SCENESFROMCOUNTRYLIFE
　　INFOURACTS
　　CHARACTERS
　　ALEXANDERSEREBRAKOFF，aretiredprofessorHELENA，hiswife，twenty-sevenyearsoldSONIA，hisdaughterbyaformermarriageMME。VOITSKAYA，widowofaprivycouncilor，andmotherofSerebrakoff’sfirstwifeIVAN（VANYA）VOITSKI，hersonMICHAELASTROFF，adoctorILIA（WAFFLES）TELEGIN，animpoverishedlandownerMARINA，anoldnurseAWORKMAN
　　ThesceneislaidonSEREBRAKOFF’ScountryplaceUNCLEVANYA
　　ACTI
　　Acountryhouseonaterrace。Infrontofitagarden。Inanavenueoftrees，underanoldpoplar，standsatablesetfortea，withasamovar，etc。Somebenchesandchairsstandnearthetable。Ononeofthemislyingaguitar。Ahammockisswungnearthetable。Itisthreeo’clockintheafternoonofacloudyday。
　　MARINA，aquiet，grey-haired，littleoldwoman，issittingatthetableknittingastocking。
　　ASTROFFiswalkingupanddownnearher。
　　MARINA。[Pouringsometeaintoaglass]Takealittletea，myson。
　　ASTROFF。[Takestheglassfromherunwillingly]Somehow，Idon’tseemtowantany。
　　MARINA。Thenwillyouhavealittlevodkainstead？
　　ASTROFF。No，Idon’tdrinkvodkaeveryday，andbesides，itistoohotnow。[Apause]Tellme，nurse，howlonghaveweknowneachother？
　　MARINA。[Thoughtfully]Letmesee，howlongisit？Lord——helpmetoremember。Youfirstcamehere，intoourparts——letmethink——whenwasit？Sonia’smotherwasstillalive——itwastwowintersbeforeshedied；thatwaselevenyearsago——[thoughtfully]perhapsmore。
　　ASTROFF。HaveIchangedmuchsincethen？
　　MARINA。Oh，yes。Youwerehandsomeandyoungthen，andnowyouareanoldmanandnothandsomeanymore。Youdrink，too。
　　ASTROFF。Yes，tenyearshavemademeanotherman。Andwhy？
　　BecauseIamoverworked。Nurse，Iamonmyfeetfromdawntilldusk。Iknownorest；atnightItrembleundermyblanketsforfearofbeingdraggedouttovisitsomeonewhoissick；Ihavetoiledwithoutreposeoraday’sfreedomsinceIhaveknownyou；
　　couldIhelpgrowingold？Andthen，existenceistedious，anyway；
　　itisasenseless，dirtybusiness，thislife，andgoesheavily。
　　Everyoneabouthereissilly，andafterlivingwiththemfortwoorthreeyearsonegrowssillyoneself。Itisinevitable。
　　[Twistinghismoustache]SeewhatalongmoustacheIhavegrown。
　　Afoolish，longmoustache。Yes，Iamassillyastherest，nurse，butnotasstupid；no，Ihavenotgrownstupid。ThankGod，mybrainisnotaddledyet，thoughmyfeelingshavegrownnumb。I
　　asknothing，Ineednothing，Ilovenoone，unlessitisyourselfalone。[Hekissesherhead]IhadanursejustlikeyouwhenI
　　wasachild。
　　MARINA。Don’tyouwantabiteofsomethingtoeat？
　　ASTROFF。No。DuringthethirdweekofLentIwenttotheepidemicatMalitskoi。Itwaseruptivetyphoid。Thepeasantswerealllyingsidebysideintheirhuts，andthecalvesandpigswererunningabouttheflooramongthesick。Suchdirttherewas，andsmoke！Unspeakable！Islavedamongthosepeopleallday，notacrumbpassedmylips，butwhenIgothometherewasstillnorestforme；aswitchmanwascarriedinfromtherailroad；Ilaidhimontheoperatingtableandhewentanddiedinmyarmsunderchloroform，andthenmyfeelingsthatshouldhavebeendeadenedawokeagain，myconsciencetorturedmeasifIhadkilledtheman。Isatdownandclosedmyeyes——likethis——andthought：willourdescendantstwohundredyearsfromnow，forwhomwearebreakingtheroad，remembertogiveusakindword？No，nurse，theywillforget。
　　MARINA。Manisforgetful，butGodremembers。
　　ASTROFF。Thankyouforthat。Youhavespokenthetruth。
　　EnterVOITSKIfromthehouse。Hehasbeenasleepafterdinnerandlooksratherdishevelled。Hesitsdownonthebenchandstraightenshiscollar。
　　VOITSKI。H’m。Yes。[Apause]Yes。
　　ASTROFF。Haveyoubeenasleep？
　　VOITSKI。Yes，verymuchso。[Heyawns]EversincetheProfessorandhiswifehavecome，ourdailylifeseemstohavejumpedthetrack。Isleepatthewrongtime，drinkwine，andeatallsortsofmessesforluncheonanddinner。Itisn’twholesome。SoniaandIusedtoworktogetherandneverhadanidlemoment，butnowSoniaworksaloneandIonlyeatanddrinkandsleep。Somethingiswrong。
　　MARINA。[Shakingherhead]Suchaconfusioninthehouse！TheProfessorgetsupattwelve，thesamovariskeptboilingallthemorning，andeverythinghastowaitforhim。Beforetheycameweusedtohavedinneratoneo’clock，likeeverybodyelse，butnowwehaveitatseven。TheProfessorsitsupallnightwritingandreading，andsuddenly，attwoo’clock，theregoesthebell！
　　Heavens，whatisthat？TheProfessorwantssometea！Waketheservants，lightthesamovar！Lord，whatdisorder！
　　ASTROFF。Willtheybeherelong？
　　VOITSKI。Ahundredyears！TheProfessorhasdecidedtomakehishomehere。
　　MARINA。Lookatthisnow！Thesamovarhasbeenonthetablefortwohours，andtheyarealloutwalking！
　　VOITSKI。Allright，don’tgetexcited；heretheycome。
　　Voicesareheardapproaching。SEREBRAKOFF，HELENA，SONIA，andTELEGINcomeinfromthedepthsofthegarden，returningfromtheirwalk。
　　SEREBRAKOFF。Superb！Superb！Whatbeautifulviews！
　　TELEGIN。Theyarewonderful，yourExcellency。
　　SONIA。To-morrowweshallgointothewoods，shallwe，papa？
　　VOITSKI。Ladiesandgentlemen，teaisready。
　　SEREBRAKOFF。Won’tyoupleasebegoodenoughtosendmyteaintothelibrary？Istillhavesomeworktofinish。
　　SONIA。Iamsureyouwilllovethewoods。
　　HELENA，SEREBRAKOFF，andSONIAgointothehouse。TELEGINsitsdownatthetablebesideMARINA。
　　VOITSKI。Theregoesourlearnedscholaronahot，sultrydaylikethis，inhisovercoatandgoloshesandcarryinganumbrella！
　　ASTROFF。Heistryingtotakegoodcareofhishealth。
　　VOITSKI。Howlovelysheis！Howlovely！Ihaveneverinmylifeseenamorebeautifulwoman。
　　TELEGIN。Doyouknow，Marina，thatasIwalkinthefieldsorintheshadygarden，asIlookatthistablehere，myheartswellswithunboundedhappiness。Theweatherisenchanting，thebirdsaresinging，wearealllivinginpeaceandcontentment——whatmorecouldthesouldesire？[Takesaglassoftea。]
　　VOITSKI。[Dreaming]Sucheyes——agloriouswoman！
　　ASTROFF。Come，Ivan，tellussomething。
　　VOITSKI。[Indolently]WhatshallItellyou？
　　ASTROFF。Haven’tyouanynewsforus？
　　VOITSKI。No，itisallstale。Iamjustthesameasusual，orperhapsworse，becauseIhavebecomelazy。Idon’tdoanythingnowbutcroaklikeanoldraven。Mymother，theoldmagpie，isstillchatteringabouttheemancipationofwoman，withoneeyeonhergraveandtheotheronherlearnedbooks，inwhichsheisalwayslookingforthedawnofanewlife。
　　ASTROFF。AndtheProfessor？
　　VOITSKI。TheProfessorsitsinhislibraryfrommorningtillnight，asusual——
　　"Strainingthemind，wrinklingthebrow，Wewrite，write，write，WithoutrespiteOrhopeofpraiseinthefutureornow。"
　　Poorpaper！Heoughttowritehisautobiography；hewouldmakeareallysplendidsubjectforabook！Imagineit，thelifeofaretiredprofessor，asstaleasapieceofhardtack，torturedbygout，headaches，andrheumatism，hisliverburstingwithjealousyandenvy，livingontheestateofhisfirstwife，althoughhehatesit，becausehecan’taffordtoliveintown。Heiseverlastinglywhiningabouthishardlot，though，asamatteroffact，heisextraordinarilylucky。Heisthesonofacommondeaconandhasattainedtheprofessor’schair，becometheson-in-lawofasenator，iscalled"yourExcellency，"andsoon。
　　ButI’lltellyousomething；themanhasbeenwritingonartfortwenty-fiveyears，andhedoesn’tknowtheveryfirstthingaboutit。Fortwenty-fiveyearshehasbeenchewingonothermen’sthoughtsaboutrealism，naturalism，andallsuchfoolishness；fortwenty-fiveyearshehasbeenreadingandwritingthingsthatclevermenhavelongknownandstupidonesarenotinterestedin；
　　fortwenty-fiveyearshehasbeenmakinghisimaginarymountainsoutofmolehills。Andjustthinkoftheman’sself-conceitandpresumptionallthistime！Fortwenty-fiveyearshehasbeenmasqueradinginfalseclothesandhasnowretiredabsolutelyunknowntoanylivingsoul；andyetseehim！stalkingacrosstheearthlikeademi-god！
　　ASTROFF。Ibelieveyouenvyhim。
　　VOITSKI。Yes，Ido。Lookatthesuccesshehashadwithwomen！
　　DonJuanhimselfwasnotmorefavoured。Hisfirstwife，whowasmysister，wasabeautiful，gentlebeing，aspureastheblueheaventhereaboveus，noble，great-hearted，withmoreadmirersthanhehaspupils，andshelovedhimasonlybeingsofangelicpuritycanlovethosewhoareaspureandbeautifulasthemselves。Hismother-in-law，mymother，adoreshimtothisday，andhestillinspiresasortofworshipfulaweinher。Hissecondwifeis，asyousee，abrilliantbeauty；shemarriedhiminhisoldageandhassurrenderedallthegloryofherbeautyandfreedomtohim。Why？Whatfor？
　　ASTROFF。Isshefaithfultohim？
　　VOITSKI。Yes，unfortunatelysheis。
　　ASTROFF。Whyunfortunately？
　　VOITSKI。Becausesuchfidelityisfalseandunnatural，rootandbranch。Itsoundswell，butthereisnologicinit。Itisthoughtimmoralforawomantodeceiveanoldhusbandwhomshehates，butquitemoralforhertostrangleherpooryouthinherbreastandbanisheveryvitaldesirefromherheart。
　　TELEGIN。[Inatearfulvoice]Vanya，Idon’tliketohearyoutalkso。Listen，Vanya；everyonewhobetrayshusbandorwifeisfaithless，andcouldalsobetrayhiscountry。
　　VOITSKI。[Crossly]Turnoffthetap，Waffles。
　　TELEGIN。No，allowme，Vanya。Mywiferanawaywithaloveronthedayafterourwedding，becausemyexteriorwasunprepossessing。Ihaveneverfailedinmydutysincethen。I
　　loveherandamtruetohertothisday。IhelpherallIcanandhavegivenmyfortunetoeducatethedaughterofherselfandherlover。Ihaveforfeitedmyhappiness，butIhavekeptmypride。
　　Andshe？Heryouthhasfled，herbeautyhasfadedaccordingtothelawsofnature，andherloverisdead。Whathasshekept？
　　HELENAandSONIAcomein；afterthemcomesMME。VOITSKAYA
　　carryingabook。Shesitsdownandbeginstoread。Someonehandsheraglassofteawhichshedrinkswithoutlookingup。
　　SONIA。[Hurriedly，tothenurse]Therearesomepeasantswaitingoutthere。Goandseewhattheywant。Ishallpourthetea。
　　[Poursoutsomeglassesoftea。]
　　MARINAgoesout。HELENAtakesaglassandsitsdrinkinginthehammock。
　　ASTROFF。Ihavecometoseeyourhusband。YouwrotemethathehadrheumatismandIknownotwhatelse，andthathewasveryill，butheappearstobeaslivelyasacricket。
　　HELENA。Hehadafitofthebluesyesterdayeveningandcomplainedofpainsinhislegs，butheseemsallrightagainto-day。
　　ASTROFF。AndIgallopedoverheretwentymilesatbreak-neckspeed！Nomatter，though，itisnotthefirsttime。Oncehere，however，Iamgoingtostayuntilto-morrow，andatanyratesleep_quantumsatis。_
　　SONIA。Oh，splendid！Yousoseldomspendthenightwithus。Haveyouhaddinneryet？
　　ASTROFF。No。
　　SONIA。Good。Soyouwillhaveitwithus。Wedineatsevennow。
　　[Drinkshertea]Thisteaiscold！
　　TELEGIN。Yes，thesamovarhasgrowncold。
　　HELENA。Don’tmind，MonsieurIvan，wewilldrinkcoldtea，then。
　　TELEGIN。Ibegyourpardon，mynameisnotIvan，butIlia，ma’am——IliaTelegin，orWaffles，asIamsometimescalledonaccountofmypock-markedface。IamSonia’sgodfather，andhisExcellency，yourhusband，knowsmeverywell。Inowlivewithyou，ma’am，onthisestate，andperhapsyouwillbesogoodastonoticethatIdinewithyoueveryday。
　　SONIA。Heisourgreathelp，ourright-handman。[Tenderly]Deargodfather，letmepouryousometea。
　　MME。VOITSKAYA。Oh！Oh！
　　SONIA。Whatisit，grandmother？
　　MME。VOITSKAYA。IforgottotellAlexander——Ihavelostmymemory——Ireceivedaletterto-dayfromPaulAlexevitchinKharkoff。Hehassentmeanewpamphlet。
　　ASTROFF。Isitinteresting？
　　MME。VOITSKAYA。Yes，butstrange。Herefutestheverytheorieswhichhedefendedsevenyearsago。Itisappalling！
　　VOITSKI。Thereisnothingappallingaboutit。Drinkyourtea，mamma。
　　MME。VOITSKAYA。ItseemsyouneverwanttolistentowhatIhavetosay。Pardonme，Jean，butyouhavechangedsointhelastyearthatIhardlyknowyou。Youusedtobeamanofsettledconvictionsandhadanilluminatingpersonality——-
　　VOITSKI。Oh，yes。Ihadanilluminatingpersonality，whichilluminatednoone。[Apause]Ihadanilluminatingpersonality！
　　Youcouldn’tsayanythingmorebiting。Iamforty-sevenyearsold。UntillastyearIendeavoured，asyoudonow，toblindmyeyesbyyourpedantrytothetruthsoflife。Butnow——Oh，ifyouonlyknew！IfyouknewhowIlieawakeatnight，heartsickandangry，tothinkhowstupidlyIhavewastedmytimewhenImighthavebeenwinningfromlifeeverythingwhichmyoldagenowforbids。
　　SONIA。UncleVanya，howdreary！
　　MME。VOITSKAYA。[Toherson]Youspeakasifyourformerconvictionsweresomehowtoblame，butyouyourself，notthey，wereatfault。Youhaveforgottenthataconviction，initself，isnothingbutadeadletter。Youshouldhavedonesomething。
　　VOITSKI。Donesomething！Noteverymaniscapableofbeingawriter_perpetuummobile_likeyourHerrProfessor。
　　MME。VOITSKAYA。Whatdoyoumeanbythat？
　　SONIA。[Imploringly]Mother！UncleVanya！Ientreatyou！
　　VOITSKI。Iamsilent。Iapologiseandamsilent。[Apause。]
　　HELENA。Whatafineday！Nottoohot。[Apause。]
　　VOITSKI。Afinedaytohangoneself。
　　TELEGINtunestheguitar。MARINAappearsnearthehouse，callingthechickens。
　　MARINA。Chick，chick，chick！
　　SONIA。Whatdidthepeasantswant，nurse？
　　MARINA。Thesameoldthing，thesameoldnonsense。Chick，chick，chick！
　　SONIA。Whyareyoucallingthechickens？
　　MARINA。Thespeckledhenhasdisappearedwithherchicks。Iamafraidthecrowshavegother。
　　TELEGINplaysapolka。Alllisteninsilence。EnterWORKMAN。
　　WORKMAN。Isthedoctorhere？[ToASTROFF]Excuseme，sir，butI
　　havebeensenttofetchyou。
　　ASTROFF。Whereareyoufrom？
　　WORKMAN。Thefactory。
　　ASTROFF。[Annoyed]Thankyou。Thereisnothingforit，then，buttogo。[Lookingaroundhimforhiscap]Damnit，thisisannoying！
　　SONIA。Yes，itistoobad，really。Youmustcomebacktodinnerfromthefactory。
　　ASTROFF。No，Iwon’tbeabletodothat。Itwillbetoolate。Nowwhere，where——[TotheWORKMAN]Lookhere，myman，getmeaglassofvodka，willyou？[TheWORKMANgoesout]Where——where——[Findshiscap]OneofthecharactersinOstroff’splaysisamanwithalongmoustacheandshortwits，likeme。However，letmebidyougood-bye，ladiesandgentlemen。[ToHELENA]IshouldbereallydelightedifyouwouldcometoseemesomedaywithMissSonia。
　　Myestateissmall，butifyouareinterestedinsuchthingsI
　　shouldliketoshowyouanurseryandseed-bedwhoselikeyouwillnotfindwithinathousandmilesofhere。Myplaceissurroundedbygovernmentforests。Theforesterisoldandalwaysailing，soIsuperintendalmostalltheworkmyself。
　　HELENA。Ihavealwaysheardthatyouwereveryfondofthewoods。
　　Ofcourseonecandoagreatdealofgoodbyhelpingtopreservethem，butdoesnotthatworkinterferewithyourrealcalling？
　　ASTROFF。Godaloneknowswhataman’srealcallingis。
　　HELENA。Anddoyoufinditinteresting？
　　ASTROFF。Yes，very。
　　VOITSKI。[Sarcastically]Oh，extremely！
　　HELENA。Youarestillyoung，notoverthirty-sixorseven，I
　　shouldsay，andIsuspectthatthewoodsdonotinterestyouasmuchasyousaytheydo。Ishouldthinkyouwouldfindthemmonotonous。
　　SONIA。No，theworkisthrilling。Dr。Astroffwatchesovertheoldwoodsandsetsoutnewplantationseveryyear，andhehasalreadyreceivedadiplomaandabronzemedal。Ifyouwilllistentowhathecantellyou，youwillagreewithhimentirely。Hesaysthatforestsaretheornamentsoftheearth，thattheyteachmankindtounderstandbeautyandattunehismindtoloftysentiments。Foreststemperasternclimate，andincountrieswheretheclimateismilder，lessstrengthiswastedinthebattlewithnature，andthepeoplearekindandgentle。Theinhabitantsofsuchcountriesarehandsome，tractable，sensitive，gracefulinspeechandgesture。Theirphilosophyisjoyous，artandscienceblossomamongthem，theirtreatmentofwomenisfullofexquisitenobility——-
　　VOITSKI。[Laughing]Bravo！Bravo！Allthatisverypretty，butitisalsounconvincing。So，myfriend[ToASTROFF]youmustletmegoonburningfirewoodinmystovesandbuildingmyshedsofplanks。
　　ASTROFF。Youcanburnpeatinyourstovesandbuildyourshedsofstone。Oh，Idon’tobject，ofcourse，tocuttingwoodfromnecessity，butwhydestroytheforests？ThewoodsofRussiaaretremblingundertheblowsoftheaxe。Millionsoftreeshaveperished。Thehomesofthewildanimalsandbirdshavebeendesolated；theriversareshrinking，andmanybeautifullandscapesaregoneforever。Andwhy？Becausemenaretoolazyandstupidtostoopdownandpickuptheirfuelfromtheground。
　　[ToHELENA]AmInotright，Madame？Whobutastupidbarbariancouldburnsomuchbeautyinhisstoveanddestroythatwhichhecannotmake？Manisendowedwithreasonandthepowertocreate，sothathemayincreasethatwhichhasbeengivenhim，butuntilnowhehasnotcreated，butdemolished。Theforestsaredisappearing，theriversarerunningdry，thegameisexterminated，theclimateisspoiled，andtheearthbecomespoorerandugliereveryday。[ToVOITSKI]Ireadironyinyoureye；youdonottakewhatIamsayingseriously，and——and——afterall，itmayverywellbenonsense。ButwhenIpasspeasant-foreststhatIhavepreservedfromtheaxe，orheartherustlingoftheyoungplantationssetoutwithmyownhands，I
　　feelasifIhadhadsomesmallshareinimprovingtheclimate，andthatifmankindishappyathousandyearsfromnowIwillhavebeenalittlebitresponsiblefortheirhappiness。WhenI
　　plantalittlebirchtreeandthenseeitbuddingintoyounggreenandswayinginthewind，myheartswellswithprideandI——[SeestheWORKMAN，whoisbringinghimaglassofvodkaonatray]however——[Hedrinks]Imustbeoff。Probablyitisallnonsense，anyway。Good-bye。
　　Hegoestowardthehouse。SONIAtakeshisarmandgoeswithhim。
　　SONIA。Whenareyoucomingtoseeusagain？
　　ASTROFF。Ican’tsay。
　　SONIA。Inamonth？
　　ASTROFFandSONIAgointothehouse。HELENAandVOITSKIwalkovertotheterrace。
　　HELENA。Youhavebehavedshockinglyagain。Ivan，whatsensewasthereinteasingyourmotherandtalkingabout_perpetuummobile？_AndatbreakfastyouquarreledwithAlexanderagain。
　　Really，yourbehaviouristoopetty。
　　VOITSKI。ButifIhatehim？
　　HELENA。YouhateAlexanderwithoutreason；heislikeeveryoneelse，andnoworsethanyouare。
　　VOITSKI。Ifyoucouldonlyseeyourface，yourgestures！Oh，howtediousyourlifemustbe。
　　HELENA。Itistedious，yes，anddreary！Youallabusemyhusbandandlookonmewithcompassion；youthink，"Poorwoman，sheismarriedtoanoldman。"HowwellIunderstandyourcompassion！AsAstroffsaidjustnow，seehowyouthoughtlesslydestroytheforests，sothattherewillsoonbenoneleft。Soyoualsodestroymankind，andsoonfidelityandpurityandself-sacrificewillhavevanishedwiththewoods。Whycannotyoulookcalmlyatawomanunlesssheisyours？Because，thedoctorwasright，youareallpossessedbyadevilofdestruction；youhavenomercyonthewoodsorthebirdsoronwomenorononeanother。
　　VOITSKI。Idon’tlikeyourphilosophy。
　　HELENA。Thatdoctorhasasensitive，wearyface——aninterestingface。Soniaevidentlylikeshim，andsheisinlovewithhim，andIcanunderstandit。ThisisthethirdtimehehasbeenheresinceIhavecome，andIhavenothadarealtalkwithhimyetormademuchofhim。HethinksIamdisagreeable。Doyouknow，Ivan，thereasonyouandIaresuchfriends？Ithinkitisbecausewearebothlonelyandunfortunate。Yes，unfortunate。Don’tlookatmeinthatway，Idon’tlikeit。
　　VOITSKI。HowcanIlookatyouotherwisewhenIloveyou？Youaremyjoy，mylife，andmyyouth。Iknowthatmychancesofbeinglovedinreturnareinfinitelysmall，donotexist，butIasknothingofyou。Onlyletmelookatyou，listentoyourvoice——
　　HELENA。Hush，someonewilloverhearyou。
　　[Theygotowardthehouse。]
　　VOITSKI。[Followingher]Letmespeaktoyouofmylove，donotdrivemeaway，andthisalonewillbemygreatesthappiness！
　　HELENA。Ah！Thisisagony！
　　TELEGINstrikesthestringsofhisguitarandplaysapolka。MME。
　　VOITSKAYAwritessomethingontheleavesofherpamphlet。
　　Thecurtainfalls。
　　ACTII
　　Thedining-roomofSEREBRAKOFF’Shouse。Itisnight。ThetappingoftheWATCHMAN’Srattleisheardinthegarden。SEREBRAKOFFisdozinginanarm-chairbyanopenwindowandHELENAissittingbesidehim，alsohalfasleep。
　　SEREBRAKOFF。[Rousinghimself]Whoishere？Isityou，Sonia？
　　HELENA。ItisI。
　　SEREBRAKOFF。Oh，itisyou，Nelly。Thispainisintolerable。
　　HELENA。Yourshawlhasslippeddown。[Shewrapsuphislegsintheshawl]Letmeshutthewindow。
　　SEREBRAKOFF。No，leaveitopen；Iamsuffocating。Idreamtjustnowthatmyleftlegbelongedtosomeoneelse，andithurtsothatIwoke。Idon’tbelievethisisgout，itismorelikerheumatism。Whattimeisit？
　　HELENA。Halfpasttwelve。[Apause。]
　　SEREBRAKOFF。IwantyoutolookforBatushka’sworksinthelibraryto-morrow。Ithinkwehavehim。
　　HELENA。Whatisthat？
　　SEREBRAKOFF。LookforBatushkato-morrowmorning；weusedtohavehim，Iremember。WhydoIfinditsohardtobreathe？
　　HELENA。Youaretired；thisisthesecondnightyouhavehadnosleep。
　　SEREBRAKOFF。TheysaythatTurgenieffgotanginaoftheheartfromgout。IamafraidIamgettinganginatoo。Oh，damnthishorrible，accursedoldage！EversinceIhavebeenoldIhavebeenhatefultomyself，andIamsure，hatefultoyouallaswell。
　　HELENA。Youspeakasifweweretoblameforyourbeingold。
　　SEREBRAKOFF。Iammorehatefultoyouthantoanyone。
　　HELENAgetsupandwalksawayfromhim，sittingdownatadistance。
　　SEREBRAKOFF。Youarequiteright，ofcourse。Iamnotanidiot；I
　　canunderstandyou。Youareyoungandhealthyandbeautiful，andlongingforlife，andIamanolddotard，almostadeadmanalready。Don’tIknowit？OfcourseIseethatitisfoolishformetolivesolong，butwait！Ishallsoonsetyouallfree。Mylifecannotdragonmuchlonger。
　　HELENA。Youareovertaxingmypowersofendurance。Bequiet，forGod’ssake！
　　SEREBRAKOFF。Itappearsthat，thankstome，everybody’spowerofenduranceisbeingovertaxed；everybodyismiserable，onlyIamblissfullytriumphant。Oh，yes，ofcourse！
　　HELENA。Bequiet！Youaretorturingme。
　　SEREBRAKOFF。Itortureeverybody。Ofcourse。
　　HELENA。[Weeping]Thisisunbearable！Tellme，whatisityouwantmetodo？
　　SEREBRAKOFF。Nothing。
　　HELENA。Thenbequiet，please。
　　SEREBRAKOFF。ItisfunnythateverybodylistenstoIvanandhisoldidiotofamother，butthemomentIopenmylipsyouallbegintofeelill-treated。Youcan’tevenstandthesoundofmyvoice。EvenifIamhateful，evenifIamaselfishtyrant，haven’tItherighttobeoneatmyage？Haven’tIdeservedit？
　　Haven’tI，Iaskyou，therighttoberespected，nowthatIamold？
　　HELENA。Nooneisdisputingyourrights。[Thewindowslamsinthewind]Thewindisrising，Imustshutthewindow。[Sheshutsit]
　　Weshallhaveraininamoment。Yourrightshaveneverbeenquestionedbyanybody。
　　TheWATCHMANinthegardensoundshisrattle。
　　SEREBRAKOFF。Ihavespentmylifeworkingintheinterestsoflearning。Iamusedtomylibraryandthelecturehallandtotheesteemandadmirationofmycolleagues。NowIsuddenlyfindmyselfplungedinthiswilderness，condemnedtoseethesamestupidpeoplefrommorningtillnightandlistentotheirfutileconversation。Iwanttolive；Ilongforsuccessandfameandthestiroftheworld，andhereIaminexile！Oh，itisdreadfultospendeverymomentgrievingforthelostpast，toseethesuccessofothersandsitherewithnothingtodobuttofeardeath。I
　　cannotstandit！ItismorethanIcanbear。Andyouwillnotevenforgivemeforbeingold！
　　HELENA。Wait，havepatience；Ishallheoldmyselfinfourorfiveyears。
　　SONIAcomesin。
　　SONIA。Father，yousentforDr。Astroff，andnowwhenhecomesyourefusetoseehim。Itisnotnicetogiveamansomuchtroublefornothing。
　　SEREBRAKOFF。WhatdoIcareaboutyourAstroff？HeunderstandsmedicineaboutaswellasIunderstandastronomy。
　　SONIA。Wecan’tsendforthewholemedicalfaculty，canwe，totreatyourgout？
　　SEREBRAKOFF。Iwon’ttalktothatmadman！
　　SONIA。Doasyouplease。It’sallthesametome。[Shesitsdown。]
　　SEREBRAKOFF。Whattimeisit？
　　HELENA。Oneo’clock。
　　SEREBRAKOFF。Itisstiflinginhere。Sonia，handmethatbottleonthetable。
　　SONIA。Hereitis。[Shehandshimabottleofmedicine。]
　　SEREBRAKOFF。[Crossly]No，notthatone！Can’tyouunderstandme？
　　Can’tIaskyoutodoathing？
　　SONIA。Pleasedon’tbecaptiouswithme。Somepeoplemaylikeit，butyoumustspareme，ifyouplease，becauseIdon’t。Besides，I
　　haven’tthetime；wearecuttingthehayto-morrowandImustgetupearly。
　　VOITSKIcomesindressedinalonggownandcarryingacandle。
　　VOITSKI。Athunderstormiscomingup。[Thelightningflashes]
　　Thereitis！Gotobed，HelenaandSonia。Ihavecometotakeyourplace。
　　SEREBRAKOFF。[Frightened]No，no，no！Don’tleavemealonewithhim！Oh，don’t。Hewillbegintolectureme。
　　VOITSKI。Butyoumustgivethemalittlerest。Theyhavenotsleptfortwonights。
　　SEREBRAKOFF。Thenletthemgotobed，butyougoawaytoo！Thankyou。Iimploreyoutogo。Forthesakeofourformerfriendshipdonotprotestagainstgoing。Wewilltalksomeothertime——-
　　VOITSKI。Ourformerfriendship！Ourformer——-
　　SONIA。Hush，UncleVanya！
　　SEREBRAKOFF。[Tohiswife]Mydarling，don’tleavemealonewithhim。Hewillbegintolectureme。
　　VOITSKI。Thisisridiculous。
　　MARINAcomesincarryingacandle。
　　SONIA。Youmustgotobed，nurse，itislate。
　　MARINA。Ihaven’tclearedawaytheteathings。Can’tgotobedyet。
　　SEREBRAKOFF。Noonecangotobed。Theyareallwornout，onlyI
　　enjoyperfecthappiness。
　　MARINA。[GoesuptoSEREBRAKOFFandspeakstenderly]What’sthematter，master？Doesithurt？Myownlegsareachingtoo，oh，sobadly。[Arrangeshisshawlabouthislegs]Youhavehadthisillnesssuchalongtime。Sonia’sdeadmotherusedtostayawakewithyoutoo，andwearherselfoutforyou。Shelovedyoudearly。
　　[Apause]Oldpeoplewanttobepitiedasmuchasyoungones，butnobodycaresaboutthemsomehow。[ShekissesSEREBRAKOFF’S
　　shoulder]Come，master，letmegiveyousomelinden-teaandwarmyourpoorfeetforyou。IshallpraytoGodforyou。
　　SEREBRAKOFF。[Touched]Letusgo，Marina。
　　MARINA。Myownfeetareachingsobadly，oh，sobadly！[SheandSONIAleadSEREBRAKOFFout]Sonia’smotherusedtowearherselfoutwithsorrowandweeping。Youwerestilllittleandfoolishthen，Sonia。Come，come，master。
　　SEREBRAKOFF，SONIAandMARINAgoout。
　　HELENA。Iamabsolutelyexhaustedbyhim，andcanhardlystand。
　　VOITSKI。Youareexhaustedbyhim，andIamexhaustedbymyownself。Ihavenotsleptforthreenights。
　　HELENA。Somethingiswronginthishouse。Yourmotherhateseverythingbutherpamphletsandtheprofessor；theprofessorisvexed，hewon’ttrustme，andfearsyou；Soniaisangrywithherfather，andwithme，andhasn’tspokentomefortwoweeks；Iamattheendofmystrength，andhavecomenearburstingintotearsatleasttwentytimesto-day。Somethingiswronginthishouse。
　　VOITSKI。Leavespeculatingalone。
　　HELENA。Youareculturedandintelligent，Ivan，andyousurelyunderstandthattheworldisnotdestroyedbyvillainsandconflagrations，butbyhateandmaliceandallthisspitefultattling。Itisyourdutytomakepeace，andnottogrowlateverything。
　　VOITSKI。Helpmefirsttomakepeacewithmyself。Mydarling！
　　[Seizesherhand。]
　　HELENA。Letgo！[Shedragsherhandaway]Goaway！
　　VOITSKI。Soontherainwillbeover，andallnaturewillsighandawakerefreshed。OnlyIamnotrefreshedbythestorm。Dayandnightthethoughthauntsmelikeafiend，thatmylifeislostforever。Mypastdoesnotcount，becauseIfrittereditawayontrifles，andthepresenthassoterriblymiscarried！WhatshallI
　　dowithmylifeandmylove？Whatistobecomeofthem？Thiswonderfulfeelingofminewillbewastedandlostasarayofsunlightislostthatfallsintoadarkchasm，andmylifewillgowithit。
　　HELENA。Iamasitwerebenumbedwhenyouspeaktomeofyourlove，andIdon’tknowhowtoansweryou。Forgiveme，Ihavenothingtosaytoyou。[Shetriestogoout]Good-night！
　　VOITSKI。[Barringtheway]IfyouonlyknewhowIamtorturedbythethoughtthatbesidemeinthishouseisanotherlifethatisbeinglostforever——itisyours！Whatareyouwaitingfor？Whataccursedphilosophystandsinyourway？Oh，understand，understand——-
　　HELENA。[Lookingathimintently]Ivan，youaredrunk！
　　VOITSKI。Perhaps。Perhaps。
　　HELENA。Whereisthedoctor？
　　VOITSKI。Inthere，spendingthenightwithme。PerhapsIamdrunk，perhapsIam；nothingisimpossible。
　　HELENA。Haveyoujustbeendrinkingtogether？Whydoyoudothat？
　　VOITSKI。BecauseinthatwayIgetatasteoflife。Letmedoit，Helena！
　　HELENA。Youneverusedtodrink，andyouneverusedtotalksomuch。Gotobed，Iamtiredofyou。
　　VOITSKI。[Fallingonhiskneesbeforeher]Mysweetheart。mybeautifulone——-
　　HELENA。[Angrily]Leavemealone！Really，thishasbecometoodisagreeable。
　　HELENAgoesout。Apause。
　　VOITSKI[Alone]Sheisgone！Imetherfirsttenyearsago，athersister’shouse，whenshewasseventeenandIwasthirty-seven。WhydidInotfallinlovewithherthenandproposetoher？Itwouldhavebeensoeasy！Andnowshewouldhavebeenmywife。Yes，wewouldbothhavebeenwakedto-nightbythethunderstorm，andshewouldhavebeenfrightened，butIwouldhaveheldherinmyarmsandwhispered："Don’tbeafraid！Iamhere。"Oh，enchantingdream，sosweetthatIlaughtothinkofit。[Helaughs]ButmyGod！Myheadreels！WhyamIsoold？Whywon’tsheunderstandme？Ihateallthatrhetoricofhers，thatmoralityofindolence，thatabsurdtalkaboutthedestructionoftheworld——-[Apause]Oh，howIhavebeendeceived！ForyearsI
　　haveworshippedthatmiserablegout-riddenprofessor。SoniaandI
　　havesqueezedthisestatedryforhissake。Wehavebarteredourbutterandcurdsandpeaslikemisers，andhaveneverkeptamorselforourselves，sothatwecouldscrapeenoughpenniestogethertosendtohim。Iwasproudofhimandofhislearning；
　　Ireceivedallhiswordsandwritingsasinspired，andnow？Nowhehasretired，andwhatisthetotalofhislife？Ablank！Heisabsolutelyunknown，andhisfamehasburstlikeasoap-bubble。I
　　havebeendeceived；Iseethatnow，baselydeceived。
　　ASTROFFcomesin。Hehashiscoaton，butiswithouthiswaistcoatorcollar，andisslightlydrunk。TELEGINfollowshim，carryingaguitar。
　　ASTROFF。Play！
　　TELEGIN。Buteveryoneisasleep。
　　ASTROFF。Play！
　　TELEGINbeginstoplaysoftly。
　　ASTROFF。Areyoualonehere？Nowomenabout？[Singswithhisarmsakimbo。]
　　"Thehutiscold，thefireisdead；
　　Whereshallthemasterlayhishead？"
　　Thethunderstormwokeme。Itwasaheavyshower。Whattimeisit？
　　VOITSKI。Thedevilonlyknows。
　　ASTROFF。IthoughtIheardHelena’svoice。
　　VOITSKI。Shewashereamomentago。
　　ASTROFF。Whatabeautifulwoman！[Lookingatthemedicinebottlesonthetable]Medicine，isit？Whatavarietywehave；
　　prescriptionsfromMoscow，fromKharkoff，fromTula！Why，hehasbeenpesteringallthetownsofRussiawithhisgout！Isheill，orsimplyshamming？
　　VOITSKI。Heisreallyill。
　　ASTROFF。Whatisthematterwithyouto-night？Youseemsad。Isitbecauseyouaresorryfortheprofessor？
　　VOITSKI。Leavemealone。
　　ASTROFF。Orinlovewiththeprofessor’swife？
　　VOITSKI。Sheismyfriend。
　　ASTROFF。Already？
　　VOITSKI。Whatdoyoumeanby"already"？
　　ASTROFF。Awomancanonlybecomeaman’sfriendafterhavingfirstbeenhisacquaintanceandthenhisbeloved——thenshebecomeshisfriend。
　　VOITSKI。Whatvulgarphilosophy！
　　ASTROFF。Whatdoyoumean？Yes，ImustconfessIamgettingvulgar，butthen，yousee，Iamdrunk。Iusuallyonlydrinklikethisonceamonth。Atsuchtimesmyaudacityandtemerityknownobounds。Ifeelcapableofanything。Iattemptthemostdifficultoperationsanddothemmagnificently。Themostbrilliantplansforthefuturetakeshapeinmyhead。Iamnolongerapoorfoolofadoctor，butmankind’sgreatestbenefactor。Ievolvemyownsystemofphilosophyandallofyouseemtocrawlatmyfeetlikesomanyinsectsormicrobes。[ToTELEGIN]Play，Waffles！
　　TELEGIN。Mydearboy，Iwouldwithallmyheart，butdolistentoreason；everybodyinthehouseisasleep。
　　ASTROFF。Play！
　　TELEGINplayssoftly。
　　ASTROFF。Iwantadrink。Come，westillhavesomebrandyleft。
　　Andthen，assoonasitisday，youwillcomehomewithme。[HeseesSONIA，whocomesinatthatmoment。]
　　ASTROFF。Ibegyourpardon，Ihavenocollaron。
　　[Hegoesoutquickly，followedbyTELEGIN。
　　SONIA。UncleVanya，youandthedoctorhavebeendrinking！Thegoodfellowshavebeengettingtogether！Itisallverywellforhim，hehasalwaysdoneit，butwhydoyoufollowhisexample？Itlooksdreadfullyatyourage。
　　VOITSKI。Agehasnothingtodowithit。Whenreallifeiswantingonemustcreateanillusion。Itisbetterthannothing。
　　SONIA。Ourhayisallcutandrottinginthesedailyrains，andhereyouarebusycreatingillusions！Youhavegivenupthefarmaltogether。IhavedonealltheworkaloneuntilIamattheendofmystrength——[Frightened]Uncle！Youreyesarefulloftears！
　　VOITSKI。Tears？Nonsense，therearenotearsinmyeyes。Youlookedatmethenjustasyourdeadmotherusedto，mydarling——[Heeagerlykissesherfaceandhands]Mysister，mydearestsister，whereareyounow？Ah，ifyouonlyknew，ifyouonlyknew！
　　SONIA。Ifsheonlyknewwhat，Uncle？
　　VOITSKI。Myheartisbursting。Itisawful。Nomatter，though。I
　　mustgo。[Hegoesout。]
　　SONIA。[Knocksatthedoor]Dr。Astroff！Areyouawake？Pleasecomehereforaminute。
　　ASTROFF。[Behindthedoor]Inamoment。
　　Heappearsinafewseconds。Hehasputonhiscollarandwaistcoat。
　　ASTROFF。Whatdoyouwant？
　　SONIA。Drinkasmuchasyoupleaseyourselfifyoudon’tfinditrevolting，butIimploreyounottoletmyuncledoit。Itisbadforhim。
　　ASTROFF。Verywell；wewon’tdrinkanymore。Iamgoinghomeatonce。Thatissettled。Itwillbedawnbythetimethehorsesareharnessed。
　　SONIA。Itisstillraining；waittillmorning。
　　ASTROFF。Thestormisblowingover。Thisisonlytheedgeofit。
　　Imustgo。Andpleasedon’taskmetocomeandseeyourfatheranymore。Itellhimhehasgout，andhesaysitisrheumatism。I
　　tellhimtoliedown，andhesitsup。To-dayherefusedtoseemeatall。
　　SONIA。Hehasbeenspoilt。[Shelooksinthesideboard]Won’tyouhaveabitetoeat？
　　ASTROFF。Yes，please。IbelieveIwill。
　　SONIA。Ilovetoeatatnight。Iamsureweshallfindsomethinginhere。Theysaythathehasmadeagreatmanyconquestsinhislife，andthatthewomenhavespoiledhim。Hereissomecheeseforyou。
　　[Theystandeatingbythesideboard。]
　　ASTROFF。Ihaven’teatenanythingto-day。Yourfatherhasaverydifficultnature。[Hetakesabottleoutofthesideboard]MayI？
　　[Hepourshimselfaglassofvodka]Wearealonehere，andIcanspeakfrankly。Doyouknow，Icouldnotstandlivinginthishouseforevenamonth？Thisatmospherewouldstifleme。Thereisyourfather，entirelyabsorbedinhisbooks，andhisgout；thereisyourUncleVanyawithhishypochondria，yourgrandmother，andfinally，yourstep-mother——
　　SONIA。Whatabouther？
　　ASTROFF。Ahumanbeingshouldbeentirelybeautiful：theface，theclothes，themind，thethoughts。Yourstep-motheris，ofcourse，beautifultolookat，butdon’tyousee？Shedoesnothingbutsleepandeatandwalkandbewitchus，andthatisall。Shehasnoresponsibilities，everythingisdoneforher——amInotright？Andanidlelifecanneverbeapureone。[Apause]
　　However，Imaybejudginghertooseverely。LikeyourUncleVanya，Iamdiscontented，andsowearebothgrumblers。
　　SONIA。Aren’tyousatisfiedwithlife？
　　ASTROFF。Ilikelifeaslife，butIhateanddespiseitinalittleRussiancountryvillage，andasfarasmyownpersonallifegoes，byheaven！thereisabsolutelynoredeemingfeatureaboutit。Haven’tyounoticedifyouareridingthroughadarkwoodatnightandseealittlelightshiningahead，howyouforgetyourfatigueandthedarknessandthesharptwigsthatwhipyourface？Iwork，thatyouknow——asnooneelseinthecountryworks。Fatebeatsmeonwithoutrest；attimesIsufferunendurablyandIseenolightahead。Ihavenohope；Idonotlikepeople。ItislongsinceIhavelovedanyone。
　　SONIA。Youlovenoone？
　　ASTROFF。Notasoul。Ionlyfeelasortoftendernessforyouroldnurseforold-times’sake。Thepeasantsareallalike；theyarestupidandliveindirt，andtheeducatedpeoplearehardtogetalongwith。Onegetstiredofthem。Allourgoodfriendsarepettyandshallowandseenofartherthantheirownnoses；inoneword，theyaredull。Thosethathavebrainsarehysterical，devouredwithamaniaforself-analysis。Theywhine，theyhate，theypickfaultseverywherewithunhealthysharpness。Theysneakuptomesideways，lookatmeoutofacorneroftheeye，andsay："Thatmanisalunatic，""Thatmanisawind-bag。"Or，iftheydon’tknowwhatelsetolabelmewith，theysayIamstrange。Ilikethewoods；thatisstrange。Idon’teatmeat；
　　thatisstrange，too。Simple，naturalrelationsbetweenmanandmanormanandnaturedonotexist。[Hetriestogoout；SONIA
　　preventshim。]
　　SONIA。Ibegyou，Iimploreyou，nottodrinkanymore！
　　ASTROFF。Whynot？
　　SONIA。Itissounworthyofyou。Youarewell-bred，yourvoiceissweet，youareeven——morethananyoneIknow——handsome。Whydoyouwanttoresemblethecommonpeoplethatdrinkandplaycards？
　　Oh，don’t，Ibegyou！Youalwayssaythatpeopledonotcreateanything，butonlydestroywhatheavenhasgiventhem。Why，oh，why，doyoudestroyyourself？Oh，don’t，Iimploreyounotto！I
　　entreatyou！
　　ASTROFF。[Givesherhishand]Iwon’tdrinkanymore。
　　SONIA。Promiseme。
　　ASTROFF。Igiveyoumywordofhonour。
　　SONIA。[Squeezinghishand]Thankyou。
　　ASTROFF。Ihavedonewithit。Yousee，Iamperfectlysoberagain，andsoIshallstaytilltheendofmylife。[Helookshiswatch]But，asIwassaying，lifeholdsnothingforme；myraceisrun。Iamold，Iamtired，Iamtrivial；mysensibilitiesaredead。Icouldneverattachmyselftoanyoneagain。Ilovenoone，andnevershall！Beautyalonehasthepowertotouchmestill。Iamdeeplymovedbyit。Helenacouldturnmyheadinadayifshewantedto，butthatisnotlove，thatisnotaffection——
　　[Heshuddersandcovershisfacewithhishands。]
　　SONIA。Whatisit？
　　ASTROFF。Nothing。DuringLentoneofmypatientsdiedunderchloroform。
　　SONIA。Itistimetoforgetthat。[Apause]Tellme，doctor，ifI
　　hadafriendorayoungersister，andifyouknewthatshe，well——lovedyou，whatwouldyoudo？
　　ASTROFF。[Shrugginghisshoulders]Idon’tknow。Idon’tthinkI
　　shoulddoanything。IshouldmakeherunderstandthatIcouldnotreturnherlove——however，mymindisnotbotheredaboutthosethingsnow。ImuststartatonceifIamevertogetoff。
　　Good-bye，mydeargirl。Atthisrateweshallstandheretalkingtillmorning。[Heshakeshandswithher]Ishallgooutthroughthesitting-room，becauseIamafraidyourunclemightdetainme。
　　[Hegoesout。]
　　SONIA。[Alone]Notaword！Hisheartandsoularestilllockedfromme，andyetforsomereasonIamstrangelyhappy。Iwonderwhy？[Shelaughswithpleasure]Itoldhimthathewaswell-bredandhandsomeandthathisvoicewassweet。Wasthatamistake？I
　　canstillfeelhisvoicevibratingintheair；itcaressesme。
　　[Wringingherhands]Oh！howterribleitistobeplain！Iamplain，Iknowit。AsIcameoutofchurchlastSundayIoverheardawomansay，"Sheisadear，noblegirl，butwhatapitysheissougly！"Sougly！
　　HELENAcomesinandthrowsopenthewindow。
　　HELENA。Thestormisover。Whatdeliciousair！[Apause]Whereisthedoctor？
　　SONIA。Hehasgone。[Apause。]
　　HELENA。Sonia！
　　SONIA。Yes？
　　HELENA。Howmuchlongerareyougoingtosulkatme？Wehavenothurteachother。Whynotbefriends？Wehavehadenoughofthis。
　　SONIA。Imyself——[SheembracesHELENA]Letusmakepeace。
　　HELENA。Withallmyheart。[Theyarebothmoved。]
　　SONIA。Haspapagonetobed？
　　HELENA。No，heissittingupinthedrawing-room。HeavenknowswhatreasonyouandIhadfornotspeakingtoeachotherforweeks。[Seestheopensideboard]Wholeftthesideboardopen？
　　SONIA。Dr。Astroffhasjusthadsupper。
　　HELENA。Thereissomewine。Letussealourfriendship。
　　SONIA。Yes，letus。
　　HELENA。Outofoneglass。[Shefillsawine-glass]So，wearefriends，arewe？
　　SONIA。Yes。[Theydrinkandkisseachother]Ihavelongwantedtomakefriends，butsomehow，Iwasashamedto。[Sheweeps。]
　　HELENA。Whyareyoucrying？
　　SONIA。Idon’tknow。Itisnothing。
　　HELENA。There，there，don’tcry。[Sheweeps]Silly！NowIamcryingtoo。[Apause]YouareangrywithmebecauseIseemtohavemarriedyourfatherforhismoney，butdon’tbelievethegossipyouhear。IsweartoyouImarriedhimforlove。Iwasfascinatedbyhisfameandlearning。Iknownowthatitwasnotreallove，butitseemedrealatthetime。Iaminnocent，andyetyourclever，suspiciouseyeshavebeenpunishingmeforanimaginarycrimeeversincemymarriage。
　　SONIA。Peace，peace！Letusforgetthepast。
　　HELENA。Youmustnotlooksoatpeople。Itisnotbecomingtoyou。Youmusttrustpeople，orlifebecomesimpossible。
　　SONIA。Tellmetruly，asafriend，areyouhappy？
　　HELENA。Truly，no。
　　SONIA。Iknewit。Onemorequestion：doyouwishyourhusbandwereyoung？
　　HELENA。Whatachildyouare！OfcourseIdo。Goon，asksomethingelse。
　　SONIA。Doyoulikethedoctor？
　　HELENA。Yes，verymuchindeed。
　　SONIA。[Laughing]Ihaveastupidface，haven’tI？Hehasjustgoneout，andhisvoiceisstillinmyears；Ihearhisstep；I
　　seehisfaceinthedarkwindow。LetmesayallIhaveinmyheart！Butno，Icannotspeakofitsoloudly。Iamashamed。Cometomyroomandletmetellyouthere。Iseemfoolishtoyou，don’tI？Talktomeofhim。
　　HELENA。WhatcanIsay？
　　SONIA。Heisclever。Hecandoeverything。Hecancurethesick，andplantwoods。
　　HELENA。Itisnotaquestionofmedicineandwoods，mydear，heisamanofgenius。Doyouknowwhatthatmeans？Itmeansheisbrave，profound，andofclearinsight。Heplantsatreeandhismindtravelsathousandyearsintothefuture，andheseesvisionsofthehappinessofthehumanrace。Peoplelikehimarerareandshouldbeloved。Whatifhedoesdrinkandactroughlyattimes？AmanofgeniuscannotbeasaintinRussia。Therehelives，cutofffromtheworldbycoldandstormandendlessroadsofbottomlessmud，surroundedbyaroughpeoplewhoarecrushedbypovertyanddisease，hislifeonecontinuousstruggle，withneveraday’srespite；howcanamanlivelikethatforfortyyearsandkeephimselfsoberandunspotted？[KissingSONIA]I
　　wishyouhappinesswithallmyheart；youdeserveit。[Shegetsup]Asforme，Iamaworthless，futilewoman。Ihavealwaysbeenfutile；inmusic，inlove，inmyhusband’shouse——inaword，ineverything。Whenyoucometothinkofit，Sonia，Iamreallyvery，veryunhappy。[Walksexcitedlyupanddown]Happinesscanneverexistformeinthisworld。Never。Whydoyoulaugh？
　　SONIA。[Laughingandcoveringherfacewithherhands]Iamsohappy，sohappy！
　　HELENA。Iwanttohearmusic。Imightplayalittle。
　　SONIA。Oh，do，do！[Sheembracesher]Icouldnotpossiblygotosleepnow。Doplay！
　　HELENA。Yes，Iwill。Yourfatherisstillawake。Musicirritateshimwhenheisill，butifhesaysImay，thenIshallplayalittle。Go，Sonia，andaskhim。
　　SONIA。Verywell。
　　[Shegoesout。TheWATCHMAN’Srattleisheardinthegarden。]
　　HELENA。ItislongsinceIhaveheardmusic。Andnow，Ishallsitandplay，andweeplikeafool。[Speakingoutofthewindow]Isthatyourattlingoutthere，Ephim？
　　VOICEOFTHEWATCHMAN。ItisI。