Page:Plays by Anton Tchekoff (1916).djvu/76

68

. E finita!

with her book,, and come in.

. [To ] Shame on him who bears malice for the past. I have gone through so much in the last few hours that I feel capable of writing a whole treatise on the conduct of life for the instruction of posterity. I gladly accept your apology, and myself ask your forgiveness.

[He kisses three times.

embraces.

. [Kissing hand] Mother!

. [Kissing him] Have your picture taken, Alexander, and send me one. You know how dear you are to me.

. Good-bye, your Excellency. Don’t forget us.

. [Kissing his daughter] Good-bye, good-bye all. [Shaking hands with ] Many thanks for your pleasant company. I have a deep regard for your opinions and your enthusiasm, but let me, as an old man, give one word of advice at parting: do something, my friend! Work! Do something! [They all bow] Good luck to you all.

[He goes out followed by and.

. [Kissing hand fervently] Good-bye—forgive me. I shall never see you again!

. [Touched] Good-bye, dear boy.

She lightly kisses his head as he bends over her hand, and goes out.

. Tell them to bring my carriage around too, Waffles.

. All right, old man.

and are left behind alone. collects his paints and drawing materials on the table and packs them away in a box.