A Defenceless Creature (Chekhov)
Short summary
Russia, late 19th century. Despite suffering from gout and exhaustion, Kistunov went to his bank office to meet with clients. A woman in an old-fashioned mantle approached him with a petition about her husband's salary deduction.
Kistunov repeatedly explained that her husband worked for the Army Medical Department, not his private bank, making her petition irrelevant. The woman refused to understand, insisting she was weak and defenseless, demanding her money.
Kistunov asked his clerks to explain the situation to Madame Shtchukin, but she exhausted them one by one. When a clerk finally lost patience and insulted her, she caused a scene.
Everything began swimming before Kistunov's eyes. He breathed out all the air in his lungs in a prolonged sigh and sank helpless on a chair. How much do you want? he asked in a weak voice.
Kistunov paid Madame Shtchukin from his own pocket to make her leave. She took the money, then asked if her husband could get his job back. Kistunov fled home ill while the clerks took medicine to recover. Madame Shtchukin stayed for two more hours and returned the next day.
Detailed summary
Division into chapters is editorial.
Introduction of Kistunov and Madame Shtchukins petition
Despite suffering from a severe gout attack the previous night and subsequent nervous exhaustion, Kistunov went to his office in the morning to attend to bank clients and petitioners. Speaking in a faint whisper, he asked a lady in an old-fashioned mantle what he could do for her.
The woman, Madame Shtchukin, explained that her husband had been ill for five months and was dismissed from his position without reason. When she went to collect his salary, she discovered that 24 roubles and 36 kopecks had been deducted because he had borrowed from a club fund. She insisted this was impossible as she had not given consent and described herself as a poor, weak, and defenseless woman who earned her living by taking in lodgers.
Kistunovs attempts to explain the banks irrelevance to her case
After reading her petition, Kistunov explained that she had come to the wrong place. Her husband's employment issues had nothing to do with their bank, which was a private commercial establishment. He suggested she apply to the department where her husband had worked.
We can do nothing for you, Madame Shtchukin. You must understand: your husband served in the Army Medical Department, and our establishment is a purely private commercial undertaking, a bank. Surely you must understand that!
Madame Shtchukin replied that she had already been to five different places where they refused to accept her petition. She explained that her son-in-law had advised her to visit Kistunov because of his influence. She then produced a doctor's certificate confirming her husband's illness and asked for at least fifteen roubles as partial payment.
Kistunov repeatedly tried to explain the difference between the Army Medical Department and a private bank. Madame Shtchukin appeared to listen and nod in agreement, but then immediately returned to her demand for payment, begging him to have pity on a lone, defenseless woman.
Bank clerks futile efforts to reason with Madame Shtchukin
Feeling his heart palpitating and his voice failing, Kistunov asked one of his clerks, Alexey Nikolaitch, to explain the situation to Madame Shtchukin. He then retreated to his private room to sign papers while the clerk dealt with the persistent woman.
From his office, Kistunov heard two voices: Alexey Nikolaitch's monotonous bass and Madame Shtchukin's shrill, wailing voice. She continued to describe herself as weak and defenseless, claiming that despite her strong appearance, there was not one healthy fiber in her body and that she could barely keep on her feet.
I am a weak, defenceless woman... I have to put up with ill-usage from everyone and never hear a kind word... I am a weak, defenceless woman. I am worried to death, I've to settle with the lodgers and see to my husband's affairs...
Alexey Nikolaitch soon became exhausted trying to explain the difference between departments and the complicated system of paperwork. His place was taken by the accountant. Kistunov, revolted by the situation, complained about the woman being a perfect idiot who had worn him out and would exhaust his staff as well.
Escalating tensions and confrontation between Alexey Nikolaitch and Madame Shtchukin
Half an hour later, Kistunov rang his bell and asked Alexey Nikolaitch about the situation. The clerk reported that they couldn't make Madame Shtchukin understand anything - she talked about one thing while they talked about another. Kistunov, unable to bear the sound of her voice, considered having the porter remove her but feared the commotion it would cause in the building.
After another quarter hour of failed explanations, Alexey Nikolaitch, at the end of his patience, tapped his finger on the table and then on his own forehead, suggesting that Madame Shtchukin lacked intelligence. Offended, she warned him not to be too free with his hands and threatened to report him to his superior.
The fact of the matter is you haven't a head on your shoulders, but this... Come, come, said the old lady, offended. Talk to your own wife like that.... You screw!... Don't be too free with your hands.
Alexey Nikolaitch, furious and exasperated, told her to leave. Madame Shtchukin began shouting that she was a defenseless woman whose husband was a collegiate assessor, and that she would report the clerk to Kistunov.
Kistunovs surrender and payment to end the harassment
Hearing the commotion, Kistunov opened his door and found Madame Shtchukin standing in the middle of the room, rolling her eyes and gesturing wildly. The bank clerks stood around looking red-faced and harassed. Madame Shtchukin immediately pounced on Kistunov, complaining about Alexey Nikolaitch's behavior and reiterating that she was a defenseless woman from a respectable family.
Kistunov promised to look into the matter and asked her to leave, but she insisted on getting her money immediately. Feeling overwhelmed, with everything swimming before his eyes, Kistunov asked how much she wanted. When she replied '24 roubles and 36 kopecks,' he took out his wallet, gave her 25 roubles, and begged her to leave.
Madame Shtchukin wrapped the money up in her handkerchief, put it away, and pursing up her face into a sweet, mincing, even coquettish smile, asked: Your Excellency, and would it be possible for my husband to get a post again?
Kistunov, claiming to be ill and suffering from palpitations, left for home. After his departure, Alexey Nikolaitch sent for some laurel drops, and all the clerks took twenty drops each before resuming work. Meanwhile, Madame Shtchukin remained in the vestibule for another two hours, talking to the porter and waiting for Kistunov to return.
Madame Shtchukins return the following day
Despite having received the money she demanded and causing significant disruption at the bank, Madame Shtchukin returned again the next day.
She came again next day.