In the Graveyard (Chekhov)
Division into chapters is editorial.
Walking through the graveyard at dusk
As dusk approached, a group of friends walked through a graveyard while the wind played among the yellow leaves of old birch trees, causing thick drops of water to fall upon them. The weather was worsening, and one of them suggested they leave before conditions deteriorated further. As they continued, one companion slipped on the clayey soil and grabbed a large grey cross to prevent himself from falling.
The companion read the inscription on the cross, which belonged to Yegor Gryaznorukov, a titular councillor and cavalier. He shared that he had known this gentleman, describing him as a man who was fond of his wife, wore the Stanislav ribbon, and enjoyed good digestion despite never reading anything.
The companion explained that Gryaznorukov had died from a concussion after being struck by a door while eavesdropping at a keyhole. He also pointed out another tombstone adorned with verses and epigrams, ironically belonging to a man who had detested such literary forms his entire life. Their conversation was interrupted when they noticed someone approaching.
Meeting the actor at Mushkins grave
A man in a shabby overcoat with a bluish-crimson face approached the group. He carried a bottle under his arm and had a parcel of sausage sticking out of his pocket. In a husky voice, he asked them where the grave of Mushkin, the actor, was located. The group led him to the grave of Mushkin, who had died two years earlier.
When they asked if he was a government clerk, the actor replied that he was indeed an actor, though he noted that nowadays it was difficult to distinguish actors from clerks of the Consistory. They had trouble finding Mushkin's grave, as it had sunken, become overgrown with weeds, and lost all appearance of a proper grave. A cheap, rotting cross covered with green moss and blackened by frost stood over it, giving an impression of aged dejection.
"A cheap, little cross that had begun to rot, and was covered with green moss blackened by the frost, had an air of aged dejection and looked, as it were, ailing."
The actors bittersweet remembrance
The actor explained that a subscription for a monument to Mushkin had been collected among actors and journalists, but they had spent the money on drink instead. He didn't blame them, wishing them good health and eternal memory to the deceased. When one of the group remarked that drinking leads to poor health and eternal memory brings only sadness, the actor agreed.
"A subscription for a monument to him was got up among actors and journalists, but they drank up the money, the dear fellows... They collected the money, published a paragraph about it in the newspaper, and spent it on drink."
The actor revealed that while Mushkin had been well-known and had a dozen wreaths on his coffin, he was already forgotten. Those who had loved him no longer remembered him, while those he had harmed still did. The actor counted himself among the latter, declaring he would never forget Mushkin because he had received nothing but harm from him.
"Mushkin was a well-known man, you see; there were a dozen wreaths on the coffin, and he is already forgotten. Those to whom he was dear have forgotten him, but those to whom he did harm remember him."
When asked what harm Mushkin had done, the actor explained that it was through watching and listening to Mushkin that he himself had become an actor. Mushkin had lured him from his parental home with promises of an exciting actor's life, but had brought him only tears and sorrow. The actor lamented his bitter lot, having lost his youth, sobriety, and divine semblance. He had no money, wore worn-out shoes and patched clothes, and his face looked ravaged.
"An actor's lot is a bitter one! I have lost youth, sobriety, and the divine semblance... I haven't a halfpenny to bless myself with, my shoes are down at heel, my breeches are frayed and patched, and my face looks as if it had been gnawed by dogs."
The actor continued that Mushkin had robbed him of his faith and had been his evil genius. He lamented that if he had at least possessed talent, his ruination might have been worthwhile, but as it was, he had been ruined for nothing. Despite the cold, he offered to share his drink with the group. He explained that although he disliked Mushkin, the deceased actor had been the only person he had in the world. This visit would be his last, as doctors had told him he would soon die from drink. He had come to say goodbye, believing one must forgive one's enemies.
Departure in the gathering darkness
The group left the actor to his conversation with the dead Mushkin and continued on their way as a fine, cold rain began to fall. At the turning into the main gravel-strewn avenue, they encountered a funeral procession. Four bearers wearing white calico sashes and muddy high boots with leaves sticking to them carried a brown coffin. As darkness was falling, they hurried along, stumbling and shaking their burden.
One of the group remarked that this was the third funeral they had witnessed during their brief two-hour walk through the graveyard. With the weather worsening and more burials taking place, they decided it was time to head home.
"Time had erased the never, and corrected the falsehood of man."