In an Hotel (Chekhov)
Division into chapters is editorial.
Madame Nashatyrins complaint about the vulgar neighbor
In a hotel, Madame Nashatyrin confronted the hotelkeeper, her face crimson with anger. She demanded either different accommodations or threatened to leave the establishment altogether, calling it a sink of iniquity. She explained that she had grown-up daughters and found it unacceptable that they were constantly exposed to vulgar language and inappropriate stories from a neighboring guest.
Either give me other apartments, or I shall leave your confounded hotel altogether! It's a sink of iniquity! Mercy on us, I have grown-up daughters and one hears nothing but abominations day and night!
As if on cue, a husky male voice from the next room began telling a crude anecdote about Lieutenant Druzhkov who had split his pants during a game of billiards while making a high kick. The story mentioned that ladies were present, including the wife of Lieutenant Okurin, which led to a confrontation between the officers. Lilya and Mila, Madame Nashatyrin's daughters, blushed deeply and lowered their eyes upon hearing this vulgar tale.
The hotelkeepers description of the problematic tenant
Madame Nashatyrin turned to the hotelkeeper, demanding that he take action against the vulgar neighbor. The hotelkeeper explained that the offending guest was not a cabman as she had assumed, but Staff-Captain Kikin, a gentleman by birth. When Madame Nashatyrin insisted this made his behavior even more contemptible, the hotelkeeper appeared resigned and frustrated.
The hotelkeeper explained that Madame Nashatyrin was not the only one complaining about Staff-Captain Kikin. He described how attempts to reason with the man were futile, as Kikin would respond with threats and vulgar expressions. The captain's behavior was consistently inappropriate - walking around the corridors in his underclothes, firing bullets into the wall when drunk, playing cards excessively, and getting into fights.
By day he is swilling liquor and at night he plays cards like mad, and after cards it is fighting.... I am ashamed for the other lodgers to see it! Why don't you get rid of the scoundrel? Why, there's no getting him out!
When Madame Nashatyrin asked why they didn't evict him, the hotelkeeper explained that despite owing three months' rent, they couldn't remove him. The magistrate had issued an eviction order, but Kikin was appealing it through various courts, dragging out the process. Despite these problems, the hotelkeeper noted that when sober, Kikin could be quite a gentleman - young, good-looking, and intellectual. He mentioned that recently, when not drunk, Kikin had spent an entire day writing letters to his parents.
Madame Nashatyrins discovery that the tenant is unmarried
Madame Nashatyrin expressed pity for Kikin's parents, acknowledging they must suffer from having such a troublesome son. She then inquired about his wife, assuming he was married. The hotelkeeper quickly corrected her, stating that Kikin had no wife and suggesting that any woman married to him would be fortunate if she escaped physical abuse.
He's sworn at and turned out of his lodgings, and not a day passes but he is in trouble over some scandal. It's sad! His poor unhappy wife! He has no wife, madam. A likely idea! She would have to thank God if her head were not broken.
Upon learning that Kikin was unmarried, Madame Nashatyrin began pacing the room thoughtfully. She repeated to herself, "H'm, not married..." as if this information had triggered a new train of thought. Her demeanor noticeably shifted as she processed this revelation.
From outrage to matchmaking: a mothers swift change of heart
After a moment of contemplation, Madame Nashatyrin's attitude transformed dramatically. She instructed her daughters to move away from the window, citing a draft, while lamenting the young man's descent into such behavior. She attributed his troubles to a lack of good influence, particularly maternal guidance.
Madame Nashatyrin then asked the hotelkeeper to deliver a message to Kikin, requesting that he refrain from using vulgar expressions. She instructed him to mention that she was Madame Nashatyrin, staying with her daughters in room 47, and that they had come from their country estate. She even suggested that Kikin might come to apologize, noting that they were always at home after dinner.
When the hotelkeeper left, Lilya questioned her mother's interest in the "black sheep," calling him a drunken, rowdy rascal and an odd person to invite. Madame Nashatyrin dismissed her daughter's concerns, insisting they should not despise him as there was something good in everyone. With a telling glance at her daughters, she hinted at her true motivation, suggesting that perhaps their fate was there, and instructed them to change their dresses.
Whatever he may be, we ought not to despise him.... There's something good in everyone. Who knows, perhaps your fate is here. Change your dresses anyway....