Page:Plays by Anton Tchekoff (1916).djvu/23



''A country house on a terrace. In front of it a garden. In an avenue of trees, under an old poplar, stands a table set for tea, with a samovar, etc. Some benches and chairs stand near the table. On one of them is lying a guitar. A hammock is swung near the table. It is three o'clock in the afternoon of a cloudy day.''

, a quiet, grey-haired, little old woman, is sitting at the table knitting a stocking.

is walking up and down near her.

. [Pouring some tea into a glass] Take a little tea, my son.

. [Takes the glass from her unwillingly] Somehow, I don’t seem to want any.

. Then will you have a little vodka instead?

. No, I don’t drink vodka every day, and besides, it is too hot now. [A pause] Tell me, nurse, how long have we known each other?

. [Thoughtfully] Let me see, how long is it? Lord—help me to remember. You first came here, into our parts—let me think—when was it? Sonia’s mother was still alive—it was two winters before she died; that was eleven years ago—[thoughtfully] perhaps more.

. Have I changed much since then?

. Oh, yes. You were handsome and young then, and now you are an old man and not handsome any more. You drink, too.