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。