Complete Works of Anton Chekhov

SCENE V .

VOINITZEV,

ANNA PETROVNA AND GREKOVA.

GREKOVA (coming in). So you’re here! How are you? (Gives her hand to Anna Petrovna.) How are you, Sergey Pavlovitch? . . . I’m sorry. I seem to have come at an inopportune moment. A guest at the improper time is worse than . . . than . . . What do they say? Yes, worse than a Tartar... I want only a minute... You can’t possibly guess! (Laughs.) I’ll show you something, Anna Petrovna... Forgive me, Sergey Pavlovitch, I have a secret to tell Anna Petrovna... (Takes Anna Petrovna to a side.) Read this... (Gives her a note.) I got this yesterday... Just read it!

ANNA PETROVNA (scans the note). Ah . . . GREKOVA. You see, I took the matter to the Court... (Puts her head on Anna Petrovna’’s breast.) Send for him, Anna Petrovna! Let him come!

ANNA PETROVNA. Is it necessary? GREKOVA. I’d like to see what’s his face like now... What’s written on it! Send for him! I beg of you! I have two words to say to him... You’ve no idea what a mess I’ve made of things! Don’t you listen, Sergey Pavlovitch! (In a whisper.) I went to the director... Mikhail Vassilyevitch will be transferred to another place... What a mess I’ve made! (Weeps.) Send for him! How could I havp known that he’d write this letter? Ah, if I could only have known! My God! How I’ve suffered!

ANNA PETROVNA. Step into the library, my dear! I’ll be with you presently. ... I must have a few words with Sergey Pavlovitch alone... GREKOVA. Into the library? Good... You will send for him? I want to see the sort of face he has after this letter! You’ve read it? Give me the letter. I want to put it away. (Hides the letter.) My dear . . . I implore you!

ANNA PETROVNA. Good... I’ll see you presently! GREKOVA. Very well... (Kisses her.) Don’t be angry with me, my dear! I’m suffering! You can’t imagine . . . I’m going now, Sergey Pavlovitch! You may continue with your talk! (Goes.)

ANNA PETROVNA. I’ll learn everything presently... Don’t be upset! Perhaps, we can mend matters yet... What a horrible story! Who could have expected it? I’ll have a talk with Sofya! I’ll question her properly... You’ve made a mistake... But no! (Covers her face with her hands.) No, no . . .

VOINITZEV. NO! I’ve made no mistake! (Presses his hands to his face.)

ANNA PETROVNA. All the same, I’ll have a talk with her... I’ll have a talk with him too. . . .

VOINITZEV. Go, and talk away! Only it will be for nothing! (Sits down by the table.) Let’s leave this place! I have no hope! Not a straw at which I might clutch. . . .

ANNA PETROVNA. I’ll find out everything presently. You sit down and have a cry! You’d better lie down, man! Where’s Sofya?

VOINITZEV. She must be in her room...

ANNA PETROVNA (goes OUt).