Delphi Complete Works of Anton Chekhov

SCENE XV.

ANNA PETROVNA, GLAGOLYEV I, GREKOVA and TRILETZKY.

GREKOVA (entering). It’s the worst humiliation yet! (Weeps.) The worst yet! Only depraved people could look on in silence!

TRILETZKY. I believe you, but what could I do? What could I do? I couldn’t attack him with a log, now could I?

GREKOVA. You should have used a log if you could find no other means! Go away from me! I ... I, a woman, wouldn’t have remained silent had I seen you treated so shabbily and abominably as I’ve been treated.

TRILETZKY. But I . . . him . . . Look at it sensibly! How am I to blame?

GREKOVA. You’re a coward, that’s what you are! Go, I don’t want to see you! Go to your nasty buffet! Good-bye! Don’t make any effort to see me again! We’ re not necessary to one another... Good-bye!

TRILETZKY. Please don’t take it so! I am sick of it all! Tears, tears ... Oh, my God! How my head goes round... Coenurus cerebralis! Ah-h . . .

(He makes a helpless gesture with his hand and walks away.)

GREKOVA. Coenurus cerebralis... (Goes.) He humiliated me... Why? What have I done?

ANNA PETROVNA (walking up to her). Marya Efi- movna ... I am not keeping you. ... I myself should have left had I been in your place... (Kisses her.) Don’t cry, my dear... Most women have been created to suffer all sorts of nastiness from men. . . .

GREKOVA. But not I. ... I will . . . get even with him! He’ll not be a teacher here any longer! Tomorrow I’m going to the director of the national schools. . . .

ANNA PETROVNA. Enough... I’ll come and see you within a day or two, and you and I will discuss Platonov. In the meantime, calm yourself... Stop crying... You will have your satisfaction... Don’t be angry at Triletzky, my dear... He did not defend you because he is too good and soft. Such people are incapable of defence... What did he do to you?

GREKOVA. He kissed me in the presence of all . . . called me a fool and . . . and . . . threw me on the table... You needn’t think he’ll escape unpunished. He is either mad, or else . . . I’ll show him! (Goes away.)

ANNA PETROVNA (after her). Good-bye! We’ll see each other soon! (To Yakov.) Yakov! Get the carriage ready for Marya Efimovna! . . . Ah, Platonov, Platonov . . . He’ll get into hot water one day. . . .

GLAGOLYEV i. A lovely girl! Our good Mikhail Vassilyitch doesn’t like her much... He’s hurt her feelings. . . .

ANNA PETROVNA. Nothing serious! Today he hurts her feelings, and tomorrow he’ll beg her pardon... There’s a noble chord there! (Enter Glagolyev II.)