Page:Plays by Anton Tchekoff (1916).djvu/87

ACT I

want a dam here you will have to pay to get us away. Do you see the result? The factory would give us five thousand roubles, Korolkoff three thousand, the monasiery five thousand more

. All that is simply idiotic, Misha. If you don’t want me to lose my temper you must keep your schemes to yourself.

. [Sits down at the table] Of course! I knew how it would be! You never will act for yourself, and you tie my hands so that I am helpless.

Enter and.

. The only difference between lawyers and doctors is that lawyers simply rob you, whereas doctors both rob you and kill you. I am not referring to any one present. [Sits down on the bench] They are all frauds and swindlers. Perhaps in Arcadia you might find an exception to the general rule and yet—I have treated thousands of sick people myself in my life, and I have never met a doctor who did not seem to me to be an unmistakable scoundrel.

. [To ] Yes, you tie my hands and never do anything for yourself, and that is why you have no money.

. As I said before, I am not referring to any one here at present; there may be exceptions though, after all—

[He yawns.

. [Shuts his book] What have you to tell me, doctor?

. [Looks toward the window] Exactly what I said this morning: she must go to the Crimea at once.

[Walks up and down.

. [Bursts out laughing] To the Crimea! Why don’t you and I set up as doctors, Misha? Then, if some Madame Angot or Ophelia finds the world tiresome and begins to cough and be consumptive, all we shall have to