复活 Resurrection 2

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复活Resurrection2
MASLOVA'SEARLYLIFE.
ThestoryoftheprisonerMaslova'slifewasaverycommonone.
Maslova'smotherwastheunmarrieddaughterofavillagewoman,employedonadairyfarm,whichbelongedtotwomaidenladieswhowerelandowners.Thisunmarriedwomanhadababyeveryyear,and,asoftenhappensamongthevillagepeople,eachoneoftheundesiredbabies,afterithadbeencarefullybaptid,wasneglectedbyitsmother,whomithinderedatherwork,andlefttostarve.Fivechildrenhaddiedinthisway.Theyhadallbeenbaptidandthennotsufficientlyfed,andjustlefttodie.Thesixthbaby,whofatherwasagipsytramp,wouldhavesharedthesamefate,haditnotsohappenedthatoneofthemaidenladiescameintothefarmyardtoscoldthedairymaidsforndingupcreamthatsmeltofthecow.Theyoungwomanwaslyinginthecowshedwithafine,healthy,newbornbaby.Theoldmaidenladyscoldedthemaidsagainforallowingthewoman(whohadjustbeenconfined)tolieinthecowshed,andwasabouttogoaway,buteingthebabyherheartwastouched,andsheofferedtostandgodmothertothelittlegirl,andpityforherlittlegoddaughterinducedhertogivemilkandalittlemoneytothemother,sothatsheshouldfeedthebaby;andthelittlegirllived.Theoldladiesspokeofheras"thesavedone."Whenthechildwasthreeyearsold,hermotherfellillanddied,andthemaidenladiestookthechildfromheroldgrandmother,towhomshewasnothingbutaburden.
Thelittleblackeyedmaidengrewtobeextremelypretty,andsofullofspiritsthattheladiesfoundherveryentertaining.
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Theyoungeroftheladies,SophiaIvanovna,whohadstoodgodmothertothegirl,hadthekinderheartofthetwosisters;MariaIvanovna,theelder,wasratherhard.SophiaIvanovnadresdthelittlegirlinniceclothes,andtaughthertoreadandwrite,meaningtoeducateherlikealady.MariaIvanovnathoughtthechildshouldbebroughtuptowork,andtrainedhertobeagoodrvant.Shewaxacting;shepunished,and,wheninabadtemper,evenstruckthelittlegirl.Growingupunderthetwodifferentinfluences,thegirlturnedouthalfrvant,halfyounglady.TheycalledherKatusha,whichsoundslessrefinedthanKatinka,butisnotquitesocommonasKatka.Sheudtow,tidyuptherooms,polishthemetalcasoftheiconsanddootherlightwork,andsometimesshesatandreadtotheladies.
Thoughshehadmorethanoneoffer,shewouldnotmarry.Shefeltthatlifeasthewifeofanyoftheworkingmenwhowerecourtingherwouldbetoohard;spoiltasshewasbyalifeofca.
Shelivedinthismannertillshewassixteen,whenthenephewoftheoldladies,arichyoungprince,andauniversitystudent,cametostaywithhisaunts,andKatusha,notdaringtoacknowledgeiteventoherlf,fellinlovewithhim.
Thentwoyearslaterthissamenephewstayedfourdayswithhisauntsbeforeproceedingtojoinhisregiment,andthenightbeforehelefthebetrayedKatusha,and,aftergivinghera100roublenote,wentaway.Fivemonthslatersheknewforcertainthatshewastobeamother.Afterthateverythingemedrepugnanttoher,heronlythoughtbeinghowtoescapefromtheshamethatawaitedher.Shebegannotonlytorvetheladiesinahalfheartedandnegligentway,butonce,withoutknowinghowithappened,wasveryrudetothem,andgavethemnotice,athingsherepentedoflater,andtheladieslethergo,noticingsomethingwrongandverydissatisfiedwithher.Thenshegotahoumaid'splaceinapoliceofficer'shou,butstayedthereonlythreemonths,forthepoliceofficer,amanoffifty,begantotormenther,andonce,whenhewasinaspeciallyenterprisingmood,shefiredup,calledhim"afoolandolddevil,"andgavehimsuchaknockinthechestthathefell.Shewasturnedoutforherrudeness.Itwasulesstolookforanothersituation,forthetimeofherconfinementwasdrawingnear,soshewenttothehouofavillagemidwife,whoalsosoldwine.Theconfinementwaasy;butthemidwife,whohadacaoffeverinthevillage,infectedKatusha,andherbabyboyhadtobenttothefoundlings'hospital,where,accordingtothewordsoftheoldwomanwhotookhimthere,heatoncedied.WhenKatushawenttothemidwifeshehad127roublesinall,27whichshehadearnedand100givenherbyherbetrayer.Whensheleftshehadbutsixroubles;shedidnotknowhowtokeepmoney,butspentitonherlf,andgavetoallwhoasked.Themidwifetook40roublesfortwomonths'boardandattendance,25wenttogetthebabyintothefoundlings'hospital,and40themidwifeborrowedtobuyacowwith.Twentyroubleswentjustforclothesanddainties.Havingnothinglefttoliveon,Katushahadtolookoutforaplaceagain,andfoundoneinthehouofaforester.Theforesterwasamarriedman,buthe,too,begantoannoyherfromthefirstday.Hedisgustedher,andshetriedtoavoidhim.Buthe,moreexperiencedandcunning,besidesbeinghermaster,whocouldndherwhereverheliked,managedtoaccomplishhisobject.Hiswifefounditout,and,catchingKatushaandherhusbandinaroomallbythemlves,beganbeatingher.Katushadefendedherlf,andtheyhadafight,andKatushagotturnedoutofthehouwithoutbeingpaidherwages.
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ThenKatushawenttolivewithherauntintown.Theaunt'shusband,abookbinder,hadoncebeencomfortablyoff,buthadlostallhiscustomers,andhadtakentodrink,andspentallhecouldlayhandsonatthepublichou.Theauntkeptalittlelaundry,andmanagedtosupportherlf,herchildren,andherwretchedhusband.SheofferedKatushatheplaceofanassistantlaundress;buteingwhatalifeofmiryandhardshipheraunt'sassistantsled,Katushahesitated,andappliedtoaregistryofficeforaplace.Onewasfoundforherwithaladywholivedwithhertwosons,pupilsatapublicdayschool.AweekafterKatushahadenteredthehoutheelder,abigfellowwithmoustaches,threwuphisstudiesandmadelovetoher,continuallyfollowingherabout.HismotherlaidalltheblameonKatusha,andgavehernotice.
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Itsohappenedthat,aftermanyfruitlessattemptstofindasituation,Katushaagainwenttotheregistryoffice,andtheremetawomanwithbraceletsonherbare,plumparmsandringsonmostofherfingers.HearingthatKatushawasbadlyinwantofaplace,thewomangaveherheraddress,andinvitedhertocometoherhou.Katushawent.Thewomanreceivedherverykindly,tcakeandsweetwinebeforeher,thenwroteanoteandgaveittoarvanttotaketosomebody.Intheeveningatallman,withlong,greyhairandawhitebeard,enteredtheroom,andsatdownatoncenearKatusha,smilingandgazingatherwithglisteningeyes.Hebeganjokingwithher.Thehostesscalledhimawayintothenextroom,andKatushaheardhersay,"Afreshonefromthecountry,"ThenthehostesscalledKatushaasideandtoldherthatthemanwasanauthor,andthathehadagreatdealofmoney,andthatifhelikedherhewouldnotgrudgeheranything.Hedidlikeher,andgaveher25roubles,promisingtoeheroften.The25roublessoonwent;someshepaidtoherauntforboardandlodging;therestwasspentonahat,ribbons,andsuchlike.Afewdayslatertheauthorntforher,andshewent.Hegaveheranother25roubles,andofferedheraparatelodging.
Nextdoortothelodgingrentedforherbytheauthortherelivedajollyyoungshopman,withwhomKatushasoonfellinlove.Shetoldtheauthor,andmovedtoalittlelodgingofherown.Theshopman,whopromidtomarryher,wenttoNijnionbusinesswithoutmentioningittoher,havingevidentlythrownherup,andKatusharemainedalone.Shemeanttocontinuelivinginthelodgingbyherlf,butwasinformedbythepolicethatinthiscashewouldhavetogetalicen.Shereturnedtoheraunt.Seeingherfinedress,herhat,andmantle,herauntnolongerofferedherlaundrywork.Assheunderstoodthings,herniecehadrinabovethatsortofthing.ThequestionastowhethershewastobecomealaundressornotdidnotoccurtoKatusha,either.Shelookedwithpityatthethin,hardworkedlaundress,somealreadyinconsumption,whostoodwashingorironingwiththeirthinarmsinthefearfullyhotfrontroom,whichwasalwaysfullofsoapysteamanddraughtsfromthewindows,andthoughtwithhorrorthatshemighthavesharedthesamefate.
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Katushahadbeguntosmokesometimebefore,andsincetheyoungshopmanhadthrownherupshewasgettingmoreandmoreintothehabitofdrinking.Itwasnotsomuchtheflavourofwinethattemptedherasthefactthatitgaveherachanceofforgettingthemiryshesuffered,makingherfeelmoreunrestrainedandmoreconfidentofherownworth,whichshewasnotwhenquitesober;withoutwineshefeltsadandashamed.Justatthistimeawomancamealongwhoofferedtoplaceherinoneofthelargestestablishmentsinthecity,explainingalltheadvantagesandbenefitsofthesituation.Katushahadthechoicebeforeherofeithergoingintorviceoracceptingthisofferandshechothelatter.Besides,itemedtoherasthough,inthisway,shecouldrevengeherlfonherbetrayerandtheshopmanandallthowhohadinjuredher.Oneofthethingsthattemptedher,andwasthecauofherdecision,wasthewomantellinghershemightorderherowndressvelvet,silk,satin,lowneckedballdress,anythingsheliked.Amentalpictureofherlfinabrightyellowsilktrimmedwithblackvelvetwithlowneckandshortsleevesconqueredher,andshegaveupherpassport.OnthesameeveningtheprocuresstookanisvostchikanddrovehertothenotorioushoukeptbyCarolinaAlbertovnaKitaeva.
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FromthatdayalifeofchronicsinagainsthumananddivinelawscommencedforKatushaMaslova,alifewhichisledbyhundredsofthousandsofwomen,andwhichisnotmerelytoleratedbutsanctionedbytheGovernment,anxiousforthewelfareofitssubjects;alifewhichforninewomenoutoftenendsinpainfuldia,prematuredecrepitude,anddeath.
KatushaMaslovalivedthislifeforvenyears.Duringtheyearsshetwicechangedhous,andhadoncebeentothehospital.Intheventhyearofthislife,whenshewastwentysixyearsold,happenedthatforwhichshewasputinprisonandforwhichshewasnowbeingtakentobetried,aftermorethanthreemonthsofconfinementwiththievesandmurderersinthestiflingairofaprison.
女犯玛丝洛娃的身世极其平几。她是一个未婚的女农奴的私生子。这女农奴跟着饲养牲口的母亲一起,在两个地主老姑娘的庄院里干活。这个没有结过婚的女人年年都生一个孩子,并且按照乡下****惯,总是给孩子行洗礼,然后做母亲的不再给这个违背她的心愿来到人间的孩子喂奶,因为这会影响她干活。于是,孩子不久就饿死了。
就这样死了五个孩子。个个都行了洗礼,个个都没有吃奶,个个都死掉了。第六个孩子是跟一个过路的吉卜赛人生的,是个女孩。她的命运本来也不会有什么两样,可是那两个老姑娘中有一个凑巧来到牲口棚,斥责饲养员做的奶油有牛骚气。当时产妇和她那个白白胖胖的娃娃正躺在牲口棚里。那老姑娘因为奶油做得不好吃,又因为把产妇放进牲口棚里,大骂了一通,骂完正要走,忽然看见那娃娃,觉得很惹人爱怜,就自愿做她的教母。她给女孩行了洗礼,又因怜悯这个教女,常给做母亲的送点牛奶和钱。这样,女孩就活了下来。
两个老姑娘从此就叫她“再生儿”。
孩子三岁那年,她母亲害病死了。饲养牲口的外婆觉得外孙女是个累赘,两个老姑娘就把女孩领到身边抚养。这个眼睛乌溜溜的小女孩长得非常活泼可爱,两个老姑娘就常常拿她消遣解闷。
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这两个老姑娘中,妹妹索菲雅·伊凡诺夫娜心地比较善良,给女孩行洗礼的就是她;姐姐玛丽雅·伊凡诺夫娜脾气比较急躁。索菲雅把这娃娃打扮身漂漂亮亮,还教她念书,一心想把她培养成自己的养女。玛丽雅却要把她训练成一名出色的侍女,因此对她很严格,遇到自己情绪不好,就罚她甚至打她。由于两个老姑娘持不同的态度,小姑娘长大***后,便一半成了个侍女,一半成了个养女。她的名字也不上不下,叫卡秋莎,而不叫卡吉卡,也不叫卡金卡。①她缝补衣服,收拾房间,擦拭圣像,煮茶烧菜,磨咖啡豆,煮咖啡,洗零星衣物,有时还坐下来给两个老姑娘读书解闷。
①她的本名叫卡吉琳娜,卡吉卡是粗俗的叫法,卡金卡是高雅的称呼,而卡秋莎则是普通的小名。
有人来给她说媒,她一概谢绝,觉得嫁给卖力气过活的男人,日子一定很苦。她已经过惯地主家的舒适生活。
她就这样一直生活到十六岁。在满十六岁那年,两个老姑娘的侄儿,一个在大学念书的阔绰的公爵少爷来到她们家。卡秋莎暗暗爱上了他,却不敢向他表白,连自己都不敢承认产生了这种感情。两年后,这位侄少爷出发远征,途经姑妈家,又待了四天。临行前夜,他了卡秋莎,动身那天塞给她一张百卢布钞票。他走了五个月后,她才断定自己怀孕了。
从那时起,她变得性情烦躁,一味想着怎样才能避免即将临头的羞辱。她服侍两个老姑娘,不仅敷衍塞责,而且连自己都没想到,竟发起脾气来。她顶撞老姑娘,对她们说了不少粗话,事后又觉得懊悔,就要求辞工。
两个老姑娘对她也很不满意,就放她走了。她从她们家里出来,到警察局长家做侍女,但只做了三个月,因为那局长虽然年已半百,还是对她纠缠不清。有一次,他逼得特别厉害,她发起火来,骂他混蛋和老鬼,狠狠地把他推开,他竟被推倒在地。她因此被解雇了。她再找工作已不可能,因为快要分娩,就寄居到乡下一个给人接生兼贩私酒的寡妇家里。分娩很顺利,可是那接生婆刚给一个有病的乡下女人接过生,便把产褥热传染给了卡秋莎。男孩一生下来就被送到育婴堂。据送去的老太婆说,婴儿一到那里就死了。
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卡秋莎住到接生婆家里的时候,身上总共有一百二十七卢布:二十七卢布是她自己挣的,一百卢布是她的公爵少爷送的。等她从接生婆家里出来,手头只剩下六个卢布。她不懂得省吃俭用,很会花钱,待人又厚道,总是有求必应。接生婆向她要了四十卢布,作为两个月的伙食费和茶点钱,又要了二十五卢布,算是把婴儿送到育婴堂的费用。另外,接生婆又向她借了四十卢布买牛。剩下的二十几个卢布,卡秋莎自己买衣服,送礼,零星花掉了。这样,当卡秋莎身体复元时,她已身无分文,不得不重新找工作。她到林务官家干活。林务官虽然已有老婆,但也跟警察局长一样,从第一天起就缠住卡秋莎不放。卡秋莎讨厌他,竭力回避他。但他比卡秋莎狡猾老练,主要因为他是东家,可以任意支使她,终于找到了一个机会,把她占有了。做妻子的知道了这件事,有一次看到丈夫同卡秋莎单独待在房间里,就扑过去打她。卡秋莎不甘示弱,两人厮打起来。结果卡秋莎被撵了出来,连工资都没有拿到。此后卡秋莎来到城里,住在姨妈家。姨父是个装订工,原先日子过得不错,后来主顾越来越少,他就借酒解愁,把家里的东西都变卖喝掉了。
姨妈开了一家小洗衣店,借以养活儿女,供养潦倒的丈夫。姨妈要玛丝洛娃进她的洗衣店干活。但玛丝洛娃看到洗衣店里女工的艰苦生活,犹豫不决,就到荐头行找工作,给人家当女仆。她找到了一户人家,有一位太太和两个念中学的男孩。进去才一星期,那个念中学六年级的留小胡子的大儿子就丢下功课,缠住玛丝洛娃,不让她安宁。做母亲的却一味责怪玛丝洛娃,把她解雇了。玛丝洛娃没有找到新的工作,但在荐头行里无意中遇到一位手上戴满戒指、肥胖的光胳膊上戴着手镯的太太。这位太太知道了玛丝洛娃的处境,就留下地址,请玛丝洛娃到她家去。玛丝洛娃去找她。这位太太亲热地招待她,请她吃馅饼和甜酒,同时打发侍女送一封信到什么地方去。傍晚就有一个须发花白的高个子来到这屋里。这老头子一来就挨着玛丝洛娃坐下,眼睛闪闪发亮,笑嘻嘻地打量着她,同她说笑。女主人把他叫到另一个房间,玛丝洛娃但听得女主人说:“刚从乡下来的,新鲜得很呐!”然后女主人把玛丝洛娃叫去,对她说他是作家,钱多得要命,只要她能如他的意,他是不会舍不得花钱的。她果然如了他的意,他就给了她二十五卢布,还答应常常同她相会。她付清了姨妈家的生活费,买了新衣服、帽子和缎带,很快就把钱花光了。过了几天,作家又来请她去。她去了。他又给了她二十五卢布,叫她搬到一个独门独户的寓所去住。
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玛丝洛娃住在作家替她租下的寓所里,却爱上了同院一个快乐的店员。她主动把这事告诉作家,然后又搬到一个更小的独户寓所里去住。那个店员起初答应同她结婚,后来竟不辞而别,到下城去,显然是把她抛弃了。这样,玛丝洛娃又剩下孤零零一个人。她本想独个儿继续住在那个寓所里,可是人家不答应。派出所长对她说,她要领到黄色执照①,接受医生检查,才能单独居住。于是她又回到姨妈家。姨妈见她穿戴着时式的衣服、披肩和帽子,客客气气接待她,再也不敢要她做洗衣妇,认为她现在的身价高了。而对玛丝洛娃来说,她根本不考虑做洗衣妇的问题。她瞧着前面几个屋子里的洗衣妇,对她们充满怜悯。她们脸色苍白,胳膊干瘦,有的己得了痨病,过着苦役犯一般的生活。那里不论冬夏,窗子一直敞开着,她们就在三十度②高温的肥皂蒸汽里洗熨衣服。玛丝洛娃一想到她也可能服这样的苦役,不禁感到恐惧。
就在玛丝洛娃没有任何依靠,生活无着的时候,一个为***院物色姑娘的牙婆找到了她。
①帝俄政府发的***女执照。
②指列氏温度。列氏温度计把冰点作0度,沸点作80度,列氏30度等于摄氏37.5度。
玛丝洛娃早就抽上香烟,而在她同店员姘居的后期和被他抛弃以后,就越来越离不开酒瓶。她之所以离不开酒瓶,不仅因为酒味醇美,更因为酒能使她忘记身受的一切痛苦,暂时解脱烦闷,增强自尊心。而这样的精神状态不喝酒是无法维持的。她不喝酒就觉得意气消沉,羞耻难当