The Poor Bride

You imagine, he is now in the social position of a nobleman. Our village elder said to me the other day: "You have such a son, Arina Egorovna, such a son, that we all envy you; he is modest, respectful, and no wild behavior is ever heard of from him. Why," she says, "do you not marry him off, Arina Egorovna?" And I think to myself: I know what you are aiming at. She has three daughters, you see, and she offers a lot of money for them; only the girls, I must tell you, are without any education; though I am an uneducated woman myself, I can understand that very well. I come home and say: "Misha! Do you not want to get married, my friend? I have no shortage of wealthy brides, everyone, my friend, is falling in love with you for your gentleness and education." I say, "I am not taking away your freedom, my friend—you are smarter and more educated than I am; but when you decide, open your thoughts to me, and I will find you a bride." "Even though I am an educated man, mother, I always prefer to talk about this matter with you." "Any girl," I say, "would marry you with joy; I have a bride for you, both wealthy and beautiful." Imagine, Misha embraced me and said to me: "Dear mother, happiness is not in wealth, all of that is dust. Go to Anna Petrovna; I respect them, whatever opinion they may have of me; it is my soul's desire to please Marya Andrevna."

I am very grateful to you, Arina Egorovna! I like your son very much myself. I kept thinking of visiting you, but I have no memory: I completely forget, just forget. You know my heartfelt desire to see Mashenka married off as soon as possible; I am using every means to find her a good man. I must confess to you, I was a spoiled woman in my youth; while my late husband was alive, I lived as if behind a stone wall, I never had to deal with anything; but now, you see for yourself, I suffer and suffer—it breaks me completely. How can one be without a man in the house, judge for yourself? I am a weak, soft, forgetful woman. If I could just get her off my hands, I would be much more at peace.