Page:Plays by Anton Tchekoff (1916).djvu/107

ACT II

. What if it isn’t, Sasha? Let them spin yarns if it amuses them. [He calls] Gabriel!

brings him another glass of vodka and a glass of water.

. His misfortunes have almost ruined him, poor man. His affairs are in a frightful condition. If Borkin did not take such good charge of his estate he and his Jewess would soon be starving to death. [She sighs] And what anxiety he has caused us! Heaven only knows how we have suffered. Do you realise, my dear, that for three years he has owed us nine thousand roubles?

. [Horrified] Nine thousand!

. Yes, that is the sum that my dear Paul has undertaken to lend him. He never knows to whom it is safe to lend money and to whom it is not. I don’t worry about the principal, but he ought to pay the interest on his debt.

. [Hotly] Mamma, you have already discussed this subject at least a thousand times!

. What difference does it make to you? Why should you interfere?

. What is this mania you all have for gossiping about a man who has never done any of you any harm? Tell me, what harm has he done you?

. Let me say two words, Miss Sasha. I esteem Ivanoff, and have always found him an honourable man, but, between ourselves, I also consider him an adventurer.

. I congratulate you on your opinion!

. In proof of its truth, permit me to present to you the following facts, as they were communicated to me by his secretary, or shall I say rather, by his factotum, Borkin. Two years ago, at the time of the cattle plague, he bought some cattle and had them insured—