Ladies (Chekhov)
Short summary
Russia, late 19th century. Fyodor Petrovitch, Director of Elementary Schools, interviewed a schoolmaster named Vremensky who had lost his voice. Feeling sympathetic to the man's fourteen years of service, Fyodor offered him a secretary position at the local Home.
However, Fyodor's wife soon asked him to give the position to a young man named Polzuhin, who was recommended by her friend. Despite his rule against patronage appointments, Fyodor found himself besieged by letters from influential ladies recommending Polzuhin. When the young man visited, Fyodor treated him with contempt but was forced to yield when Polzuhin produced a testimonial signed by the Governor.
The next day, when Vremensky came to the office, Fyodor couldn't bring himself to explain the situation. Overwhelmed with embarrassment and resentment at having to play such an absurd part before his subordinate, he suddenly lost his temper.
"I have no post for you! I have not, and that's all about it! Leave me in peace! Don't worry me! Be so good as to leave me alone!" And he walked out of the office.
Detailed summary
Division into sections is editorial.
The schoolmasters interview and job offer
Fyodor Petrovitch, the Director of Elementary Schools in the N— District, was interviewing a schoolmaster named Vremensky in his office. The director explained that Vremensky's retirement was inevitable as he could no longer continue teaching with his voice condition. When asked how he lost his voice, Vremensky explained that he had drunk cold beer while perspiring.
The director expressed regret that Vremensky's fourteen-year career was ruined by such a trivial thing. Upon learning that Vremensky had a wife and two children, Fyodor Petrovitch became concerned about the schoolmaster's future. He paced around his office, contemplating how to help Vremensky, who was not yet entitled to a pension but could no longer teach.
"A teacher you cannot be, and you are not yet entitled to a pension.… To abandon you to your fate, and leave you to do the best you can, is rather awkward. We look on you as one of our men, you have served fourteen years…"
Suddenly, Fyodor Petrovitch had an idea. He offered Vremensky the position of secretary at their Home, which would be vacant the following week. Vremensky was delighted by this unexpected good fortune, and the director instructed him to write an application that day. After dismissing the schoolmaster, Fyodor Petrovitch felt relieved and gratified, pleased with himself for acting fairly and conscientiously.
Pressure from the Directors wife and recommendation letters
However, Fyodor Petrovitch's contentment was short-lived. When he went home for dinner, his wife Nastasya Ivanovna mentioned that Nina Sergeyevna had visited her the previous day to request his help for a young man seeking the vacant position at their Home. The director frowned and stated that the post had already been promised to someone else, reminding his wife of his rule against giving positions through patronage.
Nastasya Ivanovna insisted that he should make an exception for Nina Sergeyevna, who loved them like family and for whom they had never done anything in return. She warned that refusing would wound both Nina Sergeyevna and herself. When Fyodor Petrovitch asked who was being recommended, his wife replied that it was Polzuhin, the young man who had played Tchatsky at the New Year's party.
"Understand, my dear, that if a young man does not set to work directly, but through women, he must be good for nothing! Why doesn't he come to me himself?"
After dinner, the director read his mail and found a letter from the Mayor's wife recommending Polzuhin as an excellent young man who would soon call on him about the secretary position. Fyodor Petrovitch firmly commented to himself, "On no account! Heaven preserve me!" In the days that followed, he received numerous letters recommending Polzuhin for the position.
Polzuhins visit and the Governors recommendation
Eventually, Polzuhin himself appeared at the director's home. He was a stout young man with a close-shaven face like a jockey's, dressed in a new black suit. Fyodor Petrovitch received him coldly, stating that he normally saw people on business at his office, not at home. Polzuhin explained that their common acquaintances had advised him to come to the director's residence.
The director questioned why Polzuhin, who came from a wealthy family, wanted a position with such a trifling salary. Polzuhin replied that it wasn't about the salary but about securing a government post. Fyodor Petrovitch expressed concern that Polzuhin would quickly tire of the job, while there were poor candidates who would view it as a lifelong career. Polzuhin insisted he would not get sick of it and promised to do his best.
"Tell me, why was it you didn't apply to me direct but thought fitting instead to trouble ladies as a preliminary?" "I didn't know that it would be disagreeable to you... But, your Excellency, if you attach no significance to letters..."
When confronted about using ladies as intermediaries rather than applying directly, Polzuhin produced a testimonial bearing the Governor's signature. It was evident that the Governor had signed it unread, simply to appease some importunate lady. Faced with this high authority, the director reluctantly yielded, telling Polzuhin to send in his application the next day.
After Polzuhin left, the director paced angrily around his office, calling him a sneak, a reptile, and a creature who had gotten what he wanted by making up to ladies. Just as he spat in the direction of the door, the wife of the Superintendent of the Provincial Treasury entered. She immediately began advocating for Polzuhin, while the director listened with a stupefied expression.
The Directors dilemma and confrontation with Vremensky
The next day, when Vremensky came to the director's office, Fyodor Petrovitch struggled to tell him the truth. He hesitated, unable to find the right words to explain that he could no longer offer him the position. The director felt embarrassed and resentful about having to play such an absurd part in his own office, in front of his subordinate.
"Sneak!" he hissed, pacing from one corner to the other. "He has got what he wanted, one way or the other, the good-for-nothing toady! Making up to the ladies! Reptile! Creature!"
Finally, overwhelmed by vexation and resentment, Fyodor Petrovitch suddenly brought his fist down on the table, leaped up, and shouted angrily at Vremensky that he had no position for him. He demanded to be left in peace and not to be worried anymore. Then, unable to face the situation any longer, the director stormed out of his own office, leaving behind the bewildered schoolmaster.