov. Are you going to stand up for those silly females? Not for silly females, no, but for the rights of women which I have sworn to

Starting point is 02:57:54 warned to defend to the last drop of my blood. Damn! But here, Sittnikov stopped. But I don't deny you that, he said. No, I see you're a Slavophile. No, I'm not a Slavophile, though, of course. No, no, no, you are a Slavophile. You're a supporter of patriarchal despotism.

Starting point is 02:58:21 You want to have the whip in your hand. a whip is a good thing said bezotov but we've got to the last drop of what interrupted evdoxia of champagne most honored avdotya nicotija of champagne not of your blood i can never listen calmly when women are attacked went on evdoxia it's awful awful instead of attacking them you should read michelais's book de l'amor that's something exquisite gentlemen let us talk about love added evdoxia letting her arm rest on the crumpled sofa cushion a sudden silence followed no why should we talk of love said bozadov but you mentioned just now of madame odinstov that was the name i think who is the lady she's charming delightful squeaked sitnikov i'll introduce you clever rich a widow it's a pity she's not yet advanced though she ought to see more of our i drink to your health you soddy clink glasses a talk a talk a tin tin tin a talk a tin tin victor you're a rascal the lunch was prolonged the first bottle of champagne was followed by another by a third and even by a fourth evdoxia chattered away without drying breath

Starting point is 03:00:06 Sitnikov seconded her. They talked a lot about whether marriage was a prejudice or a crime, whether men were born equal or not, and precisely what constitutes individuality. Finally, things went so far that Avdoxia, flushed from the wine she had drunk, began tapping with her flat fingertips on a discordant piano, and singing in a husky voice, first gypsy songs, then seymour schiff's song granada lies slumbering while sitnikov tied a scarf round his head and represented the dying lover at the words and thy lips to mine in burning kiss and twine arkady could stand no more gentlemen this is approaching bedlam he remarked aloud bazaroff who at rare intervals had thrown a sarcastic word or two into the conversation he paid more attention to the champagne yawned loudly rose to his feet and without taking leave of their hostess he walked off with arkady sitnikov jumped up and followed them

Starting point is 03:01:23 well what do you think of her he asked hopping obsequiously from one side to another as i told you a remarkable personality if only we had more women like that she is in her own way a highly moral phenomenon and is that establishment of your father's also a moral phenomenon muttered bazaaroff pointing to a vodka shop which they were passing at that moment sitnikov again gave vent to his shrill laugh he was much ashamed of his origin and hardly knew whether to feel flattered or offended by bezadov's unexpected familiarity end of chapter thirteen recording by roger maline chapter fourteen of fathers and sons this librovoc's recording is in the public domain recording by roger maline fathers and sons by ivan tergenyev translated by richard hare chapter fourteen two days later the governor's ball took place matvah ilhitch was the real hero of the occasion the marshal of nobility announced to all and sundry that he had come only out of respect for him while the governor even at the ball and even while he was standing still continued to make arrangements the amiability of matva ilitch's manner was equalled only by his dignity he behaved graciously to every one to some with a shade of disgust to others with a shade of respect he was gallant envue chevalier francais to all the ladies and was continually bursting into hearty resounding laughter in which no one else joined as befits a high official

Starting point is 03:03:26 he slapped arkady on the back and called him nephew loudly bestowed on bazaarov who was dressed in a shabby frock coat an absent-minded but indulgent sidelong glance and an indistinct but affable grunt in which the words i and very were vaguely distinguishable held out a finger to sitnikov and smiled at him though his head had already turned round to greet someone else even to madame cookchina who appeared at the ball without a crinoline wearing dirty gloves and a bird of paradise in her hair he said enchanté there were crowds of people and plenty of men dancers most of the civilians stood in rows along the walls but the officers danced assiduously especially one who had spent six weeks in paris where he had mastered several daring exclamations such as zout o fictre pst pst m m bibie and so on he pronounced them perfectly with real genuine parisian and at the same time he said si jure instead of si jave and absalomant in the sense of absolutely expressed himself in fact in that great rousseau french jargon which the french laugh at when they have no reason to assure us that we speak French-like angels, Com des Ganges.

Starting point is 03:05:02 Arcadi danced badly, as we already know, and Bazarov did not dance at all. They both took up their position in a corner where Sittnikov joined them. With an expression of contemptuous mockery on his face, he turned one spiteful remark after another, looked insolently around him, and appeared to be thoroughly enjoying himself.

Starting point is 03:05:27 Suddenly, his face changed, and turning to Arcadi, he said in a rather embarrassed tone, Odenstova has arrived. Arkady looked round and saw a tall woman in a black dress standing near the door. He was struck by her dignified bearing. Her bare arms lay gracefully across her slim waist. Light sprays of fuchsia hung from her shining hair over her sloping shoulders. Her clear eyes looked out from under a prominent white forehead. Their expression was calm and intelligent, calm but not pensive,

Starting point is 03:06:07 and her lips showed a scarcely perceptible smile. A sort of affectionate and gentle strength emanated from her face. Do you know her? Arkady asked Sitnikov. Very well. Would you like me to introduce you? Please. this quadrille. Bezarov also noticed Madame Odinstov. What a striking figure, he said.

Starting point is 03:06:35 She's not like the other females. When the quadrille was over, Sittnikov led Arkady over to Madame Orinstov. But he hardly seemed to know her at all and stumbled over his words while she looked at him in some surprise. But she looked pleased when she heard Arkadi's family name.

Starting point is 03:06:56 and she asked him whether he was not the son of Nikolai Petrovich. Yes! I have seen your father twice and heard a lot about him, she went on. I am very glad to meet you. At this moment some adjutant rushed up to her and asked her for a quadrille. She accepted. Do you dance, then? asked Arkady respectfully. Yes, and why should you suppose I don't?

Starting point is 03:07:26 dance. Do you think I'm too old? Please, how could I possibly... But in that case, may I ask you for a mazurka? Madame Orenstov smiled graciously. Certainly, she said, and looked at Arcadi, not exactly patronizingly, but in the way married sisters look at very young brothers. She was, in fact, not much older than Arcadi. She was 29.

Starting point is 03:07:54 but in her presence he felt like a schoolboy, so that the difference in their ages seemed to matter much more. Matvailyitch came up to her in a majestic manner and started to pay her compliments. Arkady moved aside, but he still watched her. He could not take his eyes off her, even during the quadrille. She talked to her partner as easily as she had to the grand official, slightly turning her head and eyes, and once or twice she laughed softly.

Starting point is 03:08:30 Her nose, like most Russian noses, was rather thick, and her complexion was not translucently clear. Nevertheless, Arcadi decided that he had never before met such a fascinating woman. The sound of her voice clung to his ears. The very folds of her dress seemed to fall differently. more gracefully and amply than on other women and her movements were wonderfully flowing and at the same time natural arcady was overcome by shyness when at the first sounds of the mazurka he took a seat beside his partner he wanted to talk to her but he only passed his hand through his hair and could not find a single word to say but his shyness and agitation soon passed madame odinstov's tranquillity communicated itself to him within a quarter of an hour he was telling her freely about his father his uncle his life in petersburg and in the country madame ordinstov listened to him with courteous sympathy slowly opening and closing her fan the conversation was broken off when her partners claimed her

Starting point is 03:09:50 sitnikov among others asked her to dance twice she came back sat down again took up her fan and did not even breathe more rapidly while arkady started talking again penetrated through and through by the happiness of being near her talking to her looking at her eyes her lovely forehead and her whole charming dignified and intelligent face she said little but her words showed an understanding of life judging by some of her remarks arcady came to the conclusion that this young woman had already experienced and thought a great deal who is that you were standing with she asked him when mr sitnikov brought you over to me so you noticed him asked arcady in his turn he has a wonderful face hasn't he has a wonderful face hasn't that's my friend bazarov arkady went on to discuss his friend he spoke of him in such detail and with so much enthusiasm that madame odinstov turned round and looked at him attentively meanwhile the mazurka was drawing to a close arcady was sorry to leave his partner he had spent almost an hour with her so happily certainly he had felt the whole time as though she were showing indulgence to him, as though he ought to be grateful to her.

Starting point is 03:11:25 But young hearts are not weighed down by that feeling. The music stopped. Merci, murmured Madame Odinstov, rising. You promised to pay me a visit. Bring your friend with you. I am very curious to meet a man who has the courage to believe in nothing. The governor came up to,

Starting point is 03:11:49 Madame Orinstov, announced that supper was ready, and with a worried look offered her his arm. As she went out, she turned to smile once more at Arkady. He bowed low, followed her with his eyes. How graceful her figure seemed to him! How radiant in the sober lustre of the black silk folds! And he was conscious of some kind of refreshing humility of soul, as he thought.

Starting point is 03:12:19 This very minute she has forgotten my existence. Well, Bazarov, asked Arkady as soon as he had returned to the corner. Did you have a good time? A man has just told me that your lady is—oh, never mind what. But the fellow is probably a fool. What do you think? Is she? I don't understand what you mean, said Arkady. My goodness, what innocence!

Starting point is 03:12:49 in that case i don't understand the man you quote madame orenstov is very charming but she is so cold and reserved that still waters run deep you know interposed you say she is cold that just adds to the flavor you like ices i expect perhaps muttered arcady i can't express any opinion about that she wants to meet you and asked me to bring you over to visit her i can imagine how you described me never mind you did well take me along whoever she may be whether she's just a provincial climber or an emancipated woman like coxhina anyhow she's got a pair of shoulders the like of which i haven't seen for a long time arkady was hurt by bazardov's cynicism but as often happens he did not blame his friend for those particular things which he disliked in him why do you disagree with free thought for women he asked in a low voice because my lad as far as i can see freethinking women are all monsters the conversation was cut short at this point both young men left immediately after supper they were pursued by a nervously angry but faint-hearted laugh from madame coochina whose vanity had been deeply wounded by the fact that neither of them had paid the slightest attention to her she stayed later than any one else at the ball and at four o'clock in the morning she was dancing a polka mazurka in parisian style with sitnikov the governor's ball culminated in this edifying spectacle

Starting point is 03:14:48 end of chapter fourteen recording by roger maled chapter fifteen of fathers and sons this libervox recording is in the public domain recording by roger maline fathers and sons by ivan turgenyev translated by richard hare chapter fifteen we'll soon see to what species of mammal this specimen belongs bazadov said to arkady the following day as they marred the staircase of the hotel where madame odinstov was staying i can smell something wrong here i'm surprised at you cried arkady what you of all people bezadov clinging to that narrow morality which what a funny fellow you are said bezadov carelessly cutting him short don't you know that in my dialect and for my purpose something wrong means something right that's just my advantage didn't you tell me yourself this morning that she made a strange marriage didn't you tell me yourself this morning that she made a strange marriage though to my mind to marry a rich old man is far from a strange thing to do but on the contrary sensible enough i don't believe the gossip of the town but i should like to think as our enlightened governor says that it's just arkady made no answer and knocked at the door of the apartment a young servant in livery ushered the two friends into a large servant in livery ushered the two friends into a large room, furnished in bad taste like all Russian hotel rooms, but filled with flowers.

Starting point is 03:16:39 Madame Odinstov soon appeared in a simple morning dress. In the light of the spring sunshine, she looked even younger than before. Arkady introduced Bezarov and noticed with concealed astonishment that he seemed embarrassed, while Madame Odinstov remained perfectly calm, as she had been on the previous day. Bazzarov was himself conscious of feeling embarrassed and was annoyed about it. What an idea! Frightened of a female, he thought, and, lolling in an armchair, quite like Sitnikov, he began to talk in an exaggeratedly casual manner, while Madame Orinstov kept her clear eyes fixed on him.

Starting point is 03:17:26 Anna Sergeyevna Orinstov was the daughter of Sergei Nikolayevich, loctev notorious for his personal beauty speculations and gambling who after fifteen years of a stormy and sensational life in petersburg and moscow ended by ruining himself completely at cards and was obliged to retire to the country where soon afterwards he died leaving a very small property to his two daughters anna a girl of twenty at that time and katya a child of twelve their mother who belonged to an impoverished princely family had died in petersburg while her husband was still in his heyday anna's position after her father's death was a very difficult one the brilliant education which she had received in petersburg had not fitted her for the cares of domestic and household economy nor for an obscure life buried in the country she knew no one in the whole neighborhood and there was no one she could consult her father had tried to avoid all contact with his neighbors he despised them in his way and they despised him and theirs however she did not lose her head and promptly sent for a sister of her mother's princess of dothia stepanovna ex a spiteful arrogant old lady who on instilling herself in her niece's house a appropriated the best rooms for herself,

Starting point is 03:19:01 grumbled and scolded from morning till night, and refused to walk a step, even in the garden, without being attended by her one-and-only surf, a surly footman and a threadbare pea-green livery, with light blue trimming and a three-cornered hat. Anna patiently put up with all her aunt's caprices, gradually set to work on her sister's education, and, it seemed, was already reconciled.

Starting point is 03:19:28 to the idea of fading away in the wilderness. But fate had decreed otherwise. She happened to be seen by a certain Odinstov, a wealthy man of 46, an eccentric hypochondriac, swollen, heavy and sour, but not stupid and quite good-natured. He fell in love with her and proposed marriage. She agreed to become his wife,

Starting point is 03:19:54 and they lived together for six years, then he died leaving her all his property for nearly a year after his death anna sergeyevna remained in the country then she went abroad with her sister but stayed only in germany she soon grew tired of it and came back to live at her beloved nicolsko nearly thirty miles from the town of x her house was magnificent luxuriously furnished and had a beautiful garden with conservators her late husband had spared no expense to gratify his wishes anna sorgadievna rarely visited the town and as a rule only on business even then she did not stay long she was not popular in the province there had been a fearful outcry when she married orenstog all sorts of slanderous stories were invented about her it was asserted that she had helped her father in his gambling escapades, and even that she had gone abroad for a special reason to conceal some unfortunate consequences. "'You understand?' the indignant gossips would conclude.

Starting point is 03:21:11 "'She has been through fire and water,' they said of her, to which a noted provincial wit added. "'And through the brass instruments!' All this talk reached her, but she turned a deaf ear to it. she had an independent and sufficiently determined character madame orenstov sat leaning back in her arm-chair her hands folded and listened to contrary to his habit he was talking a lot and was obviously trying to interest her which also surprised arcadi he could not be sure whether bezarov had achieved his object for it was difficult to learn from anasagrivena's face what impover impression was being made on her. It retained the same gracious, refined look. Her bright eyes shone with attention, but it was an unruffled attention. During the first minutes of the visit,

Starting point is 03:22:12 Bazadov's awkward manners had impressed her disagreeably, like a bad smell, or a discordant sound. But she saw at once that he was nervous, and that flattered her. Only the commonplace was repulsive to her, and no one would have accused Bezadov of being commonplace. Arcadi had several surprises in store for him that day. He had expected that Bezadov would talk to an intelligent woman like Madame Orenstov about his convictions and views. She herself had expressed a desire to hear the man, who dares to believe in nothing, but instead of that, Bazadov talked about medicine, about homeopathy.

Starting point is 03:22:57 and about botany. It turned out that Madame Orenstuff had not wasted her time in solitude. She had read a number of good books and herself spoke in excellent Russian. She turned the conversation to music, but, observing that Bezadov had no appreciation of art, quietly turned it back to botany, although Arkari was just launching out on a discourse about the significance of national melodies.

Starting point is 03:23:27 Madame Odinstov continued to treat him as though he were a younger brother. She seemed to appreciate his good nature and youthful simplicity, and that was all. A lively conversation went on for over three hours, ranging freely over a variety of subjects. At last, the friends got up and began to take their leave. Anna Sergeyevna looked at them kindly, held out her beautiful white hand to each, in turn. and after a moment's thought, said with a diffident but delightful smile, "'If you are not afraid of being bored, gentlemen, come and see me at Nikolsko.' "'Oh, Anna Sagerievna!' cried Arkady.

Starting point is 03:24:12 "'That will be the greatest happiness for me.' "'And you, Monsieur Bazarov?' "'Bazanov only bowed, and Arkady had yet another surprise. He noticed that his friend was blushing. well he said to him in the street do you still think she's who can tell just see how frozen she is answered bazado then after a short pause he added she's a real grand duchess a commanding sort of person she only needs a train behind her and a crown on her head our grand duchesses can't talk russian like that observed she is known ups and downs my lad she's been hard up anyhow she's delightful said arcady what a magnificent body went on bizaro how i should like to see it on the dissecting table stop for heaven's sake avgenie you go too far well don't get angry you baby i meant its first-rate we must go to stay with her

Starting point is 03:25:27 when well why not the day after to-morrow what is there to do here drink champagne with kerchief listen to your cousin the liberal statesman let's be off the day after to-morrow by the way after to-morrow by the way my father's little place is not far from there. This Nicosco is on the X road, isn't it? Yes. Excellent. Why hesitate? Leave that to fools and intellectuals. I say, what a splendid body. Three days later, the two friends were driving along the road to Nicosco. The day was bright and not too hot, and the plump post-horses trotted smartly along, flicking their tied and plated tails. Arcadi looked at the road, and, without knowing why, he smiled.

Starting point is 03:26:27 "'Congratulate me!' exclaimed Bazzarov suddenly. "'Today's the 22nd of June, my saint's day. Let us see how he will watch over me. "'They expect me home to-day,' he added, dropping his voice. "'Well, they can wait.' What does it matter? End of Chapter 15. Recording by Roger Maline.

Starting point is 03:26:57 Chapter 16 of Fathers and Sons. This Libervox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Roger Maline. Fathers and Sons by Ivan Turgenev. Translated by Richard Hare. Chapter 16. The country house, in which Anna Sergeyevna lived, stood on the slope of a low hill

Starting point is 03:27:21 not far from a yellow stone church with a green roof, white columns, and decorated with a fresco over the main entrance, representing the resurrection of Christ in the Italian style. Especially remarkable for its voluminous contours was the figure of a swarthy soldier in a helmet, sprawling in the foreground of the picture. Behind the church stretched a long village street with chimneys peeping out here and there from thatched roofs.

Starting point is 03:27:51 the manor house was built in the same style as the church the style now famous as that of alexander the first the whole house was painted yellow and it had a green roof white columns and a pediment with a coat of arms carved on it the provincial architect had designed both buildings according to the instructions of the late odinstov who could not endure as he expressed it senseless and arbitrary innovations the house was flanked on both sides by the dark trees of an old garden an avenue of clipped pines led up to the main entrance our friends were met in the hall by two tall footmen in livery one of them ran at once to fetch the butler the butler a stout man in a black tail-coat promptly appeared and led the visitors up a staircase covered with rugs into a specially prepared room in which a special prepared room in which a small-coat promptly appeared and led the visitors up a staircase covered with rugs into a specially prepared room in which two beds had been arranged with every kind of toilet accessory. It was evident that order reigned in the house. Everything was clean, and there was everywhere a peculiar dignified fragrance, such as one encounters in ministerial reception rooms.

Starting point is 03:29:09 Anna Sergeyevna asked you to come to see her in half an hour, the butler announced. Have you any orders to give, meanwhile? No orders, my good sir. answered Bezadov but perhaps he will kindly trouble yourself to bring a glass of vodka? Certainly, sir, said the butler, looking rather surprised, and went out, his boots creaking. What grand genre, remarked Bezadov. That's what you call it in your set, I think. A grand duchess complete. A nice grand duchess, answered Arcadi, to invite straightaway such great aristocrats as you and me to stay with her.

Starting point is 03:29:53 Especially me, a future doctor and a doctor's son and grandson of a village priest. You know that, I suppose. A village priest's grandson, like the statesman Spuransky, added Bazarov, after a brief silence pursing his lips. Anyhow, she gives herself the best of everything, this pampered lady. Can't we soon find ourselves wearing tailcoats? Arcadi only shrugged his shoulders, but he too felt a certain embarrassment. Half an hour later, Bazadov and Arkady made their way together into the drawing room.

Starting point is 03:30:32 It was a large, lofty room, luxuriously furnished, but with little personal taste. Heavy, expensive furniture stood in a conventional stiff arrangement along the walls, which were covered in a buff wallpaper decorated with gold. golden aberesks. Audenstov had ordered the furniture from Moscow through a wine merchant who was a friend and agent of his. Over a sofa in the center of one wall hung a portrait of a flabby, fair-haired man,

Starting point is 03:31:05 which seemed to look disapprovingly at the visitors. "'It must be the late husband,' whispered Bizarov to Arkady. "'Shall we dash off?' but at that moment the hostess entered she wore a light muslin dress her hair smoothly brushed back behind her ears imparted a girlish expression to her pure fresh face thank you for keeping your promise she began you must stay a little while you won't find it so bad here i will introduce you to my sister she plays the piano well that's a matter of indifference to you m bazardov but you m kirsanov are fond of music i believe apart from my sister an old aunt lives with me and a neighbor sometimes comes over to play cards that makes up our whole circle and now let us sit down madame orenstov delivered this whole little speech very fluently and distinctly as if she had learned it by heart then she turned to it appeared that her mother had known arcadi's mother and had even been her confidante in her love for nikolai petrovitch arkady began to talk with warm feeling about his dead mother

Starting point is 03:32:29 meanwhile bezadov sat and looked through some albums what a tame cat i've become he thought a beautiful white wolfhound with a blue collar ran into the drawing-room and tapped on the floor with its paws it was followed by a girl of eighteen with a round and pleasing face and small dark eyes in her hands she held a basket filled with flowers this is my kattya said madame orinstov nodding in her direction katya made a slight curtsey sat down beside her sister and began arranging the flowers the wolfhound whose name was fifi went up to both visitors in turn wagging its tail and thrusting its cold nose into their hands did you pick them all yourself asked madame orenstov yes answered katya is auntie coming down for tea she's coming when katya spoke her face had a charming smile at once bashful and candid and she looked up from under her eyebrows with a kind of amusing severity everything about her was naive and undeveloped her voice the downy bloom on her face the rosy hands with white palms and the rather nigh narrow shoulders. She was constantly blushing, and she breathed quickly. Madame Audenstov turned to Bazadov.

Starting point is 03:34:08 You are looking at pictures out of politeness, Evgeny Vasilich, she began. It doesn't interest you, so you had better come and join us, and we will have a discussion about something. Bazadov moved nearer. What have you decided to discuss? he muttered. Whatever you like. I warn you, I am dreadfully argumentative. You?

Starting point is 03:34:35 Yes, that seems to surprise you. Why? Because, so far as I can judge, you have a calm and cool temperament, and to be argumentative one needs to get excited. How have you managed to sum me up so quickly? In the first place, I am impatient and persistent. You should ask Katya. and secondly i am very easily carried away bezarov looked at anna sergeyevna perhaps you know best very well if you want a discussion so be it

Starting point is 03:35:13 i was looking at the views of swiss mountains in your albums and you remarked that they couldn't interest me you said that because you suppose i have no artistic feeling and it is true i have none but those views might interest me from a geological standpoint for studying the information of mountains for instance excuse me but as a geologist you would rather study a book some special work on the subject and not a drawing the drawing shows me at one glance what might be spread over ten pages in a book anna sergeyevna was silent for a few moments so you have no feeling whatsoever for art she said leaning her elbow on the table and by so doing bringing her face nearer to bazardo how do you manage without it why what is it needed for may i ask well at least to help one to know and understand people bazadov smiled in the first place experience of life does this place experience of life does this that, and in the second, I assure you, the study of separate individuals is not worth the trouble it involves. All people resemble each other, in soul, as well as in body. Each of us has a brain, spleen, heart, and lungs of similar construction. The so-called moral qualities are the same

Starting point is 03:36:49 in all of us. The slight variations are insignificant. It is enough to have one, one single human specimen in order to judge all the others people are like trees in a forest no botanist would think of studying each individual birch tree katya who was arranging the flowers one by one in a leisurely way raised her eyes to bezotov with a puzzled expression and meeting his quick casual glance she blushed right up to her ears anna sergeyevna shook her head the trees in a forest she repeated then according to you there is no difference between a stupid and an intelligent person or between a good and a bad one no there is a difference as there is between the sick and the healthy the lungs of a consumptive person are not in the same condition as yours or mine although their construction is the same we know more or less what causes physical ailments but moral diseases are caused by bad education by all the rubbish with which people's heads are stuffed from childhood onwards in short by the disordered state of society reform society and there will be no diseases bezatov said all this with an air as though he were all the while thinking to himself believe me or not as you wish it's all the way that's all the way as you wish it's all the the same to me. He slowly passed his long fingers over his whiskers, and his eyes strayed round the room. "'And you suppose,' said Anasurgievna, "'that when society is reformed,

Starting point is 03:38:38 there will be no longer any stupid or wicked people?' "'At any rate, in a properly organized society, it'll make no difference whether a man is stupid or clever, bad or good. Yes, I understand. They will all have the same spleen. Exactly, madam. Madame Orenstov turned to Arcadi. And what is your opinion, Arkady Nikolayevich?

Starting point is 03:39:08 I agree with Evgeny, he answered. Katya looked at him from under her eyelids. You amaze me, gentlemen, commented Madame Ordonald. But we will talk about this again. I hear my aunt now coming into tea. We must spare her. Anna Sergeyevna's aunt, Princess X, a small, shriveled woman with a pinched up face like a fist, with staring bad-tempered eyes under her gray brows, came in, and scarcely bowing to the guests, sank into a broad velvet-covered armchair, in which no one except herself, was privileged to sit. Katya put a stool under her feet. The old lady did not thank her or even look at her,

Starting point is 03:39:57 only her hand shook under the yellow shawl, which almost covered her decrepit body. The princess liked yellow, even her cap had yellow ribbons. How did you sleep, Auntie? asked Madame Orenstov, raising her voice. That dog here again, mumbled the old lady in her. reply, and noticing that Fifi was making two hesitating steps in her direction, she hissed loudly. Katya called Fifi and opened the door for her. Fifi rushed out gaily, imagining she was going to be taken for a walk, but when she found herself left alone outside the door, she began to scratch and whine. The princess frowned. Katya rose to go out.

Starting point is 03:40:48 i expect tea is ready said madame orenstov come gentlemen auntie will you go into tea the princess rose from her chair without speaking and led the way out of the drawing-room they all followed her into the dining-room a little cossack page drew back noisily from the table a chair covered with cushions also dedicated to the princess who sank into it katya who poured out tea handed her first a cup decorated with a coat of arms the old lady helped herself to honey which she put in her cup she considered it both sinful and extravagant to drink tea with sugar in it although she never spent a penny of her own on anything and suddenly asked in a hoarse voice and what does prince yvonne write no one made any reply bezharov and arkady soon observed that the family paid no attention to her although they treated her respectfully they put up with her because of her princely family thought after tea anna sergeyevna suggested that they should go out for a walk but it began to rain a little and the whole party except the princess returned to the drawing-room the neighbor arrived the devoted card-player his name was porfiry platonitch a plump grayish little man with short spindly legs very polite and jocular anna sergeyevna who still talked principally to bezharov asked him whether he would like to play an old-fashioned game of preference with them

Starting point is 03:42:37 bezarov accepted saying that he certainly needed to prepare himself in advance for the duties in store for him as a country doctor you must be careful remarked anna sargayevna porfiry platonitch and i will defeat you and you katya she added play something to arkari nikolayitch he's fond of music and we shall enjoy listening too katya went unwillingly to the piano and archa although he was genuinely fond of music, unwillingly followed her. It seemed to him that Madame Odenstuff was getting rid of him, and he felt already like most young men of his age, a vague and oppressive excitement, like a foretaste of love. Kaccia lifted the lid of the piano, and without looking at Arkady, asked in an undertone,

Starting point is 03:43:32 What am I to play to you? What you like? answered Arkady indifferently. What sort of music do you prefer? Went on Katya without changing her attitude. Classical, answered Arkady in the same tone of voice. Do you like Mozart? Yes, I like Mozart.

Starting point is 03:43:57 Katya pulled out Mozart's Sonata Fantasia in C minor. She played very well, although a little too precisely and dryly. She sat upright and motionless without taking her eyes off the music, her lips tightly compressed, and only towards the end of the sonata her face started to glow. Her hair loosened, and a little lock fell over her dark brow. Arcadi was especially struck by the last part of the sonata, the part where the enchanting gaiety of the careless melody, at its height, is suddenly broken into by the pangs of stanza.

Starting point is 03:44:37 such a sad and almost tragic suffering. But the ideas inspired in him by the sounds of Mozart were not related to Katya. Looking at her, he merely thought, Well, that young lady doesn't play too badly, and she's not bad looking either. When she had finished the sonata, Katya, without taking her hands from the keys, asked, Is that enough? arkady said that he would not venture to trouble her further and began talking to her about mozart he asked her whether she had chosen that sonata herself or someone else had recommended it to her but cacha answered him in monosyllables and withdrew into herself when this happened she did not come out again quickly at such times her face took on an obstinate almost stupid expression

Starting point is 03:45:34 She was not exactly shy, but she was diffident and rather overawed by her sister, who had educated her, but who never even suspected that such a feeling existed in Katya. Arcadi was at length reduced to calling Fifi over to him, and stroking her on the head with a benevolent smile in order to create the impression of being at his ease. Katya went on arranging her flowers. meanwhile bezadov was losing and losing anna seregayevna played cards with masterly skill porfiry platonitch also knew how to hold his own bazadov lost a sum which though trifling in itself was none too pleasant for him at supper anna saraegov again turned the conversation to botany let us go for a walk to-morrow morning she said to him i want you to teach me the latin names of several wild plants and their species what's the good of the latin names to you asked

Starting point is 03:46:46 order is needed for everything she answered what a wonderful woman anasetegeyevna is cried arkady when he was alone in their room with his friend yes answered bazara a female with brains and she's seen life too in what sense do you mean that avgeny in a good sense in a good sense my worthy arkady nikolievitch i'm sure she also manages her estate very efficiently but what as wonderful is not her but her sister what that little dark creature yes the little dark creature she's fresh untouched and shy and silent anything you want one could work on her and make something out of her but the other she's an experienced hand arkady did not answer bazarov and each of them got into bed occupied with his own particular thoughts anna sergeyyevna was also thinking about her guests that evening she liked bezharov for his absence of flattery and for his definite downright views she found in him something new which she had not met before and she was curious anna sergeyevna was a rather strange person having no prejudices at all and no strong convictions either she neither avoided things nor went out of her her way to secure anything special. She was clear-sighted, and she had many interests, but nothing

Starting point is 03:48:34 completely satisfied her. Indeed, she hardly desired any complete satisfaction. Her mind was at once inquiring and indifferent. Though her doubts were never soothed by forgetfulness, they never grew powerful enough to agitate her disagreeably. Had she not been rich and independent, she would probably have thrown herself into the struggle and experienced passion. But life ran easily for her, although she was sometimes bored, and she went on from day to day without hurrying and only rarely feeling disturbed. Rainbow-colored visions sometimes glowed before her eyes, but she breathed more peacefully when they faded away, and she did not hanker after them. Her imagination certainly overstepped the limits of conventional morality,

Starting point is 03:49:32 but all the time her blood flowed as quietly as ever in her charmingly graceful, tranquil body. Sometimes, emerging from her fragrant bath, warm and languid, she would start musing on the emptiness of life, its sorrow, labor, and vindictiveness. Her soul would be filled with sudden daring and burying, and burying. with generous ardor. But then a draft would blow from a half-open window, and Anna Sergeyevna would shrink back into herself, with a plaintive, almost angry feeling,

Starting point is 03:50:09 and there was only one thing she needed at that particular moment to get away from that nasty draft. Like all women who have not succeeded in loving, she wanted something without knowing what it was. Actually, she wanted nothing. though it seemed to her that she wanted everything. She could hardly endure the late Odinstov. She married him for practical reasons,

Starting point is 03:50:36 though she might not have agreed to become his wife if she had not regarded him as a good-natured man. And she had conceived a hidden repugnance for all men, whom she could think of only as slovenly, clumsy, dull, feebly irritating creatures. Once, somewhere abroad, she had met a handsome young swede with a chivalrous expression and with honest eyes under an open brow. He made a strong impression on her, but that had not prevented her from returning to Russia.

Starting point is 03:51:12 A strange man, this doctor, she thought as she lay in her magnificent bed on lace pillows under a light silk eider down. Anasuragayevna had inherited from her father some of his sons. passion for luxury. She had been devoted to him, and he had idolized her, used to joke with her as though she were a friend and equal, confided his secrets to her, and asked her advice. Her mother, she scarcely remembered. "'This doctor is a strange man,' she repeated to herself. She stretched, smiled, clasped her hands behind her head, ran her eyes over two pages of a stupid French novel,

Starting point is 03:51:59 dropped the book and fell asleep, pure and cold in her clean and fragrant linen. The following morning, Anasurgayevna went off botanizing with Bazaarov immediately after breakfast, and returned just before dinner. Arcari did not go out anywhere, but spent about an hour with Katya.

Starting point is 03:52:23 He was not bored in her company. She offered of her own accord, to play the Mozart sonata again, but when Madame Ordenstov came back at last, and he caught sight of her, he felt a sudden pain in his heart. She walked through the garden with a rather tired step, her cheeks were burning, and her eyes shone more brightly than usual under her round straw hat. She was twirling in her fingers the thin stalk of some wild flower. Her light shawl had slipped down, to her elbows, and the broad gray ribbons of her hat hung over her bosom. Bezarov walked beside her, self-confident and casual as ever, but Arkady disliked the

Starting point is 03:53:10 expression of his face, although it was cheerful and even affectionate. Bezarov muttered, Good day, between his teeth, and went straight to his room, and Madame Orinstov shook Arkady's hand absent-mindedly, and also watched. passed him. Why good day, thought Arcadi, as if we had not seen each other already today. End of Chapter 16. Recording by Roger Maline. Chapter 17 of Fathers and Sons This Libervox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Roger Maline. Fathers and Sons by Yvon Tergenyev.

Starting point is 03:54:02 Translated by Richard Hare. Chapter 17 As we all know, time sometimes flies like a bird and sometimes crawls like a worm, but people may be unusually happy when they do not even notice whether time has passed quickly or slowly. In this way, Arkadi and Bezadov spent a whole fortnight with Madame Orinstov. Such a result was achieved partly by the order and regularity which she had established in her house and mode of life. She adhered strictly to this order herself,

Starting point is 03:54:41 and obliged others to submit to it as well. Everything during the day was done at a fixed time. In the morning, at eight o'clock precisely, the whole party assembled for tea. From then till breakfast, everyone did what he liked. The hostess herself was engaged with her bailiff, the estate was run on the rental system her butler and her head housekeeper before dinner the party met again for conversation or reading the evening was devoted to walking cards or music at half-past ten anna sergeyevna retired to her own room gave her orders for the next day and went to bed bazadov did not care for this measured and rather formal regularity in daily life like gliding along rails he called it livened footmen and stately butlers offended his democratic sentiments he declared that once you went so far you might as well dine in the english style in tail-coats and white ties he once spoke out his views on the subject to anasurgayevna her manner was such that people never hesitated to say what they thought in front of her she heard him out and then remarked from your point of view you are right and perhaps in that way i am too much of a lady

Starting point is 03:56:11 but one must lead an orderly life in the country otherwise one is overcome by boredom and she continued to go her own way bazarov grumbled but both he and arkady found life easy at madame orenstov's just because everything in the house ran so smoothly on rails nevertheless some change had occurred in both the young men since the first days of their stay at nicolsko bazarov whose company anasidegayevna obviously enjoyed though she rarely agreed with him began to show quite unprecedented signs of unrest he was easily irritated spoke with reluctance often looked angry and could not sit still in one place as if moved about by some irresistible desire while arcadi who had conclusively made up his mind that he was in love with madame orenstov began to abandon himself to a quiet melancholy this melancholy however did not prevent him from making friends with katya it even helped him to develop a more affectionate relationship with her she does not appreciate me he thought so be it but here is a kind person who does not repulse me and his heart again knew the sweetness of generous emotions katya vaguely understood that he was seeking a kind of consolation in her company and did not deny him or herself the innocent pleasure of a shy confidential friendship they did not talk to each other in anasurgayevna's presence

Starting point is 03:58:00 katya always shrank into herself under her sister's sharp eyes while arkady naturally could pay attention to nothing else when he was close to the object of his love but he felt happy with katya when he was alone with her he knew that it was beyond his power to interest madame odinstov he was shy and at a loss when he was left in her company nor had she anything special to say to him He was too young for her. On the other hand, with Katya, Arkady felt quite at home. He treated her indulgently, encouraged her to talk about her own impressions of music, novels, verses, and other trifles, without noticing or acknowledging that these trifles interested him also.

Starting point is 03:58:53 Katya, for her part, did not interfere with his melancholy. Arcari felt at ease with Kassi felt at ease with Kov. and Madame Orenstov with Bazarov, so it usually happened that after the two couples had been together for a while, they went off on their separate ways, especially during walks. Katya adored nature, and so did Arkady, though he did not dare to admit it. Madame Orenstov, like Bazarov, was rather indifferent to natural beauties. The continued separation of the two firsts, produced its consequences. Their relationship began to change.

Starting point is 03:59:36 Bezarov gave up talking to Arkady about Matamotanstov. He even stopped abusing her aristocratic habits. However, he continued to praise Katya and advised Arkady only to restrain her sentimental tendencies, but his praises were hurried and perfunctory. His advice was dry, and in general he talked much less to arcady than before he seemed to avoid him he was ill at ease in his presence arkady observed all this but kept his observations to himself the real cause of all this novelty was the feeling inspired in bezorov by madame orenstov a feeling which at once tortured and maddened him and which he would have promptly denied with contentious laughter and cynical abuse, if anyone had even remotely hinted at the possibility of what was happening within him. Bazadov was very fond of women and of feminine beauty, but love in the ideal, or, as he called it,

Starting point is 04:00:44 romantic, sense, he described as idiocy, unpardonable folly. He regarded chivalrous feelings as a kind of deformity or disease, and, and, he regarded, and had more than once expressed his amazement that Toggenberg and all the Minescengers and troubadors had not been shut up in a lunatic asylum. If a woman appeals to you, he used to say, try to gain your end, and if you can't, well, just turn your back on her. There are lots more good fish in the sea. Madame Ordinstov appealed to him. The rumors he had heard about her, the first of her. freedom and independence of her ideas, her obvious liking for him, all seemed to be in his favor,

Starting point is 04:01:34 but he soon saw that with her he could not gain his end, and as for turning his back on her, he found, to his own amazement, he had no strength to do so. His blood was on fire directly he thought about her. He could easily have mastered his blood, but something else was taking possession of him, something he had never allowed at which he had always scoffed and at which his pride revolted in his conversations with anasidegyevna he expressed more strongly than ever his calm indifference to any kind of romanticism but when he was alone he indignantly recognized romanticism in himself then he would go off into the forest and stride about smashing the twigs which came in his wife way and cursing under his breath both her and himself or he would go into the hay-loft in the barn and obstinately closing his eyes force himself to sleep in which of course he did not always succeed suddenly he would imagine those chaste hands twining themselves around his neck those proud lips responding to his kisses those intelligent eyes looking with tenderness yes yes with tenderness into his and his head went round and he forgot himself for a moment till indignation boiled up again within him he caught himself indulging in all sorts of shameful thoughts as though a devil were mocking at him

Starting point is 04:03:16 it seemed to him sometimes that a change was also taking place in madame orenstog that her face expressed something unusual that perhaps But at that point he would stamp on the ground, grind his teeth, or clench his fist. Meanwhile, he was not entirely mistaken. He had struck Madame Orenstov's imagination. He interested her. She thought a lot about him. In his absence, she was not exactly bored. She did not wait for him with impatience.

Starting point is 04:03:51 But when he appeared, she immediately became livelier. she enjoyed being left alone with him and she enjoyed talking to him even when he annoyed her or offended her taste and her refined habits she seemed eager both to test him and to analyze herself one day walking with her in the garden he abruptly announced in a surly voice that he intended to leave very soon to go to his father's place she turned white as if something had pricked her in her heart heart. She was surprised at the sudden pain she felt, and pondered long afterwards on what it could mean. Bazadov had told her about his departure without any idea of trying out the effect of the news upon her. He never fabricated story. That same morning he had seen his father's bailiff, Timafish, who had looked after him as a child. This Timofish, an experienced and astute little old man, with faded yellow hair, a weather-beaten red face, and with tiny teardrops in his shrunken eyes,

Starting point is 04:05:05 had appeared quite unexpectedly in front of Bazadov, in his short coat of thick gray-blue cloth, leather girdle, and tarred boots. "'Hello, old man, how are you?' exclaimed Bazado. "'How do you do, Evgeny Vasilich?' began the little old man, smiling with joy, so that his whole face was immediately covered with wrinkles. What have you come here for? They sent you to find me, eh? Fancy that, sir.

Starting point is 04:05:38 How is it possible? Mumbled Timofish. He remembered the strict injunctions he had received from his master before he left. We were sent to town on the master's business and heard news of your honor, so we turned off on the way, well, to have a look at you.

Starting point is 04:05:55 Your Honor. As if we could think of disturbing you. Now, then, don't lie, Bizarov cut him short. It's no use you're pretending this is on the road to the town. Timofesh hesitated and said nothing. Is my father well? Thank God, yes. And my mother? Arina Vlasyevna, too, glory be to God. They're expecting me, I suppose.

Starting point is 04:06:28 The old man leaned his little head on one side. Oh, Fgeny Vasilich, how they wait for you. Believe me, it makes the heartache to see them. All right, all right, don't rub it in. Tell them I'm coming soon. I obey, answered Timofesh with a sigh. As he left the house, he pulled his cat. down with both hands over his head then clambered into a dilapidated racing carriage and went off at a trot but not in the direction of the town on the evening of that day madame orenstov was sitting in one room with

Starting point is 04:07:11 bazaar while arkari walked up and down the hall listening to katya playing the piano the princess had gone upstairs to her own room she always loathed visitors but she resented particularly the the new raving lunatics as she called them in the main rooms she only sulked but she made up for that in her own room by bursting into such a torrent of abuse in front of her maid that the cap danced on her head wig and all madame audenstov knew all about this how is it that you were proposing to leave us she began what about your promises bezorov made a movement of surprise what promises have you forgotten you intended to give me some chemistry lessons oh it can't be helped my father expects me i can't put it off any longer besides you can read pelus e fremi notions general de chmy it's a good book and clearly written you will find in it all you need but you remember you assured me that a book can't take the place of-i forgot how you put it but you know what i mean don't you remember it can't be helped repeated why should you go said madame odinstov dropping her voice he glanced at her her head had fallen on the back of the arm-chair and her arms bare to the elbow were folded over her bosom she seemed paler in the light of the single lamp covered with a translucent paper shade a broad white dress covered her completely in its soft folds even the tips of her feet also crossed were hardly visible

Starting point is 04:09:08 and why should i stay answered bezatov madame audenstov turned her head slightly you ask why have you not enjoyed staying here or do you think no one will miss you when you are gone i am sure of that madame audenstov was silent for a moment you are wrong in thinking so but i won't believe you you can't say that seriously bezaudov continued to sit motionless evgeny vassilitch why don't you speak what am i to say to you there is no point in missing people and that applies to me even more than to most why so i am a straightforward uninteresting person i don't know how to talk you are fishing for compliments avgeny that's not my custom don't you know yourself that the graceful side of life which you value so highly is beyond my reach madame ordinstov bit the corner of her handkerchief you may think what you like but i shall find it dull when you go away arcady will stay on remarked baz madame odenstov slightly shrugged her shoulders it will be dull for me she repeated really in any case you won't feel like that for long what makes you suppose so because you told me yourself that you are bored only when your orderly routine is disturbed. You have organized your life with such impeccable

Starting point is 04:10:59 regularity that there can't be any place left in it for boredom or sadness, for any painful emotions. And do you consider that I am so impeccable—I mean, that I have organized my life so thoroughly? I should think so. For example, in five minutes the clock will strike ten, and I already know in advance that you will turn me out of the room no i won't turn you out of genie vasilich you may stay open that window i feel half stifled bazadov got up and pushed the window it flew wide open with a crash he had not expected it to open so easily also his hands were trembling the soft dark night looked into the room with its nearly sky, its faintly rustling trees, and the fresh fragrance of the pure open air. Draw the blind and sit down, said Madame Odinstahl. I want to have a talk with you before you go away.

Starting point is 04:12:10 Tell me something about yourself. You never talk about yourself. I try to talk to you about useful subjects, Anna Sardievna. You are very modest, but I should like to know something about you. about your family and your father for whom you are forsaking us. Why is she talking like this, thought Bezadov? All that is very uninteresting, he said aloud, particularly for you. We are obscure people. You regard me as an aristocrat?

Starting point is 04:12:48 Bezadov lifted his eyes and looked at Madame Odinstov. Yes, he said with exact. exaggerated harshness she smiled i see you know me very little though of course you maintain that all people are alike and that it is not worth while studying individuals i will tell you the story of my life some time but first tell me yours i know you very little repeated bazadaugh perhaps you are right perhaps really every one is a riddle you for instance you avoid society you find it tedious and you invited two students to stay with you what makes you with your beauty and your intelligence live permanently in the country what what did you say madame audenstov interposed eagerly with my beauty. Bezada frowned. Never mind about that, he muttered.

Starting point is 04:13:54 I wanted to say that I don't properly understand why you settled in the country. You don't understand it, yet you explain it to yourself somehow. Yes, I suppose that you prefer to remain in one place because you are self-indulgent, very fond of comfort and ease, and very indifferent to everything else. Madame Odinstov smiled again. You absolutely refuse to believe

Starting point is 04:14:24 that I am capable of being carried away by anything? Bizarov glanced at her from under his brows. By curiosity, perhaps, but in no other way. Indeed! Well, now I understand why we have become such friends. You are just a good. just like me." We have become friends," Bazarov muttered in a hollow voice.

Starting point is 04:14:52 Yes, why, I had forgotten that you want to go away. Bazadov got up. The lamp burned dimly in the darkening, isolated, fragrant room. The blind swayed from time to time and led in the stimulating freshness of the night and its mysterious whispers. Madame Ordinstov did not have. stir, but a hidden excitement gradually took possession of her. It communicated itself to Buzadov. He suddenly felt he was alone with a young and beautiful woman.

Starting point is 04:15:27 "'Where are you going?' she said slowly. He made no answer and sank into a chair. "'And so you consider me a placid, pampered, self-indulgent creature,' she continued in the same tone and without taking her eyes off the window. But I know so much about myself that I am unhappy. You unhappy? What for? Surely you can't attach any importance to slanderous gossip? Madame Audenstoff frowned. She was upset that he had understood her words in that way. Such gossip does not even amuse me, Evgeny Vasilisil. and I am too proud to allow it to disturb me.

Starting point is 04:16:16 I am unhappy because I have no desires, no love of life. You look at me suspiciously. You think those are the words of an aristocrat who sits in lace on a velvet chair. I don't deny for a moment that I like what you call comfort, and at the same time I have little desire to live. Reconcile that contradiction as a little bit of a little bit of a little bit of a little bit of best you can. Of course, it is all sheer romanticism to you." Bazara shook his head.

Starting point is 04:16:51 You are healthy, independent, and rich. What more is left? What do you want? What do I want? repeated Madame Odinstein and sighed, I am very tired. I am old. I feel as if I had lived a very long time. yes i am old she added softly drawing the ends of her shawl over her bare arms her eyes met bazadov's and she blushed slightly so many memories are behind me life in petersburg wealth then poverty then my father's death marriage then travelling abroad as was inevitable so many memories and so little was-reveld and so little worth remembering, and in front of me, a long, long road without a goal. I have not even the desire to go on. Are you so disappointed? asked Bazadov.

Starting point is 04:17:57 No, answered Madame Odinstov, speaking with deliberation, but I am dissatisfied. I think if I were strongly attached to something, you want to fall in love, Bazzarov interrupted her. But you can't love. That is your unhappiness. Madame Audenstov started looking at the shawl over her sleeve. Am I incapable of love? she murmured. Hardly, but I was wrong in calling it unhappiness.

Starting point is 04:18:32 On the contrary, a person should rather be pitied when that happens to him. When what happens to him? falling in love. And how do you know that? I have heard it, answered Bazadov angrily. You are flirting, he thought. You're bored and are playing with me for want of anything better to do, while I.

Starting point is 04:19:00 Truly his heart was torn. Besides, you may be expecting too much, he said, leaning forward with his whole body, and playing with the fringe of his chair. Perhaps. I want everything or nothing. A life for a life, taking one and giving up another

Starting point is 04:19:22 without hesitation and beyond recall. Or else better have nothing. Well, observed Bazada, those are fair terms, and I'm surprised that so far you haven't found what you want. and do you think it would be easy to give oneself up entirely to anything not easy if you start reflecting waiting estimating your value appraising yourself i mean but to give oneself unreasoningly is very easy how can one help valuing oneself if i have no value then who needs my devotion that is not my affair

Starting point is 04:20:09 it is for another person to investigate my value. The main thing is to know how to devote oneself. Madame Odenstove leaned forward from the back of her chair. You speak as if you had experienced it all yourself, she said. It happened to come up in the course of our conversation, but all that, as you know, is not in my line. But could you devote yourself unreservedly? i don't know i don't want to boast madame odenstov said nothing and bazardov remained silent the sounds of the piano floated up to them from the drawing-room

Starting point is 04:20:54 how is it that cacha is playing so late observed madame odenstov got up yes it really is late now time for you to go to bed wait a little why should you have you have been wait a little why should you hurry i want to say one word to you what is it wait a little whispered madame odenstove her eyes rested on bezaro it seemed as if she was examining him attentively he walked across the room then suddenly came up to her hurriedly said good-bye squeezed her hand so that she almost screamed and went out she raised her compressed fingers to her lips breathed on them then rose impulsively from her arm-chair and moved rapidly towards the door as if she wanted to bring bazad of back a maid entered the room carrying a decanter on a silver tray madame audenstov stood still told the maid she could go and sat down again deep in thought her hair slipped loose and-aubbed and she could go and sat down again deep in thought her hair slipped loose and fell in a dark coil over her shoulders the lamp went on burning for a long time in her room while she still sat there motionless only from time to time rubbing her hands which were bitten by the cold night air bazarov returned to his bedroom two hours later his boots wet with dew looking dishelled and gloomy he found arkady sitting at the writing-desk with a book in his hands his coat buttoned up to the neck not in bed yet he exclaimed with what sounded like annoyance you were sitting a long time with anna sergeyevna this evening said arkady without answering his question

Starting point is 04:22:54 yes i sat with her all the time you were playing the piano with katerina sergeyevna i was not playing began arkady and stopped he felt that tears were rising in his eyes and he did not want to cry in front of his sarcastic friend end of chapter seventeen recording by roger chapter eighteen of fathers and sons this librivox recording is in the public domain recording by roger maline fathers and sons by yvonne tergenyev translated by richard hare chapter eighteen the next day when madame orenstov came down to tea bezarov sat for a long time bending over his cup then suddenly glanced up at her she turned towards him as if he had touched her and he fancied that her face was paler since the night before she soon went off to her own room and did not reappear till breakfast it had rained since early morning so that there was no question of going for walks the whole party assembled in the drawing-room arkady took up the last number of a journal and began to read the princess as usual first tried to express angry amazement by her facial expression as though he were doing something indecent then glared angrily at him but he paid no attention to her evgeny vassilitch said anna sergeyevna let us go to my room i want to ask you you mentioned a text-book yesterday

Starting point is 04:24:53 she got up and went to the door the princess looked round as if she wanted to say look at me see how shocked i am and again stared at arcadi but he merely raised his head and exchanging glances with katya near whom he was sitting he went on reading madame odenstov walked quickly into her study bezotov followed her without raising his eyes and only listening to the delicate swish and rustle of her silk dress gliding in front of him madame odenstov sat down in the same arm-chair in which she had sat the evening before and bezadov also sat down in his former place well what is that book called she began after a short silence peluse effray notion general answered bazaarov however i might recommend to you also a ganon trete elemente des physique experimental in that book the illustrations are clearer and as a complete text-book madame ordinstov held out her hand evgeny vasilitch excuse me but i didn't invite you here to discuss text-books i wanted to go on with our conversation of last night you went away so suddenly it won't bore you i am at your service anna sergeyevna but what were we talking about last night madame audenstov cast a sidelong glance at brazadov we were talking about happiness i believe i told you about myself by the way i just mentioned the word happiness

Starting point is 04:26:47 tell me why is it that even when we are enjoying for instance music a beautiful evening or a conversation with agreeable people it all seems to be rather a hint of immeasurable happiness existing somewhere apart rather than genuine happiness such an such i mean as we ourselves can really possess why is it or perhaps you never experience that kind of feeling you know the saying happiness is where we are not replied besides you told me yesterday that you are discontented but it is as you say no such ideas ever enter my head perhaps they seem ridiculous to you no they just don't under my head really do you know i should very much like to know what you do think about how i don't understand you listen i have long wanted to have a frank talk with you there is no need to tell you for you know it yourself that you are not an ordinary person you are still young your whole life lies before you for what are you preparing yourself what future awaits you i mean to say what purpose are you aiming at in what direction are you moving what is in your heart in short who and what are you you surprise me anna sergeyyevna you know that i am studying natural science and who i-yes who are you i have already told you that i am going to be a district doctor anna sergeyevna made an impatient movement what do you say that for you don't believe it yourself arkady might answer me in that way but not you

Starting point is 04:28:47 how does arcady come in stop is it possible you could content yourself with such a humble career and aren't you always declaring that medicine doesn't exist for you you with your ambition a district doctor you answer me like that in order to put me off because you have no confidence in me but you know afghani vassilich i should be able to understand that in order to put me off because you have no confidence in me but you know afghanye vassilitch i should be able to understand you i also have been poor and ambitious like you perhaps i went through the same trials as you that's all very well anna sedegayevna but you must excuse me i am not in the habit of talking freely about myself in general and there is such a gulf between you and me in what way a gulf do you mean to tell me again that i am an aristocrat enough of that afghanye vassilitch i thought i had convinced you and apart from all that broke in how can we want to talk and think about the future which for the most part doesn't depend on ourselves if an opportunity turns up of doing something so much the better and if it doesn't turn up at least one can be glad that one didn't idly gossip about it beforehand you call a friendly conversation gossip or perhaps you consider me as a woman unworthy of your confidence i know you despise us all i don't despise you anna srilyevna and you know that no i don't know anything but let us suppose so i understand your disinclination to talk about your future career but as to what is taking place with your future career

Starting point is 04:30:42 but as to what is taking place within you now taking place repeated bazad of as if i were some kind of government or society in any case it is completely uninteresting and besides can a person always speak out loud of everything which takes place within him but i don't see why you shouldn't speak freely about everything you have in your heart can you asked bazarov i can answered anna sergeyevna after a moment's hesitation bezharov bowed his head you are luckier than i as you like she continued but still something tells me that we did not get to know each other for nothing that we shall become good friends i am sure that your how shall i say your constraint your reserve will disappear eventually so you have noticed in me reserve and how did you put it constraint yes up and went to the window. And would you like to know the reason for this reserve? Would you like to know what is happening within me?

Starting point is 04:32:05 Yes, repeated Madame Audenstove, with a sort of dread which she did not quite understand. And you will not be angry? No! No? Bezotov was standing with his back to her. Let me tell you, then, that I love you. you like a fool, like a madman. There, you've got that out of me."

Starting point is 04:32:31 Madame Audenstov raised both her hands in front of her, while Bazadov pressed his forehead against the window-pane. He was breathing hard, his whole body trembled visibly. But it was not the trembling of youthful timidity, not the sweet awe of the first declaration that possessed him. passion beating within him a powerful heavy passion not unlike fury and perhaps akin to it madame audenstoff began to feel both frightened and sorry for him evgeny vasilich she murmured and her voice rang with unconscious tenderness he quickly turned round through a devouring look at her and seizing both her hands he suddenly pressed her to him him. She did not free herself at once from his embrace, but a moment later she was standing far away in a corner and looking from there at Bazzadov. He rushed towards her. You misunderstood me, she whispered in hurried alarm. It seemed that if he had made one more step, she would have screamed. Bazzadov bit his lips and went out. Half an hour later, a maid

Starting point is 04:33:57 gave Anasirgyevna a note from Bizarro. It consisted merely of one line. Am I to leave today, or can I stop till tomorrow? Why should you leave? I did not understand you. You did not understand me, Anna Surgayevna answered, but to herself, she thought, I did not understand myself either. She did not show herself till dinner-time. and kept walking up and down her room with her arms behind her back sometimes stopping in front of the window or the mirror and sometimes slowly rubbing her handkerchief over her neck on which she still seemed to feel a burning spot she asked herself what had impelled her to get that out of him as bezorov had expressed it to secure his confidence and whether she had really suspected nothing i am to blame she concluded aloud but i could not have foreseen this she became pensive and blushed when she recalled bazadov's almost animal face when he had rushed at her

Starting point is 04:35:12 or she suddenly uttered aloud stopping short and shook her curls she caught sight of herself in the mirror her tossed back head with a mysterious smile on the half-closed half-open eyes and lips told her it seemed in a flash something at which she herself felt confused no she decided at last god alone knows what it would lead to he couldn't be trifled with after all peace is better than anything else in the world her own peace of mind was not deeply disturbed but she felt sad and once even burst into tears without knowing why but not on account of the insult she had just experienced she did not feel insulted she was more inclined to feel guilty under the influence of various confused impulses the consciousness that life was passing her by the craving for novelty she had forced herself to move on to a certain point forced herself also to look beyond it and there she had seen not even an abyss but only sheer emptiness or something hideous end of chapter eighteen recording by roger maline Chapter 19 of Fathers and Sons This Librovok's recording is in the public domain.

Starting point is 04:36:55 Recording by Roger Maline. Fathers and Sons by Ivan Tergenyev, translated by Richard Hare. Chapter 19 In spite of her masterly self-control and superiority to every kind of prejudice, Madame Orenstov felt awkward when she entered the dining room for dinner. However, the meal went off quite satisfactorily. Porfiri Plotinich turned up and told various anecdotes. He had just returned from the town.

Starting point is 04:37:28 Among other things, he announced that the governor had ordered his secretaries on special commissions to wear spurs, in case he might want to send them off somewhere on horseback, at greater speed. Arkari talked in an undertone to Katya and attended diplomatically to the princess. bazadov maintained a grim and obstinate silence madame audenstov glanced at him twice not furtively but straight in his face which looked stern and choleric with downcast eyes and a contemptuous determination stamped on every feature and she thought no no no after dinner she went with the whole company into the garden and seeing that bezadov wanted to speak to her she walked a few steps to one side and stopped he approached her but even then he did not raise his eyes and said in a husky voice i have to apologize to you anna sergeyevna you must be furious with me no i'm not angry with you avgeny vasilitch but i'm upset so much the worse in any case i've been punished enough i find myself i find myself I'm sure you will agree, in a very stupid position.

Starting point is 04:38:51 You wrote to me, Why go away? But I can't stay, and I don't want to. Tomorrow I shall no longer be here. Evgeny Vasilich, why are you— Why am I going away? No, I didn't mean that. The past won't return, Anasurgevna,

Starting point is 04:39:13 but sooner or later this was bound to happen. therefore i must go i can imagine only one condition which would have enabled me to stay but that condition will never be for surely excuse my impudence you don't love me and never will love me bezorov's eyes glittered for a moment from under his dark brows anasurgievna did not answer him i'm afraid of this man was the thought that flashed through her mind farewell then muttered bazadov as if he guessed her thought and he turned back to the house anna sergeyevna followed him slowly and calling katya to her she took her arm she kept katya by her side till the evening she did not play cards and kept on laughing which was not at all in keeping with her pale and worried face arkady was perplexed and looked at her as young people do constantly wondering what can it mean bazadov shut himself up in his room and only reappeared at tea-time anna sergeyevna wanted to say a kind word to him but she could not bring herself to address him an unexpected incident rescued her from her embarrassment the butler announced the arrival of sitnikov words can hardly describe the strange figure cut by the young champion of progress as he fluttered into the room he had decided with his characteristic impudence to go to the country to visit a woman whom he hardly knew who had never invited him

Starting point is 04:40:59 but with whom as he had ascertained such talented people and intimate friends of his were staying nevertheless he was trembling to the marrow of his bones with fright and instead of bringing out the excuses and compliments which he had learned by heart beforehand he muttered something idiotic about evdoskia kuxina having sent him to inquire after anna sergeyevna's health and that arkady nikolayevitch had always spoken to him in terms of the high highest praise. At this point he faltered and lost his presence of mind so completely that he sat down on his hat. However, since no one turned him out and Anna Sergeyevna even introduced him to her aunt and sister, he soon recovered himself and began to chatter to his heart's content. The introduction of something commonplace is often useful in life. It relieves an overstrained intention and soberes down self-confident or self-sacrificing feelings by recalling how closely it is related to them. With Sittnikov's appearance, everything became somehow duller, more trivial, and easier.

Starting point is 04:42:16 They all even ate supper with a better appetite, and went to bed half an hour earlier than usual. I can now repeat to you, said Arkady, as he lay down in bed, to Basadov, who was also undressing. What you once said to me, why are you so melancholy? It looks as though you were fulfilling some sacred duty. For some time passed, a tone of artificially free and easy banter had sprung up between the two young men, always a sure sign of secret dissatisfaction or of unexpressed suspicion. I'm going to my father's place tomorrow, said Bezaro. Arkady raised himself and leaned on his elbow.

Starting point is 04:43:05 He felt both surprised and somehow pleased. Ah, he remarked, and is that why you are sad? Bizarov yawned. If you know too much, you grow old. And what about Anna Surgayevna? What about her? I mean, will she let you go?

Starting point is 04:43:28 I'm not in her employment. Arkady became thoughtful while Bazarov laid down and turned his face to the wall. Some minutes passed in silence. Evgeny! suddenly exclaimed Arkady. Well, I shall also leave you. tomorrow."

Starting point is 04:43:49 Bazzadov made no answer. Only, I shall go home, continued Arkady. We will go together as far as Koklovsky, and there you can get horses at Fidoz. I should have been delighted to meet your people, but I'm afraid I should only get in their way and yours. Of course you're coming back to stay with us. I've left all my things with you, said Bizarov, without turning around. why doesn't he ask me why am going away and just as suddenly as he is thought arcadi as a matter of fact why am i going and why is he went on reflecting

Starting point is 04:44:33 he could find no satisfactory answer to his own question though his heart was filled with some bitter feeling he felt he would find it hard to part from this life to which he had grown so accustomed but for him to stay on alone would also be queer something has happened between them he reasoned to himself what's the good of my hanging around here after he has gone obviously i should bore her stiff and lose even the little that remains for me he began to conjure up a picture of anna sergeyevna then other features gradually eclipsed the lovely image of the young widow I'm sorry about Katya, too, Arkady whispered to his pillow, on which a tear had already fallen. Suddenly he shook back his hair and said aloud,

Starting point is 04:45:28 What the devil brought that idiotic Sittnikov here? Bazadov started to move about in his bed and then made the following answer. I see you're still stupid, my boy. Sitnikovs are indispensable to us. For me, don't you? you understand. I need such blockheads. In fact, it's not for the gods to take bricks. Oh, ho! thought Arkady, and only then he saw in a flash the whole fathomless depth of

Starting point is 04:46:01 Bezadov's conceit. So you and I are gods in that case? At least you're a god, but I suppose I'm one of the blockheads. Yes, repeated Bezadov, gloomily. Your sort of. You're a god. You're a god, but I suppose I'm one of the blockheads. Yes, repeated Bezadov, gloomily. You're still stupid. Madame Orenstov expressed no particular surprise when Arkady told her the next day that he was going with Bizarov. She seemed tired and preoccupied. Katya looked at them with silent gravity.

Starting point is 04:46:35 The princess went so far as to cross herself under her shawl so that he could not help noticing it. but sidnikov on the other hand was most disconcerted he had just appeared for breakfast in a smart new costume not this time in the slavophile fashion the previous evening he had astonished the man appointed to look after him by the quantity of linen he had brought and now all of a sudden his comrades were deserting him he took a few quick steps darted round like a hunted hare on the edge of a wood and abruptly, almost with terror, almost with a whale, he announced that he also proposed to leave. Madame Ordenstov made no attempt to detain him. My carriage is very comfortable, added the unlucky young man, turning to Arkady.

Starting point is 04:47:30 I can take you, while Evgeny Vasilich takes your tarantas, so that will be even more convenient. But really, it's quite off your road. and it's a long way to where i live never mind that's nothing i've plenty of time besides i have business in that direction selling vodka asked arkady rather too contemptuously but sitnikov was already reduced to such despair that he did not even laugh as he usually did i assure you my carriage is extremely comfortable he muttered and the there will be room for everyone. Don't upset Monsieur Sittenikov by refusing,

Starting point is 04:48:17 murmured Anna Sergeyevna. Arkady glanced at her and bowed his head significantly. The visitors left after breakfast. As she said goodbye to Bazadov, Madame Orinstov held out her hand to him and said, We shall meet again, shan't we? As you command, answered Bazadov. in that case we shall arcady was the first to go out into the porch he climbed into sitnikov's carriage the butler tucked him in respectfully but arkady would gladly have struck him or burst into tears

Starting point is 04:48:58 bazaarov seated himself in the tarantas when they reached koklovsky arcadi waited till fedor the keeper of the posting station had harnessed the horses then going up to the tarantas he said with his old smile to bazaarov "'Evgenie, take me with you. I want to come to your place.' "'Get in,' muttered Bazadov between his teeth. Sintnikov, who had been walking up and down by the wheels of his carriage, whistling boldly, could only open his mouth and gape when he heard these words, while Arkady coolly pulled his luggage out of the carriage, took his seat beside Bezadov, and, bowing politely to his former traveling companion, shouted,

Starting point is 04:49:47 Drive off! The Tarantas rolled away and was soon out of sight. Sittnikov, utterly confused, looked at his coachman, but he was flicking his whip around the tail of the offside horse. Finally, Sittnikov jumped into his carriage,

Starting point is 04:50:05 and, yelling at two passing peasants, Put on your caps, fools! He drove to the town, where he arrived very late, and where the next day, at Madame Cuxians, he spoke severely about two disgustingly stuck-up and ignorant fellows. Sitting in the Tarantas alongside Bazarov,

Starting point is 04:50:27 Arkari pressed his friend's hand warmly, and for a long time he said nothing. It seemed as though Bizarov appreciated both Arkady's action and his silence. He had not slept at all the previous night, neither had he smoked, and for several days he had scarcely eaten anything his thin profile stood out darkly and sharply from under his cap which was pulled down over his eyebrows well brother he said at last give me a cigar but look i say is my tongue yellow it's yellow answered arkady hmm yes and the cigar has no taste the machine is out of gear you have certainly changed lately observed arcady

Starting point is 04:51:22 that's nothing we shall soon recover one thing bothers me my mother is so soft-hearted if your tummy doesn't grow round as a barrel and you don't eat ten times a day she's in despair my father's all right he's been everywhere and known all the ups and downs no i can't smoke he added and flung a cigar away into the dusty road do you think it's another sixteen miles to your place asked arkady yes but ask this wise man he pointed to the peasant sitting on the box a laborer of fedos but the wise man only answered who's to know miles aren't measured hereabout and went on swearing under his breath at the shaft horse for kicking with her headpiece by which he meant jerking her head yes yes began bazaro it's a lesson for you my young friend an instructive example the devil knows what rubbish it is every man hangs by a thread any minute the abyss may open under his feet and yet he must go and invest for himself all kinds of troubles and spoil his life what are you hinting at asked arcady i'm not hinting at anything i'm saying plainly that we both behave like fools what's the use of talking about it but i've noticed in hospital work the man who's angry with his illness he's sure to get over it i don't quite understand you remarked arkady it seems you have nothing to complain about well if you don't quite understand me i'll tell you this

Starting point is 04:53:18 to my mind it's better to break stones on the road than to let a woman get the mastery of even the end of one's little finger that's all bazarov was about to utter his favorite word romanticism but checked himself and said rub it you won't believe me now but i'll tell you you and i fell into feminine society and very nice we found it but we throw off that sort of society it's like taking a dip in cold water on a hot day a man has no time for these trifles a man must be untamed says an old spanish proverb now you my wise friend he added addressing the peasant on the box. I suppose you have a wife? The peasant turned his dull, bleary-eyed face towards the two young friends. A wife? Yes. How could it be otherwise?

Starting point is 04:54:20 Do you beat her? My wife? Anything may happen. We don't beat her without a reason. That's fine. Well, and does she beat you? The peasant, hugged at the reins. What things you say, sir? You like a joke.

Starting point is 04:54:42 He was obviously offended. You hear, Arkady Nikolayevich, but we've been properly beaten. That's what comes of being educated people. Arkady gave a forced laugh, while Bazadov turned away and did not open his mouth again for the rest of the journey.

Starting point is 04:55:03 Those sixteen miles, seemed to Arkady quite like double the distance. But at last, on the slope of some rising ground, the little village where Bazadov's parents lived came into sight. Close to it, in a young birch copse, stood a small house with a thatched roof. Two peasants with their hats on stood near the first hut swearing at each other, You're a great swine, said one. You're worse than a little sucking pig.

Starting point is 04:55:35 and your wife's a witch retorted the other by their unconstrained behavior remarked bezadov to arkady and by the playfulness of their phraseology you can guess that my father's peasants are not overmuch oppressed but there he is himself coming out on the steps of the house he must have heard the bells it's him all right i recognize his figure ay ay only how gray he's grown poor old chap end of chapter nineteen recording by roger maline chapter twenty of fathers and sons this librivox recording is in the public domain recording by roger maline fathers and sons by ivan turgenyev translated by richard hare chapter twenty Zaraev leaned out of the Tarantas, while Arkadi stretched out his head from behind his companion's back and saw standing on the steps of the little house, a tall, thinnish man with ruffled hair, and a sharp aquiline nose, dressed in an old military coat, not buttoned up. He stood with his legs wide apart, smoking a long pipe and screwing up his eyes to keep the

Starting point is 04:57:07 sun out of him. the horses stopped arrived at last exclaimed bezado's father still continuing to smoke though the pipe was fairly jumping up and down between his fingers come get out get out let me hug you he began embracing his son enyusha enyusha resounded a woman's quavering voice the door flew open and on the door flew open and on the door flew open and on the door threshold appeared a plump little old woman in a white cap and short colored jacket. She cried, staggered, and would probably have fallen if Bezadov had not supported her. Her plump little hands were instantly twined around his neck, her head was pressed to his breast, and there followed a complete hush, only interrupted by the sound of her broken sobs. Old Bezadov breathed hard, and screwed up his eyes more than before there that's enough enough a richa leave off he said exchanging a look with arcady who remained standing motionless by the tarantas

Starting point is 04:58:22 while even the peasant on the box turned his head away that's quite unnecessary please leave off ah vasili ivanovitch faltered the old woman for what ages my dear one, my darling and Yoshenka. And without unclasping her hands, she drew back her wrinkled face, wet with tears, and overwhelmed with tenderness, and looked at him with blissful and somehow comic eyes,

Starting point is 04:58:54 and then again fell on his neck. Well, yes, of course, that's all in the nature of things, remarked Vasily Ivanovich. Only, we had better come indoors. here's a visitor arrived with eugenie you must excuse this he added turning to arcadi and slightly scraping the ground with his foot you understand a woman's weakness and well a mother's heart his own lips and eyebrows were quivering and his chin shook but obviously he was trying to master his feelings and to appear almost indifferent arkady bowed let's go in mother really said bezadov and he led the enfeebled old woman into the house he put her in a comfortable arm-chair once more hurriedly embraced his father and introduced arkady to him

Starting point is 04:59:55 heartily glad to make your acquaintance said vasili ivanovitch but you mustn't expect anything grand we live very simply here like military people. Arina Vlasyevna, pray, calm yourself. What faint-heartedness! Our guest will think ill of you. My good sir, said the old woman through her tears. I haven't the honor of knowing your name and your fathers. Arkady Nikolaevich, interposed Vasily Ivanovich solemnly in a low voice. Excuse a foolish old woman like me. She blew her nose, and, bending her head from left to right, she carefully wiped one eye after the other. "'You must excuse me.

Starting point is 05:00:46 I really thought I should die, that I should not live to see again, my darling.' "'Well, and here we have lived to see him again, madam,' put in Vasily Ivanovitch. "'Tanyushka,' he said, turning to a bare-legged little girl of thirteen in a bright red-cotton dress, who was shyly peeping in at the door. Bring your mistress a glass of water. On a tray, do you hear? And you, gentlemen, he added with a kind of old-fashioned playfulness. Allow me to invite you into the study of a retired veteran.

Starting point is 05:01:24 Just once more let me embrace you, an Yushka, groaned Arina Vlasievna. Bazarov bent down to her. Gracious, how handsome you've grown. groan. Well, I don't know about being handsome, remarked Vasily Ivanovich. But he's a man, as the saying goes, Omfe. And now, I hope, Arina Vlasievna, having satisfied your maternal heart, you will turn your thoughts to satisfying the appetites of our dear guests, because, as you know, even nightingales can't be fed on fairy tales. The old lady rose from her chair.

Starting point is 05:02:10 This very minute, Vasily Ivanovitch, the table shall be laid. I will myself run to the kitchen and order the samovar to be brought in. Everything will be ready, everything. Why, for three whole years I have not seen him, have not been able to give him food or drink. Is that nothing? Well, you see to things, little hostess, bustle about. Don't put us to shame. And you, gentlemen, I beg you to follow me. Here is Timofetch come to pay his respects to you, Evgeny. And the old dog, I dare say he too is

Starting point is 05:02:50 delighted. Aye, aren't you delighted, old dog? Be so good as to follow me. And Vasily Ivanovich went bustling ahead, shuffling and flapping with his down-of-heel slippers. his whole house consisted of six tiny rooms one of these the one into which he led our friends was called the study a thick-legged table littered with papers blackened by an ancient accumulation of dust as if they had been smoked occupied the whole space between the two windows on the walls hung turkish firearms whips a sabre two maps some anatomical diagram some anatomical diagram a portrait of hoofiland a monogram woven out of hair in a blackened frame and a diploma under glass a leather sofa torn and worn hollow in places stood between two huge cupboards of karelian birchwood on the shelves books little boxes stuffed birds jars and vials were crowded together in confusion in one corner lay a broken electric battery. I warned you, my dear guest,

Starting point is 05:04:10 began Vasily Ivanovich, that we live, so to speak, bivouacking. Now stop that. What are you apologizing for? Bazadov interrupted. Kiersenov knows very well that we're not croissuses and that you don't live in a palace.

Starting point is 05:04:28 Where are we going to put him? That's the question. To be sure, Evgeny, there's an excellent room in the little wing he will be very comfortable there so you've had a wing built on of course where the bathroom is put in timofitch that is next to the bathroom vasili ivanovitch added hurriedly it's summer now i will run over there at once and arrange things and you timofic bring in their luggage meanwhile of course I hand over my study to you, Evgeny. Tsumseek. There you have him.

Starting point is 05:05:12 A most comical old chap, and very good-natured, remarked Bazadov, as soon as Vasily Ivanovich had gone. Just as queer a fish as yours, only in a different way. He chatters too much. And your mother seems a wonderful woman, remarked Arkady. Yes, there's no humbugger. about her. You just see what a dinner she'll give us. They weren't expecting you today, sir. They've not brought any beef, observed Timofitch, who was just dragging in Bezado's trunk. We shall manage all right, even without beef. You can't squeeze water from a stone. Poverty,

Starting point is 05:05:56 they say, is no crime. How many serfs has your father? asked Arkady suddenly. The property is not his, but mothers. There are fifteen serfs, if I remember. Twenty-two in all, added Timofitch in a dissatisfied tone. The shuffling of slippers was heard, and Vasily Ivanovich reappeared. In a few minutes your room will be ready to receive you, he exclaimed triumphantly. Arcadi, Nikolais, I think that's how I should call you. And here is your serfs.

Starting point is 05:06:37 he added indicating a boy with close-cropped hair who had come in with him wearing a long blue caftan with holes in the elbows and a pair of boots which did not belong to him his name is fedka i repeat again though my son has forbidden it you must not expect anything grand but this fellow knows how to fill a pipe you smoke of course i prefer to smoke cigars answered And you're quite right there. I like cigars myself, but in these remote parts it is extremely difficult to get them. Enough crying poverty, interrupted Bazado. You had better sit down on the sofa here and let us have a look at you. Vasily Ivanovich laughed and sat down. His face was very much like his sons, only his brow was lower and narrower, his mouth rather wider, and he never stopped making restless movements, shrugged his shoulders as though his coat cut him under the armpits, blinked, cleared his throat and gesticulated with his fingers, whereas his son's most striking

Starting point is 05:07:55 characteristic was the nonchalant immobility of his manner. Crying poverty, repeated Vassili Ivano. you must suppose, Evgeny, that I want our guest, so to speak, to take pity on us by making out that we live in such a wilderness. On the contrary, I maintain that for a thinking man there is no such thing as a wilderness. At least I try, as far as possible, not to grow rusty, so to speak, not to fall behind the times. Vassili Ivanovich drew out of the world. his pocket a new yellow silk handkerchief which he had found time to snatch up when he ran over to arcadi's room and flourishing it in the air he went on

Starting point is 05:08:45 i am not speaking now of the fact that i for instance at the cost of quite considerable sacrifices to myself have put my peasants on the rent system and given up my land to them in return for half the proceeds i considered it my duty common sense alone demands that it should be done though other landowners don't even think about doing it but i speak now of the sciences of education yes i see you have here the friend of health for eighteen fifty five remarked posado that was sent me by an old comrade as a friendly gesture vasili ivanovitch hastily announced but we have for instance some idea even of phrenology he added addressing himself principally to arcadi and pointing out a small plaster head on the cupboard divided into numbered squares even shun line is not unknown to us and rademacher do people still believe in rademacher in this province inquired vasili ivanovitch cleared his throat in this province of course gentlemen you know better how could we keep pace with you you are here to take our places even in my time there was a so-called humoralist hoffman and a certain brown with his vitalism they seemed very ridiculous to us but they too had great reputations at one time some one knew has taken rademacher's place with you you bow down to him but in another twenty years it will probably be his turn to be laughed at

Starting point is 05:10:39 for your consolation i can tell you said bazardov that we nowadays laugh at medicine altogether and bow down to nobody how do you mean surely you want to be a doctor yes but the one doesn't prevent the other vasili ivanovitch poked his middle finger into his pipe where a little smoldering ash was left well perhaps perhaps i'm not going to dispute what am i a retired army doctor valetoo and now farming has fallen to my lot i served in your grandfather's brigade he addressed himself to to Arcadi again. Yes, yes, I have seen many sights in my time, and I mixed with every kind of society. I, myself, the man you see before you, have felt the pulse of Prince Whitkenstein and of Zukovsky. They were in the Southern Army, the fourteenth, you understand? And here, Vassila Ivanovich pursed his lips significantly. I knew them all inside out.

Starting point is 05:11:57 Well, well, but my work was only on one side. Stick to your lancet and be content. Your grandfather was a very honorable man and a real soldier. Confess, he was a regular blockhead, remarked Bazad off lazily. Ah, Evgeny, how can you use such an expression? Do consider. of course general kirsanov was not one of those well drop him interrupted bezara as i was driving along i was pleased to see your birch plantation it has sprung up admirably vasili ivanovitch brightened

Starting point is 05:12:40 and you must see the little garden i've got now i planted every tree myself i have fruit raspberries and all kind of medicinal herbs however much you young gentlemen may know old paracelsa spoke the sacred truth in herbus verbus at lapidibus i've retired from practice as you know but at least twice a week something happens to bring me back to my old work they come for advice i can't drive them away and sometimes the poor people need help indeed there are no doctors here at all one of the neighbors here a retired major just imagine it he doctors the people too i ask the question has he studied medicine they answer no he hasn't studied he does it more from philanthropy ha ha from philanthropy what do you think of that fredka fill me a pipe said bazaarov sternly and there's another doctor here who had just visited a patient continued vasili ivanovitch in a kind of desperation but the patient had already gone ad patres the servant wouldn't let the doctor in and tells him you're no longer needed he never expected this got confused and asked well did your master hiccup before he died yes did he hiccup much yes ah well that's all right and off he went again ha ha the old man laughed alone arkady managed to show a smile on his face bazadov merely stretched himself the conversation continued in this way for about an hour

Starting point is 05:14:45 arkady found time to go to his room which turned out to be the ante-room to the bathroom but it was very cosy and clean at last tonyushka came in and announced that dinner was ready vasili ivanovitch was the first to get up come gentlemen you must pardon me generously if i have bored you maybe my good wife will give you better satisfaction the dinner though hastily prepared was very good and even abundant only the wine was not quite up to the mark it was sherry almost black bought by timofesh in the town from a well-known merchant and it had a flavor of copper or resin the flies also were a nuisance on ordinary days a surf boy used to keep driving them away with a big green branch but on this occasion vasili ivanovitch had sent him away for fear of adverse criticism from the younger generation arina vlasyevna had changed her dress and was wearing a high cap with silk ribbons and a pale blue-flowered shawl she started crying again as soon as she caught sight of her ennusha but her husband did not need to admonish her she herself made haste to dry her tears in order not to spoil her shawl only the young men ate the host and hostess had both dined long ago fedka waited at table obviously encumbered by his unfamiliar boots he was helped by a woman with a masculine cast of face and one eye called anfesushka she fulfilled the duties of housekeeper poultry woman and longed

Starting point is 05:16:39 Vassili Ivanovitch walked up and down throughout the dinner, and with a perfectly contented and even blissful face, talked about the grave anxieties he had felt about Napoleon's policy and the complications of the Italian question. Arina Vlasievna took no notice of Arcadi and did not press him to eat, leaning her round face on her little fist her full cherry-colored lips and the little moles on her cheeks and over her eyebrows adding to her extremely kind good-natured expression she did not take her eyes off her son and constantly sighed she was dying to know for how long he would stay but she was afraid to ask him what if he stays for two days she thought and her heart sank after the roast vasili ivanovitch disappeared for a moment and returned with an opened half-bottle of champagne here he exclaimed though we do live in the wilds we have something to make merry with on festive occasions he poured out three full glasses and a little wine-glass proposed the health of our inner

Starting point is 05:18:01 invaluable guests, and at once tossed off his glass in military fashion, and made Arlino Vlasievna drink her wine-glass to the last drop. When the time came for the sweet preserves, Arkady, who could not bear anything sweet, thought at his duty, however, to taste four different kinds which had been freshly made. All the more, since Bizarra flatly refused them, and began at once to smoke a cigar. Afterwards, tea was served with cream, butter, and rolls. Then Vasily Ivanovich took them all out into the garden to admire the beauty of the evening. As they passed a garden seat, he whispered to Arkady, This is the spot where I love to meditate as I watch the sunset. It suits a recluse like me. And there, a little farther off, I have a little farther off, I have to do that.

Starting point is 05:19:00 have planted some of the trees beloved by horace what trees asked bezadov overhearing oh acacias bazadov began to yawn i suppose it is time our travellers were in the embrace of morphius observed vasili ivanovitch in other words it's time for bed bazadov interposed that's a correct judgment it certainly is high time. Saying good night to his mother, he kissed her on the forehead while she embraced him, and secretly, behind his back, she gave him her blessing three times. Vasily Ivanovich showed Arkady to his room, and wished him, as refreshing repose as I also enjoyed at your happy years. In fact, Arkady slept extremely well in his bathhouse. It smelt of mint, and two crickets behind the stove rivaled each other in their prolonged, drowsy chirping.

Starting point is 05:20:08 Vasily Ivanovich went from Arkadi's room to his own study, and settling down on the sofa at his son's feet, was looking forward to having a chat with him. But Bazarov sent him away at once, saying he felt sleepy, but he did not fall asleep till morning. with wide-open eyes he stared angrily into the darkness memories of childhood had no power over him and besides he had not yet been able to rid himself of the impression of his recent bitter experiences arina vlasyevna first prayed to her heart's content then she had a long long conversation with antasushka who stood rooted to the spot in front of her mistress and fixing her solitary eye upon her, communicated in a mysterious whisper

Starting point is 05:21:03 all her observations and conjectures about Evgeny Vassilovich. The old lady's head was giddy with happiness, wine, and tobacco smoke. Her husband tried to talk to her, but with a wave of the hand he gave it up. Arina Vlasievna was a genuine Russian lady of olden times. She ought to have lived two centuries before in the ancient Moscow days.

Starting point is 05:21:33 She was very devout and emotional. She believed in fortune-telling, charms, dreams, and omens of every conceivable kind. She believed in the prophecies of crazy people, in house spirits, in wood spirits, in unlucky meetings, in the evil eye, in popular remedies. She ate specially prepared salt on Holy Thursday and believed that the end of the world was close at hand. She believed that if on Easter Sunday the candles did not go out at Vespers, then there would be a good crop of buckwheat

Starting point is 05:22:12 and that a mushroom will not grow after a human eye has seen it. She believed that the devil likes to be where there is water, and that every Jew has a blood-stained spot on his breast. She was afraid of mice, of snakes, of frogs, of sparrows, of leeches, of thunder, of cold water, of draughts, of horses, of goats, of red-haired people, and of black cats. She regarded crickets and dogs as unclean animals. She never ate veal, pigeon, crayfish, cheese, asparagus jerusalem artichokes hares or watermelons because a cut watermelon suggested the head of john the baptist she could not speak of oysters without a shudder she enjoyed eating but strictly observed fasts she slept ten hours out of the twenty-four and never went to bed at all if vasili ivanovitch had so much as a headache

Starting point is 05:23:24 she had never read a single book except alexis or the cottage in the forest she wrote one or at most two letters in a year but she was an expert housewife knew all about preserving and jam making though she touched nothing with her own hands and was usually reluctant to move from her place arina vlasyevna was very kind-hearted and in her own way far from stupid she knew that the world is divided into masters whose duty it is to command and simple people whose duty it is to serve and so she felt no disgust for servile behavior or bowing to the ground but she treated affectionately and gently those in subjection to her never let a single beggar go away empty-handed and never spoke ill of any one though she was fond of gossip in her youth she had been very pretty had played the clavichord and spoken a little french but in the course of many years of wandering with her husband whom she had married against her will she had grown stout and forgotten both music and french her son she loved and feared unutterably she had handed over the management of her little estate to vasili ivanovitch and she no longer took any part in it she would groan wave her handkerchief and raise her eyebrows higher and higher in horror directly her old husband began to discuss impending land reforms and his own plans

Starting point is 05:25:11 she was apprehensive always expecting some great calamity and would weep at once whenever she remembered anything sad nowadays such women have almost ceased to exist god knows whether this should be a cause for rejoicing end of chapter twenty recording by roger maline chapter twenty one of fathers and sons this libervox recording is in the public Domain, recording by Roger Maline. Fathers and Sons by Ivan Turgenev, translated by Richard Hare. Chapter 21 On getting up, Arkadi opened the window, and the first object which met his eyes was Vasily Ivanovitch. In a Turkish dressing gown tied round the waist with a pocket-handkerchief, the old man was zealously digging his kitchen garden he noticed his young visitor and leaning on his spade he called out good health to you how did you sleep splendidly answered arcady

Starting point is 05:26:29 and here i am as you see like some cincinnatus preparing a bed for late turnips the time has come now and thank god for it when every one should secure his sustenance by the work of his own hands it is useless to rely on others one must labor oneself so it turns out that jean jacques rousseau is right half an hour ago my dear young sir you could have seen me in an entirely different position one peasant woman who complained of looseness that's how they express it but in our language dysentery i how shall i express it i injected her with opium and for another i extracted a tooth i offered her an anasthetic but she refused i do all that gratis anamater however i'm used to it you see i'm a plebeian homa new not one of the old stock not like my wife but wouldn't you like to come over here in the shade and breathe the morning freshness before having tea arkady went out to him welcome once more said vasili ivanovitch raising his hand in a military salute to the greasy skull cap which covered his head you i know are accustomed to luxury and pleasures but even the great ones of this world do not disdain to spend a brief time under a cottage roof gracious heavens protested arkady as if i were a great one of this world and i'm not accustomed to luxury either pardon me pardon me replied vasili ivanovitch with an amiable grimace though i am a back number now i also have knocked about the world i know a bird by its flight i am something of a psychologist in my way and a physiognosis

Starting point is 05:28:35 If I had not, I venture to say, been granted that gift, I should have come to grief long ago. A little man like me would have been blotted out. I must tell you without flattery, the friendship I observe between you and my son sincerely delights me. I have just seen him. He got up very early, as he habitually does, you probably know that, and ran off for a ramble in the neighborhood. Permit me to be so inquisitive. Have you known my Evgeny long?

Starting point is 05:29:11 Since last winter. Indeed. And permit me to question you further. But why shouldn't we sit down? Permit me as a father to ask you frankly, what is your opinion of my Feggene? Your son is one of the most remarkable men I have ever met, answered Arkady, M. Fényny.

Starting point is 05:29:32 vasili ivanovitch's eyes suddenly opened wide and a slight flush suffused his cheeks the spade dropped from his hand and so you expect he began i'm convinced interrupted arcady that your son has a great future before him that he will do honor to your name i felt sure of that ever since i met him how how did it happen articulated vasili ivanovitch with some effort an enthusiastic smile parted his broad lips and would not leave them would you like me to tell you how we met yes and all about it arkady began his story and spoke of bezorov with even greater warmth even greater enthusiasm than he had done on that evening when he danced to mazurka with madame vasili ivanovitch listened and listened blew his nose rolled his handkerchief up into a ball with both hands cleared his throat ruffled up his hair and at length could contain himself no longer he bent down to arcady and kissed him on the shoulder you have made me perfectly happy he said without ceasing to smile i ought to tell you i idolize my son i won't even speak of my old wife naturally a mother but i dare not show my feelings in front of him because he disapproves of that he is opposed to every demonstration of emotion many people even find fault with him for such strength of character and take it for a sign of pride or lack of feeling

Starting point is 05:31:23 but people like him ought not to be judged by any ordinary standards ought they look at this for example others in his place would have been a constant drag on their parents but he would you believe it from the day he was born he has never taken a farthing more than he could help. That's God's truth. He is a disinterested, honest man, remarked Arkady. Exactly so, disinterested. And I not only idolize him, Arkady Nikolayech. I am proud of him, and the height of my only ambition is that some day there will be the following words in his biography, the son of an ordinary army doctor, who was able, however, to recognize his talent early and spared no pains for his education. The old man's voice broke.

Starting point is 05:32:22 Arcadi pressed his hand. What do you think? inquired Vasily Ivanovich after a short silence. Surely he will not attain in the sphere of medicine the celebrity which you prophecy for him. Of course, not in medicine, though even there he will be one of the least. beating scientific men. In what then, Arkari Nikolayevich? It would be hard to say now, but he will be famous. He will be famous, repeated the old man, and he relapsed into thought.

Starting point is 05:32:57 Arina Vlasievna sent me to call you into tea, announced Anfysushka, passing by with a huge dish of ripe raspberries. Vasily Ivanovitch started. And will the cream be cooled for the raspberries? Yes. Be sure it is cold. Don't stand on ceremony. Arkady Nikolayevich, take some more. How is it, Evgeny doesn't come back?

Starting point is 05:33:27 I'm here, called Bazadov's voice from inside Arkady's room. Vasily Ivanovich turned round quickly. Aha! You wanted to pay a visit to your friend? friend. But you were too late, amise, and we have already had a long conversation. Now we must go into tea. Mother has sent for us. By the way, I want to have a talk with you. What about? There's a peasant here. He's suffering from Ictaris. You mean jaundice?

Starting point is 05:34:02 Yes, a chronic and very obstinate case of Icteris. I have prescribed him Centauri, he, and St. John's Wart, told him to eat carrots, given him soda, but all those are palliative measures. We need some more radical treatment. Although you laugh at medicine, I'm sure you can give me some practical advice. But we will talk about that later. Now let us go and drink tea. Vasily Ivanovitch jumped up briskly from the garden seat and hummed the air from Robert de la Diablo. The law, the law we set ourselves, to live, to live for pleasure. Astonishing vitality, observed Bazara, moving away from the window.

Starting point is 05:34:51 Midday arrived. The sun was burning from under a thin veil of unbroken whitish clouds. All was still. Only the cocks in the village broke the silence by their vigorous crowing, which produced in everyone who heard it a strange sense of drowsiness. and tedium. And from somewhere high up in a treetop sounded the plaintiff and persistent chirp of a young hawk.

Starting point is 05:35:19 Arkady and Bazarov lay in the shade of a small haystack and put under themselves two armfuls of rustling dry but still green and fragrant grass. That poplar tree, began Bizarov, reminds me of my childhood. It grows on the edge of the edge of the tree. the pit where the brickshed used to be, and in those days I firmly believed that the poplar and the pit possessed the peculiar power of a talisman.

Starting point is 05:35:49 I never felt dull when I was near them. I did not understand then that I was not dull because I was a child. Well, now I'm grown up. The talisman no longer works. How long did you live here altogether? asked Arcadi. Two years on end, after that we traveled about. We led a roving life, chiefly wandering from town to town.

Starting point is 05:36:18 And has this house been standing long? Yes, my grandfather built it, my mother's father. Who was he, your grandfather? The devil knows, some kind of second major. He served under Serov and always told stories about marching across the Alps. inventions probably you have a portrait of savorov hanging in the drawing-room i like such little houses as yours old-fashioned and warm and they always have a special kind of scent about them a smell of lamp oil and clover remarked bazad of yawning and the flies in these dear little houses fuh tell me began arkady after a short pause were they strict with you as a child?

Starting point is 05:37:12 You see what my parents are like. They're not a severe sort. Are you fond of them, Evgeny? I am, Arkady. How they adore you. Bazadov was silent for a while. Do you know what I'm thinking about? He said at last, clasping his hands behind his head.

Starting point is 05:37:35 No, what is it? I'm thinking how happy life is for my parents. my father at the age of sixty can fuss around chat about palliative measures heal people he plays the magnanimous master with the peasants has a gay time in fact and my mother is happy too her day is so crammed with all sorts of jobs with sighs and groans that she hasn't a moment to think about herself while i while you while i think here i lie under a haystack the tiny narrow space i occupy is so minutely small in comparison with the rest of space where i am not and which has nothing to do with me and the portion of time in which it is my lot to live is so insignificant beside the eternity where i have not been and will not be and in this atom in this mathematical point the blood circulates the brain works and want something how disgusting how petty allow me to point out that what you say applies generally to everyone you're right interrupted i wanted to say that they my parents i mean are occupied and don't worry about their own nothingness it doesn't sicken them while i-i feel nothing but boredom and anger

Starting point is 05:39:08 anger why anger why why how can you ask why have you forgotten i remember everything but still i can't agree that you have any right to be angry you're unhappy i realize but oh i can see arkady nikolayitch that you regard love like all modern young men cluck cluck you call to the hen and the moment the hen comes near off you run i'm not like that but enough of it all it's a shame to talk about what can't be helped he turned over on his side ah there goes a brave aunt dragging along a half-dead fly take her away brother take her don't pay any attention to her resistance take full advantage of your animal privilege to be without pity not like us self-destructive creatures what are you talking about avgeny when did you destroy yourself bezorov raised his head that's the only thing i'm proud of i have not crushed myself so a little woman can't cry yourself crush me. Amen. It's all over. You won't hear another word for me about it." Both friends lay for a time in silence. "'Yes,' began Bazad of.

Starting point is 05:40:40 "'Man is a strange animal. When one gets a side view from a distance of the dumb life our father's lead here, one thinks what could be better? You eat and drink and know you are acting in the most righteous and sensible way. If not, you're devoured by the tedium of it. One wants to have dealings with people, even if it's only to abuse them. One ought to arrange one's life so that every moment of it becomes significant, remarked Adikadi thoughtfully. I dare say, the significant may be deceptive, but sweet, though it's even quite possible to put up with the insignificant.

Starting point is 05:41:24 but petty squabbles petty squabbles that's a misery petty squabbles don't exist for the man who refuses to recognize him as such hmm what you have said is a commonplace turned upside down what do you mean by that phrase i'll explain to say for instance that education is beneficial that's a commonplace but to say that education is beneficial that's a commonplace but to say that education is harmful is a commonplace turned upside down. It sounds more stylish, but fundamentally it's one and the same thing. But where is the truth? On which side? Where? I answer you like an echo. Where? You're in a melancholy mood today, Evgeny. Really, the sun must have melted my brain,

Starting point is 05:42:21 and I ought not to have eaten so many raspberries, either in that case it wouldn't be a bad plan to doze a bit remarked out of katie certainly only don't look at me everyone has a stupid face when he's asleep but isn't it all the same to you what people think of you i don't quite know how to answer you a real man ought not to worry about such things a real man is not meant to be thought about but is someone who must be either obeyed or his hated. It's odd. I don't hate anyone, observed Arkady after a pause. And I hate so many. You're a tender-hearted, listless creature. How could you hate anyone? You're timid. You haven't much self-reliance. And you, interrupted Arkady. Do you rely on yourself? Have you a high opinion of yourself? Bazada paused.

Starting point is 05:43:24 When I meet a man who can hold his own beside me, he said with slow deliberation, then I'll change my opinion of myself. Hatred. You said, for instance, today as we pass the cottage of our bailiff Philip, the one that's so neat and clean, well, you said Russia will achieve perfection when the poorest peasant has a house like that, and every one of us ought to help to bring it about. And I felt such a hatred for this poorest peasant, this Philip, or Sidor, for whom I have to be ready to sacrifice my skin, and who won't even thank me for it.

Starting point is 05:44:06 And why should he thank me? Well, suppose he lives in a clean house, while weeds grow out of me. So, what next? That's enough, Evgeny. Listening to you today, one would be driven to agree with those who. reproach us for absence of principles. You talk like your uncle. Principles don't exist, in general.

Starting point is 05:44:31 You haven't yet managed to understand even that much. But there are sensations. Everything depends on them. How is that? Well, take me, for instance. I adopt a negative attitude by virtue of my sensations. I like to deny. My brain is made.

Starting point is 05:44:52 like that, and there's nothing more to it. Why does chemistry appeal to me? Why do you like apples? Also, by virtue of our sensations. It's all the same thing. People will never penetrate deeper than that. Not everyone would tell you so, and another time I shouldn't tell you so myself. What, and is honesty also a sensation? I should think so. so. Evgeny, began Arcadi in a dejected tone. Well, what? That's not to your taste, broke in Bazado. No, brother, if you've made up your mind to mow down everything, don't spare your own legs. But we've philosophied enough. Nature heaps up the silence of sleep, said Pushkin.

Starting point is 05:45:50 He never said anything of the kind. retorted arkady well if he didn't he might have and ought to have said it as a poet by the way he must have served in the army pushkin was never in the army why on every page of his one reads to arms to arms for russia's honor what legends you invent really it's positive slander slander there's a weighty matter he's found a solemn word to frighten me with whatever slander you may utter against a man you may be sure he deserves twenty times worse than that in reality we had better go to sleep said arcady with vexation with the greatest of pleasure answered bezato but neither of them slept some kind of almost hostile feeling had been feeling had taken hold of both young men. Five minutes later, they opened their eyes and glanced at each other in silence. "'Look,' said Arkari suddenly,

Starting point is 05:47:01 "'a dry maple leaf has broken off and is falling to the ground. Its movements are exactly like a butterfly's flight. Isn't it strange? Such a gloomy dead thing, so like the most carefree and lively one.' oh my friend arkady nikolayitch exclaimed bazanov one thing i implore of you no beautiful talk i talk as i best know how to yes really this is sheer despotism a thought came into my head why shouldn't i express it all right and why shouldn't i express my thoughts i think that sort of beautiful talk is positively indecent and what is decent abuse ah so i see clearly you intend to follow in your uncle's footsteps how pleased that idiot would be if he could hear you now what did you call pavlpetrovitch i called him as he deserves to be called an idiot really this is unbearable cried arkady aha family feeling spoke out remarked bazad of coolly i've noticed how obstinately it clings to people

Starting point is 05:48:23 a man is ready to give up everything and break with every prejudice but to admit for instance that his brother who steals other people's handkerchiefs is a thief that's beyond his power and as a matter of fact to think my brother mine and no genius that's more than one can swallow a simple sense of justice spoke in me and no family feeling at all retorted arkady vehemently but since you don't understand such a feeling as it's not among your sensations you're in no position to judge it in other words arkady kirsanov is too exalted for my understanding i bow down to him and say no more that's enough evgeny we shall end by quarrelling ah arkady do me a favor let's quarrel properly for once to the bitter end to the point of destruction but then perhaps we should end by by fighting broke in bezadaugh well here in the hay in such idyllic surroundings far from the world and far from human eyes it wouldn't matter but you'd be no match for me i'd have you by the throat at once bezatov stretched out his long tough fingers arkady turned round and prepared as if joking to resist but his friend's face struck him as so sinister he saw such a grim threat in the crooked smile which twisted his lips in his glaring eyes that he felt instinctively taken aback so that is where you have got to said the voice of vasili ivanovitch at this moment and the old army doctor appeared before the young men dressed

Starting point is 05:50:22 in a homemade linen jacket, with a straw hat, also homemade, on his head. I've been looking for you everywhere. But you've picked out a splendid place, and you're perfectly employed. Lying on the earth and gazing up to heaven. Do you know, there's a special significance in that? I gaze up to heaven only when I want to sneeze, growled Bizarro, and turning to Arcari, he added in an undertone. A pity he interrupted us.

Starting point is 05:50:56 Well, that's enough, whispered Arkady, and secretly squeezed his friend's hand. But no friendship can withstand such shocks for long. I look at you, my youthful friends, said Vasily Ivanovitch, meanwhile, shaking his head and leaning his folded arms on a skillfully bent stick, which he himself had carved with a turks figure for a knob. i look and i can't refrain from admiration you have so much strength such youthful bloom abilities and talents truly a caster and pollux get along with you shooting off into mythology said bezatov you can see he was a latin scholar in his day why i seem to remember you won the silver medal for latin composition didn't you

Starting point is 05:51:52 the deoskeri the deoskery repeated vasili ivanovitch come stop that father don't go sentimental just once in an age surely it's permissible murmured the old man anyhow i have not been searching for you gentlemen in order to pay you compliments but in order to tell you in the first place that we shall soon be dining and secondly i want to warn you you are a sensible man you know the world and you know what women are and therefore you will excuse your mother wanted a service held for you in thanksgiving for your arrival don't imagine that i'm asking you to attend that service it's already over but father alexi the parson well yes the priest he is to dine with us i did not expect this and was not even in favor of it but somehow it turned out like that he misunderstood me and well arine of la syevna besides he's a worthy and reasonable man. I suppose he won't eat my share at dinner, inquired Bazado. Vasily Ivanovitch laughed. The things you say. Well, I asked nothing more. I'm ready to sit down at table with anyone. Vasily Ivanovich set his hat straight. I was sure in advance, he said, that you were above all such prejudices.

Starting point is 05:53:33 Here am I, an old man of sea. sixty-two, and even I have none. Vasily Ivanovitch dared not confess that he had himself wanted the thanksgiving service. He was no less devout than his wife. And Father Alexei very much wanted to make your acquaintance. You will like him, you'll see. He doesn't mind playing cards even, and he sometimes—but this is between ourselves—goes so far as to smoke a pipe. fancy that we'll have a round of whist after dinner and i'll beat em ha ha ha we shall see that's an open question well won't it remind you of old times said bazarov with a peculiar emphasis vasili ivanovitch's bronzed cheeks blushed with confusion for shame aeggne let bygones be bygones well i'm ready to confess before this gentleman, I had that very passion in my youth, and how I paid for it, too.

Starting point is 05:54:42 But how hot it is! May I sit down with you? I hope I shan't be in your way.' "'Not in the least,' answered Arkady. Vasily Ivanovitch lowered himself, sighing, into the hay. "'Your present quarters, my dear sirs,' he began, remind me of my military bivouac and existence, the halts of the field hospital somewhere like this under a haystack. And even for that, we thanked God. He sighed. What a lot I've experienced in my time. For instance, if you allow me, I will tell you a curious episode about the plague in Bessarabia. For which you won the Vladimir cross? Interposed Bizarro.

Starting point is 05:55:32 We know, we know. By the way, why? Why? Why? You won the Vladimir cross? We're not. By the way. Why, why, aren't you wearing it why i told you that i have no prejudices muttered vasili ivanovitch only the evening before he had had the red ribbon unpicked from his coat and he started to tell his story about the plague why he has fallen asleep he whispered suddenly to arcadi pointing to eugenie and winked good-naturedly eugenie get up he added loudly let's go into dinner father alexi a handsome stout man with thick carefully combed hair with an embroidered belt around his mauve silk cassock appeared to be a very skilful and adaptive person he made haste to be the first to offer his hand to arcady and bazaro as though realizing in advance that they did not want his blessing and in general he behaved without constraint he neither betrayed his own opinions nor provoked the other members of the company he made an appropriate joke about seminary latin and stood up in defence of his bishop he drank two glasses of wine and refused a third he accepted a cigar from arcadi but did not smoke it on the spot saying he would take it home with him only he had a somewhat unpleasant habit of raising his hand from time to time slowly and carefully to catch the flies on his face and sometimes managing to squash them

Starting point is 05:57:12 he took his seat at the green card-table with a measured expression of satisfaction and ended by winning from bezardov two and a half roubles in notes they had no idea of how to reckon in silver in arine of lasievna's house she sat as before close to her son she did not play cards and as before she leaned her cheek on her little clenched hand she got up only to order some fresh sweetmeat to be served she was afraid to caress bazaro and he gave her no encouragement for he did nothing to invite her caresses and besides vasilla ivanovitch had advised her not to destroy her him too much young men are not fond of that sort of thing he explained to her there is no need to say what dinner was like that day timofitch in person had galloped off at dawn to procure some special kirkazian beef the bailiff had gone off in another direction for turbot perch and crayfish for mushrooms alone the peasant woman had been paid forty-two kopecks and copper but arlina vlasyevna's eyes looking steadfastly at bezadov expressed not devotion and tenderness alone for sorrow was visible in them also mingled with curiosity and fear and with a trace of humble reproachfulness bezadav however was in no state of mind to analyze the exact expression of his mother's eyes he seldom turned to her and then only with some short question once he asked her for her hand for luck she quietly placed her soft little hand on his rough broad palm well she asked after waiting for a time did it help

Starting point is 05:59:14 worse luck than before he answered with a careless smile he plays too rashly pronounced father alexi as it were compassionately and stroked his handsome beard that was napoleon's principle good father napoleons interposed vasili ivanovitch leading with an ace but it brought him to the isle of st helena observed father alexi and trumped his ace wouldn't you like some black-current tea anjuska asked karenina vlasievna bazadov merely shrugged his shoulders no he said to arkady the following day i go away from here to-morrow i'm bored i want to work but i can't here i will come again to your place i left all my apparatus there in your house at least one can't shut oneself up. But here, my father keeps on repeating to me, "'My study is at your disposal. Nobody shall interfere with you. And all the time he himself is hardly two steps away. And I'm ashamed somehow to shut myself away from him. It's the same thing with my mother. I hear how she sighs on the other side of the wall,

Starting point is 06:00:40 and then, if one goes in to see her, one has nothing to say her. One has nothing to say. She will be most upset, said Arkady, and so will he. I shall come back to them. When? Well, when I'm on my way to Petersburg. I feel particularly sorry for your mother. How's that? She has won your heart with her raspberries? Arkady lowered his eyes. You don't understand your mother, Evgeny. she's not only a very good woman she's really very wise this morning she talked to me for half an hour and so interestingly so much to the point i suppose she was expatiating about me the whole time we didn't talk about you only maybe as an outsider you see more if a woman can keep up a conversation for half an hour it's already a good sign but I'm going away all the same.

Starting point is 06:01:48 It won't be easy for you to break the news to them. They are making plans for us a fortnight ahead. No, it won't be easy. Some devil drove me to tease my father today. He had one of his rent-paying peasants flogged the other day, and quite rightly too. Yes, yes, don't look at me in such horror. He did right, because that peasant is a frightful thing.

Starting point is 06:02:14 thief and drunkard. Only my father had no idea that I, as they say, became aware of the facts. He was very much embarrassed, and now I shall have to upset him as well. Never mind. He'll get over it. Bezadov said, never mind, but the whole day passed before he could bring himself to tell Vassili Ivanovich about his decision. At last, when he was just saying good-night to him, in the study, he remarked with a strained yawn, "'Oh, yes, I almost forgot to tell you. Will you send two Fedos for our horses tomorrow?' Vasily Ivanovich was dumbfounded.

Starting point is 06:03:00 "'Is Mr. Kiersenov leaving us, then?' "'Yes, and I'm going with him.' Vasily Ivanovich almost reeled over. "'You are going away?' yes i must make the arrangements about the horses please very good to the posting station very good only only why is it i must go to stay with him for a short time afterwards i will come back here again ah for a short time very good vasili ivanovitch took out his handkerchief and as he had been back here again ah for a short time very good vasili ivanovitch took out his handkerchief and as he blew his nose bent himself almost double to the ground all right it will all be done i had thought you were going to stay with us a little longer three days after three years that's rather little rather little eugenie but i tell you i'm coming back soon i have to go

Starting point is 06:04:08 you have to well duty comes before everything else so you want the horses sent all right of course anna and i never expected this she has just managed to get some flowers from a neighbor she wanted to decorate your room vasili ivanovitch did not even mention that every morning the moment it was light he consulted with timofish and standing with his bare feet in slippers pulling out with trembling fingers one crumpled ruble note after another and trusted him with various purchases particularly of good things to eat and of red wine which as far as he could observe the young men liked extremely liberty is the main thing that is my principle one has no right to interfere no he suddenly fell silent and made for the door we shall soon see each other again father really but vasili ivanovitch did not turn around he only waved his hand and went out when he got back to the bedroom he found his wife in bed and began to say his prayers in a whisper in order not to wake her up she woke however is that you vasilla ivanovitch she asked yes little mother have you come from enyusha do you know i'm afraid he may not be comfortable on that sofa i told anfuschka to put out for him your traveling mattress and the new pillows i should have given him our feather bed but i seem to remember he doesn't like sleeping soft

Starting point is 06:06:02 never mind little mother don't you worry he's all right lord have mercy on us sinners he continued his prayer in a low voice vasili ivanovitch felt sorry for his old wife he did not wish to tell her over night what sorrow there was in store for her bazadov and arkady left on the following day from early morning the house was filled with gloom and fasushka let the dishes slip out of her hand even fedka became bewildered and at length took off his boots vasili ivanovitch fussed more than ever obviously he was trying to make the best of it talked loudly and stamped his feet but his face looked haggard and he continually avoided looking his son in the eyes arina vlasievna wept quietly she would have broken down and lost all control of herself if her husband had not spent two whole hours exhorting her early that morning when bezotov after repeating promises to come back within a month at the latest tore himself at last from the embraced detaining him and took his seat on the tarantas when the horses started the bell rang and the wheels were moving and when it was no longer any use gazing after them when the dust had settled down and timophyte all bent and tottering as he walked had crept back to his little room when the old people were left alone in the house which also seemed to have suddenly shrunk and grown decrepit vasili ivanovitch who a few moments before had been heartily waving his handkerchief on the steps sank into a chair and his head fell on his head fell on

Starting point is 06:07:56 his breast he has abandoned us cast us off he muttered abandoned us he only feels bored with us now alone all alone like a solitary finger he repeated several times stretching out his hand with the forefinger standing out from the others then arline vlasievna came up to him and leaning her gray head against his gray head she said what can we do fascia a sun is a piece broken off he's like a falcon that flies home and flies away again when it wants but you and i are like mushrooms growing in the hollow of a tree we sit side by side without moving from the same place only i will never change for you and you will always be the same for me vasili ivanovitch took his hands from his face and embraced his wife his friend more warmly than he had ever embraced her in his youth she comforted him in his sorrow end of chapter twenty one recording by roger maline chapter twenty two of fathers and sons this librivox recording is in the public domain recording by roger maline fathers and sons by ivan tergenyev translated by richard hare chapter twenty two in silence only rarely exchanging a few words our friends traveled as far as fedos bazarraf was not altogether pleased with himself and arkady was displeased with him he also felt gripped by that melancholy without a cause which only very young people experience the coachman changed the horses and getting up on the box inquired to the right or to the left arkady shuddered the road to the right led to the town and from their home the road to the left led to madame orenstov's place

Starting point is 06:10:26 he looked at bezatov he asked to the left bezarov turned away what folly is this he muttered i know it is folly answered arkady but what harm does it do it's not for the first time bazarov pulled his cap down over his forehead as you like he said at last turn to the left shouted arkady the tarantas rolled off in the direction of nikolska but having decided on committing the folly the friends maintained an even more obstinate silence than before and seemed positively bad-tempered already by the manner in which the butler met them in the porch of madame odinstov's house the friends could guess that they had acted injudiciously in giving way so suddenly to a passing caprice they were obviously not expected they sat for quite a long time in the drawing-room with rather stupid faces at length madame orenstov came in to them she greeted them with her usual politeness but showed surprise at their rapid return and judging by the deliberation of her gestures and words she was not over-pleased about it they hastened to explain that they had only called there on their way and within four hours must continue their journey to the town she confined herself to a mild exclamation asked arkari to convey her greetings to his father and sent for her aunt the princess appeared looking half asleep which gave her wrinkled

Starting point is 06:12:16 old face an even more hostile expression. Kachya was unwell and did not leave her room. Arkadi suddenly realized that he was at least as anxious to see Kattya as to see Anna Srygeyevna herself. The four hours passed in small talk about one thing or another. Anna Siergayevna both listened and talked without smiling. It was only when they were already saying goodbye that her former friendliness seemed somehow to light up again in her. "'I have an attack of spleen just now,' she said. "'But don't pay any attention to that and come here again,'

Starting point is 06:12:58 I say that to both of you, before long.' Both Bazarov and Arkady responded with a silent bow, took their seats in the carriage, and without stopping again anywhere, drove straight home to Marino, where they arrived safely on the evening of the following day. during the whole journey neither of them so much has mentioned the name of madame orenstog bezad of in particular hardly opened his mouth and kept staring sideways at the road with a kind of embittered concentration at marino every one was overjoyed to see them the prolonged absence of his son had begun to make nikolai petrovitch uneasy he uttered a joyful exclamation and bounced up and down on the sofa dangling his legs when finitska ran into him with sparkling eyes and announced the arrival of the young gentleman

Starting point is 06:13:55 even pavl petrovitch felt to some degree pleasantly excited and smiled indulgently as he shook hands with the returned wanderers talk and questions followed quickly arkady talked most especially at supper which lasted till long after midnight nikolai petrovitch ordered up some bottles of porter which had just been brought from moscow and he himself made merry till his cheeks turned purple laughing repeatedly with a rather childlike but nervous laughter even the servants were affected by the general gaiety dunyasha ran up and down like one possessed slamming doors from time to time while pietra at three o'clock in the morning was still trying to play a cossack waltz on the guitar the strings emitted their sweet and plaintive sounds in the motionless air but except for some short preliminary flourishes the cultured valet's efforts failed to produce any tune nature had granted him no more talent for music than it had for anything else but meanwhile things had not been going too well at marino and poor nikolai petrovitch was having a hard time every day difficulties arose on the farm senseless distressing difficulties The troubles with the hired laborers had become intolerable. Some gave notice or asked for higher wages,

Starting point is 06:15:28 while others walked off with wages they had received in advance. The horses fell sick. The harness was damaged as though it had been burnt. The work was carelessly done, a threshing machine ordered from Moscow, turned out to be unusable because it was too heavy. Another winnowing machine was ruined the first. very first time it was used. Half the cattle sheds were burned down because a blind old woman on the farm went with a blazing firebrand and windy weather to fumigate her cow. Of course,

Starting point is 06:16:04 the old woman maintained that the whole mishap was due to the master's plan of introducing newfangled cheeses and dairy products. The bailiff suddenly turned lazy and began to grow fat, as every Russian grows fat when he gets an easy living. When he caught sight of Nikolai Petrovich in the distance, he would try to demonstrate his zeal by throwing a stick at a passing pig, or by threatening some half-naked ragamuffin, but for the rest of the time he was generally asleep. The peasants who had been put on the rent system did not pay in time

Starting point is 06:16:42 and stole wood from the forest. almost every night the watchman caught peasants horses in the farm meadows and sometimes removed them after a scrimmage nikolay petrovitch would fix a money fine for damages but the matter usually ended by the horses being returned to their owners after they had been kept for a day or two on the master's forage on top of all this the peasants began to quarrel among themselves brothers asked for their profits to be divided, their wives could not get on together in one house. Suddenly a quarrel would flare up. They would all rise to their feet, as though at a given signal, would run to the porch of the estate office, and crawl in front of the master, often in a drunken state with battered faces, demanding justice and retribution. An uproar and clamor would ensue, the shrill screams of the women mingling with the curses of the men.

Starting point is 06:17:47 The contending parties had to be examined, and one had to shout oneself's horse, knowing in advance that it was in any case quite impossible to reach a just settlement. There were not enough hands for the harvest. A neighboring yeoman, in the most benevolent manner, contracted to supply him with reapers for a commission of two roubles per acre,

Starting point is 06:18:10 and cheated him in the most shameless way. his peasant women demanded exorbitant prices and meanwhile the corn got spoiled the harvest was not in the common ownership but at the same time the council of guardians issued threats and demanded immediate and full payment of interest due it's beyond my power exclaimed nikolai petrovitch several times in despair i can't flog them myself to send for the police is against my principles but without the fear of punishment you can do absolutely nothing with them do calm do calm pevil petrovitch would remark on these occasions but he hummed to himself frowned and twisted his mustache bazarov held himself aloof from all the squabbles and indeed as a guest it was not incumbent on him to meddle in other people's affairs on the day after his arrival in marino he set to work on his frogs his infusoria and his chemical experiments and spent all his time over them arcari on the contrary considered it his duty if not to help his father at least to create an impression of being ready to help him he listened to him patiently and sometimes gave his advice not that he expected it to be acted upon but in order to show his concern the details of agricultural management were not repugnant to him he even indulged in pleasant dreams about agricultural work but at this time his mind was preoccupied with other ideas

Starting point is 06:19:59 to his own surprise arkady found he was thinking incessantly of nikolska formerly he would have just shrugged his shoulders if anyone had told him he could feel bored under the same roof as bazada particularly in his own home but now he was bored and longed to get away he tried walking till he was tired out but that did not help either one day when talking to his father he found out that nikolai petrovitch possessed a number of quite interesting letters written to his wife by madame orenstov's mother and arkady gave him no peace until he had taken out the letters for which nikolai petrovitch was obliged to rummage in twenty different drawers and boxes. Having gained possession of these crumbling papers, Arkari somehow calmed down as if he had secured a clearer vision of the goal towards which he ought now to move. I say that to both of you, he kept on repeating to himself. Those were the words she added. I shall go there. I shall go. Hang it all. Then he recalled his last visit, the cold old reception and his previous embarrassment, and shyness overwhelmed him.

Starting point is 06:21:21 But the adventurous daring of youth, the secret desire to try his luck, to test his powers independently without anyone else's protection, prevailed at last. Before ten days had passed, after his return to Marino, on the pretext of going to study the organization of Sunday schools, he galloped off again to the town, and from there on to Nikolsko. Uninterruptedly urging the driver forward, he dashed on like a young officer riding into battle. He felt at once frightened and light-hearted

Starting point is 06:21:58 and breathless with impatience. The main thing is, I mustn't think, he kept on saying to himself. His driver happened to be a high-spirited fellow, who stopped in front of every inn and exclaimed, A drink? Or, what about a drink?

Starting point is 06:22:18 But to make up for that, after the drink, he did not spare his horses. At length, there came into sight the high roof of the familiar house. What shall I do? Suddenly flashed through Arkari's mind. Anyhow, I can't turn back now. The three horses sped gaily on. The driver yelled and whistled at them.

Starting point is 06:22:43 them. Already the little bridge was echoing under the wheels and the horse's hoofs, and the avenue of lopped pines was drawing nearer. He caught a glimpse of a woman's pink dress moving among the dark green trees, and a young face peeped out from under the light fringe of a parasol. He recognized Katya, and she recognized him. Arcari ordered the driver to stop the galloping horses, jumped out of the carriage, and went to. up to her. It's you, she murmured and slowly blushed all over. Let us go to my sister.

Starting point is 06:23:21 She's here in the garden. She will be pleased to see you. Katya led Arcadian to the garden. His meeting with her struck him as a particularly happy omen. He was delighted to see her, as though she were someone close to his heart. Everything had happened so agreeably. No butler. no formal announcement.

Starting point is 06:23:45 At a turn in the path, he caught sight of Anna Surgayevna. She was standing with her back to him, hearing his footsteps, she gently turned around. Arkady would have felt embarrassed again, but the first words which she uttered immediately set him at ease.

Starting point is 06:24:05 "'Welcome, you runaway!' she said in her smooth, caressing voice, and came forward to meet him, smiling and screwing up her eyes from the sun and breeze. Where did you find him, Katya? I have brought you something, Anna Seregayevna, he began, which you certainly don't expect. You have brought yourself. That's better than anything else.

Starting point is 06:24:33 End of Chapter 22. Recording by Roger Maline. Chapter 23 of Fathers and Sons. this libervox recording is in the public domain recording by roger maline fathers and sons by ivan turgenyev translated by richard hare chapter twenty three having seen arkady off with ironical sympathy and given him to understand that he was not in the least deceived about the real objects of his journey bezarov shut himself up in solitude and set to work with feverish intensity He no longer argued with Pavlpetrovich, particularly since the latter assumed in his presence, an oppressively aristocratic manner, and expressed his opinions more by inarticulate sounds than by words. Only on one occasion Pavl Petrovich fell into a controversy with the nihilist over the then-much discussed question about the rights of the nobles in the Baltic provinces.

Starting point is 06:25:45 but he quickly stopped himself, remarking with a chilly politeness. However, we cannot understand one another. I at least have not the honor of understanding you. I should think not, exclaimed Bizarro. A human being can understand everything, how the ether vibrates and what's going on in the sun. But how another person can blow his nose differently from him, that he's incapable of a little.

Starting point is 06:26:15 understanding. What, is that a joke? Remarked Pavl Petrovich in a questioning tone and walked away. However, he sometimes asked permission to be present at Bazadov's experiment, and once even placed his perfumed face, washed with the finest soap, over the microscope in order to see how a transparent protozoan swallowed a green speck and busily chewed it with two very adroit organs which were in its throat. Nikolai Petrovich visited Bezadov much oftener than his brother.

Starting point is 06:26:52 He would have come every day to learn, as he expressed it, if the worries of his farm had not kept him too busy. He did not interfere with the young research worker. He used to sit down in a corner of the room and watch attentively, occasionally permitting himself some discreet question. During dinner and supper, he used to try to turn the conversation to physics, geology, or chemistry, since all other subjects, even agriculture, to say nothing of politics,

Starting point is 06:27:24 might lead, if not to collisions, at least to mutual dissatisfaction. Nikolay Petrovich guessed that his brother's dislike of Bazadov had not diminished. A minor incident, among many others, confirmed his surmise. cholera began to break out in some places in the neighborhood and even carried off two people from marino itself one night pavlpetrovitch had a rather severe attack of illness he was in pain till the morning but he never asked for bezarov's help when he met him the next day in reply to his question why he had not sent for him he answered still very pale but perfectly brushed and shaved "'Surely, I remember you said yourself, you don't believe in medicine.' So the days passed. Bezadov went on working obstinately and grimly,

Starting point is 06:28:24 and meanwhile there was in Nikolai Petrovich's house one person to whom, if he did not open his heart, he was at least glad to talk. That person was Finitschka. He used to meet her chiefly in the early morning, in the garden or the farm yard. he never went to see her in her room and she had only once come to his door to inquire should she give mitya his bath or not she not only had confidence in him and was not afraid of him she felt freer and more at ease with him than she did with nikolai petrovitch himself it is hard to say how this came about perhaps because unconsciously she felt in bezat of the absence of anything aristocratic of all that superiority which at once attracts and over-aws in her eyes he was both an excellent doctor and a simple man she attended to her baby in his presence without any embarrassment and once when she was suddenly overcome by giddiness and once when she was suddenly overcome by giddiness and headache she took a spoonful of medicine from his hands when nikolai petrovitch was there she kept bezad of somehow at a distance

Starting point is 06:29:44 she did this not out of hypocrisy but from a definite sense of propriety of pavlpetrovitch she was more afraid than ever for some time he had begun to watch her and would suddenly appear as if he had sprung out of the earth behind her back, in his English suit, with an impassive vigilant face and with his hands in his pockets. It's like having cold water thrown over one, said Finchka to Donyasha, who sighed in response

Starting point is 06:30:16 and thought of another heartless man. Bazad of, without the faintest suspicion of the fact, had become the cruel tyrant of her heart. Finichka loved her. liked Bezadov, and he liked her also. His face was even transformed when he talked to her. It took on an open, kindly expression, and his habitual nonchalance was modified by a kind of jocular attentiveness.

Starting point is 06:30:47 Finichka was growing prettier every day. There is a period in the life of young women when they suddenly begin to expand and blossom like summer roses. such a time had come for finichka everything contributed to it even the june heat which was then at its height dressed in a light white dress she seemed herself whiter and more graceful the sun had not tanned her skin but the heat from which she could not protect herself spread a slight flush over her cheeks and ears and a gentle languor through her whole body reflected in the dreamy expression of her charming eyes. She was almost unable to work, and kept on sighing and complaining with a comic helplessness.

Starting point is 06:31:41 You should go off in her to bathe, Nikolai Petrovich told her. He had arranged a large bathing place, covered with an awning, in the only one of his ponds which had not yet completely dried up. Oh, Nikolai Petrovich! but you die before you get to the pond and on the way back you die again you see there's no shade in the garden that's true there's no shade said nikolai petrovitch wiping his forehead one day at seven o'clock in the morning bazarov was returning from a walk and encountered finichka in the lilac arbor which had long ceased to flower but was still thick with green leaves she was sitting on the bench and had as usual thrown a white kerchief over her head beside her lay a whole heap of red and white roses still wet with dew he said good morning to her oh evgeny vizelich she said and lifted the edge of her kerchief a little in order to look at him in doing which her arm was bared to the elbow

Starting point is 06:32:56 what are you doing here said bezotov sitting down beside her are you making a bouquet yes for the table at lunch nikolai petzlovitch likes it but lunch is still a long way off what a mass of flowers i gathered them now for it will be hot later on and one can't go out even now one can only just breathe i feel quite weak from the heat i'm quite afraid i may get ill what an idea let me feel your pulse bazadov took her hand felt for the evenly throbbing pulse but did not even start to count its beats you'll live a hundred years he said dropping her hand ah god forbid she cried but why don't you want a long life well but a hundred years we had an old woman of eighty-five near us and what a martyr she was dirty deaf bent always coughing she was only a burden to herself what kind of a life is that so it's better to be young well isn't it but why is it better tell me how can you ask why why here am i now i'm young, I can do everything. Come and go and carry, and I don't need to ask anyone for anything. What can be better? But it's all the same to me, whether I'm young or old.

Starting point is 06:34:40 How do you mean, all the same? It's impossible what you say. Well, judge for yourself, Idocia Nikolayevna. What good is my youth to me? I live alone, a solitary man. That always depends on you. It doesn't all depend on me. At least someone ought to take pity on me. Finichka looked sideways at Bazadov, but said nothing. What's that book you have? she said after a short pause.

Starting point is 06:35:15 That? It's a scientific book, a difficult one. Are you still studying? Don't you find it dull? I should think you must know everything already. Evidently not everything. You try to read a little of it. But I don't understand a word of it. Is it Russian? asked Fannychka, taking the heavily bound book in both hands. How thick it is! Yes, it's Russian. All the same, I shan't understand anything. Well, and I don't want you to understand it. I want to look at you while you're reading. when you read the tip of your nose moved so nicely finnitchka who had started to spell out in a low voice an article on creosote she had chanced upon laughed and threw down the book it slipped from the bench to the ground

Starting point is 06:36:16 i like it too when you laugh remarked bazado oh stop i like it when you talk it's like a little brook babbling finnitchka turned her head away what a one you are she murmured as she went on sorting out the flowers and how can you like listening to me you have talked with such clever ladies ah fedosia nikolayevna believe me all the clever ladies in the world aren't worth your little elbow there now what will you invent next whispered finnichka clasping her hands together bazzov picked up the book from the ground that's a medical book why do you throw it away medical repeated finichka and turned round to him do you know ever since you gave me those drops do you remember mitya has slept so well i really don't know how to thank you you are so good really but actually you have to pay doctors said bazadov with a smile. Doctors, you know yourself, are grasping people. Finichka raised her eyes, which seemed still darker

Starting point is 06:37:38 from the whitish reflection cast on the upper part of her face, and looked at Bezado. She did not know whether he was joking or not. If you want, we shall be very glad. I shall have to ask Nikolai Petrovich. You think I want money? interrupted Bazara. No, I don't want money from you.

Starting point is 06:38:02 What then? asked Finichka. What? repeated Bazara. Guess. As if I'm likely to guess. Well, I will tell you. I want one of those roses. Finichka laughed again and even threw up her hands, so amused she was by Bazado's request.

Starting point is 06:38:27 she laughed and at the same time she felt flattered bezad off was watching her intently by all means she said at length and bending over the bench she began to pick out some roses which will you have a red or a white one red and not too large she sat up again here take it she said but at once drew back her outstretched hand, and biting her lips, looked towards the entrance of the summer house, and then listened. "'What is it?' asked Bazadol. "'Nikolai Petrovich?' "'No, he has gone to the fields, and I'm not afraid of him. But Pavel Petrovich, I fancied.'

Starting point is 06:39:19 "'What?' "'It seemed to me he was passing by. "'No, it was no one. Take it, Finichka gave Basara of the rose. What makes you afraid of Pavl Petrovich? He always frightens me. One talks, and he says nothing but just looks knowing. Of course, you don't like him either.

Starting point is 06:39:45 You remember you were always quarreling with him. I don't know what you quarreled about, but I can see you turning him this way and that. Finichka showed with him. hands how, in her opinion, Bazadov turned Pavl Petrovich round about. Bazadov smiled. And if he defeated me, he asked,

Starting point is 06:40:08 would you stand up for me? How could I stand up for you? But no, one doesn't get the better of you. You think so? But I know a hand which, if it wanted to, could knock me down with one finger. What hand is that? Why, don't you know, really?

Starting point is 06:40:32 Smell the wonderful scent of this rose you gave me. Fennichka stretched her little neck forward and put her face close to the flower. The kerchief slipped from her hair onto her shoulders, disclosing a soft mass of black, shining and slightly ruffled hair. Wait a moment, I want to smell it with you, said Bazado. he bent down and kissed her vigorously on her parted lips she shuddered pushed him back with both her hands on his breast but pushed weakly so that he was able to renew and prolong his kiss a dry cough made itself heard behind the lilac bushes finitschka instantly moved away to the other end of the bench pavl petrovitch showed himself in the entrance bowed slightly muttered in a tone of sorrowful anger you are here and walked away finitschka at once gathered up all her roses and went out of the summer house that was wrong of you avgeny vasilich she whispered as she left there was a tone of sincere reproach in her whisper bazardov remembered another recent scene and he felt both ashamed and contemptuously annoyed

Starting point is 06:41:56 but he shook his head at once ironically congratulated himself on his formal assumption of the roll of a don juan and went back to his own room pavl petrovitch went out of the garden and made his way with slow steps to the wood he stayed there quite a long time and when he returned to lunch nikolai petrovitch inquired anxiously whether he felt unwell his face had turned so dark You know I sometimes suffer from bilious attacks, Pavel Petrovich answered calmly. End of Chapter 23. Recording by Roger Maline. Chapter 24 of Fathers and Sons This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Roger Maline.

Starting point is 06:42:57 Fathers and Sons by Yvonne Torgenyev. Translated by Richard Hare. chapter twenty four two hours later he knocked at bezatov's door i must apologize for hindering you in your scientific researches he began seating himself in a chair by the window and leaning with both hands on a handsome walking-stick with an ivory knob he usually walked without a stick but i am obliged to ask you to spare me five minutes of your time no more all my time is at my time is at your time your disposal, answered Bezado, whose face quickly changed its expression, the moment Pavl Petrovich crossed the threshold. Five minutes will be enough for me. I have come to put one question to you.

Starting point is 06:43:49 A question? What about? I will tell you, if you will be good enough to listen to me. At the beginning of your stay in my brother's house, before I had renounced the pleasure of conversing with you, I had a kid. to hear your opinion on many subjects. But as far as I can remember, neither between us nor in my presence was the subject of single-combatts or dueling discussed. Allow me to hear, what are your views on that subject?' Bazzarov, who had stood up to meet Pavell Petrovich, sat down on the edge of the

Starting point is 06:44:28 table and folded his arms my view is he said that from the theoretical point of view dueling is absurd but from the practical point of view well that's quite another matter so you mean to say if i understand you rightly that whatever theoretical views you may hold about dueling you would in practice not allow yourself to be insulted without demanding satisfaction you have guessed my meaning completely very good i am very glad to hear that from you your words release me from a state of uncertainty of indecision do you mean that is all the same i express myself in order to be understood i am not a seminary rat your words have saved me from a rather grievous necessity i have made up my mind to fight you Bazarov opened his eyes wide. Me? Undoubtedly you. And what for, may I ask?

Starting point is 06:45:38 I could explain the reason to you, began Pavell Petrovich, but I prefer to keep silent about it. To my mind, your presence here is superfluous. I find you intolerable. I despise you. And if that is not enough for you, pavlpetrovitch's eyes flashed bazadovs too were glittering very good he said further explanations are unnecessary you've taken it into your head to try out on me your chivalrous spirit i could refuse you this pleasure but it can't be helped i am sensible of my obligations to you answered pavl petrovitch and i may count then i may count then-i

Starting point is 06:46:26 on your accepting my challenge, without compelling me to resort to violent measures? That means, speaking without metaphor, to the stick, Bazadov remarked coolly. That is entirely correct. You have no need to insult me. Indeed, it would not be quite safe. You can remain a gentleman. I accept your challenge also, like a gentleman.

Starting point is 06:46:53 Excellent, observed Pavl Petrovich, and put his stick down in the corner. We will say a few words now about the conditions of our duel, but I should first like to know whether you consider it necessary to resort to the formality of a trifling dispute which might serve as a pretext for my challenge. No, it's better without formalities. I also think so.

Starting point is 06:47:21 I suggest it is also inappropriate to dwell further on the real reason for our skirmish. we cannot endure one another what more is necessary what more is necessary repeated bezout of ironically as regards the conditions of the duel itself since we shall have no seconds for where could we get them exactly where could we get any i therefore have the honor to put the following proposals to you we shall fight early to-morrow morning at six let us say behind the plantation with pistols at a distance of ten paces at ten paces that will do we can still hate each other at that distance we could make it eight remarked pavl petrovitch we could why not we fire twice and to be prepared for everything let each put a letter in his pocket accepting responsive for his own end. "'I don't quite agree with that,' said Bazadon.

Starting point is 06:48:33 "'It smacks too much of a French novel, a bit unreal. "'Perhaps. You will agree, however, that it would be unpleasant to incur the suspicion of murder.' "'I agree, but there is a means of avoiding that painful accusation. We shall have no seconds, but we could have a witness.' "'And who may have a moment?' I ask. Why, pietra? Which pietra? Your brother's valet. He's a man standing at the height of contemporary culture,

Starting point is 06:49:08 who would play his part in such an affair with all the necessary. Repeated Vasily Kumilfo. I think you are joking, sir. Not in the least. If you think over my suggestion, you will be convinced that it is full of common sense, and simplicity murder will out but i can undertake to prepare piaotr in a suitable manner and bring him to the field of battle you persist in joking said pavlpetrovitch getting up from his chair but after the courteous readiness you have shown i have no right to claim so everything is arranged by the way i suppose you have no pistols how should i have pistols pavl petrovitch i'm not an army man in that case i offer you mine you may rest assured that i have not shot with them for five years that's a very consoling piece of news

Starting point is 06:50:11 pavl petrovitch picked up his stick and now my dear sir it only remains for me to thank you and to leave you to your studies i have the honor to take leave of you until we have the pleasure of meeting again my dear sir said bazada conducting his visitor to the door pavl petrovitch went out bazadov remained standing for a moment in front of the door then suddenly exclaimed what the devil how fine and how stupid a pretty farce we've been acting like trained dogs dancing on their hind legs but it was out of the question to refuse i really believe he would have struck me and then bazadov turned pale at the very thought all his pride stood up on end i might have had to strangle him like a kitten he went back to his microscope but his heart was beating fast and the composure so essential for accurate observation had disappeared he saw us to-day he thought but can it be that he would do all this on account of his brother and how serious a matter is it a kiss there must be something else in it bah isn't he in love with her himself obviously he's in love it's as clear as daylight what a mess just think it's a bad business he decided at last it's bad from whatever angle one looks at it in the first place to risk a bullet through one's brain and then in any case to go away from here and what about arkady

Starting point is 06:52:02 and that good-natured nicoly petrovitch it's a bad business the day passed in a peculiar calm and dullness finitschka gave no sign of life at all she sat in her little room like a mouse in its hole nikolai petrovitch had a careworn look he had just heard that his wheat crop on which he had set high hopes had begun to show signs of blight pevel petrovitch overwhelmed every one even prokhovitch with his icy politeness bezarov began a letter to his father but tore it up and threw it under the table if i die he thought they will hear about it but i shan't die no i shall struggle along in this world for a long time yet he gave pietra an order to come to him on important business the next morning as soon as it was light pietta imagined that bazaarov wanted to take him to petersburg bazaarov went to bed late and all night long he was oppressed by discorded dreams madame orenstov kept on appearing in them now she was his mother and she was followed by a kitten with black whiskers and this kitten was really fenichka then pavl petrovitch took the shape of a great forest with which he had still to fight pietra woke him at four o'clock he dressed at once and went out with him it was a lovely fresh morning tiny flecked clouds stood overhead like fleecy lambs in the clear blue sky fine dewdrops lay on the leaves and grass sparkling like silver on the spider's webs the damp dark earth seemed still to preserve the rosy traces of the dawn the songs of large poured down from all over the sky.

Starting point is 06:54:05 Bazadav walked as far as the plantation, sat down in the shade at its edge, and only then disclosed to Piata the nature of the service he expected from him. The cultured valet was mortally alarmed. But Bazarov quieted him down by the assurance that he would have nothing to do except to stand at a distance and look on,

Starting point is 06:54:28 and that he would not incur any sort of responsibility. And besides, he added, only think what an important part you have to play. Piotr threw up his hands, cast down his eyes, and leaned against a birch tree, looking green with terror. The road from Marino skirted the plantation. A light dust lay on it, untouched by wheel or foot since the previous day. Bezadaov found himself staring along with. this road, picking and chewing a piece of grass, and he kept on repeating to himself,

Starting point is 06:55:07 What a piece of idiocy! The morning chill made him shiver twice. Piatra looked at him dismally, but Bazarov only smiled. He was not frightened. The tramp of horses' hoofs could be heard coming along the road. A peasant came into sight from behind the trees. He was driving before him two horses hobbled together, and as he passed Bazarov, he looked at him rather strangely, without removing his cap, which evidently disturbed Piotr as an unlucky omen. "'There's someone else up early, too,' thought Bizarov.

Starting point is 06:55:50 But he at least has got up for work, while we—' "'It seems the gentleman is coming,' whispered Piahtra suddenly. Bazarov raised his head and caught sight of Pavel Petrovich. Dressed in a light-checked coat and snow-white trousers, he was walking quickly along the road. Under his arm he carried a box wrapped in green cloth. "'Excuse me, I think I have kept you waiting,' he said, bowing first to Bizarov and then to Piahtra, whom he treated respectfully at that moment as represent. some kind of second.

Starting point is 06:56:31 I did not want to wake up my man. It doesn't matter, said Bezada. We've only just arrived ourselves. Ah, so much the better. Pavel Petrovich looked around. There's no one in sight, no one to interfere with us. We can proceed? Let us proceed.

Starting point is 06:56:55 You don't demand any more explanations, I suppose. No, I don't. Would you like to load? inquired Pavel Petrovich, taking the pistols out of the box. No, you load, and I will measure out the paces. My legs are longer, added Bazadov with a smile. One, two, three. Evgeny Vasilich, stammered Piazzata with difficulty. He was trembling as if he had fever.

Starting point is 06:57:28 say what you like but i am going farther off four five all right move away my good fellow you can even stand behind a tree and stop up your ears only don't shut your eyes and if anyone falls run and pick him up six seven eight bazadov stopped is that enough he asked turning to pavl petrovitch or shall i add two paces more as you like replied the latter pressing the second bullet into the barrel well we'll make two paces more bazardov drew a line on the ground with the toe of his boot there's the barrier by the way how many paces may each of us go back from the barrier. That's an important question, too. It was not discussed yesterday. I suppose ten, replied Pavel Petrovich, handing Bazot off both pistols.

Starting point is 06:58:32 Will you be so good as to choose? I will be so good. But you must admit, Pavl Petrovich, that our duel is unusual to the point of absurdity. Only look at the face of our second. you are disposed to laugh at everything answered pavl petrovitch i don't deny the strangeness of our duel but i think it is my duty to warn you that i intend to fight seriously a bon entendor salu oh i don't doubt that we've made up our minds to do away with each other but why not laugh and unite util dulcie so you can talk to me in french and i'll reply and i'll reply and Latin.

Starting point is 06:59:19 I intend to fight seriously, repeated Pavel Petrovich, and he walked off to his place. Bazadov on his side counted off ten paces from the barrier and stood still. Are you ready? asked Pavel Petrovich. Perfectly. We can approach each other. Bazadov moved slowly forward, and Pavel Petrov walked towards him. his left hand thrust in his pocket, gradually raising the muzzle of his pistol.

Starting point is 06:59:54 He's aiming straight at my nose, thought Bazadov. And how carefully he screws up his eyes, the scoundrel? Not an agreeable sensation. I'd better look at his watch-chain. Something whizzed by sharply close to Bazadov's ear, and a shot rang out at that moment. I heard it, so it must be all right. managed to flash through bazardov's brain he took one more step and without taking aim pressed the trigger pavl petrovitch swayed slightly and clutched at his thigh

Starting point is 07:00:30 a thin stream of blood began to trickle down his white trousers bazadov threw his pistol aside and went up to his antagonist are you wounded he asked you had the right to call me up to the barrier said said Pavel Petrovitch. This is a trifle. According to our agreement, each of us has the right to one more shot. Well, but excuse me, we'll leave that to another time, answered Bizarov, and caught hold of Pavel Petrov who is beginning to turn pale.

Starting point is 07:01:07 Now I'm no longer a duelist, but a doctor, and first of all, I must have a look at your wound. Piotr! Come here, Piotr! where have you hidden yourself what nonsense i need help from nobody said pavl petrovitch jerkily and we must again he tried to pull at his mustache but his hand failed him his eyes grew dim and he fainted here's a pretty pass a fainting fit what next bazadov exclaimed involuntarily as he laid pavl petrov exclaimed involuntarily as he laid pavl petrov on the ground ass. Let's see what is wrong. He pulled out a handkerchief, wiped away the blood, and began to feel around the wound. The bones not touched, he muttered through his teeth. The bullet didn't go deep.

Starting point is 07:02:02 Only one muscle, vastus externus, grazed. He'll be dancing about in three weeks. Fainting. Oh, these nervous people. Fancy, what a delicate skis. in. Is he killed? whispered the trembling voice of Piotr behind his back. Bazarov looked around. Go for some water, quickly, my good fellow, and he'll outlive you and me yet. But the perfect servant failed apparently to understand his word, and did not move from the spot. Pavell Petrovich slowly opened his eyes. He's dying, murmured Piazza, and started crossing himself. "'You are right. What an idiotic face!' remarked the wounded gentleman with a forced smile.

Starting point is 07:02:55 "'Go and fetch the water, damn you!' shouted Bazada. "'There's no need. It was a momentary vertigo. "'Help me to sit up. There, that's right. I only need something to bind up this scratch, and I can reach home on foot, or else you can send for a droski for me. The duel, if you agree, need not be renewed. You have behaved honorably. Today, today, take note.

Starting point is 07:03:27 There's no need to recall the past, answered Bazado. And as regards the future, it's not worth breaking your head about that either, for I intend to move off from here immediately. Let me bind up your leg now. your wound is not dangerous but it's always better to stop the bleeding but first i must bring this corpse to his senses bazardoschus shook pietre by the collar and sent him off to fetch a droski mind you don't frighten my brother pevel petrovitch said to him don't inform him on any account pietre dashed off and while he was running for a droski the two antagonists sat on the ground and sat on the ground and said, silence. Pavell Petrovich tried not to look at Bazadov. He did not want to be reconciled to him in any case. He felt ashamed of his own arrogance, of his failure. He was ashamed of the whole affair

Starting point is 07:04:28 he had arranged, even though he realized it could not have ended more auspiciously. At least he won't go on hanging around here, he consoled himself by thinking. One should be thankful even for that. the prolonged silence was oppressive and awkward both of them felt ill at ease each was conscious that the other understood him for friends such a feeling is agreeable but for those who are not friends it is most unpleasant especially when it is impossible either to come to an understanding or to separate haven't i bound up your leg too tight asked bazade off at last no not at all it's excellent answered pavlpetrovitch and added after a pause we can't deceive my brother he will have to be told that we quarreled about politics very good said bazado you can say that i cursed all anglomaniacs all right what do you suppose that man thinks about us now continued pavl petrovitch pointing at the same peasant who had driven the hobbled horses passed Bazadov a few minutes before the duel, and who was now going back again along the

Starting point is 07:05:46 same road, and took off his cap at the sight of the masters. Who knows him? answered Bazadov. Most likely of all he thinks about nothing. The Russian peasant is that mysterious unknown person about whom Mrs. Radcliffe used to say so much. Who can understand him? He doesn't understand himself. Ah, so that's what you think, Pavel Petrovich began, then suddenly exclaimed, Look what your fool of a piatra has done. Here's my brother galloping towards us. Bezadov turned round and saw Nikolai Petrovich sitting in Adroski, his face pale.

Starting point is 07:06:30 He jumped out before it had stopped and ran up to his brother. What does this mean? he called out in an agitated voice. voice. "'Evgeny Vassilich, what is this?' "'Nothing,' answered Pavel Petrovich. "'They have alarmed you quite unnecessarily.' "'We had a little dispute, Mr. Bazarov and I, and I have had to pay for it a little.' "'But for heaven's sake, what was it all about?'

Starting point is 07:06:58 "'How shall I explain?' Mr. Bazadov alluded disrespectfully to Sir Robert Peel. I hasten to add that I am the only person to blame in all this, and Mr. Bazadov has behaved honorably. I challenged him. But you're covered with blood? Well, did you suppose I had water in my veins? But this bloodletting positively does me good. Isn't that so, doctor?

Starting point is 07:07:28 Help me to get into the Droski, and don't give way to gloomy thoughts. I shall be quite well tomorrow. That's it. Excellent. Drive off, coachman. Nikolai Petrovich followed the Drozhky on foot. Bazadov lagged behind. I must ask you to look after my brother, Nikolai Petrovich said to him, until we get another doctor from the town.

Starting point is 07:07:56 Bazadov nodded his head without speaking. An hour later, Pavl Petrovich was already lying in bed with a skillfully bandaged leg. the whole house was upset fenichka felt ill nikolai petrovitch was silently wringing his hand while pevel petrovitch laughed and joked especially with bazarov he had put on a fine cambric night shirt an elegant morning jacket and a fez he did not allow the blinds to be drawn down and humorously complained about the necessity of not being allowed to eat towards night however he grew feverish his head ached the doctor arrived from the town nikolai petrovitch would not listen to his brother nor did bazarov want him to he sat the whole day in his room looking yellow and angry and only went into the invalid for as brief a visit as possible twice he happened to meet fenichka but she shrank away from him in horror the new doctor advised a cooling diet he confirmed however bazadov's assurance that there was no danger nikolay petrovitch told him that his brother had hurt himself accidentally to which the doctor replied

Starting point is 07:09:20 but on having twenty-five silver roubles slipped into his hand on the spot he remarked you don't say so well such things often happen of course no one in the house went to bed or undressed nikolai petrovitch from time to time went in on tiptoe to his brother's room and tiptoed out again pavl petrovitch dozed sighed a little told his brother in french cuché vous and asked for something to drink nikolai petrovitch sent fenichka in to him once with a glass of lemonade pavl petrovitch looked at her intently and drank off the glass to the last drop towards morning the fever had increased a little a slight delirium started at first pavl petrovitch uttered incoherent words. Then suddenly he opened his eyes, and seeing his brother beside his bed, anxiously leaning over him, he murmured, "'Don't you think, Nikolai, Finitschka has something in common with Nellie?' "'What Nellie?' Pavel dear. "'How can you ask that? With Princess R,

Starting point is 07:10:38 especially in the upper part of the face. Say de la M. Famille. Nikolai Petrovich made no answer, but inwardly he marveled at the persistent vitality of old passions in a man. This is what happens when it comes to the surface, he thought. Ah, how I love that empty creature, groaned Pavel Petrovich, mournfully clasping his hands behind his head. I can't bear that any insolent upstart should dare to touch, he muttered a few minutes later. Nikolai Petrovich only sighed. He never even suspected to whom these words referred. Bazarov came to see him on the following day at eight o'clock.

Starting point is 07:11:24 He had already managed to pack and had set free all his frogs, insects, and birds. You have come to say goodbye to me, said Nikolai Petrovich, getting up to meet him. Exactly. I understand and fully approve of you. My poor brother is, of course, to blame, but he has been punished for it. He told me that he made it impossible for you to act otherwise. I believe that you could not avoid this duel, which, to some extent, is explained by the almost constant antagonism of your different points of view. Nikolai Petrovich began to get rather mixed up in his words.

Starting point is 07:12:07 My brother is a man of the old school, hot-tempered, and obstinate. thank god that it has only ended in this way i have taken all possible precautions to avoid publicity i'll leave you my address in case there's any fuss said bezotov casually i hope there will be no fuss avgeny vizilitch i am very sorry that your stay in my house should have come to such an end it distresses me all the more on account of arcades i expect i shall see him replied bazadeov in whom every kind of explanation and pronouncement always aroused a feeling of impatience in case i don't may i ask you to say good-bye to him for me and to accept the expression of my regret and i too ask began nikolai petrovitch with a bow but bazadov did not wait for him to finish his sentence and went out of the room on hearing that bazadov was going pavl petrovitch expressed a desire to see him and shook him by the hand but even then bazadov remained as cold as ice he realized that pavl petrovitch wanted to display magnanimity he found no opportunity of saying good-bye to finitschka he only exchanged glances with her from the window her face struck him by its sad look she'll come to grief probably he said to himself though she may pull through somehow pietta however was so overcome that he wept on his shoulder until bezadaev cooled him down by asking if he had a constant water supply in his eyes

Starting point is 07:13:56 and dunyasha felt obliged to run away into the plantation to hide her emotion the originer of all this distress climbed into a country cart lit a cigar and when three miles further on at a bend in the road he saw for the last time the kirsan of the kirsan of the farmstead and its new manor house standing together on the skyline he merely spat and muttering damned nobleman wrapped himself more tightly in his cloak pavl petrovitch was soon better but he had to lie in bed for about a week he bore his captivity as he called it fairly patiently though he took great trouble over his toilet and had everything scented with ode cologne nikolai petrovitcher read papers to him fenichka waited on him as before brought him soup lemonade boiled eggs and tea but a secret dread seized to him her every time she came into his room. Pavell Petrovitch's unexpected action had alarmed everyone in the house, and her most of all. Prachovitch was the only person not troubled by it, and he discoursed on how gentlemen used to fight in his day only with real gentlemen. But such low scoundrels they would have ordered to be horsewipped in the stables for their insolence. Fennichka's conscience

Starting point is 07:15:28 scarly reproached her, but she was tormented at times by the thought of the real cause of the quarrel, and Pavel Petrovich too looked at her so strangely, so that even when her back was turned, she felt his eyes fixed on her. She grew thinner from constant inward agitation, and, as it happened, became still more charming. One day, the incident took place in the early morning, Pavl Petrovich felt better and moved from his bed to the sofa, while Nikolai Petrovich, having previously made inquiries about his brother's health, went off to the threshing floor. Finichka brought him a cup of tea,

Starting point is 07:16:13 and setting it down on a little table was about to withdraw. Pavl Petrovich detained her. "'Where are you going in such a hurry?' Fidocia Nikolayevna, he began. Are you so busy? No, yes, I have to pour out tea. Donyasha will do that without you. Sit down for a little while with an invalid.

Starting point is 07:16:39 By the way, I must have a talk with you. Finichka sat down on the edge of an armchair without speaking. Listen, said Pevil Petrovich, pulling at his mustache. I have wanted to ask you for a long time. You seem somehow afraid of me. I— Yes, you. You never look at me in the face,

Starting point is 07:17:05 as if your conscience were not clear. Finichka blushed, but looked up at Pavlpetrovich. He seemed so strange to her, and her heart began quietly throbbing. "'Surely you have a clear conscience?' he asked her. "'Why should it not be clear?' she whispered. Why, indeed. Besides, whom could you have wronged? Me? That is unlikely.

Starting point is 07:17:36 Any other people living in the house? That is also a fantastic idea. Could it be my brother? But surely you love him? I love him. With your whole soul, with your whole heart? I love Nikolai Petrovich with my whole heart. truly look at me finichka he called her by that name for the first time you know it is a great sin to tell lies

Starting point is 07:18:08 i am not lying pevil petrovitch if i did not love nikolai petrovitch there would be no point in my living any longer and you will never give him up for anyone else for whom else could i give him up for whom indeed well what about that gentleman who has just gone away from here finichka got up my god pevil petrovitch why are you torturing me what have i done to you how can you say such things finitschka said pavlpetrovitch in a sad voice you know i saw what did you see well there in the summer house finichka blushed to the roots of her hair and to her ears how can i be blamed for that she pronounced with an effort pavl petrovitch raised himself up you were not to blame no not at all i love nikolai petrovitch and no one else in the world and i shall always love him cried finnitschka with sudden force while sobs rose in her throat as for what you saw i will say in the dreadful day of last judgment that i am innocent of any blame for it and always was and i would rather die at once if people can suspect me of any such thing against my benefactor nikolai petrovitch but here her voice failed and at the same moment she felt that pavlpetrovitch was seizing and pressing her hand she looked at him and was almost petrified he had turned even paler than before his eyes were shining and most surprising of all one large solitary tear was rolling down his cheek

Starting point is 07:20:11 fenichka he said in a strange whisper love him love my brother he is such a good kind man don't give him up for anyone and don't listen to anyone else's talk only think what can be more terrible than to love and not to be loved in return never leave my poor nikolai finitschka's eyes were dry and her fright had vanished so great was her amazement but what were her feelings when pavl petrovitch pavl petrovitch of all people pressed her hand to his lips and seemed to pierce into it without kissing it only breathing convulsively from time to time good heavens she thought is he suffering from some attack at that moment his whole ruined life stirred within him the staircase creaked under rapidly approaching footsteps he pushed her away from him and let his head drop back on the pillow the door opened and nikolai petrovitch came in looking cheerful fresh and ruddy mitya just as fresh and rosy as his father with nothing but his little shirt on was frisking about in his reddy mitya just as fresh and rosy as his father with nothing but his little shirt on was frisking about in his arms snatching with bare little toes at the buttons of his rough country coat finitschka simply flung herself upon him and clasping him and her son together in her arms dropped her head on his shoulder nikolay petrovitchvich was astonished fenichka so shy and modest never demonstrated her

Starting point is 07:22:00 feelings for him in front of a third person. What's the matter, he said, and glancing at his brother, he handed Mitya to her. You don't feel worse, he asked, going up to Pavell Patsrovich, who buried his face in a cambric handkerchief. No, not at all. On the contrary, I am much better. You shouldn't have been in such a hurry to move to the sofa. Where are you going?

Starting point is 07:22:29 added Nikolai Petrovich, turning towards Finitschka, but she had already closed the door behind her. I was bringing my young hero in to show you. He has been crying for his uncle. Why did she carry him off? What's wrong with you, though? Has anything happened between you? Brother, said Pavel Petrovich gravely.

Starting point is 07:22:55 Give me your word to carry out my one request. what request tell me it is very important it seems to me the whole happiness of your life depends on it i have been thinking a lot all this time about what i want to say to you now brother do your duty the duty of an honest and generous man put an end to the scandal and the bad example you are setting you the best of men what do you mean paville marry fennichka she loves you she is the mother of your son nikolai petrovitch moved a step backwards and threw up his hand you say that paville you whom i always took for the most relentless opponent of such marriages you say that but don't you know that it was only out of respect for you that i have not done what you rightly called my duty your respect for me was quite mistaken in this case said pavl petrovitch with a weary smile i begin to think that bezodov was right when he accused me of being an aristocratic snob no dear brother let us stop worrying ourselves about the opinion of the outside world we are elderly humble people by now it's high time we laid aside all these empty vanities we must do our duty just as you say and maybe we shall find happiness that way in addition nikolay petrovitch rushed over to embrace his brother

Starting point is 07:24:45 you have really opened my eyes he exclaimed i was right in always maintaining that you are the kindest and wisest man in the world and now i see you are just as reasonable as you are generous-minded softly softly pavl petrovitch interrupted him don't knock the leg of your reasonable brother who at close on fifty has been fighting a duel like a young lieutenant so then the matter is settled fenishka is to be my belle sir my darling pavl but what will arcadi say arcady he'll be enthusiastic of course marriage is not a principle for him but on the other hand his sentiment of equality will be gratified yes and after all what is the good of caste diversions o die nevium ah pavel pavel let me kiss you once more don't be afraid i'll be careful the two brothers embraced each other what do you think shouldn't you tell her straightway what you intend to do why should we hurry answered nikolai petrovitch did you have a conversation with her a conversation between us kelly day well that's all right first of all you must get well it won't run away from us and meanwhile we must think it over and consider but surely you have made up your mind of course i have and i thank you from the bottom of my heart i will leave you now you must rest any excitement is bad for you but we will talk it over another time

Starting point is 07:26:47 go to sleep my dear and god grant you good health why does he thank me like that thought pavlpetrovitch when he was left alone as if it did not depend on himself then as soon as he marries i will go away somewhere far from here to dresden or florence and i will live there till i expire pevil petrovitch moistened his forehead with ode cologne and closed his eyes lit up by the brilliant daylight his beautiful emaciated head lay on the white pillow like the head of a dead man and indeed he was a dead man End of Chapter 24. Recording by Roger Maline. Chapter 25 of Fathers and Sons. This Libervox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Roger Maline.

Starting point is 07:27:58 Fathers and Sons by Ivan Tergenyev. Translated by Richard Hare. Chapter 25. At Nekolsko, Katya and Arkadi were sitting in the garden on a turf seat in the shade of a tall ash tree. Fifi had placed herself on the ground near them, giving her long body that graceful curve, which is known among sportsmen as the hairs bend.

Starting point is 07:28:26 Both Arcari and Katya were silent. He held in his hands a half-open book, while she was picking out of a basket some remaining crumbs of white bread and throwing them to the small family of sparrows, which with their peculiar cowardly impudence were chirping and hopping around right up to her feet. A faint breeze, stirring the ash leaves, kept gently moving pale gold patches of sunlight up and down across the shady path and over Fifi's back.

Starting point is 07:29:00 An unbroken shadow fell on Arcady and Katya, only from time to time a bright street gleamed in her hair. Both were silent. but the way in which they were silent and sitting together indicated a certain confidential friendliness each of them seemed not to be thinking of the other while secretly rejoicing at each other's presence their faces too had changed since we saw them last arcadi seemed more composed and katya brighter and more self-confident don't you think began arkady that the ash has been very well named in Russian, Yasun. Not a single other tree is so light and translucent clear, Yasno, against the sky. Kachya raised her eyes upwards and murmured,

Starting point is 07:29:57 Yes, and Arkady thought, Well, she doesn't reproach me for talking poetically. I don't care for Haina, said Katya, glancing at the book which Arkady held in his hands. either when he laughs or when he weeps i like him when he is thoughtful and sad and i like him when he laughs remarked arcady those are the relics of your old satirical tendency relics thought arcady if bazarov could have heard that wait a bit we shall transform you who will transform me you who my sister porphyry platonovitch whom you've stopped quarrelling with my aunt whom you escorted to church the day before yesterday well i couldn't refuse but as for anna sergeyevna you remember she agreed with evgeny in a great many things my sister was under his influence then just as you were as i was have you noticed that i've already shaken off his influence katya remained silent i know continued arkady you never liked him

Starting point is 07:31:19 i'm unable to judge him do you know katerina sergeyevna every time i hear that answer i don't believe it there is no one beyond the capacity of judgment of any of us that is just a pretext for getting out of it well i'll tell you then he is not because i don't like him but i feel he is quite alien to me and i am alien to him and you too are alien to him why is that how can i tell you he's a wild beast while we are both domestic animals and am i a domestic animal katya nodded her head arkady scratched his ear listen katerina sergeyevna surely that is in the nature of an insult why would you rather be wild not wild but powerful energetic it's no good wishing to be that your friend you see doesn't wish for it but he has it hmm so you suppose he had a great influence on anaserdegyevna yes but no one can keep the upper hand of her for long added katya in a low voice why do you think that she's very proud i didn't mean to say that she values her independence very much who doesn't value it asked arkady and the thought flashed through his mind what is it for?" The same thought occurred to Katya. Young people who are friendly and often together

Starting point is 07:33:11 constantly find themselves thinking the same thoughts. Arkady smiled, and coming a little closer to Katya, he said in a whisper, "'Confess, you are a little afraid of her.' "'Of whom?' "'Of her,' repeated Arkady significantly. And how about you? asked Katya in her turn. I am also. Please note I said I am also. Katya wagged her finger at him threateningly. I wonder at that, she began.

Starting point is 07:33:51 My sister has never felt so friendly towards you as just now, much more than when you first came here. Fancy that. And you haven't noticed it? aren't you glad about it arkady became thoughtful how have i succeeded in winning anna sergeyevna's favor could it be because i brought her your mother's letters both for that and for other reasons which i won't tell you why i shan't say oh i know you're very obstinate yes i am and observant and observant observant. Katya cast a sidelong glance at Arkady. Perhaps so. Does that annoy you? What are you thinking about?

Starting point is 07:34:43 I'm wondering how you have grown to be so observant as you certainly are. You are so shy and distrustful. You keep everyone at a distance. I live so much alone. That in itself leads to thoughtfulness. "'But do I keep everyone at a distance?' "'Arcari flung a grateful glance at Katya. "'That's all very well,' he went on, "'but people in your position, I mean with your fortune, "'s seldom possess that gift.

Starting point is 07:35:19 "'It is hard for them, as it is for emperors, to get at the truth.' "'But, you see, I am not rich.' arkady was surprised and did not at once understand katya why as a matter of fact the property is all her sisters struck him suddenly the thought was not disagreeable to him how nicely you said that he remarked what you said it nicely simply without either being ashamed or making much of it by the way i imagine there must always be something special a kind of pride in the feeling of a person who knows and says that he is poor i have never experienced anything of that sort thanks to my sister's i have never experienced anything of that sort thanks to my sister i referred to my position just now only because it happened to come up in our conversation well but you must admit that even you have something of that pride i spoke of just now for instance for instance surely you excuse my question you wouldn't be willing to marry a rich man if i loved him very much no probably even then i wouldn't marry him there you see cried arcady and after a moment's pause he added and why wouldn't you marry him

Starting point is 07:36:49 because even in the ballads unequal matches are always unlucky perhaps you want to dominate or oh no what's the good of that on the contrary i'm ready to obey? Only inequality is difficult. But to keep one's self-respect and to obey, that I can understand. That is happiness. But a subordinate existence, no, I've had enough of that as it is. Had enough of that, repeated Arkady after Katya. You're not Anna Sergeyevna's sister for nothing. You're just as independent as she is, but you're more reserved. I'm sure you would never be the first to express your feelings, however strong or sacred. Well, what would you expect? asked Katya. You are equally intelligent. You have as much character, if not more, than she. Don't compare me with my sister, please, interrupted Katya hurriedly. It puts me too much at a

Starting point is 07:38:04 disadvantage. You seem to forget that my sister is beautiful and clever, and— You in particular, Arkady Nikolayev, ought not to say such things, and with such a serious face, too. What does that mean, you in particular? And what makes you conclude that I'm joking? Of course you're joking. Do you think so? But what if I'm convinced of what I say? If I find that? I've not even put it strongly enough. I don't understand you. Really? Well, now I see that I certainly overestimated your powers of observation. How is that?

Starting point is 07:38:49 Arcari made no answer and turned away, but Katya searched for a few more crumbs in the basket and began throwing them to the sparrows. But she moved her arm too vigorously, and the birds flew away without stopping to pick them up. Katarina Sergeyevna, began Arkady suddenly, It is probably a matter of indifference to you,

Starting point is 07:39:13 but you should know, I would not exchange you, neither for your sister nor for anyone else in the world. He got up and walked quickly away, as if he were frightened by the words which had burst from his lips. Katya led her two hands dropped together with the basket onto her knees. and with bowed head she gazed for some time after arkady gradually a crimson flush spread a little to her cheeks but her lips did not smile and her dark eyes had a look of perplexity and of some other still undefined feeling are you alone sounded the voice of anna sergeyevna quite close to her i thought you came into the garden with arkady katya slowly raised her eyes to her sister elegantly almost elaborately dressed she was standing on the path and tickling fifie's ears with the tip of her parasol and slowly answered i'm alone

Starting point is 07:40:19 so i see answered the other sister with a laugh i suppose he has gone back to his room yes were you reading together yes anna surrogayevna took katya under the chin and raised her face you didn't quarrel i hope no said katya quietly moving away her sister's hand how solemnly you answer i thought i should find him here and was going to suggest a walk with him he keeps on asking me about it they have brought your new shoes from the town go and try them on i noticed yesterday that your old ones are quite worn out really you don't pay enough attention to these things but all the same you've got such lovely little feet and your hands are good only rather large so you must make the most of your feet but you're not a flirt anna sergeyevna went farther down the path her beautiful dress rustling slightly as she walked katya rose from the bench and taking hyna with her also went off only not to try on the new shoes lovely little feet she thought as she slowly and lightly mounted the stone steps of the terrace which were burning from the heat of the sun lovely little feet you call them well he shall be at my feet but a feeling of shame came across her at once and a feeling of shame came across her at once and she ran swiftly upstairs.

Starting point is 07:42:04 Arkady was going along the passage to his room when he was overtaken by the butler, who announced that Mr. Bazarov was sitting in his room. "'Evgeny!' muttered Arkady in a startled tone. "'Has he been here long?' "'He has arrived only this minute and gave orders not to be announced to Anna Sergeyevna, but to be shown straight up to you.

Starting point is 07:42:30 can any misfortune have happened at home thought arcady and running hurriedly up the stairs he opened the door at once the sight of bazarov immediately reassured him though a more experienced eye would probably have discerned signs of inward excitement in the sunken but still energetic face of the unexpected visitor with a dusty cloak over his shoulders and a cap on his head he was sitting by the wind He did not even get up when Articotti flung himself on his neck with loud exclamations. "'Well, how unexpected! What good luck has brought you!' he kept on repeating, bustling about the room like someone who both imagines and wants to show that he is pleased. "'I suppose everything is all right at home. They're all well, aren't they?' "'Everything is all right there, but not every one of the same.' as well, said Bezadov.

Starting point is 07:43:33 But don't go on chattering. Get them to bring me some kvass. Sit down and listen to what I'm going to tell you, in a few but, I hope, fairly vigorous sentences. Arkady kept quiet while Bezadov told him about his duel with Pavl Petrovich. Arkady was greatly surprised and even upset, but he did not think it necessary to show this. He asked only whether his...

Starting point is 07:44:00 uncle's wound was really not serious, and on receiving the reply that it was, most interesting, though not from a medical point of view, he gave a forced smile, but he felt sick at heart, and somehow ashamed. Bizarov seemed to understand him. "'Yes, brother,' he said, "'you see what comes of living with feudal people. One becomes futile oneself and takes part in nightly tournaments.' "'Well, so I set off for my father's place,' "'Bezadov concluded. "'And on the way I turned in here,

Starting point is 07:44:40 "'to tell you all this, "'I should say, if I didn't think any useless and stupid lie. "'No, I turned in here. "'The devil knows why. "'You see, it's sometimes a good thing "'for a man to take himself by the scruff of the neck "'and pull himself away, "'like a radish out of its bed.

Starting point is 07:44:59 "'That's what I've just done, but I wanted to take one more look at what I've parted company with, at the bed where I've been sitting.' "'I hope that those words don't apply to me,' retorted Arkady excitedly. "'I hope you don't think of parting from me.' "'Bazzarov looked at him intently. His eyes were almost piercing. "'Would that upset you so much?'

Starting point is 07:45:28 it strikes me that you have parted from me already you look so fresh and smart your affairs with anaserdegayevna must be proceeding very well what do you mean by my affairs with anaserdegayevna why didn't you come here from the town on her account my little bird by the way how are those sunday schools getting on do you mean to tell me you're not in love with her or have you already reached the stage of being bashful about it evgenye you know i've always been frank with you i can assure you i swear to you you're making a mistake hmm a new story remarked bezotov under his breath but you needn't get agitated about it for it's a matter of complete indifference to me a romantic would say i feel that our roads are beginning to branch out indifferent directions, but I will simply say that we're tired of each other. Evgeny, there's no harm in that, my good soul. One gets tired of plenty of other things in the world. And now, I think we'd better say goodbye.

Starting point is 07:46:45 Ever since I've been here, I've felt so disgusting as if I'd been reading a Gogol's letter to the wife of the governor of Kaluga. By the way, I didn't tell them to unharness the horses. good heavens that's impossible and why i say nothing of myself but it would be the height of discourtesy to anasurgayevna who will certainly want to see you well you're mistaken there on the contrary i'm convinced that i'm right retorted arkady and what are you pretending for for that you come here because of her That might even be true, but you're mistaken all the same. But Arkady was right. Anna Sergeyevna wanted to see Bazadov,

Starting point is 07:47:40 and sent a message to him to that effect through the butler. Bazadov changed his clothes before he went to her. It turned out that he had packed his new suit in such a way as to be able to take it out easily. Madame Orinstov received him, not in the room where he was. he had so unexpectedly declared his love to her, but in the drawing-room. She held her fingertips out to him amiably, but her face showed signs of involuntary tension. "'Anna Surgayevna,' Bazarov hastened to say, "'first of all, I must set your mind at rest.

Starting point is 07:48:18 Before you stands a simple mortal, who came to his senses long ago, and hopes that other people, too, have forgotten his follies. I am going away for a long time, and though I'm by no means a soft creature, I should be sorry to carry away with me the thought that you remember me with abhorrence. Anna Sergeiyevna gave a deep sigh, like one who was just climbed to the top of a high mountain, and her face lit up with a smile. She held out her hand to Bezada of a second time and responded to his pressure. Let bygones be bygones, she said.

Starting point is 07:49:00 All the more so, since to say what is on my conscience, I was also to blame then, either for flirting or for something else. In a word, let us be friends as we were before. The other was a dream, wasn't it? And who remembers dreams? Who remembers them? And besides, love, surely it's an imaginary feeling indeed i'm very pleased to hear that anna sergeyevna expressed herself thus and so did

Starting point is 07:49:36 they both thought they were speaking the truth was the truth the whole truth to be found in their words they themselves did not know much less could the author but a conversation ensued between them just as if they believed one in their words they themselves did not know much less could the author but a conversation ensued between them just as if they believed one in completely. Anna Sergeyevna asked to Bezharov, among other things, what he had been doing at the Kyrsinov's. He was on the point of telling her about his duel with Pavl Petrovich, but he checked himself with the thought that she might suppose he was trying to make himself interesting, and answered that he had been working the whole time. And I, observed Anna Surgayevna, had a fit of depression to start with. Goodness knows why. I even plan to go abroad, just fancy. But that passed off. Your friend Arkari Nikolaiti arrived, and I settled down to my routine again, to my proper function. And what is that function, may I ask? To be an aunt, guardian, mother, call it what you like.

Starting point is 07:50:48 incidentally, do you know I used not to understand before your close friendship with Arkari Nikolayev, I found him rather insignificant. But now I have got to know him better, and I recognize his intelligence. But he is young, so young, it's a great thing, not like you and me, Evgeny Vasilich. Is he still shy in your presence? asked Bizarro. But was he, began Anna Sergeyevna, and after a short pause she went on, He has grown more trustful now. He talks to me. Formally he used to avoid me. Though, as a matter of fact, I didn't seek his society either. He is more Katya's friend.

Starting point is 07:51:40 Bazadov felt vexed. A woman can't help being a hypocrite, he thought. You say he used to avoid you, he said aloud with a cold smile. But probably it's no secret to you that he was in love with you. What? He too, ejaculated Anna Surgayevna. He too, repeated Bazadov with a submissive bow. Can it be that you didn't know it and that I've told you something new? Anna Sertigayevna lowered her eyes. you are mistaken, Evgeny Vasilich.

Starting point is 07:52:19 I don't think so, but perhaps I ought not to have mentioned it. And don't you try to fool me any more, he added to himself. Why not mention it? But I imagine that here as well you attach too much importance to a transitory impression. I begin to suspect that you were inclined to exaggerate. We had better not talk about that, Anna Sergeyevna. And why? she replied, but herself diverted the conversation into another channel. She still felt ill at ease with Pizarro, though she had both told and assured herself that everything was forgotten.

Starting point is 07:53:04 While exchanging the simplest remarks with him, even when she joked with him, she was conscious of an embarrassed fear. thus do people on a steamer at sea talk and laugh carelessly for all the world as if they were on dry land but the moment there is some hitch if the smallest sign appears of something unusual there emerges at once on every face an expression of peculiar alarm revealing the constant awareness of constant danger anna surtegaievna's conversation with bezoradov did not last long she began to be absorbed in her own thoughts to answer absent-mindedly and ended by suggesting that they should go into the hall where they found the princess and katya but where is arkady nikolayitch asked the hostess and on hearing that he had not been seen for more than an hour she sent some one to look for him he was not found at once he had hidden himself away in the wildest part of the garden and with his chin propped on his folded hands, he was sitting wrapped in thought. His thoughts were deep and serious,

Starting point is 07:54:21 but not mournful. He knew that Anasirgaevna was sitting alone with Bazadov, and he felt no jealousy as he had before. On the contrary, his face slowly brightened. It seemed as if he was at once wondering and rejoicing and deciding to do something. End of Chapter 25. Recording by Roger Maline.

Starting point is 07:54:56 Chapter 26 of Fathers and Sons. This Libervox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Roger Maline. Fathers and Sons by Yvon Turgenev. Translated by Richard Hare. Chapter 26. The late Odin's had disliked innovations, but he admitted a certain play of a nobled taste,

Starting point is 07:55:23 and had consequently erected in his garden between the hothouse and the lake, a building in the style of a creek temple made of Russian brick. Along the windowless back wall of this temple, or gallery, were placed six niches for statues which Ordenstov proceeded to order from abroad. These statues were intended to represent solitude, silence, meditation, melancholy, modesty, and sensibility. One of them, the goddess of silence, with her finger on her lips, had been delivered and placed in position. But on the very same day some of the farm boys knocked off her nose, and although the neighboring plasterer undertook to make her a new nose, twice as good as the pre-beats,

Starting point is 07:56:15 one, Odinstov ordered her to be removed, and she could still be seen in the corner of the threshing barn, where she had stood for many years, a source of superstitious terror to the peasant women. The front part of the temple had long ago been overgrown with thick bushes. Only the capitals of the columns could be seen above the thick green. Inside the temple itself, it was cool even at midday. Anna Sergeyevna did not like visiting this place ever since she had seen a snake there, but Katya often came and sat on a wide stone seat constructed under one of the niches. Here, surrounded by shade and coolness, she used to read and work,

Starting point is 07:57:00 or give herself up to that sensation of perfect peace, known probably to everyone, the charm of which consists in the half-conscious mute listening to that vast current of life which uninterruptedly flows both around us and within us. On the day after Bizarro's arrival, Kattie was sitting on her favorite stone seat, and Arkady was sitting beside her again. He had begged her to come with him to the temple. It was about an hour before lunchtime, the dewy morning had given place to a hot day. Arkadi's face retained the expression of the preceding day.

Starting point is 07:57:41 Katya looked preoccupied. Her sister, immediately after the morning tea, had called her into her study, and after some preliminary caresses, which always rather alarmed Katya, advised her to be more guarded in her behavior with Arkady, and to avoid solitary talks with them, which had attracted the attention of her aunt and the household.

Starting point is 07:58:06 Apart from that, Anna Sergeyevna was still in a bad mood from a man, the evening before, and Katja herself felt embarrassed, as if she had done something wrong. When she yielded to Arkadis entreaties, she said to herself that it was for the last time. Katerina Sergeyevna, he began with a sort of bashful carelessness. Ever since I have had the happiness of living under the same roof with you, I have discussed many things with you. but meanwhile there is one very important question for me which i have not yet touched on you remarked yesterday that i have been transformed here he went on at once catching and avoiding the inquiring look which caught you fixed on him

Starting point is 07:58:55 in fact i have changed a lot and you know that better than anyone else you to whom above all i owe this change i me said katya i am no longer now the conceited boy i was when i arrived here went on arkady i've not reached the age of twenty-three for nothing as before i want to be useful i want to devote all my powers to the truth but i don't look for my ideals where i used to look before they have shown themselves to me so much nearer up till now i failed to understand myself i set myself tasks which were beyond my strength my eyes have recently been opened thanks to one feeling i'm not expressing myself quite clearly but i hope you understand me katya made no reply but she stopped looking at arcady i suppose he began again this time in a more agitated voice while above his head a chaffinch sang its song heedlessly among the leaves of a birch tree i suppose it is the duty of every honest person to be absolutely frank with those with those people who in a word with those who are near to him and so i i intend but at this point arcadi's eloquence abandoned him he fumbled for words stammered and was obliged to pause for a while katya still did not raise her eyes it seemed as though she did not even understand what he was leading up to with all this as though she were awaiting something i foresee that i shall surprise you began arcady pulling himself together again with an effort

Starting point is 08:00:55 all the more since this feeling is connected in a certain way in a certain way remember with you you reproached me yesterday you remember for a lack of seriousness Arcadi went on with the air of a person who has walked into a swamp, feels that he is sinking in deeper and deeper at every step, and yet hurries forward in the hope of crossing it quicker. That reproach is often aimed, often falls, on young men even when they no longer deserve it. And if I had more self-confidence, come, help me, do help me,

Starting point is 08:01:35 Arkadi was thinking in desperation. But Katya kept her. had averted as before. If I could hope, If I could feel convinced of what you said, sounded at that moment the clear voice of Anna Surgayevna, Arkady fell silent at once, and Kattya turned pale.

Starting point is 08:01:57 Alongside the very bushes which screened the temple ran a little path. Anna Surgayevna was walking along it, accompanied by Bazarov. Kata and Arashevna and Arirgyvna. arkady could not see them but they heard every word the rustle of their clothes their very breathing they walked on a few steps and then as if on purpose stopped right opposite the temple you see continued anna sergeyevna you and i made a mistake we have both passed our first youthful stage i particularly we have seen life we are tired we are both intelligent why pretend otherwise at first we were interested in each other our curiosity was aroused and afterwards and afterwards my interest fell flat interposed

Starting point is 08:02:56 you know that was not the cause of our misunderstanding but however that may be we did not need each other that's the main thing there was in us how shall i put it too much of the same thing. We did not realize that straight away. Now, Arcadi, on the contrary. Do you need him? asked Basado. Stop, Evgeny Vasilich. You say he is not indifferent to me, and it always seemed to me that he liked me.

Starting point is 08:03:32 I know that I could well be his aunt, but I don't want to conceal from you that I have begun to think about him more often. in that fresh youthful feeling there is a special charm the word fascination is more often used in such cases interrupted bazado a violent suppressed bitterness could be detected in the steady but hollow tone of his voice arcady was secretive with me about something yesterday and wouldn't talk about either you or your sister that's a serious symptom he's just like a brother with katya remarked anna sergeyevna and i like that in him though perhaps i ought not to have let them become so intimate is that idea prompted by your feelings as a sister said bezotov dragging out his words of course but why are we standing here let us go on what a strange talk we're having aren't we i could never have believed i should talk to you like this you know i'm afraid of you and at the same time i trust you because at bottom you are very good

Starting point is 08:04:51 in the first place i'm far from good and in the second place i no longer mean anything to you and you tell me that i am good it's just like placing a wreath of flowers round the head of a corpse evgenye vasilitch we are not masters began anna sergeyevna but a gust of wind blew across started the leaves rustling and carried away her words of course you are free said bezadov after a pause nothing more could be distinguished the steps went farther away all became quiet again arkady turned to katya she was sitting in the same position but her head bent still lower katerina sergeyevna he said his voice shook and he clenched his hands i love you forever and irrevocably and i love no one except you i wanted to tell you this to find out what you will say and to ask you to marry me because of course i'm not rich and i feel ready for any kind of sake you to marry me because of course i'm not rich and i feel ready for any kind of sack You don't answer. You don't believe me? Do you think I'm talking lightly? But remember these last days. Surely you must be convinced by now that everything else, you understand me, absolutely everything else has vanished long ago and left no trace.

Starting point is 08:06:30 Look at me, say one word to me. I love. I love. I'm. I'm. I don't. I love. I. I'm a little. I. I'm a I love you. Believe me, Katya turned her eyes to Arcari with a grave and radiant look. And after a long, reflective pause, she murmured, smiling slightly, Yes. Arkari jumped up from the seat. Yes, you said yes, Katerina Sergeyevna. What does that word mean? Just that I love you?

Starting point is 08:07:06 that you believe me, or, I dare't go on. Yes, repeated Katya, and this time he understood her. He seized her large, beautiful hands, and, breathless with enthusiasm, he pressed them to his heart. He could hardly stand on his feet, and only kept on repeating, Katya, Katya! Katya! And she began to weep in such an innocent, way, smiling gently at her own tears. Whoever has not seen such tears in the eyes of a beloved person

Starting point is 08:07:45 has not yet experienced to what an extent, overwhelmed with gratitude and awe, a human being may find happiness on earth. The next day, in the early morning, Anna Sergeyevna sent a message asking Bezadov to come to her study. And with a strained laugh she handed him a folded. sheet of note paper. It was a letter from Arkady, in which he asked for her sister's hand in marriage. Bazadov quickly read through the letter, and could only with some effort conceal the malicious

Starting point is 08:08:21 impulse which at once flared up within him. So there it is, he remarked, and apparently you thought no longer ago than yesterday that his feelings for Katerina Sergayevna were of the brotherly sort. What do you intend to do now? What would you advise me to do? asked Anna Sertagayevna, continuing to laugh. Well, I suppose, answered Bazadov, also with a laugh, though he felt anything but gay and no more wanted to laugh than she did. I suppose you ought to give the young people your blessing. It's a good match from every point of view.

Starting point is 08:09:04 Kyrsenov is tolerably well. off, he's the only son, and his father's a good-natured fellow. He won't object. Madame Odinstov walked up and down the room. Her face flushed and turned pale by turns. You think so, she said. Well, I see no obstacles. I'm glad for Katya, and Fort Arkady Nikolaitz. Of course, I shall wait for his father's answer. I will see no obstacles. I will send him in person to him. So it turns out that I was right yesterday when I told you that we have both become old people. How was it? I noticed nothing. That surprises me. Anasirgeyevna laughed again and quickly turned her head away. The younger generation of today has grown painfully cunning,

Starting point is 08:09:59 remarked Bazad of, and he also gave a short laugh. good-bye he began again after a short silence i hope you will bring this affair to the most agreeable conclusion and i will rejoice from a distance madame orenstoff turned to him quickly are you going away why shouldn't you stay now do stay it's such fun talking to you one seems to be walking on the edge of a precipice at first one feels timid but one gets somehow exhilarated as one goes along won't you stay thank you for the invitation anna srilyevna and for your flattering opinion of my conversational talents but i find i've already been moving around for too long in a sphere which is alien to me flying fish can hold out for a time in the air but soon they have to splash back into the water you must allow me too to flop down into my natural element madame odinstov looked at bezatov a bitter smile twisted his pale face this man loved me she thought and she felt sorry for him and held out her hand with sympathy. But he too understood her.

Starting point is 08:11:27 No, he said, stepping back apace. I'm a poor man, but I've never accepted charity so far. Good-bye and good luck. I am sure that we are not seeing each other for the last time, said Anasertagayevna with an unconscious movement. anything can happen in this world answered bezato and he bowed and went out so you proposed to build yourself a nest he said the same day to arkady crouching on the floor as he packed his trunk well it's a good thing only you needn't have been such a humbug about it i expected you'd go in quite a different direction perhaps though it took you unawares i certainly didn't expect this when i left you answered arccati but why are you being a humbug yourself and calling it a good thing as if i didn't know your opinion of marriage

Starting point is 08:12:31 ah my dear friend said bezotov how you express yourself you see what i'm doing there happened to be an empty space in my trunk and i'm putting hay into it that's how it is with the luggage of our life we would stuff it up with anything rather than leave a void don't be offended please you probably remember what i always thought of katerina sergeyevna many a young lady is called intelligent simply because she can sigh intelligently but yours can hold her own and indeed she'll hold it so well that she'll have you under her thumb well and that's quite as it should be he slammed the lid and got up from the floor and now i say again farewell because it's useless to deceive ourselves we are parting forever and you know it yourself you acted sensibly you are not made for our bitter rough lonely existence there's no daring in you no hatred though you've got youthful dash and youthful fervor that's not enough for our business your sort the nobility can never go farther than noble resignation or noble indignation but those things are trifles for instance you won't fight and yet you fancy yourselves as brave fellows but we want a fight so there our dust would get into your eyes our mud would soil you but you're not up to our standard you unconsciously admire yourselves and you enjoy finding fault with yourselves but we're fed up with all that we want something else we want to smash people

Starting point is 08:14:28 you're a fine fellow but all the same you're a mild little liberal gentleman i volatou as my parent would say you are bidding good-bye to me forever evgenie said arkady sadly and you have nothing else to say to me bazadaev scratched the back of his head yes arkady i have other things to say to you but i won't say them because that's romanticism that means sentimental trash but you hurry up and marry settle down in your nest and have as many children as you like they'll have the gumption to be born in a better time than you and me aha i see the horses are ready It's time to go. I've said goodbye to everyone. Well, what's this? Embracing, eh? Arkari threw himself on the neck of his former teacher and friend,

Starting point is 08:15:32 and tears fairly streamed from his eyes. That's what comes of being young, remarked Bazadov calmly. But I rely on Katerina Sergeyevna. You'll see how quickly she can console you. farewell brother he called out to arcady as he was already climbing into the cart and pointing to a pair of jackdaws sitting side by side on the roof of the stables he added there you are learn from the example what does that mean asked arcady what are you so weak in natural history or have you forgotten that the jackdaw is a most respectable family bird an example to you good-bye the cart creaked and rolled away bezarov spoke the truth talking that evening with katya arkady had completely forgotten about his former teacher he had already begun to follow her lead and katya felt this and was not surprised he was to set off the next day to marjino to see nikolai petrovitch

Starting point is 08:16:48 anna sergeyyevna had no wish to hamper the freedom of the young people but on account of decorum she did not leave them alone for too long she generously kept the princess out of their way the old lady had been reduced to a state of tearful frenzy by the news of the approaching marriage at first anna syrgyevna was afraid that the sight of their happiness would prove rather upsetting to herself but it turned out to the contrary it not only did not upset her to see their happiness it occupied her mind and in the end it even soothed her heart this outcome both gladdened and grieved anna evidently bezharov was right she thought i have curiosity nothing but curiosity and love of a quiet life and egoism children she said aloud do you think love is an imaginary feeling but neither katya nor arkady even understood her they were shy with her the fragment of conversation which they had accidentally overheard haunted their minds but anasirkayevna soon relieved their anxieties and that was not difficult for her she had set her own mind at rest end of chapter twenty six recording by roger maline chapter twenty seven of fathers and sons this liber vicar vogue's recording is in the public domain recording by roger maline fathers and sons translated by richard hirgenyev translated by richard hare chapter twenty seven bazaarov's old parents were all the more overjoyed by their son's sudden arrival on account of its complete unexpectedness

Starting point is 08:18:56 arina vlasievna was so agitated continually bustling about all over the house that vasili ivanovitch said she was like a partridge the short flat tail of her little jacket certainly gave her a bird-like look he himself made noises and bit the innuiovich said she was like a partridge the short flat tail of her little jacket certainly gave her a bird-like look he himself made noises and bit the amber mouthpiece of his pipe or clutching his neck with his fingers turned his head round as though he were trying to find out if it was properly screwed on then suddenly opened his wide mouth and laughed noiselessly i've come to stay with you for six whole weeks old man pizadov said to him i want to work so please don't interrupt me you will forget what my face looks like that's how i will interrupt you answered vasilla ivanovitch he kept his promise after installing his son in his study as before he almost hid himself away from him and he restrained his wife from any kind of superfluous demonstration of affection last time ennushka visited us little mother we bored him a little we must be wiser this time arina vlasievna agreed with her husband but she gained nothing thereby since she saw her son only at meals and was in the end afraid to say a word to him enyeshenska she would sometimes start to say but before he had time to look round she would nervously finger the tassels of her handbag and murmur never mind i only-and and afterwards she would go to vasilla ivanovitch and ask him her cheeks leaning on her hand if only you could find out darling what an yusha would like best for dinner to-day beetroot soup or cabbage broth

Starting point is 08:20:47 but why didn't you ask him yourself oh he'll get tired of me bazadov however soon ceased to shut himself up his fever for work abated and was replaced by painful boring boredom and a vague restlessness a strange weariness began to show itself in all his movements even his walk once so firm bold and impetuous was changed he gave up his solitary rambles and began to see company he drank tea in the drawing-room strolled about the kitchen garden with vasili ivanovitch smoked a pipe with him in silence and once even inquired after father alexa At first, Vassil Ivanovich rejoiced at this change, but his joy was short-lived. Anusha is breaking my heart, he plaintively confided to his wife. It's not that he's dissatisfied or angry, that would be almost nothing. But he's distressed, he's downcast, and that is terrible. He's always silent.

Starting point is 08:21:58 If only he would start to scold us. he's growing thin and he's lost all the color in his face lord have mercy on us whispered the old woman i would hang a charm around his neck but of course he won't allow it vasili ivanovitch tried several times in a very tactful manner to question bazadov about his work his health and about arcadi but bazaras's replies were reluctant and casual and once noticed that his father was trying gradually to lead up to something in the conversation, he remarked in a vexed tone, Why do you always seem to be following me about on tiptoe? That way is even worse than the old one. Well, well, I didn't mean anything, hurriedly answered poor Vasily Ivanovitch.

Starting point is 08:22:52 So his diplomatic hints remained fruitless. One day, talking about the approaching liberation of the serfs, he hoped to arouse his son's sympathy by making some remarks about progress but bezadav only answered indifferently yesterday i was walking along the fence and heard our peasant boys instead of singing an old folk song bawling some street ditty about the time has come for love that's what your progress amounts to sometimes bezadov went into the village and in his usual bantering tone got into conversation with some peasant. "'Well,' he would say to him, "'expound your views on life to me, brother. After all, they say the whole strength

Starting point is 08:23:42 and future of Russia lies in your hands, that a new era in history will be started by you, that you will give us our real language and our laws.' The peasant either answered nothing or pronounced a few words like these. "'Oh, we'll try!' also because you see in our position you explain to me what your world is bazadov interrupted and is it the same world which is said to rest on three fishes no batyushka it's the land that rests on three fishes the peasant explains soothingly in a good-natured patriarchal sing-song voice and over against our world we know there's the master's will because you

Starting point is 08:24:30 are our fathers. And the stricter the master's rule, the better it is for the peasant. After hearing such a reply one day, Bezadov shrugged his shoulders contemptuously and turned away, while the peasant walked homewards. What was he talking about? inquired another peasant, a surly, middle-aged man, who from the door of his hut had witnessed at a distance the conversation with Bezadov. Was it about arrears of taxes? Arrears. No fare of that, brother, answered the first peasant, and his voice had lost every trace of the patriarchal sing-song.

Starting point is 08:25:12 On the contrary, a note of scornful severity could be detected in it. He was just chattering about something, felt like exercising his tongue. Of course, he's a gentleman. What can he understand? how could he understand answered the other peasant and pushing back their caps and loosening their belts they both started discussing their affairs and their needs alas bazadov shrugging his shoulders contemptuously he who knew how to talk to the peasants as he had boasted in his dispute with pavl petrovitch the self-confident bezorov did not for a moment suspect that in their eyes he was all the same a kind of buffoon however he found an occupation for himself at last one day vasila ivanovitch was bandaging a peasant's injured leg in his presence but the old man's hand trembled and he could not manage the bandages his son helped him and from that time regularly took part in his father's practice though without seizing to joke both about the remedies he himself advised and about his father who immediately applied them but bezarov's jibes did not upset vasili ivanovitch in the least they even comforted him holding his greasy dressing-gown with two fingers over his stomach and smoking his pipe he listened to bezarov with enjoyment

Starting point is 08:26:45 and the more malicious his sallies the more good-humoredly did its delighted father chuckle showing all his discolored black teeth he even used to repeat these often blunt or pointless witticisms and, for instance, with no reason at all, went on saying for several days, "'Well, that's a far away business!' simply because his son, on hearing that he was going to the early church service, had used that expression. "'Thank God he has got over his melancholy,' he whispered to his wife. "'How he went for me to-day! It was marvelous!' Besides, the idea of having such an assistant filled him with enthusiasm.

Starting point is 08:27:28 and pride yes yes he said to a peasant woman wearing a man's cloak and a horn-shaped hood as he handed her a bottle of goulard's extract or a pot of white ointment you my dear ought to be thanking god every minute that my son is staying with me you will be treated now by the most up-to-date scientific methods do you know what that means the emperor of the french napoleon even he has no better doctor but the peasant woman who had come to complain that she felt queer all over though she was unable to explain what she meant by these words only bowed low and fumbled in her bosom where she had four eggs tied up in the corner of a towel once bezotov pulled out a tooth for a travelling pedlar of cloth and although this tooth was quite an ordinary specimen vasili ivanovitch preserved it like some rare object and incessantly repeated as he showed it to Father Alexei. Only look, what roots! The strength of Genie has. That peddler was just lifted up in the air. Even if it had been an oak, he would have rooted it up. Admirable, father Alexei would comment at last, not knowing what to answer or how to get rid of the ecstatic old man. One day, a peasant from a neighboring village brought over to Vassili Ivanovich his brother,

Starting point is 08:28:58 who was stricken with typhus. The unhappy man, lying flat on a truss of straw, was dying. His body was covered with dark patches. He had long ago lost consciousness. Vassili Ivanovich expressed his regret that no one had taken any steps to secure medical aid earlier and said it was impossible to save the man. In fact, the peasant never got his brother home again.

Starting point is 08:29:26 He died as he was, lying. in the cart. Three days later, Bazadov came into his father's room and asked him if he had any silver nitrate. Yes, what do you want it for? I want it to burn out a cut. For whom?

Starting point is 08:29:45 For myself. How for yourself? What is that? What sort of a cut? Where is it? Here, on my finger, I went today to the village where they brought that peasant with typhus, you know.

Starting point is 08:30:00 They wanted to open the body for some reason, and I've had no practice at that sort of a thing for a long time. Well? Well, so I asked the district doctor to help, and so I cut myself. Vassili Ivanovitch suddenly turned completely white, and without saying a word, rushed into his study and returned at once

Starting point is 08:30:24 with a piece of silver nitrate in his hand. bezadov was about to take it and go away for god's sake muttered vasili ivanovitch let me do it myself bezadov smiled what a devoted practitioner you are don't laugh please show me your finger it's a small cut am i hurting you press harder don't be afraid vasili ivanovitch stopped What do you think, Evgeny? Wouldn't it be better to burn it with a hot iron? That ought to have been done sooner. Now really even the silver nitrate is useless. If I've caught the infection, it's too late now.

Starting point is 08:31:13 How? Too late, murmured Vasily Ivanovich almost inaudibly. I should think so. It's over four hours ago. Vasily Ivanovich burned the cut a little more. but hadn't the district doctor got any caustic no how can that be good heavens a doctor who is without such an indispensable thing you should have seen his lancets remarked bazad of and went out till late that evening and all the following day vasilla ivanovitch kept seizing on every possible pretext to go into his son's room and though far from mentioning the cut, he even tried to talk about the most irrelevant subjects. He looked so persistently into his son's face

Starting point is 08:32:06 and watched him with so much anxiety that Bazarov lost patience and threatened to leave the house. Vassili Ivanovich then promised not to bother him, and he did this the more readily, since Arina Vlasievna, from whom, of course, he had kept it all secret, was beginning to worry him about why he did not sleep and what trouble had come over him.

Starting point is 08:32:31 For two whole days he held firm, though he did not at all like the looks of his son, whom he kept watching on the sly. But on the third day, at dinner, he could bear it no longer. Bazarov was sitting with downcast eyes and had not touched a single dish. "'Why don't you eat, Feggeney?' he inquired, putting on a perfectly carefree expression.

Starting point is 08:32:56 the food i think is very well prepared i don't want anything so i don't eat you have no appetite and your head he added timidly does it ache yes of course it aches arina vlasyevna sat bolt upright and became very alert please don't be angry hevgeny went on vasili ivanovitch but won't you let me feel your pulse bazarov got up i can tell you without feeling my pulse i'm feverish and have you been shivering yes i've been shivering i'll go and lie down and you can send me in some lime-flower tea i must have caught cold of course i heard you coughing last night murmured arina vlasievna i've caught cold repeated bazaarov and left the room arina vlasievna busied herself with the preparation of the lime-flower tea while vasili ivanovitch went into the next room and desperately clutched at his hair in silence bezadov did not get up again that day and passed the whole night in heavy half-conscious slumber at one o'clock in the morning opening his eyes with an effort he saw by the light of a lamp his father's pale face bending over him and told him to go away the old man obeyed but immediately returned on tiptoe and half hidden behind the cupboard door he gazed persistently at his son arina vlasievna did not go to bed either and leaving the study door a little open she kept coming up to it to listen how enyusha was breathing and to look at vasili ivanovitch she could see only his motionless bent back

Starting point is 08:34:58 but even that gave her some kind of consolation in the morning bezorov tried to get up he was seized with giddiness and his nose began to bleed he lay down again vasili ivanovitch waited on him in silence arina vlasievna went up to him and asked him how he felt he answered better and turned his face to the wall vasili ivanovitch made a gesture to his wife with both hands she bit her lip to stop herself from crying and left the room the whole house seemed to have suddenly darkened every person had a drawn face and a strange stillness reigned the servants carried off from the courtyard into the village a loudly crowing cock who for a long time was unable to grasp what they were doing with them bezarov continued to lie with his face to the wall vasilla ivanovitch tried to ask him various questions but they wearied bezatov and the old man sank back in his chair only occasionally cracking the joints of his fingers he went into the garden for a few minutes stood there like a stone idol as though overwhelmed with unutterable amazement a bewildered expression never left his face then went back again to his son trying to avoid his wife's questions at last she caught him by the arm and convulsively almost threateningly asked what is wrong with him then he collected his thoughts and forced himself to smile at her in reply but to his own horror instead of smiling he suddenly started to laugh he had sent for a doctor at daybreak

Starting point is 08:36:53 he thought it necessary to warn his son about this in case he might be angry bazadov abruptly turned round on the sofa looked fixedly with dim eyes at his father and asked for something to drink vasili ivanovitch gave him some water and in so doing felt his forehead it was burning listen old man began bazadov in a slow husky voice i'm in a bad way i've caught the infection and in a few days you'll have to bury me vasili ivanovitch staggered as though someone had knocked his legs from under him have genie he muttered what are you saying god have mercy on you you've caught cold stop that interrupted bazad of in the same slow deliberate voice a doctor has no right to talk like that i've all the symptoms of infection you can see for yourself what symptoms of infection of genie good heavens well what's this said bezotov and pulling up his shirt-sleeve he showed his father the ominous red patches coming out on his arm vasili ivanovitch trembled and turned cold from fear supposing he said at last supposing even supposing there is something like an infection blood poisoning repeated bazardov severely and distinctly have you forgotten your text-books well yes yes as you like all the same we shall cure you oh that's rubbish and it's not the point i never expected to die so soon

Starting point is 08:38:50 it's a chance a very unpleasant one to tell the truth you and mother must now take advantage of your strong religious faith here's an opportunity of putting it to the test he drank a little more water but i want to ask you one thing while my brain is still under control to-morrow or the day after you know my brain will cease to function i'm not quite certain even now if i'm expressing myself clearly while i was lying here i kept on imagining that red dogs were running round me and you made them point at me as if i were a black cock i was lying here i kept on imagining that red dogs were running round me and you made them point at me as if i were a black cock i thought I was drunk. Do you understand me all right? Of course, Evgeny. You talked perfectly clearly. So much the better. You told me you'd sent for the doctor. You did that to console yourself. Now console me, too. Send a messenger. To Arkady Nikolayev? interposed the old man. Who's Arkady Nikolayev? said Bazadov, with some hesitating.

Starting point is 08:40:02 Oh, yes, that little fledgling. No, leave him alone. He's turned into a jackdaw now. Don't look surprised. I'm not raving yet. But you send a messenger to Madame Orinstov, Anna Sergeyevna. She's a landowner nearby. Do you know? Vasily Ivanovich nodded his head. Say, Evgeny Bezadov sends his greetings, and sent to say he's is dying. Will you do that? I will, but is it a possible thing that you should die, you, Feggene, judge for yourself? Where would divine justice be after that? I don't know, only you send the messenger. I'll send him this minute, and I'll write a letter

Starting point is 08:40:56 myself. No, why? Say I send my greetings, and nothing more is necessary. And now I'll go back to my dogs. How strange. I want to fix my thoughts on death, and nothing comes of it. I see a kind of patch, and nothing more. He turned over heavily towards the wall, and Vasily Ivanovich went out of the study, and struggling as far as his wife's bedroom, collapsed on his knees in front of the sacred images. Pray, Arina, pray to God, he groaned. Our son is dying. The doctor, that same district doctor who had been without any caustic, arrived, and after

Starting point is 08:41:45 examining the patient, advised them to persevere with a cooling treatment, and threw in a few words about the possibility of recovery. Have you ever seen people in my state not setting off of the Elysian field? asked Bizarro, and suddenly, snatching the leg of a heavy table standing near his sofa, he swung it round and pushed it away. There's strength enough, he murmured. It's all there still, and I must die. An old man has time at least to outgrow the habit of living, but I,

Starting point is 08:42:21 Well, let me try to deny death. It will deny me, and that's the end of it. Who's crying there? he added after a pause. Mother? Poor mother! Who will she feed now with her wonderful cabbage soup? And I believe you're whimpering, too, Vassila Ivanovitch. Why, if Christianity doesn't help you, be a philosopher, a stoic, and that sort of thing.

Starting point is 08:42:49 surely you prided yourself on being a philosopher what kind of philosopher am i sobbed vasili ivanovitch and the tears streamed down his cheeks bazadov got worse with every hour the disease progressed rapidly as usually happens in cases of surgical poisoning he had not yet lost consciousness and understood what was said to him he still struggled i don't want to start raving he muttered clenching his fists what rubbish it all is and then he said abruptly come take ten from eight what remains vasili ivanovitch wandered about like one possessed proposing first one remedy then another and ended by doing nothing except cover up his son's feet try wrapping up in cold sheets emetic mustard plasters on the stomach bleeding he said with an effort the doctor whom he had begged to stay agreed with everything he said gave the patient lemonade to drink and for himself asked for a pipe and for something warming and strengthening meaning vodka arina vlasyevna sat on a low stool near the door and only went out from time to time to pray a few days previously a little mirror had slipped out of her hands and broken and she had always considered this as a bad omen even on fesushka was unable to say anything to her timofetch had gone off to madame orenstov's place the night passed badly for brazharov

Starting point is 08:44:41 High fever tortured him. Towards the morning, he felt a little easier. He asked Rina Vlasievna to comb his hair, kissed her hand, and swallowed a few sips of tea. Vasily Ivanovich revived a little. Thank God, he repeated. The crisis is near. The crisis is coming.

Starting point is 08:45:07 There, think of that, muttered Bazadov. What a lot! a word can do. He's found one. He said, crisis, and is comforted. It's an astounding thing how human beings have faith in words. You tell a man, for instance, that he's a fool, and even if you don't thrash him, he'll be miserable. Call him a clever fellow, and he'll be delighted, even if you go off without paying him. This little speech of Bazadov's, recalling his old Sally's, moved Vasily Ivanovitch. Bravo!

Starting point is 08:45:46 Splendidly said! Splendid! he exclaimed, making as though to clap his hands. Bazadov smiled ruefully. Well, so do you think the crisis is over, or approaching? You're better, that's what I see. That's what rejoices me. Very well, there's never any harm in rejoicing.

Starting point is 08:46:11 And do you remember? Did you send the... the message to her? Of course I did. The change for the better did not last long. The disease resumed its onslaughts. Vasily Ivanovich was sitting close to Bezadov. The old man seemed to be tormented by some particular anguish.

Starting point is 08:46:34 He tried several times to speak, but could not. "'Evgeny,' he ejaculated at last. my son my dear beloved son this unexpected outburst produced an effect on brazadov he turned his head a little evidently trying to fight against the load of oblivion weighing down on him and said what is it father eugenie went on basilie ivanovitch and fell on his knees in front of his son who had not opened his eyes and could not see him you're better now please god you will recover but make good use of this interval comfort your mother and me fulfill your duty as a christian how hard it is for me to say this to you how terrible but still more terrible would be forever and ever of genie just think what the old man's voice broke and a strange look passed over his son's face though he still lay with his eyes closed i won't refuse if it's going to bring any comfort to you he muttered at last but it seems to me there's no need to hurry about it you say yourself i'm better yes a fgeny you're better certainly but who knows all that is in god's hand

Starting point is 08:48:06 and in fulfilling your duty no I'll wait a bit interrupted bezatov I agree with you that the crisis has come but if we're mistaken what then surely they give the sacrament to people who are already unconscious for heaven's sake of Genni I'll wait I want to sleep now don't disturb me and he laid his head back on the pillow The old man rose from his knees, sat down on a chair, and clutching at his chin, began to bite his fingers. The sound of a carriage on springs, a sound so remarkably distinguishable in the depths of the country, suddenly struck upon his hearing. The light wheels rolled nearer and nearer. The snorting of the horses was already audible. Vassili Ivanovitch jumped up and ran. into the window. A two-seated carriage

Starting point is 08:49:10 harnessed with four horses was driving into the courtyard of his little house. Without stopping to consider what this could mean, feeling a kind of senseless outburst of joy, he ran out into the porch. A livened groom was opening the carriage door. A lady in a black shawl, her face covered with a black veil,

Starting point is 08:49:35 stepped out of it. I am Madame Odinstov, she murmured. Is Evgeny Vassilov still alive? Are you his father? I have brought a doctor with me. Benefactress, exclaimed Vasily Ivanovitch, and, seizing her hand, he pressed it convulsively to his lips, while the doctor, brought by Anna Surgayevna,

Starting point is 08:50:00 a little man in spectacles, with a German face, climbed very deliberately out of the carriage. He's still alive. my evgenye is alive and now he will be saved wife wife an angel from heaven has come to us what is this my god stammered the old woman running out of the drawing-room and understanding nothing she fell on the spot in the hall at anaserdegovna's feet and began kissing her skirt like a mad woman what are you doing protested anna saraegovna but Arina Vlasievna did not heed her, and Vassili Ivanovich could only repeat, An angel, an angel!

Starting point is 08:50:49 Voister Kranck! Where is the patient? said the doctor at last, in some indignation. Vasily Ivanovich came to his senses. Here, this way, please follow me. Vertester Ercolage, he added, remembering his old habits. ah said the german with a sour grin vasili ivanovitch led him into the study a doctor from anasirgaievna ordinstov he said bending right down to his son's ear and she herself is here bazadov suddenly opened his eyes what did you say i tell you that anasirgaievna is here and has brought this gentleman a doctor with her."

Starting point is 08:51:39 Bizarov's eyes looked round the room. "'She is here. I want to see her.' "'You will see her at Fgenye, but first we must have a talk with the doctor. I will tell him the whole history of your illness, as Sido Ciderich—this was the district doctor's name, has gone, and we will have a little consultation.' Vizadeov glanced at the German. Well, talk away quickly, only not in Latin.

Starting point is 08:52:12 You see, I know the meaning of Jean Moritur. Der Er shaint desauchin, Mechuzzyne, began the new disciple of Esculapius, turning to Vasily Ivanovich. Ich, gab, we had better speak Russian, said the old man. Ah, so that's how it is. by all means and the consultation began half an hour later anna sirdegayevna accompanied by vasili ivanovitch entered the study the doctor managed to whisper to her that it was hopeless even to think that the patient might recover she looked at bezatov and stopped short in the doorway so abruptly was she struck by his inflamed and at the same time death-like face and by her

Starting point is 08:53:05 by his dim eyes fixed on her. She felt a pang of sheer terror, a cold and exhausting terror. The thought that she would not have felt like this, if she had really loved him, flashed for a moment through her mind. Thank you, he said in a strained voice. I never expected this.

Starting point is 08:53:29 It is a good deed. So we see each other once more, as you promise. "'Anna Sergeyevna was so good,' began Basilia Ivanovitch. "'Father, leave us alone. "'Anna Sergeyevna, you will allow it, I think, now.' With a motion of his head, he indicated his prostrate, helpless body. Vasily Ivanovich went out. "'Well, thank you,' repeated Bazadov.

Starting point is 08:54:00 "'This is royally done. They say that emperors also. visit the dying. Evgeny Vasilich, I hope. Ah, Anna Sergeyevna, let's speak the truth. It's all over with me. I've fallen under the wheel. So it turns out that there was no point in thinking about the future.

Starting point is 08:54:24 Death is an old joke, but it comes like new to everyone. So far, I'm not afraid. But soon, I'll lose consciousness, and that's the end. He waved his hand feebly. Well, what have I to say to you? I loved you? That had no sense, even before,

Starting point is 08:54:46 and less than ever now. Love is a form, but my own form is already dissolving. Better for me to say, how wonderful you are. And now you stand there, so beautiful. Anna Sergeyevna involuntarily shuddered. Never mind. Don't be agitated.

Starting point is 08:55:10 Sit down over there. Don't come close to me. You know my disease is infectious. Anna Sergeyevna walked quickly across the room and sat down in the armchair near the sofa on which Bezadov was lying. Noble-hearted, he whispered. Oh, how near and how you. young, fresh and pure, in this disgusting room. Well, good-bye.

Starting point is 08:55:40 Live long, that's best of all, and make the most of it while there is time. You see, what a hideous spectacle, a worm, half-crushed, but writhing still. Of course, I also thought I'll break down so many things. I won't die. Why should I? There are problems for me to solve, and I'm a giant.

Starting point is 08:56:05 And now the only problem of this giant is how to die decently, though that too makes no difference to anyone. Never mind. I'm not going to wag my tail. Bazadov fell silent and began feeling with his hand for the glass. Anna Siddikeyevna gave him some water to drink, without taking off her glove and breathing apprehensively you will forget me he began again the dead is no companion for the living my father will tell you what a man russia has lost in me that's nonsense but don't disillusion the old man whatever toy comforts the child you know and be kind to my mother people like them can't be found in your great world even if you search for them by day with a torch.

Starting point is 08:57:01 Russia needed me. No, clearly I wasn't needed. And who is needed? The shoemaker's needed. The tailor's needed. The butcher sells meat. The butcher... Wait a bit.

Starting point is 08:57:18 I'm getting mixed up. There's a forest here. Bazadav put his hand on his forehead. Anasurgyevna bent over him. Evgeny Vasilich, I am here. He at once took his hand away and raised himself. Goodbye, he said with sudden force, and his eyes flashed with a parting gleam.

Starting point is 08:57:45 Goodbye, listen, you know I never kissed you then. Breathe on the dying lamp and let it go out. Anasuragayevna touched his forehead with her lips. Enough, he murmured and fell back on the pillow. And now, darkness. Anna Sergeyevna slipped softly out. Well, Vasily Ivanovitch asked her in a whisper. He has fallen asleep, she answered almost inaudibly.

Starting point is 08:58:24 Bazarov was not destined to awaken again. Towards evening he sank into a complete coma. and the following day he died. Father Alexei performed the last rites of religion over him. When they anointed him, and the holy oil touched his breast, one of his eyes opened, and it seemed as though, at the sight of the priest in his vestments, of the smoking censor, of the candle burning in front of the image,

Starting point is 08:58:55 something like a shudder of horror passed through his death-stricken face. when at last he had stopped breathing and a general lamentation arose in the house vasili ivanovitch was seized by a sudden fit of frenzy i said i should rebel he shouted hoarsely his face red and distorted and shaking his fist in the air as if he were threatening someone and i rebel i rebel but arina vla sievna all in tears, flung her arms round his neck, and both fell on their knees together. So, side by side, related Anfesushka afterwards in the servant's room, they bowed their poor heads like lambs in the heat of noonday. But the heat of noon day passes and is followed by evening and night, and there comes the return to a quiet refuge,

Starting point is 08:59:55 where sleep is sweet for the tormented and weary. End of Chapter 27. Recording by Roger Malene. Chapter 28 of Fathers and Sons. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Recording by Roger Maline. Fathers and Sons by Ivan Dürgenyev. Translated by Richard Hare.

Starting point is 09:00:32 Chapter 28. Six months passed. White winter had set in with the cruel stillness of cloudless frosts, with its thick, crunching snow, rosy hoar-frost on the trees, pale emerald sky, wreaths of smoke curling above the chimneys, steam emerging from momentarily open doors, with those fresh faces which look bitten by cold, and the hurrying trot of shivering horses.

Starting point is 09:01:04 A January day was drawing to its close. The evening cold pierced keenly through the motionless air, and a brilliant sunset was rapidly dying away. Lights were burning in the windows of the house at Marino. Prokovich, in a black tailcoat and white gloves, with an air of unusual solemnity, was laying the table for seven. A week earlier, in the small parish church, two weddings had taken place quietly, almost without witnesses.

Starting point is 09:01:39 Arcadi's marriage to Katya and that of Nikolai Petrovich to Finitschka. And on this day, Nikolai Petrovich was giving a farewell dinner for his brother, who was going away to Moscow on some business. Anna Sergeyevna had also gone there directly the wedding was over, after making generous presents to the young couple. Punctually, at three o'clock, the whole company assembled. at the table. Mitya was brought along too, and with him appeared a nurse in an embroidered peasant headdress. Pavell Petrovich sat between Katya and Finitschka, the husband sat next to their

Starting point is 09:02:25 wives. Our friends had somewhat changed lately. They all seemed to have grown better looking and stronger. Only Pavell Petrovich had become thinner, which, incidentally, still further enhanced the elegant and Grand Signyre quality of his expressive features. Finichka, too, was different. In a fresh-colored silk dress with a wide velvet headdress on her hair and a gold chain around her neck, she sat respectfully motionless, respectful towards herself and everyone around her, and smiled as if she wanted to say,

Starting point is 09:03:06 "'Excuse me, I'm not to blame.' and not only she the others also all smiled and seemed to excuse themselves they all felt a little awkward a little sad but fundamentally happy they all helped each other with an amusing attentiveness as if they had agreed in advance to act some good-natured comedy katya was quieter than any of the others she looked confidently around her and it was already noticeable that Nikolai Petrovich had managed to become quite devoted to her. Just before the dinner was over, he stood up, and holding his glass in his hand, turned to Pavel Petrovich. You are leaving us. You are leaving us, dear brother, he began. Not for long, of course, but still, I can't help telling you what I—what we? How much I—how much we—how much we—

Starting point is 09:04:11 that's the worst of it we don't know how to make speeches arkady you speak no daddy i'm not prepared for it and i'm so well prepared well brother i simply say allow us to embrace you to wish you all the best and come back to us soon pavl petrovitch exchanged kisses with everyone not excluding mitya of course moreover over, he kissed Finichka's hand, which he had not yet learned to offer properly, and drinking off his refilled glass, he said with a deep sigh, "'Be happy, my friends. Farewell!' This English ending passed unnoticed, but everyone was deeply touched. "'To Bizarov's memory,' whispered Katya in her husband's ear as she clinked glasses with him. Arcadi pressed her hand warmly in response, but he did not venture to propose that toast aloud.

Starting point is 09:05:20 This would seem to be the end, but perhaps some of our readers would care to know what each of the characters we have introduced is doing now at the present moment. We are ready to satisfy that interest. Anna Sergeyevna has recently married again, not for love, but out of reasonable conviction, a man who may be one of the future leaders of Russia, a very clever lawyer with vigorous practical sense, a strong will and a remarkable gift of eloquence, still young, good-natured, and cold as ice. They live very harmoniously together,

Starting point is 09:05:59 and may live to the point of attaining happiness, perhaps even love. Princess X is dead, forgotten on the day of her death, The Kyrsinov's, father and son, live at Marino. Their fortunes are beginning to mend. Arcadi has become assiduous in the management of the estate, and the farm now yields a fairly substantial income.

Starting point is 09:06:28 Nikolai Petrovich has become one of the arbitrators in the land reforms, and works with all his energy. He is constantly driving about the district, delivers long speeches, he belongs to those who believe that the peasants must be made to understand, meaning that by frequent repetition of the same words, they should be brought into a state of quiescence. And yet, to tell the truth, he does not fully satisfy either the cultured landowners,

Starting point is 09:06:59 talking with a hiss or with a sigh about the emancipation, pronouncing it like a French word, or the uncultured ones who, without ceremony, curse the damned emancipation. He is too soft-hearted for either set. Katerina Sergeyevna has a son, Koliya, and Mitya already runs about fearlessly and talks a lot. Finichka, Fedosya Nikolayevna, after her husband and Mitya, adores no one so much as her daughter-in-law,

Starting point is 09:07:34 and when Katerina plays the piano, she would gladly spend the whole day at her side. a passing word about pietra he has grown quite rigid with stupidity and self-importance and pronounces all his o's like yous but he too is married and received a respectable dowry with his wife the daughter of a market gardener in the town who had refused two excellent suitors only because they had no watches while pietre not only had a watch he even had a pair of patent leather shoes in dresden on the brule terrace between two and four o'clock the most fashionable time for walking you may meet a man of about fifty already quite gray and looking as though he suffered from gout but still handsome elegantly dressed and with that special style which comes only to those who have long been accustomed to move in the higher rank of society. This man is Pavl Petrovich. From Moscow, he went abroad for his help, and has settled down in Dresden, where he associates

Starting point is 09:08:51 chiefly with English people and with Russian visitors. With the English he behaves simply, almost modestly, but with dignity. They find him a trifle boring, but respect him for being, as they say, a perfect gentleman. with russians he is more free and easy gives vent to his spleen makes fun of them and of himself but he does all this very agreeably with an air of ease and civility he holds slavophile views this is known to be regarded in the best society as tre distingue he reads nothing in russian but on his writing-desk there stands a silver ash-tray in the shape of a peasant's plated shoe he is much sought after by our russian tourists matvailyevitch kalyazen happening to be in temporary opposition paid him a ceremonious visit on his way to a bohemian watering-place and the local population with whom incidentally he has little to do treat him with an almost awestruck veneration no one can so readily and quickly secure tickets for the court choir and the theatre as er baron von kirsanov he does as much good as he can he still causes some stir in the world not for nothing was he once such a great social lion

Starting point is 09:10:26 but his life is a burden to him a heavier burden than he himself suspects one should look at him in the russian church when leaning against the wall on one side he stands absorbed in thunds without stirring for a long time, bitterly compressing his lips, then suddenly recollects himself, and begins almost imperceptibly to cross himself. Madame Cuxina also settled abroad. She is now in Heidelberg, and is no longer studying natural history, but has turned to architecture, in which, according to her own account, she has discovered new laws. as before she associates with students especially with young russians studying physics and chemistry with whom heidelberg is crowded and who at first astonished the naive german professors by their sober outlook on things but later on astound the same professors by their complete incapability and absolute laziness

Starting point is 09:11:34 in company with two or three such young chemistry students who cannot distinguish oxygen from nitrogen but are brimming over with destructive criticism and conceit sitnikov together with the great elizievitch also prepares to become a great man he roams about in petersburg convinced that he is carrying on the task of bazadov there is a story that some one recently gave him a beating but that he secured his revenge in an obscure little article hidden away in some obscure little periodical he hinted that the man who had beaten him was a coward he calls this irony his father bullies him as before while his wife regards him as a fool and a literary man there is a small village graveyard in one of the remote corners of russia like almost all our graveyards it has a melancholy look the ditches surrounding it have long been overgrown gray wooden crosses have fallen askew and rotted under their once painted gables the gravestones are all out of position just as if some one had pushed them from below two or three bare trees hardly provide some meager shade the sheep wander unchecked among the tombs but among them is one grave untouched by human beings and not trampled on by any animal only the birds perch on it and sing at daybreak an iron railing surrounds it and two young fir trees have been planted there one at each end eugenie bezadov is buried in this tomb

Starting point is 09:13:33 often from the nearby village two frail old people come to visit it a husband and wife supporting one another they walk with heavy steps they go up to the iron railing fall on their knees and their knees and weep long and bitterly, and gaze intently at the silent stone under which their son lies buried. They exchange a few words, wipe away the dust from the stone, or tidy up some branches of a fir tree, then start to pray again and cannot tear themselves away from that place where they seem to be nearer to their son, to their memories of him. Can it be that their prayers and their tears, and their tears, are fruitless can it be that love sacred devoted love is not all-powerful oh no however passionate sinful or rebellious the heart hidden in the tomb the flowers growing over it peep at us serenely with their innocent eyes they tell us not only of eternal peace of that great peace of indifferent nature they tell us that great peace of indifferent nature they tell us that us also of eternal reconciliation and of life without end the end of chapter twenty eight end of fathers and sons by ivan turgenyev

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