VLADIMIR NABOKOV
Grand-dad
Who is this?
No, I don't want .
Wife
(in the doorway)
But that's our guest. He's kind.
Sit down, sit down. What stories he has told us!
About the executioner in Lyon,
the guillotine, the fire! It's fascinating.
Tell it again, sir.
(leaves with her daughter)
Grand-dad
just said? That's strange.
the fire .
Passerby
(aside)
What? What was that she
. The executioner,
There, now he's frightened. Silly woman–
why did she ever have to tell him that?
(full voice)
It was a joke, Grand-dad.... Tell me instead,
what do you chat about out there with flowers,
with trees? ... Why do you look at me like that?
Grand-dad
(staring at him intently)
Where are you from?
Passerby
Grand-dad
Oh ... simply passing by ...
just wait, don't go away, I'll be right back.
(goes out)
Passerby
(pacing the room)
Odd character! Either he's had a fright
or he's remembered something.... I've an eerie,
a troubled feeling- I don't understand....
The wine they have here must be strong. Tra-ram,
tra-ra....
(sings)
What's wrong with me? I seem to feel
some kind of vague oppression.... Ugh! How stupid..
563
Wait,
