Page:Plays by Anton Tchekoff (1916).djvu/171

ACT I

in half an hour. No, no, for heaven’s sake do not urge me to stay. My father doesn’t know I am here.

. As a matter of fact, it is time to begin now. I must call the audience.

. Let me call them—and all—I am going this minute. [He goes toward the right, begins to sing “The Two Grenadiers,” then stops.] I was singing that once when a fellow-lawyer said to me: “You have a powerful voice, sir.” Then he thought a moment and added, “But it is a disagreeable one!”

[He goes out laughing.

. My father and his wife never will let me come here; they call this place Bohemia and are afraid I shall become an actress. But this lake attracts me as it does the gulls. My heart is full of you.

[She glances about her.

. We are alone.

. Isn’t that some one over there?

. No.

. What is that tree?

. An elm.

. Why does it look so dark?

. It is evening; everything looks dark now. Don’t go away early, I implore you.

. I must.

. What if I were to follow you, Nina? I shall stand in your garden all night with my eyes on your window.

. That would be impossible; the watchman would see you, and Treasure is not used to you yet, and would bark.

. I love you.

. Hush!

. [Listening to approaching footsteps] Who is that? Is it you, Jacob?

. [On the stage] Yes, sir.