Teffi & Grossman

[Robert Chandler]

Dear all,

First: a question about a passage from a story by Teffi.  I don't understand the meaning of the repeated А-а-а-а! The woman speaking is in pain, and probably close to death.  She is doped up with morphine.  The person she is calling to is, I think, the angel of death.  Is the "А-а-а-а!" likely to be a cry of pain - or a way of attracting this person's attention?

  — А-а-а! — закричала я. — Вернитесь! Я не хочу быть одна! 
     Как его зовут. Как его позвать. Я не знаю. Но мне невыносимо страшно одной. 
      — А-а-а-а! Я боюсь... 
     Но, кажется, это неправда, Я не боюсь. Привыкла думать, что одной страшно. Я вернусь в свой домик, У меня есть на чем утвердить жизнь. У меня есть домик, который я нарисовала... Только холодно мне. Холодно. 
      — Вернитесь! А-а-а-а-а... 


“No!” I cried out.  “Come back!  I don’t want to be alone!”
What is his name?  How can I call out to him (call him??)?  I don’t know.  But I can’t bear to be left all alone.
   “??????!  I’m afraid...”
   But that’s not quite right: I’m not afraid.  I’m just used to thinking that I’m afraid of being alone.  I’ll go back to my little house.  Yes, I still have something to affirm life with.  I’ve still got the little house I once drew...  But I’m cold.  So cold. 
   “Come back!  ???????!”

					*****

 Second: for anyone with an interest in Vasily Grossman and/or Armenia.  I managed to publish this a few days ago:
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/03fa2b0e-e3ec-11e2-91a3-00144feabdc0.html#axzz2YD4qJevt

All the best,

Robert

Robert Chandler, 42 Milson Road, London, W14 OLD

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