Page:Plays by Anton Tchekoff (1916).djvu/59

ACT III

time. [Shrugging his shoulders] Where shall I find time for such things?

[He is embarrassed.

. Bah! What an unpleasant conversation! I am as out of breath as if I had been running three miles uphill. Thank heaven, that is over! Now let us forget everything as if nothing had been said. You are sensible. You understand. [A pause] I am actually blushing.

. If you had spoken a month ago I might perhaps have considered it, but now— [He shrugs his shoulders] Of course, if she is suffering—but I cannot understand why you had to put me through this examination. [He searches her face with his eyes, and shakes his finger at her] Oho, you are wily!

. What does this mean?

. [Laughing] You are a wily one! I admit that Sonia is suffering, but what does this examination of yours mean? [He prevents her from retorting, and goes on quickly] Please don’t put on such a look of surprise; you know perfectly well why I come here every day. Yes, you know perfectly why and for whose sake I come! Oh, my sweet tigress! don’t look at me in that way; I am an old bird!

. [Perplexed] A tigress? I don’t understand you.

. Beautiful, sleek tigress, you must have your victims! For a whole month I have done nothing but seek you eagerly. I have thrown over everything for you, and you love to see it. Now then, I am sure you knew all this without putting me through your examination. [Crossing his arms and bowing his head] I surrender. Here you have me—now, eat me.

. You have gone mad!

. You are afraid!

. I am a better and stronger woman than you think me. Good-bye.

[She tries to leave the room.