Delphi Complete Works of Anton Chekhov

SCENE IX.

The SAME, without PETRIN and STCHERBOOK.

ANNA PETROVNA (coming out from behind the trees). Are they gone?

PLATONOV. Yes. . . .

ANNA PETROVNA {taking him by the shoulders). Shall we move on?

PLATONOV. Yes, let’s go! I’m going, but if you only knew how little I want to do it! It’s not I who’s coming to you, but the devil, who’s beating me across the nape of the neck, and saying: Go! Go!

[ANNA PETROVNA. What insolence! . . . (Hits Platonov with her whip.) Speak, speak! But don’t say too much! (Goes away from Platonov.) If you want to come, comej if you don’t want to, why, don’t! I’ll not beg... It’s too much to expect!

PLATONOV. But . . . It’s too late to feel hurt! (Follows her and takes her arm.)

ANNA PETROVNA (tears herself away from him).

PLATONOV. It’s all the same to me... I’m coming... Now you can’t stop the devil in me... You turn away? It’s too late to feel hurt! We are now left in a situation where no matter how much we may injure each other’s dignity we can’t part.

. . . We are weak! Don’t feel hurt, woman! (Embraces her.) I had no’idea of hurting you! I only wanted to express myself more clearly. ... I shall kill myself the moment I allow myself to hurt your feelings... You’re everything to me! Even in sin, you are great in my eyes!] Understand me! If my conscience does not accept your love, it’s only because of a deep conviction that you are committing an irretrievable mistake...

SASHA (from the window). Misha, Misha! Where are you?

PLATONOV. The deuce take it!

SASHA. Ah ... I see you... Who’s with you?

{Laughs.) Anna Petrovna! Good-evening!

ANNA PETROVNA. Good-evening, Alexandra Ivan- ovna!

SASHA. SO you’re in a riding-habit? You’ve been riding? A fine thing! It’s a lovely night! Misha and I will join you!

ANNA PETROVNA. I’ve had enough, Alexandra Ivan- ovna... I’m off for home now. . . .

SASHA. In that case, of course . . . Misha, come into the house! I really don’t know what to do! Kolya feels badly. . . .

PLATONOV. Which Kolya?

SASHA. Your brother Nikolai... He must have had a drop too much... Come in, please! You too come in, Anna Petrovna! I’ll run down into the cellar and get some cream... We’ll each have a glass... Cool cream!

ANNA PETROVNA. Thank you. ... I must go home. ... (To Platonov.) Go now... I’ll wait for you. . . .

SASHA. Come, Misha! (Disappears from view.)

PLATONOV. I’d quite forgotten about her existence... Go... I’ll get her to bed and come...

ANNA PETROVNA. Don’t delay...

PLATONOV. We’ve almost run into a scandal! Goodbye for the moment... (Goes into the school- house.)