Page:Plays by Anton Tchekoff (1916).djvu/67

ACT III

it all to you. We have not eaten the bread of idleness. I am not saying this as I should like to, but you must understand us, papa, you must be merciful to us.

. [Very excited, to her husband] For heaven’s sake, Alexander, go and have a talk with him—explain!

. Very well, I shall have a talk with him, but I won’t apologise for a thing. I am not angry with him, but you must confess that his behaviour has been strange, to say the least. Excuse me, I shall go to him.

[He goes out through the centre door.

. Be gentle with him; try to quiet him.

[She follows him out.

. [Nestling nearer to ] Nurse, oh, nurse!

. It’s all right, my baby. When the geese have cackled they will be still again. First they cackle and then they stop.

. Nurse!

. You are trembling all over, as if you were freezing. There, there, little orphan baby, God is merciful. A little linden-tea, and it will all pass away. Don’t cry, my sweetest. [Looking angrily at the door in the centre of the room] See, the geese have all gone now. The devil take them!

A shot is heard. screams behind the scenes. shudddersshudders [sic].

. Bang! What’s that?

. [Comes in reeling with terror] Hold him! hold him! He has gone mad!

and are seen struggling in the doorway.

. [Trying to wrest the revolver from him] Give it to me; give it to me, I tell you!

. Let me go, Helena, let me go! [He frees himself and rushes in, looking everywhere for ] Where is he? Ah, there he is! [''He shoots at him. A pause''] I didn’t