Page:Plays by Anton Tchekoff (1916).djvu/182

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have a definite object in view. You should know why you are writing, for if you follow the road of art without a goal before your eyes, you will lose yourself, and your genius will be your ruin.

. [Impetuously] Where is Nina?

. She has gone home.

. [In despair] Gone home? What shall I do? I want to see her; I must see her! I shall follow her.

. My dear boy, keep quiet.

. I am going. I must go.

comes in.

. Your mother wants you to come in, Mr. Constantine. She is waiting for you, and is very uneasy.

. Tell her I have gone away. And for heaven’s sake, all of you, leave me alone! Go away! Don’t follow me about!

. Come, come, old chap, don’t act like this; it isn’t kind at all.

. [Through his tears] Good-bye, doctor, and thank you.

goes out.

. [Sighing] Ah, youth, youth!

. It is always “Youth, youth,” when there is nothing else to be said.

She takes snuff. takes the snuff-box out of her hands and flings it into the bushes.

. Don’t do that, it is horrid. [A pause] I hear music in the house. I must go in.

. Wait a moment.

. What do you want?

. Let me tell you again. I feel like talking. [She grows more and more excited] I do not love my father, but my heart turns to you. For some reason, I feel with all my soul