Page:Plays by Anton Tchekoff (1916).djvu/95

ACT I

. Leave him alone, Count. Leave him alone. Let him go if he enjoys himself there.

. What does this mean, Annie? You know I am not going for pleasure. I must see Lebedieff about the money I owe him.

. I don’t see why you need justify yourself to me. Go ahead! Who is keeping you?

. Heavens! Don’t let us bite one another’s heads off. Is that really unavoidable?

. [Tearfully] Nicholas, my dear boy, do please take me with you. I might possibly be amused a little by the sight of all the fools and scoundrels I should see there. You know I haven’t been off this place since Easter.

. [Exasperated] Oh, very well! Come along then! How tiresome you all are!

. I may go? Oh, thank you! [Takes him gaily by the arm and leads him aside] May I wear your straw hat?

. You may, only hurry, please.

runs into the house.

. How tired I am of you all! But no, what am I saying? Annie, my manner to you is insufferable, and it never used to be. Well, good-bye, Annie. I shall be back by one.

. Nicholas! My dear husband, stay at home to-night!

. [Excitedly] Darling, sweetheart, my dear, unhappy one, I implore you to let me leave home in the evenings. I know it is cruel and unjust to ask this, but let me do you this injustice. It is such torture for me to stay. As soon as the sun goes down my soul is overwhelmed by the most horrible despair. Don’t ask me why; I don’t know; I swear I don’t. This dreadful melancholy torments me here, it drives me to the Lebedieff’s and there it grows worse