Page:Plays by Anton Tchekoff (1916).djvu/99

ACT I

and heartless—but enough of your husband! What have you in common with these wicked and vulgar surroundings? With that eternal grumbler, the crazy and decrepit Count? With that swindler, that prince of rascals, Misha, with his fool’s face? Tell me, I say, how did you get here?

. [Laughing] That is what he used to say, long ago, oh, exactly! Only his eyes are larger than yours, and when he was excited they used to shine like coals—go on, go on!

. [Gets up and waves his hand] There is nothing more to say. Go into the house.

. You say that Nicholas is not what he should be, that his faults are so and so. How can you possibly understand him? How can you learn to know any one in six months? He is a wonderful man, Doctor, and I am sorry you could not have known him as he was two or three years ago. He is depressed and silent now, and broods all day without doing anything, but he was splendid then. I fell in love with him at first sight. [Laughing] I gave one look and was caught like a mouse in a trap! So when he asked me to go with him I cut every tie that bound me to my old life as one snips the withered leaves from a plant. But things are different now. Now he goes to the Lebedieff’s to amuse himself with other women, and I sit here in the garden and listen to the owls. [The rattle is heard] Tell me, Doctor, have you any brothers and sisters?

. No.

sobs.

. What is it? What is the matter?

. I can’t stand it, Doctor, I must go.

. Where?

. To him. I am going. Have the horses harnessed.

[She runs into the house.

. No, I certainly cannot go on treating any one