Page:Plays by Anton Tchekoff (1916).djvu/78

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to say good-bye to you, my friends, and to my table here, and then—away!

[He puts the map into the portfolio.

. Don’t hurry away; sit a little longer with us.

. Impossible.

. [Writing] And carry forward from the old debt two seventy-five

comes in.

. Your carriage is waiting, sir.

. All right. [He hands the his medicine-case, portfolio, and box] Look out, don’t crush the portfolio!

. Very well, sir.

. When shall we see you again?

. Hardly before next summer. Probably not this winter, though, of course, if anything should happen you will let me know. [He shakes hands with them] Thank you for your kindness, for your hospitality, for everything! [He goes up to and kisses her head] Good-bye, old nurse!

. Are you going without your tea?

. I don’t want any, nurse.

. Won’t you have a drop of vodka?

. [Hesitatingly] Yes, I might.

goes out.

. [After a pause] My off-wheeler has gone lame for some reason. I noticed it yesterday when Peter was taking him to water.

. You should have him re-shod.

. I shall have to go around by the blacksmith’s on my way home. It can’t be avoided. [He stands looking up at the map of Africa hanging on the wall] I suppose it is roasting hot in Africa now.

. Yes, I suppose it is.

comes back carrying a tray on which are a glass of vodka and a piece of bread.