Page:Plays by Anton Tchekoff (1916).djvu/128

120

. [Waving his hands] What does this mean? Is this the Australian bush, where no one has any interests in common? Where there is no public spirit, and each man lives for himself alone? However, I must be off. My time is precious. [He shakes hands with ] Pass!

General laughter. ''goes out. In the doorway he runs into''.

. [Shrieks] Bad luck to you, you nearly knocked me down.

. Oh, she is always everywhere at once!

. So this is where you all are? I have been looking for you all over the house. Good-day to you, boys!

[She shakes hands with everybody.

. What brings you here?

. Business, my son. [To ] Business connected with your highness. She commanded me to bow. [She bows] And to inquire after your health. She told me to say, the little birdie, that if you did not come to see her this evening she would cry her eyes out. Take him aside, she said, and whisper in his ear. But why should I make a secret of her message? We are not stealing chickens, but arranging an affair of lawful love by mutual consent of both parties. And now, although I never drink, I shall take a drop under these circumstances.

. So shall I. [He pours out the vodka] You must be immortal, you old magpie! You were an old woman when I first knew you, thirty years ago.

. I have lost count of the years. I have buried three husbands, and would have married a fourth if any one had wanted a woman without a dowry. I have had eight children. [She takes up the glass] Well, we have begun a good work, may it come to a good end! They will live happily ever