HELENA。Don’tmakesuchanoise。Yourmasterisill。
　　VOICEOFTHEWATCHMAN。Iamgoingawaythisminute。[Whistlesatune。]
　　SONIA。[Comesback]Hesays，no。
　　Thecurtainfalls。
　　ACTIII
　　Thedrawing-roomofSEREBRAKOFF’Shouse。Therearethreedoors：
　　onetotheright，onetotheleft，andoneinthecentreoftheroom。VOITSKIandSONIAaresittingdown。HELENAiswalkingupanddown，absorbedinthought。
　　VOITSKI。Wewereaskedbytheprofessortobehereatoneo’clock。[Looksathiswatch]Itisnowaquartertoone。Itseemshehassomecommunicationtomaketotheworld。
　　HELENA。Probablyamatterofbusiness。
　　VOITSKI。Heneverhadanybusiness。Hewritestwaddle，grumbles，andeatshisheartoutwithjealousy；that’sallhedoes。
　　SONIA。[Reproachfully]Uncle！
　　VOITSKI。Allright。Ibegyourpardon。[HepointstoHELENA]Lookather。Wanderingupanddownfromsheeridleness。Asweetpicture，really。
　　HELENA。Iwonderyouarenotbored，droningoninthesamekeyfrommorningtillnight。[Despairingly]Iamdyingofthistedium。WhatshallIdo？
　　SONIA。[Shrugginghershoulders]Thereisplentytodoifyouwould。
　　HELENA。Forinstance？
　　SONIA。Youcouldhelprunthisplace，teachthechildren，careforthesick——isn’tthatenough？Beforeyouandpapacame，UncleVanyaandIusedtogotomarketourselvestodealinflour。
　　HELENA。Idon’tknowanythingaboutsuchthings，andbesides，theydon’tinterestme。Itisonlyinnovelsthatwomengooutandteachandhealthepeasants；howcanIsuddenlybegintodoit？
　　SONIA。Howcanyoulivehereandnotdoit？Waitawhile，youwillgetusedtoitall。[Embracesher]Don’tbesad，dearest。
　　[Laughing]Youfeelmiserableandrestless，andcan’tseemtofitintothislife，andyourrestlessnessiscatching。LookatUncleVanya，hedoesnothingnowbuthauntyoulikeashadow，andI
　　haveleftmyworkto-daytocomehereandtalkwithyou。Iamgettinglazy，anddon’twanttogoonwithit。Dr。Astroffhardlyeverusedtocomehere；itwasallwecoulddotopersuadehimtovisitusonceamonth，andnowhehasabandonedhisforestryandhispractice，andcomeseveryday。Youmustbeawitch。
　　VOITSKI。Whyshouldyoulanguishhere？Come，mydearest，mybeauty，besensible！ThebloodofaNixeyrunsinyourveins。Oh，won’tyouletyourselfbeone？Giveyournaturethereinsforonceinyourlife；fallheadoverearsinlovewithsomeotherwaterspriteandplungedownheadfirstintoadeeppool，sothattheHerrProfessorandallofusmayhaveourhandsfreeagain。
　　HELENA。[Angrily]Leavemealone！Howcruelyouare！[Shetriestogoout。]
　　VOITSKI。[Preventingher]There，there，mybeauty，Iapologise。
　　[Hekissesherhand]Forgiveme。
　　HELENA。Confessthatyouwouldtrythepatienceofanangel。
　　VOITSKI。AsapeaceofferingIamgoingtofetchsomeflowerswhichIpickedforyouthismorning：someautumnroses，beautiful，sorrowfulroses。[Hegoesout。]
　　SONIA。Autumnroses，beautiful，sorrowfulroses！
　　[SheandHELENAstandlookingoutofthewindow。]
　　HELENA。Septemberalready！Howshallwelivethroughthelongwinterhere？[Apause]Whereisthedoctor？
　　SONIA。HeiswritinginUncleVanya’sroom。IamgladUncleVanyahasgoneout，Iwanttotalktoyouaboutsomething。
　　HELENA。Aboutwhat？
　　SONIA。Aboutwhat？
　　[ShelaysherheadonHELENA’Sbreast。]
　　HELENA。[Strokingherhair]There，there，thatwilldo。Don’t，Sonia。
　　SONIA。Iamugly！
　　HELENA。Youhavelovelyhair。
　　SONIA。Don’tsaythat！[Sheturnstolookatherselfintheglass]No，whenawomanisuglytheyalwayssayshehasbeautifulhairoreyes。Ihavelovedhimnowforsixyears，Ihavelovedhimmorethanonelovesone’smother。Iseemtohearhimbesidemeeverymomentoftheday。Ifeelthepressureofhishandonmine。IfIlookup，Iseemtoseehimcoming，andasyousee，I
　　runtoyoutotalkofhim。Heishereeverydaynow，butheneverlooksatme，hedoesnotnoticemypresence。Itisagony。Ihaveabsolutelynohope，no，nohope。Oh，myGod！Givemestrengthtoendure。Iprayedalllastnight。Ioftengouptohimandspeaktohimandlookintohiseyes。Myprideisgone。Iamnotmistressofmyself。YesterdayItoldUncleVanyaIcouldn’tcontrolmyself，andalltheservantsknowit。EveryoneknowsthatIlovehim。
　　HELENA。Doeshe？
　　SONIA。No，henevernoticesme。
　　HELENA。[Thoughtfully]Heisastrangeman。Listen，Sonia，willyouallowmetospeaktohim？Ishallbecareful，onlyhint。[A
　　pause]Really，tobeinuncertaintyalltheseyears！Letmedoit！
　　SONIAnodsanaffirmative。
　　HELENA。Splendid！Itwillbeeasytofindoutwhetherhelovesyouornot。Don’tbeashamed，sweetheart，don’tworry。Ishallbecareful；hewillnotnoticeathing。Weonlywanttofindoutwhetheritisyesorno，don’twe？[Apause]Andifitisno，thenhemustkeepawayfromhere，isthatso？
　　SONIAnods。
　　HELENA。Itwillbeeasiernottoseehimanymore。Wewon’tputofftheexaminationaninstant。Hesaidhehadasketchtoshowme。GoandtellhimatoncethatIwanttoseehim。
　　SONIA。[Ingreatexcitement]Willyoutellmethewholetruth？
　　HELENA。OfcourseIwill。Iamsurethatnomatterwhatitis，itwillbeeasierforyoutobearthanthisuncertainty。Trusttome，dearest。
　　SONIA。Yes，yes。Ishallsaythatyouwanttoseehissketch。
　　[Shestartsout，butstopsnearthedoorandlooksback]No，itisbetternottoknow——andyet——theremaybehope。
　　HELENA。Whatdoyousay？
　　SONIA。Nothing。[Shegoesout。]
　　HELENA。[Alone]Thereisnogreatersorrowthantoknowanother’ssecretwhenyoucannothelpthem。[Indeepthought]Heisobviouslynotinlovewithher，butwhyshouldn’themarryher？
　　Sheisnotpretty，butsheissocleverandpureandgood，shewouldmakeasplendidwifeforacountrydoctorofhisyears。[A
　　pause]Icanunderstandhowthepoorchildfeels。Sheliveshereinthisdesperatelonelinesswithnoonearoundherexceptthesecolourlessshadowsthatgomooningabouttalkingnonsenseandknowingnothingexceptthattheyeat，drink，andsleep。AmongthemappearsfromtimetotimethisDr。Astroff，sodifferent，sohandsome，sointeresting，socharming。Itislikeseeingthemoonriseonadarknight。Oh，tosurrenderoneselftohisembrace！Toloseoneselfinhisarms！Iamalittleinlovewithhimmyself！
　　Yes，Iamlonelywithouthim，andwhenIthinkofhimIsmile。
　　ThatUncleVanyasaysIhavethebloodofaNixeyinmyveins：
　　"Givereintoyournatureforonceinyourlife！"PerhapsitisrightthatIshould。Oh，tobefreeasabird，toflyawayfromallyoursleepyfacesandyourtalkandforgetthatyouhaveexistedatall！ButIamacoward，Iamafraid；myconsciencetormentsme。Hecomeshereeverydaynow。Icanguesswhy，andfeelguiltyalready；IshouldliketofallonmykneesatSonia’sfeetandbegherforgiveness，andweep。
　　ASTROFFcomesincarryingaportfolio。
　　ASTROFF。Howdoyoudo？[Shakeshandswithher]Doyouwanttoseemysketch？
　　HELENA。Yes，youpromisedtoshowmewhatyouhadbeendoing。
　　Haveyoutimenow？
　　ASTROFF。OfcourseIhave！
　　Helaystheportfolioonthetable，takesoutthesketchandfastensittothetablewiththumb-tacks。
　　ASTROFF。Wherewereyouborn？
　　HELENA。[Helpinghim]InSt。Petersburg。
　　ASTROFF。Andeducated？
　　HELENA。AttheConservatorythere。
　　ASTROFF。Youdon’tfindthislifeveryinteresting，Idaresay？
　　HELENA。Oh，whynot？ItistrueIdon’tknowthecountryverywell，butIhavereadagreatdealaboutit。
　　ASTROFF。IhavemyowndeskthereinIvan’sroom。WhenIamabsolutelytooexhaustedtogoonIdropeverythingandrushoverheretoforgetmyselfinthisworkforanhourortwo。IvanandMissSoniasitrattlingattheircounting-boards，thecricketchirps，andIsitbesidethemandpaint，feelingwarmandpeaceful。ButIdon’tpermitmyselfthisluxuryveryoften，onlyonceamonth。[Pointingtothepicture]Lookthere！Thatisamapofourcountryasitwasfiftyyearsago。Thegreentints，bothdarkandlight，representforests。Halfthemap，asyousee，iscoveredwithit。Wherethegreenisstripedwithredtheforestswereinhabitedbyelkandwildgoats。Hereonthislake，livedgreatflocksofswansandgeeseandducks；astheoldmensay，therewasapowerofbirdsofeverykind。Nowtheyhavevanishedlikeacloud。Besidethehamletsandvillages，yousee，Ihavedotteddownhereandtherethevarioussettlements，farms，hermit’scaves，andwater-mills。Thiscountrycarriedagreatmanycattleandhorses，asyoucanseebythequantityofbluepaint。Forinstance，seehowthicklyitliesinthispart；thereweregreatherdsofthemhere，anaverageofthreehorsestoeveryhouse。[Apause]Now，looklowerdown。Thisisthecountryasitwastwenty-fiveyearsago。Onlyathirdofthemapisgreennowwithforests。Therearenogoatsleftandnoelk。Thebluepaintislighter，andsoon，andsoon。Nowwecometothethirdpart；ourcountryasitappearsto-day。Westillseespotsofgreen，butnotmuch。Theelk，theswans，theblack-cockhavedisappeared。Itis，onthewhole，thepictureofaregularandslowdeclinewhichitwillevidentlyonlytakeabouttenorfifteenmoreyearstocomplete。Youmayperhapsobjectthatitisthemarchofprogress，thattheoldordermustgiveplacetothenew，andyoumightberightifroadshadbeenrunthroughtheseruinedwoods，oriffactoriesandschoolshadtakentheirplace。
　　Thepeoplethenwouldhavebecomebettereducatedandhealthierandricher，butasitis，wehavenothingofthesort。Wehavethesameswampsandmosquitoes；thesamediseaseandwant；thetyphoid，thediphtheria，theburningvillages。Weareconfrontedbythedegradationofourcountry，broughtonbythefiercestruggleforexistenceofthehumanrace。Itistheconsequenceoftheignoranceandunconsciousnessofstarving，shivering，sickhumanitythat，tosaveitschildren，instinctivelysnatchesateverythingthatcanwarmitandstillitshunger。Soitdestroyseverythingitcanlayitshandson，withoutathoughtforthemorrow。Andalmosteverythinghasgone，andnothinghasbeencreatedtotakeitsplace。[Coldly]ButIseebyyourfacethatI
　　amnotinterestingyou。
　　HELENA。Iknowsolittleaboutsuchthings！
　　ASTROFF。Thereisnothingtoknow。Itsimplyisn’tinteresting，that’sall。
　　HELENA。Frankly，mythoughtswereelsewhere。Forgiveme！Iwanttosubmityoutoalittleexamination，butIamembarrassedanddon’tknowhowtobegin。
　　ASTROFF。Anexamination？
　　HELENA。Yes，butquiteaninnocentone。Sitdown。[Theysitdown]
　　ItisaboutacertainyounggirlIknow。Letusdiscussitlikehonestpeople，likefriends，andthenforgetwhathaspassedbetweenus，shallwe？
　　ASTROFF。Verywell。
　　HELENA。Itisaboutmystep-daughter，Sonia。Doyoulikeher？
　　ASTROFF。Yes，Irespecther。
　　HELENA。Doyoulikeher——asawoman？
　　ASTROFF。[Slowly]No。
　　HELENA。Onemoreword，andthatwillbethelast。Youhavenotnoticedanything？
　　ASTROFF。No，nothing。
　　HELENA。[Takinghishand]Youdonotloveher。Iseethatinyoureyes。Sheissuffering。Youmustrealisethat，andnotcomehereanymore。
　　ASTROFF。Mysunhasset，yes，andthenIhaven’tthetime。
　　[Shrugginghisshoulders]WhereshallIfindtimeforsuchthings？[Heisembarrassed。
　　HELENA。Bah！Whatanunpleasantconversation！IamasoutofbreathasifIhadbeenrunningthreemilesuphill。Thankheaven，thatisover！Nowletusforgeteverythingasifnothinghadbeensaid。Youaresensible。Youunderstand。[Apause]Iamactuallyblushing。
　　ASTROFF。IfyouhadspokenamonthagoImightperhapshaveconsideredit，butnow——[Heshrugshisshoulders]Ofcourse，ifsheissuffering——butIcannotunderstandwhyyouhadtoputmethroughthisexamination。[Hesearchesherfacewithhiseyes，andshakeshisfingerather]Oho，youarewily！
　　HELENA。Whatdoesthismean？
　　ASTROFF。[Laughing]Youareawilyone！IadmitthatSoniaissuffering，butwhatdoesthisexaminationofyoursmean？[Hepreventsherfromretorting，andgoesonquickly]Pleasedon’tputonsuchalookofsurprise；youknowperfectlywellwhyI
　　comehereeveryday。Yes，youknowperfectlywhyandforwhosesakeIcome！Oh，mysweettigress！don’tlookatmeinthatway；
　　Iamanoldbird！
　　HELENA。[Perplexed]Atigress？Idon’tunderstandyou。
　　ASTROFF。Beautiful，sleektigress，youmusthaveyourvictims！
　　ForawholemonthIhavedonenothingbutseekyoueagerly。I
　　havethrownovereverythingforyou，andyoulovetoseeit。Nowthen，Iamsureyouknewallthiswithoutputtingmethroughyourexamination。[Crossinghisarmsandbowinghishead]Isurrender。
　　Hereyouhaveme——now，eatme。
　　HELENA。Youhavegonemad！
　　ASTROFF。Youareafraid！
　　HELENA。Iamabetterandstrongerwomanthanyouthinkme。
　　Good-bye。[Shetriestoleavetheroom。]
　　ASTROFF。Whygood-bye？Don’tsaygood-bye，don’twastewords。Oh，howlovelyyouare——whathands！[Hekissesherhands。]
　　HELENA。Enoughofthis！[Shefreesherhands]Leavetheroom！Youhaveforgottenyourself。
　　ASTROFF。Tellme，tellme，wherecanwemeetto-morrow？[Heputshisarmaroundher]Don’tyouseethatwemustmeet，thatitisinevitable？
　　Hekissesher。VOITSKIcomesincarryingabunchofroses，andstopsinthedoorway。
　　HELENA。[WithoutseeingVOITSKI]Havepity！Leaveme，[laysherheadonASTROFF’Sshoulder]Don’t！
　　[Shetriestobreakawayfromhim。]
　　ASTROFF。[Holdingherbythewaist]Beintheforesttomorrowattwoo’clock。Willyou？Willyou？
　　HELENA。[SeesVOITSKI]Letmego！[Goestothewindowdeeplyembarrassed]Thisisappalling！
　　VOITSKI。[Throwstheflowersonachair，andspeaksingreatexcitement，wipinghisfacewithhishandkerchief]Nothing——yes，yes，nothing。
　　ASTROFF。Theweatherisfineto-day，mydearIvan；themorningwasovercastandlookedlikerain，butnowthesunisshiningagain。Honestly，wehavehadaveryfineautumn，andthewheatislookingfairlywell。[Putshismapbackintotheportfolio]Butthedaysaregrowingshort。
　　HELENA。[GoesquicklyuptoVOITSKI]Youmustdoyourbest；youmustuseallyourpowertogetmyhusbandandmyselfawayfromhereto-day！Doyouhear？Isay，thisveryday！
　　VOITSKI。[Wipinghisface]Oh！Ah！Oh！Allright！I——Helena，I
　　saweverything！
　　HELENA。[Ingreatagitation]Doyouhearme？Imustleaveherethisveryday！
　　SEREBRAKOFF，SONIA，MARINA，andTELEGINcomein。
　　TELEGIN。Iamnotverywellmyself，yourExcellency。Ihavebeenlimpingfortwodays，andmyhead——
　　SEREBRAKOFF。Wherearetheothers？Ihatethishouse。Itisaregularlabyrinth。Everyoneisalwaysscatteredthroughthetwenty-sixenormousrooms；onenevercanfindasoul。[Rings]AskmywifeandMadameVoitskayatocomehere！
　　HELENA。Iamherealready。
　　SEREBRAKOFF。Please，allofyou，sitdown。
　　SONIA。[GoesuptoHELENAandasksanxiously]Whatdidhesay？
　　HELENA。I’lltellyoulater。
　　SONIA。Youaremoved。[lookingquicklyandinquiringlyintoherface]Iunderstand；hesaidhewouldnotcomehereanymore。[A
　　pause]Tellme，didhe？
　　HELENAnods。
　　SEREBRAKOFF。[ToTELEGIN]Onecan，afterall，becomereconciledtobeinganinvalid，butnottothiscountrylife。ThewaysofitstickinmythroatandIfeelexactlyasifIhadbeenwhirledofftheearthandlandedonastrangeplanet。Pleasebeseated，ladiesandgentlemen。Sonia！[SONIAdoesnothear。Sheisstandingwithherheadbowedsadlyforwardonherbreast]Sonia！
　　[Apause]Shedoesnothearme。[ToMARINA]Sitdowntoo，nurse。
　　[MARINAsitsdownandbeginstoknitherstocking]Icraveyourindulgence，ladiesandgentlemen；hangyourears，ifImaysayso，onthepegofattention。[Helaughs。]
　　VOITSKI。[Agitated]Perhapsyoudonotneedme——mayIbeexcused？
　　SEREBRAKOFF。No，youareneedednowmorethananyone。
　　VOITSKI。Whatisityouwantofme？
　　SEREBRAKOFF。You——butwhatareyouangryabout？IfitisanythingIhavedone，Iaskyoutoforgiveme。
　　VOITSKI。Oh，dropthatandcometobusiness；whatdoyouwant？
　　MME。VOITSKAYAcomesin。
　　SEREBRAKOFF。Hereismother。Ladiesandgentlemen，Ishallbegin。
　　Ihaveaskedyoutoassemblehere，myfriends，inordertodiscussaveryimportantmatter。Iwanttoaskyouforyourassistanceandadvice，andknowingyourunfailingamiabilityI
　　thinkIcancountonboth。Iamabook-wormandascholar，andamunfamiliarwithpracticalaffairs。Icannot，Ifind，dispensewiththehelpofwell-informedpeoplesuchasyou，Ivan，andyou，Telegin，andyou，mother。Thetruthis，_manetomnesunanox，_
　　thatistosay，ourlivesareinthehandsofGod，andasIamoldandill，Irealisethatthetimehascomeformetodisposeofmypropertyinregardtotheinterestsofmyfamily。Mylifeisnearlyover，andIamnotthinkingofmyself，butIhaveayoungwifeanddaughter。[Apause]Icannotcontinuetoliveinthecountry；wewerenotmadeforcountrylife，andyetwecannotaffordtoliveintownontheincomederivedfromthisestate。Wemightsellthewoods，butthatwouldbeanexpedientwecouldnotresorttoeveryyear。Wemustfindsomemeansofguaranteeingtoourselvesacertainmoreorlessfixedyearlyincome。Withthisobjectinview，aplanhasoccurredtomewhichInowhavethehonourofpresentingtoyouforyourconsideration。Ishallonlygiveyouaroughoutline，avoidingalldetails。Ourestatedoesnotpayonanaveragemorethantwopercentonthemoneyinvestedinit。Iproposetosellit。Ifwetheninvestourcapitalinbonds，itwillearnusfourtofivepercent，andweshouldprobablyhaveasurplusoverofseveralthousandroubles，withwhichwecouldbuyasummercottageinFinland——
　　VOITSKI。Holdon！Repeatwhatyoujustsaid；Idon’tthinkI
　　heardyouquiteright。
　　SEREBRAKOFF。IsaidwewouldinvestthemoneyinbondsandbuyacottageinFinlandwiththesurplus。
　　VOITSKI。No，notFinland——yousaidsomethingelse。
　　SEREBRAKOFF。Iproposetosellthisplace。
　　VOITSKI。Aha！Thatwasit！Soyouaregoingtoselltheplace？
　　Splendid。Theideaisarichone。AndwhatdoyouproposetodowithmyoldmotherandmeandwithSoniahere？
　　SEREBRAKOFF。Thatwillbedecidedinduetime。Wecan’tdoeverythingatonce。
　　VOITSKI。Wait！ItisclearthatuntilthismomentIhaveneverhadagrainofsenseinmyhead。IhavealwaysbeenstupidenoughtothinkthattheestatebelongedtoSonia。Myfatherboughtitasaweddingpresentformysister，andIfoolishlyimaginedthatasourlawsweremadeforRussiansandnotTurks，mysister’sestatewouldcomedowntoherchild。
　　SEREBRAKOFF。OfcourseitisSonia’s。Hasanyonedeniedit？I
　　don’twanttosellitwithoutSonia’sconsent；onthecontrary，whatIamdoingisforSonia’sgood。
　　VOITSKI。Thisisabsolutelyincomprehensible。EitherIhavegonemador——or——
　　MME。VOITSKAYA。Jean，don’tcontradictAlexander。Trusttohim；
　　heknowsbetterthanwedowhatisrightandwhatiswrong。
　　VOITSKI。Ishan’t。Givemesomewater。[Hedrinks]Goahead！Sayanythingyouplease——anything！
　　SEREBRAKOFF。Ican’timaginewhyyouaresoupset。Idon’tpretendthatmyschemeisanidealone，andifyouallobjecttoitIshallnotinsist。[Apause。]
　　TELEGIN。[Withembarrassment]Inotonlynourishfeelingsofrespecttowardlearning，yourExcellency，butIamalsodrawntoitbyfamilyties。MybrotherGregory’swife’sbrother，whomyoumayknow；hisnameisConstantineLakedemonoff，andheusedtobeamagistrate——
　　VOITSKI。Stop，Waffles。Thisisbusiness；waitabit，wewilltalkofthatlater。[ToSEREBRAKOFF]Therenow，askhimwhathethinks；thisestatewasboughtfromhisuncle。
　　SEREBRAKOFF。Ah！WhyshouldIaskquestions？Whatgoodwoulditdo？
　　VOITSKI。Thepricewasninety-fivethousandroubles。Myfatherpaidseventyandleftadebtoftwenty-five。Nowlisten！ThisplacecouldneverhavebeenboughthadInotrenouncedmyinheritanceinfavourofmysister，whomIdeeplyloved——andwhatismore，Iworkedfortenyearslikeanox，andpaidoffthedebt。
　　SEREBRAKOFF。Iregreteverhavingstartedthisconversation。
　　VOITSKI。Thanksentirelytomyownpersonalefforts，theplaceisentirelyclearofdebts，andnow，whenIhavegrownold，youwanttothrowmeout，neckandcrop！
　　SEREBRAKOFF。Ican’timaginewhatyouaredrivingat。
　　VOITSKI。Fortwenty-fiveyearsIhavemanagedthisplace，andhavesentyouthereturnsfromitlikethemosthonestofservants，andyouhavenevergivenmeonesinglewordofthanksformywork，notone——neitherinmyyouthnornow。Youallowedmeameagresalaryoffivehundredroublesayear，abeggar’spittance，andhavenevereventhoughtofaddingaroubletoit。
　　SEREBRAKOFF。WhatdidIknowaboutsuchthings，Ivan？Iamnotapracticalmananddon’tunderstandthem。Youmighthavehelpedyourselftoallyouwanted。
　　VOITSKI。Yes，whydidInotsteal？Don’tyoualldespisemefornotstealing，whenitwouldhavebeenonlyjustice？AndIshouldnotnowhavebeenabeggar！
　　MME。VOITSKAYA。[Sternly]Jean！
　　TELEGIN。[Agitated]Vanya，oldman，don’ttalkinthatway。Whyspoilsuchpleasantrelations？[Heembraceshim]Dostop！
　　VOITSKI。Fortwenty-fiveyearsIhavebeensittingherewithmymotherlikeamoleinaburrow。Oureverythoughtandhopewasyoursandyoursonly。Bydaywetalkedwithprideofyouandyourwork，andspokeyournamewithveneration；ournightswewastedreadingthebooksandpaperswhichmysoulnowloathes。
　　TELEGIN。Don’t，Vanya，don’t。Ican’tstandit。
　　SEREBRAKOFF。[Wrathfully]Whatunderheavendoyouwant，anyway？
　　VOITSKI。Weusedtothinkofyouasalmostsuperhuman，butnowthescaleshavefallenfrommyeyesandIseeyouasyouare！Youwriteonartwithoutknowinganythingaboutit。ThosebooksofyourswhichIusedtoadmirearenotworthonecopperkopeck。Youareahoax！
　　SEREBRAKOFF。Can’tanyonemakehimstop？Iamgoing！
　　HELENA。Ivan，Icommandyoutostopthisinstant！Doyouhearme？
　　VOITSKI。Irefuse！[SEREBRAKOFFtriestogetoutoftheroom，butVOITSKIbarsthedoor]Wait！Ihavenotdoneyet！Youhavewreckedmylife。Ihaveneverlived。Mybestyearshavegonefornothing，havebeenruined，thankstoyou。Youaremymostbitterenemy！
　　TELEGIN。Ican’tstandit；Ican’tstandit。Iamgoing。[Hegoesoutingreatexcitement。]
　　SEREBRAKOFF。Butwhatdoyouwant？Whatearthlyrighthaveyoutousesuchlanguagetome？Ruination！Ifthisestateisyours，thentakeit，andletmeberuined！
　　HELENA。Iamgoingawayoutofthishellthisminute。[Shrieks]
　　Thisistoomuch！
　　VOITSKI。Mylifehasbeenafailure。Iamcleverandbraveandstrong。IfIhadlivedanormallifeImighthavebecomeanotherSchopenhauerorDostoieffski。Iamlosingmyhead！Iamgoingcrazy！Mother，Iamindespair！Oh，mother！
　　MME。VOITSKAYA。[Sternly]Listen，Alexander！
　　SONIAfallsonherkneesbesidethenurseandnestlesagainsther。
　　SONIA。Oh，nurse，nurse！
　　VOITSKI。Mother！WhatshallIdo？Butno，don’tspeak！Iknowwhattodo。[ToSEREBRAKOFF]Andyouwillunderstandme！
　　HegoesoutthroughthedoorinthecentreoftheroomandMME。
　　VOITSKAYAfollowshim。
　　SEREBRAKOFF。Tellme，whatonearthisthematter？Takethislunaticoutofmysight！Icannotpossiblyliveunderthesameroofwithhim。Hisroom[Hepointstothecentredoor]isalmostnextdoortomine。Lethimtakehimselfoffintothevillageorintothewingofthehouse，orIshallleavehereatonce。I
　　cannotstayinthesamehousewithhim。
　　HELENA。[Toherhusband]Weareleavingto-day；wemustgetreadyatonceforourdeparture。
　　SEREBRAKOFF。Whataperfectlydreadfulman！
　　SONIA。[Onherkneesbesidethenurseandturningtoherfather。
　　Shespeakswithemotion]Youmustbekindtous，papa。UncleVanyaandIaresounhappy！[Controllingherdespair]Havepityonus。RememberhowUncleVanyaandGrannyusedtocopyandtranslateyourbooksforyoueverynight——every，everynight。
　　UncleVanyahastoiledwithoutrest；hewouldneverspendapennyonus，wesentitalltoyou。Wehavenoteatenthebreadofidleness。IamnotsayingthisasIshouldliketo，butyoumustunderstandus，papa，youmustbemercifultous。
　　HELENA。[Veryexited，toherhusband]Forheaven’ssake，Alexander，goandhaveatalkwithhim——explain！
　　SEREBRAKOFF。Verywell，Ishallhaveatalkwithhim，butIwon’tapologiseforathing。Iamnotangrywithhim，butyoumustconfessthathisbehaviourhasbeenstrange，tosaytheleast。
　　Excuseme，Ishallgotohim。
　　[Hegoesoutthroughthecentredoor。]
　　HELENA。Begentlewithhim；trytoquiethim。[Shefollowshimout。]
　　SONIA。[NestlingnearertoMARINA]Nurse，oh，nurse！
　　MARINA。It’sallright，mybaby。Whenthegeesehavecackledtheywillbestillagain。Firsttheycackleandthentheystop。
　　SONIA。Nurse！
　　MARINA。Youaretremblingallover，asifyouwerefreezing。
　　There，there，littleorphanbaby，Godismerciful。Alittlelinden-tea，anditwillallpassaway。Don’tcry，mysweetest。
　　[Lookingangrilyatthedoorinthecentreoftheroom]See，thegeesehaveallgonenow。Thedeviltakethem！
　　Ashotisheard。HELENAscreamsbehindthescenes。SONIA
　　shudders。
　　MARINA。Bang！What’sthat？
　　SEREBRAKOFF。[Comesinreelingwithterror]Holdhim！holdhim！
　　Hehasgonemad！
　　HELENAandVOITSKIareseenstrugglinginthedoorway。
　　HELENA。[Tryingtowresttherevolverfromhim]Giveittome；
　　giveittome，Itellyou！
　　VOITSKI。Letmego，Helena，letmego！[Hefreeshimselfandrushesin，lookingeverywhereforSEREBRAKOFF]Whereishe？Ah，thereheis！[Heshootsathim。Apause]Ididn’tgethim？I
　　missedagain？[Furiously]Damnation！Damnation！Tohellwithhim！
　　Heflingstherevolveronthefloor，anddropshelplessintoachair。SEREBRAKOFFstandsasifstupefied。HELENAleansagainstthewall，almostfainting。
　　HELENA。Takemeaway！Takemeaway！Ican’tstayhere——Ican’t！
　　VOITSKI。[Indespair]Oh，whatshallIdo？WhatshallIdo？
　　SONIA。[Softly]Oh，nurse，nurse！
　　Thecurtainfalls。
　　ACTIV
　　VOITSKI’Sbedroom，whichisalsohisoffice。Atablestandsnearthewindow；onitareledgers，letterscales，andpapersofeverydescription。NearbystandsasmallertablebelongingtoASTROFF，withhispaintsanddrawingmaterials。Onthewallhangsacagecontainingastarling。ThereisalsoamapofAfricaonthewall，obviouslyofnousetoanybody。Thereisalargesofacoveredwithbuckram。Adoortotheleftleadsintoaninnerroom；onetotherightleadsintothefronthall，andbeforethisdoorliesamatforthepeasantswiththeirmuddybootstostandon。Itisanautumnevening。Thesilenceisprofound。TELEGINandMARINAaresittingfacingoneanother，windingwool。
　　TELEGIN。Bequick，Marina，orweshallbecalledawaytosaygood-byebeforeyouhavefinished。Thecarriagehasalreadybeenordered。
　　MARINA。[Tryingtowindmorequickly]Iamalittletired。
　　TELEGIN。TheyaregoingtoKharkofftolive。
　　MARINA。Theydowelltogo。
　　TELEGIN。Theyhavebeenfrightened。Theprofessor’swifewon’tstayhereanhourlonger。"Ifwearegoingatall，let’sbeoff，"
　　saysshe，"weshallgotoKharkoffandlookaboutus，andthenwecansendforourthings。"Theyaretravellinglight。Itseems，Marina，thatfatehasdecreedforthemnottolivehere。
　　MARINA。Andquiterightly。Whatastormtheyhavejustraised！Itwasshameful！
　　TELEGIN。Itwasindeed。ThescenewasworthyofthebrushofAibazofski。
　　MARINA。IwishI’dneverlaideyesonthem。[Apause]Nowweshallhavethingsastheywereagain：teaateight，dinneratone，andsupperintheevening；everythinginorderasdecentfolks，asChristiansliketohaveit。[Sighs]ItisalongtimesinceIhaveeatennoodles。
　　TELEGIN。Yes，wehaven’thadnoodlesforages。[Apause]Notforages。AsIwasgoingthroughthevillagethismorning，Marina，oneoftheshop-keeperscalledafterme，"Hi！youhanger-on！"I
　　feltitbitterly。
　　MARINA。Don’tpaytheleastattentiontothem，master；wearealldependentsonGod。YouandSoniaandallofus。Everyonemustwork，noonecansitidle。WhereisSonia？
　　TELEGIN。Inthegardenwiththedoctor，lookingforIvan。Theyfearhemaylayviolenthandsonhimself。
　　MARINA。Whereishispistol？
　　TELEGIN。[Whispers]Ihiditinthecellar。
　　VOITSKIandASTROFFcomein。
　　VOITSKI。Leavemealone！[ToMARINAandTELEGIN]Goaway！Goawayandleavemetomyself，ifbutforanhour。Iwon’thaveyouwatchingmelikethis！
　　TELEGIN。Yes，yes，Vanya。[Hegoesoutontiptoe。]
　　MARINA。Thegandercackles；ho！ho！ho！
　　[Shegathersupherwoolandgoesout。]
　　VOITSKI。Leavemebymyself！
　　ASTROFF。Iwould，withthegreatestpleasure。Ioughttohavegonelongago，butIshan’tleaveyouuntilyouhavereturnedwhatyoutookfromme。
　　VOITSKI。Itooknothingfromyou。
　　ASTROFF。Iamnotjesting，don’tdetainme，Ireallymustgo。
　　VOITSKI。Itooknothingofyours。
　　ASTROFF。Youdidn’t？Verywell，Ishallhavetowaitalittlelonger，andthenyouwillhavetoforgivemeifIresorttoforce。Weshallhavetobindyouandsearchyou。ImeanwhatI
　　say。
　　VOITSKI。Doasyouplease。[Apause]Oh，tomakesuchafoolofmyself！Toshoottwiceandmisshimbothtimes！Ishallneverforgivemyself。
　　ASTROFF。Whentheimpulsecametoshoot，itwouldhavebeenaswellhadyouputabulletthroughyourownhead。
　　VOITSKI。[Shrugginghisshoulders]Strange！Iattemptedmurder，andamnotgoingtobearrestedorbroughttotrial。Thatmeanstheythinkmemad。[Withabitterlaugh]Me！Iammad，andthosewhohidetheirworthlessness，theirdullness，theircryingheartlessnessbehindaprofessor’smask，aresane！Thosewhomarryoldmenandthendeceivethemunderthenosesofall，aresane！I
　　sawyoukissher；Isawyouineachother’sarms！
　　ASTROFF。Yes，sir，Ididkissher；sothere。[Heputshisthumbtohisnose。]
　　VOITSKI。[Hiseyesonthedoor]No，itistheearththatismad，becauseshestillbearsusonherbreast。
　　ASTROFF。Thatisnonsense。
　　VOITSKI。Well？AmInotamadman，andthereforeirresponsible？
　　Haven’tItherighttotalknonsense？
　　ASTROFF。Thisisafarce！Youarenotmad；youaresimplyaridiculousfool。Iusedtothinkeveryfoolwasoutofhissenses，butnowIseethatlackofsenseisaman’snormalstate，andyouareperfectlynormal。
　　VOITSKI。[Covershisfacewithhishands]Oh！IfyouknewhowashamedIam！Thesepiercingpangsofshamearelikenothingonearth。[Inanagonisedvoice]Ican’tendurethem！[Heleansagainstthetable]WhatcanIdo？WhatcanIdo？
　　ASTROFF。Nothing。
　　VOITSKI。Youmusttellmesomething！Oh，myGod！Iamforty-sevenyearsold。Imaylivetosixty；Istillhavethirteenyearsbeforeme；aneternity！HowshallIbeabletoendurelifeforthirteenyears？WhatshallIdo？HowcanIfillthem？Oh，don’tyousee？[HepressesASTROFF’Shandconvulsively]Don’tyousee，ifonlyIcouldlivetherestofmylifeinsomenewway！IfI
　　couldonlywakesomestill，brightmorningandfeelthatlifehadbegunagain；thatthepastwasforgottenandhadvanishedlikesmoke。[Heweeps]Oh，tobeginlifeanew！Tellme，tellmehowtobegin。
　　ASTROFF。[Crossly]Whatnonsense！WhatsortofanewlifecanyouandIlookforwardto？Wecanhavenohope。
　　VOITSKI。None？
　　ASTROFF。None。OfthatIamconvinced。
　　VOITSKI。Tellmewhattodo。[Heputshishandtohisheart]I
　　feelsuchaburningpainhere。
　　ASTROFF。[Shoutsangrily]Stop！[Then，moregently]Itmaybethatposterity，whichwilldespiseusforourblindandstupidlives，willfindsomeroadtohappiness；butwe——youandI——havebutonehope，thehopethatwemaybevisitedbyvisions，perhapsbypleasantones，aswelierestinginourgraves。[Sighing]Yes，brother，therewereonlytworespectable，intelligentmeninthiscounty，youandI。Tenyearsorsoofthislifeofours，thismiserablelife，havesuckedusunder，andwehavebecomeascontemptibleandpettyastherest。Butdon’ttrytotalkmeoutofmypurpose！Givemewhatyoutookfromme，willyou？
　　VOITSKI。Itooknothingfromyou。
　　ASTROFF。Youtookalittlebottleofmorphineoutofmymedicine-case。[Apause]Listen！Ifyouarepositivelydeterminedtomakeanendtoyourself，gointothewoodsandshootyourselfthere。Giveupthemorphine，ortherewillbealotoftalkandguesswork；peoplewillthinkIgaveittoyou。Idon’tfancyhavingtoperformapost-mortemonyou。DoyouthinkIshouldfinditinteresting？
　　SONIAcomesin。
　　VOITSKI。Leavemealone。
　　ASTROFF。[ToSONIA]Sonia，yourunclehasstolenabottleofmorphineoutofmymedicine-caseandwon’tgiveitup。Tellhimthathisbehaviouris——well，unwise。Ihaven’ttime，Imustbegoing。
　　SONIA。UncleVanya，didyoutakethemorphine？
　　ASTROFF。Yes，hetookit。[Apause]Iamabsolutelysure。
　　SONIA。Giveitup！Whydoyouwanttofrightenus？[Tenderly]
　　Giveitup，UncleVanya！Mymisfortuneisperhapsevengreaterthanyours，butIamnotplungedindespair。Ienduremysorrow，andshallendureituntilmylifecomestoanaturalend。Youmustendureyours，too。[Apause]Giveitup！Dear，darlingUncleVanya。Giveitup！[Sheweeps]Youaresogood，Iamsureyouwillhavepityonusandgiveitup。Youmustendureyoursorrow，UncleVanya；youmustendureit。
　　VOITSKItakesabottlefromthedrawerofthetableandhandsittoASTROFF。
　　VOITSKI。Thereitis！[ToSONIA]Andnow，wemustgettoworkatonce；wemustdosomething，orelseIshallnotbeabletoendureit。
　　SONIA。Yes，yes，towork！Assoonaswehaveseenthemoffweshallgotowork。[Shenervouslystraightensoutthepapersonthetable]Everythingisinamuddle！
　　ASTROFF。[Puttingthebottleinhiscase，whichhestrapstogether]NowIcanbeoff。
　　HELENAcomesin。
　　HELENA。Areyouhere，Ivan？Wearestartinginamoment。GotoAlexander，hewantstospeaktoyou。
　　SONIA。Go，UncleVanya。[ShetakesVOITSKI’Sarm]Come，youandpapamustmakepeace；thatisabsolutelynecessary。
　　SONIAandVOITSKIgoout。
　　HELENA。Iamgoingaway。[ShegivesASTROFFherhand]Good-bye。
　　ASTROFF。Sosoon？
　　HELENA。Thecarriageiswaiting。
　　ASTROFF。Good-bye。
　　HELENA。Youpromisedmeyouwouldgoawayyourselfto-day。
　　ASTROFF。Ihavenotforgotten。Iamgoingatonce。[Apause]Wereyoufrightened？Wasitsoterrible？
　　HELENA。Yes。
　　ASTROFF。Couldn’tyoustay？Couldn’tyou？To-morrow——intheforest——
　　HELENA。No。Itisallsettled，andthatiswhyIcanlookyousobravelyintheface。Ourdepartureisfixed。OnethingImustaskofyou：don’tthinktoobadlyofme；Ishouldlikeyoutorespectme。
　　ASTROFF。Ah！[Withanimpatientgesture]Stay，Iimploreyou！
　　Confessthatthereisnothingforyoutodointhisworld。Youhavenoobjectinlife；thereisnothingtooccupyyourattention，andsoonerorlateryourfeelingsmustmasteryou。Itisinevitable。ItwouldbebetterifithappenednotinKharkofforinKursk，buthere，innature’slap。Itwouldthenatleastbepoetical，evenbeautiful。Hereyouhavetheforests，thehouseshalfinruinsthatTurgenieffwritesof。
　　HELENA。Howcomicalyouare！IamangrywithyouandyetIshallalwaysrememberyouwithpleasure。Youareinterestingandoriginal。YouandIwillnevermeetagain，andsoIshalltellyou——whyshouldIconcealit？——thatIamjustalittleinlovewithyou。Come，onemorelastpressureofourhands，andthenletuspartgoodfriends。Letusnotbeareachotheranyillwill。
　　ASTROFF。[Pressingherhand]Yes，go。[Thoughtfully]Youseemtobesincereandgood，andyetthereissomethingstrangelydisquietingaboutallyourpersonality。Nosoonerdidyouarriveherewithyourhusbandthaneveryonewhomyoufoundbusyandactivelycreatingsomethingwasforcedtodrophisworkandgivehimselfupforthewholesummertoyourhusband’sgoutandyourself。Youandhehaveinfecteduswithyouridleness。Ihavebeensweptoffmyfeet；Ihavenotputmyhandtoathingforweeks，duringwhichsicknesshasbeenrunningitscourseuncheckedamongthepeople，andthepeasantshavebeenpasturingtheircattleinmywoodsandyoungplantations。Gowhereyouwill，youandyourhusbandwillalwayscarrydestructioninyourtrain。Iamjokingofcourse，andyetIamstrangelysurethathadyoustayedhereweshouldhavebeenovertakenbythemostimmensedesolation。Iwouldhavegonetomyruin，andyou——youwouldnothaveprospered。Sogo！Efinitalacomedia！
　　HELENA。[SnatchingapenciloffASTROFF’Stable，andhidingitwithaquickmovement]Ishalltakethispencilformemory！
　　ASTROFF。Howstrangeitis。Wemeet，andthensuddenlyitseemsthatwemustpartforever。Thatisthewayinthisworld。Aslongaswearealone，beforeUncleVanyacomesinwithabouquet——allowme——tokissyougood-bye——mayI？[Hekissesheronthecheek]So！Splendid！
　　HELENA。Iwishyoueveryhappiness。[Sheglancesabouther]Foronceinmylife，Ishall！andscorntheconsequences！[Shekisseshimimpetuously，andtheyquicklypart]Imustgo。
　　ASTROFF。Yes，go。Ifthecarriageisthere，thenstartatonce。
　　[Theystandlistening。]
　　ASTROFF。Efinita！
　　VOITSKI，SEREBRAKOFF，MME。VOITSKAYAwithherbook，TELEGIN，andSONIAcomein。
　　SEREBRAKOFF。[ToVOITSKI]Shameonhimwhobearsmaliceforthepast。IhavegonethroughsomuchinthelastfewhoursthatI
　　feelcapableofwritingawholetreatiseontheconductoflifefortheinstructionofposterity。Igladlyacceptyourapology，andmyselfaskyourforgiveness。[HekissesVOITSKIthreetimes。]
　　HELENAembracesSONIA。
　　SEREBRAKOFF。[KissingMME。VOITSKAYA’Shand]Mother！
　　MME。VOITSKAYA。[Kissinghim]Haveyourpicturetaken，Alexander，andsendmeone。Youknowhowdearyouaretome。
　　TELEGIN。Good-bye，yourExcellency。Don’tforgetus。
　　SEREBRAKOFF。[Kissinghisdaughter]Good-bye，good-byeall。
　　[ShakinghandswithASTROFF]Manythanksforyourpleasantcompany。Ihaveadeepregardforyouropinionsandyourenthusiasm，butletme，asanoldman，giveonewordofadviceatparting：dosomething，myfriend！Work！Dosomething！[Theyallbow]Goodlucktoyouall。[HegoesoutfollowedbyMME。
　　VOITSKAYAandSONIA。]
　　VOITSKI[KissingHELENA’Shandfervently]Good-bye——forgiveme。I
　　shallneverseeyouagain！
　　HELENA。[Touched]Good-bye，dearboy。
　　Shelightlykisseshisheadashebendsoverherhand，andgoesout。
　　ASTROFF。Tellthemtobringmycarriagearoundtoo，Waffles。
　　TELEGIN。Allright，oldman。
　　ASTROFFandVOITSKIareleftbehindalone。ASTROFFcollectshispaintsanddrawingmaterialsonthetableandpacksthemawayinabox。
　　ASTROFF。Whydon’tyougotoseethemoff？
　　VOITSKI。Letthemgo！I——Ican’tgooutthere。Ifeeltoosad。I
　　mustgotoworkonsomethingatonce。Towork！Towork！
　　Herummagesthroughhispapersonthetable。Apause。Thetinklingofbellsisheardasthehorsestrotaway。
　　ASTROFF。Theyhavegone！Theprofessor，Isuppose，isgladtogo。
　　Hecouldn’tbetemptedbacknowbyafortune。
　　MARINAcomesin。
　　MARINA。Theyhavegone。[Shesitsdowninanarm-chairandknitsherstocking。]
　　SONIAcomesinwipinghereyes。
　　SONIA。Theyhavegone。Godbewiththem。[Toheruncle]Andnow，UncleVanya，letusdosomething！
　　VOITSKI。Towork！Towork！
　　SONIA。Itislong，long，sinceyouandIhavesattogetheratthistable。[Shelightsalamponthetable]Noink！[Shetakestheinkstandtothecupboardandfillsitfromanink-bottle]Howsaditistoseethemgo！
　　MME。VOITSKAYAcomesslowlyin。
　　MME。VOITSKAYA。Theyhavegone。
　　Shesitsdownandatoncebecomesabsorbedinherbook。SONIA
　　sitsdownatthetableandlooksthroughanaccountbook。
　　SONIA。First，UncleVanya，letuswriteuptheaccounts。Theyareinadreadfulstate。Come，begin。YoutakeoneandIwilltaketheother。
　　VOITSKI。Inaccountwith[Theysitsilentlywriting。]
　　MARINA。[Yawning]Thesand-manhascome。
　　ASTROFF。Howstillitis。Theirpensscratch，thecricketsings；
　　itissowarmandcomfortable。Ihatetogo。[Thetinklingofbellsisheard。]
　　ASTROFF。Mycarriagehascome。Therenowremainsbuttosaygood-byetoyou，myfriends，andtomytablehere，andthen——away！[Heputsthemapintotheportfolio。]
　　MARINA。Don’thurryaway；sitalittlelongerwithus。
　　ASTROFF。Impossible。
　　VOITSKI。[Writing]Andcarryforwardfromtheolddebttwoseventy-five——
　　WORKMANcomesin。
　　WORKMAN。Yourcarriageiswaiting，sir。
　　ASTROFF。Allright。[HehandstheWORKMANhismedicine-case，portfolio，andbox]Lookout，don’tcrushtheportfolio！
　　WORKMAN。Verywell，sir。
　　SONIA。Whenshallweseeyouagain？
　　ASTROFF。Hardlybeforenextsummer。Probablynotthiswinter，though，ofcourse，ifanythingshouldhappenyouwillletmeknow。[Heshakeshandswiththem]Thankyouforyourkindness，foryourhospitality，foreverything！[HegoesuptoMARINAandkissesherhead]Good-bye，oldnurse！
　　MARINA。Areyougoingwithoutyourtea？
　　ASTROFF。Idon’twantany，nurse。
　　MARINA。Won’tyouhaveadropofvodka？
　　ASTROFF。[Hesitatingly]Yes，Imight。
　　MARINAgoesout。
　　ASTROFF。[Afterapause]Myoff-wheelerhasgonelameforsomereason。InoticedityesterdaywhenPeterwastakinghimtowater。
　　VOITSKI。Youshouldhavehimre-shod。
　　ASTROFF。Ishallhavetogoaroundbytheblacksmith’sonmywayhome。Itcan’tbeavoided。[HestandslookingupatthemapofAfricahangingonthewall]IsupposeitisroastinghotinAfricanow。
　　VOITSKI。Yes，Isupposeitis。
　　MARINAcomesbackcarryingatrayonwhichareaglassofvodkaandapieceofbread。
　　MARINA。Helpyourself。
　　ASTROFFdrinksMARINA。Toyourgoodhealth！[Shebowsdeeply]Eatyourbreadwithit。
　　ASTROFF。No，Ilikeitso。Andnow，good-bye。[ToMARINA]Youneedn’tcomeouttoseemeoff，nurse。
　　Hegoesout。SONIAfollowshimwithacandletolighthimtothecarriage。MARINAsitsdowninherarmchair。
　　VOITSKI。[Writing]Onthe2dofFebruary，twentypoundsofbutter；onthe16th，twentypoundsofbutteragain。Buckwheatflour——[Apause。Bellsareheardtinkling。]
　　MARINA。Hehasgone。[Apause。]
　　SONIAcomesinandsetsthecandlestickonthetable。
　　SONIA。Hehasgone。
　　VOITSKI。[Addingandwriting]Total，fifteen——twenty-five——
　　SONIAsitsdownandbeginstowrite。
　　[Yawning]Oh，ho！TheLordhavemercy。
　　TELEGINcomesinontiptoe，sitsdownnearthedoor，andbeginstotunehisguitar。
　　VOITSKI。[ToSONIA，strokingherhair]Oh，mychild，Iammiserable；ifyouonlyknewhowmiserableIam！
　　SONIA。Whatcanwedo？Wemustliveourlives。[Apause]Yes，weshalllive，UncleVanya。Weshalllivethroughthelongprocessionofdaysbeforeus，andthroughthelongevenings；weshallpatientlybearthetrialsthatfateimposesonus；weshallworkforotherswithoutrest，bothnowandwhenweareold；andwhenourlasthourcomesweshallmeetithumbly，andthere，beyondthegrave，weshallsaythatwehavesufferedandwept，thatourlifewasbitter，andGodwillhavepityonus。Ah，thendear，dearUncle，weshallseethatbrightandbeautifullife；weshallrejoiceandlookbackuponoursorrowhere；atendersmile——and——weshallrest。Ihavefaith，Uncle，fervent，passionatefaith。[SONIAkneelsdownbeforeheruncleandlaysherheadonhishands。Shespeaksinawearyvoice]Weshallrest。[TELEGINplayssoftlyontheguitar]Weshallrest。Weshallheartheangels。Weshallseeheavenshininglikeajewel。
　　Weshallseeallevilandallourpainsinkawayinthegreatcompassionthatshallenfoldtheworld。Ourlifewillbeaspeacefulandtenderandsweetasacaress。Ihavefaith；Ihavefaith。[Shewipesawayhertears]Mypoor，poorUncleVanya，youarecrying！[Weeping]Youhaveneverknownwhathappinesswas，butwait，UncleVanya，wait！Weshallrest。[Sheembraceshim]Weshallrest。[TheWATCHMAN’Srattleisheardinthegarden；
　　TELEGINplayssoftly；MME。VOITSKAYAwritessomethingonthemarginofherpamphlet；MARINAknitsherstocking]Weshallrest。
　　Thecurtainslowlyfalls。